US5075538A — Portable laser diode scanning head

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

An optical component for use in optical scanning system of the type having a laser light source and a laser light sensor mounted in a lightweight handheld housing, and operative for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, compromising; (a) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror for reflecting light from the light source to the indicia parts in a scan across the indicia parts, thereby reflecting light of variable light intensity off the indicia parts; (b) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror for collecting a least a portion of the light reflected off the indicia parts, and for directing the collected portion of light to the light sensor; and (c) drive means for jointly, reciprocally and simultaneously oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

An optical component for use in optical scanning system of the type having a laser light source and a laser light sensor mounted in a lightweight handheld housing, and operative for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, compromising; (a) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror for reflecting light from the light source to the indicia parts in a scan across the indicia parts, thereby reflecting light of variable light intensity off the indicia parts; (b) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror for collecting a least a portion of the light reflected off the indicia parts, and for directing the collected portion of light to the light sensor; and (c) drive means for jointly, reciprocally and simultaneously oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the Fresnel collecting mirror has an optical axis, and wherein the scanning mirror is mounted on the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror is smaller than, and is mounted on, the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror is one-piece construction with the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 45 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror has a front surface facing the light source and covered with a light-reflecting coating, and wherein the Fresnel collecting mirror has a front surface facing the light sensor and covered with a light-reflecting coating.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 66 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the oscillating means includes a scanner motor having an output shaft on which the scanning and Fresnel collecting mirrors are mounted, said motor being operative for reciprocally and repetitively oscillating the shaft in alternate circumferential directions over arc lengths less than 360° and at a rate of speed on the order of a plurality of oscillations per second.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser source, and wherein the indicia constitute bar code symbols.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The head as described in claim 1, wherein the scanning means includes an electric motor having an output shaft, and said Fresnel mirror and said scanning mirror are mounted for direct movement with said output shaft.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 197 words

A lightweight, handheld laser scanner for reading indicia and generating electrical signals indicative thereof, comprising: a) a housing having an area for passing laser light to the indicia and for receiving reflected laser light from the indicia; b) a source of laser light in the housing; c) a sensor in the housing for receiving said reflected laser light after it has been admitted through said area and for generating a first signal representative of said indicia; d) a plurality of optical elements positioned in the housing generally defining an optical path between the source of laser light and said area of the housing and between said area and said sensor, the optical elements including (i) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror positioned for receiving laser emissions from the light source and sweeping them through said area across said indicia, and (ii) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror positioned for receiving said reflected laser light and reflecting it onto said sensor, wherein the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror are secured in a fixed physical relationship for joint movement with each other; and e) drive means for reciprocally oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror jointly.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 197 words

A lightweight, handheld laser scanner for reading indicia and generating electrical signals indicative thereof, comprising: a) a housing having an area for passing laser light to the indicia and for receiving reflected laser light from the indicia; b) a source of laser light in the housing; c) a sensor in the housing for receiving said reflected laser light after it has been admitted through said area and for generating a first signal representative of said indicia; d) a plurality of optical elements positioned in the housing generally defining an optical path between the source of laser light and said area of the housing and between said area and said sensor, the optical elements including (i) a reciprocally oscillatable scanning mirror positioned for receiving laser emissions from the light source and sweeping them through said area across said indicia, and (ii) a reciprocally oscillatable Fresnel collecting mirror positioned for receiving said reflected laser light and reflecting it onto said sensor, wherein the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror are secured in a fixed physical relationship for joint movement with each other; and e) drive means for reciprocally oscillating the scanning mirror and the Fresnel collecting mirror jointly.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The scanner according to claim 9 wherein the scanning mirror is relatively smaller in size than the Fresnel collecting mirror and is attached to the Fresnel collecting mirror.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The scanner according to claim 9 and including signal processing circuitry in said head for processing said first signal into a digital signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The scanner according to claim 9 and including a trigger supported by the housing and operatively connected to said laser light source and to said drive means for initiating the scanning of said indicia.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The scanner as described in claim 9 wherein the drive means includes an electric motor having an output shaft, and the Fresnel collecting mirror and the scanning mirror are mounted for direct movement with said output shaft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

The scanner as described in claim 9 wherein the indicia comprise bar code.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The laser scanning head according to claim 9, wherein the incident laser beam is non-readily visible to a user.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-12-23	1995-06-24	1995-12-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-12-23	1999-06-24	1999-12-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-12-23	2003-06-24	2003-12-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Portable laser diode scanning head

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