US5140144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scan board module for laser scanners
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1991-03-11
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2011-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A scan board module includes a printed circuit board on which optical and scanning components are mounted in an optically-aligned relationship. The module is mountable in hand-held heads and protected from damage due to external shock by shock mounts, or in workstations which are either directly of indirectly connected to a cash register-type terminal or hand-held terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard M. Shepard
- 👤 Yuri Gofman
- 👤 Edward Barkan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A scan module for use in light scanning systems for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising: (a) a generally planar, printed circuit board having front and rear regions spaced longitudinally apart of each other; (b) light source means at the front region, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (c) a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, said scanning mirror having a reflecting surface inclined relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (d) sensor means at the front region, for receiving light reflected from the indicia; and (e) a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, said collecting mirror having a collecting surface for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path and passing above the sensor means, and for directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A scan module for use in light scanning systems for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising: (a) a generally planar, printed circuit board having front and rear regions spaced longitudinally apart of each other; (b) light source means at the front region, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (c) a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, said scanning mirror having a reflecting surface inclined relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (d) sensor means at the front region, for receiving light reflected from the indicia; and (e) a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, said collecting mirror having a collecting surface for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path and passing above the sensor means, and for directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1, wherein the board has a centerline, and wherein the light source means and the scanning mirror are centrally mounted on the board on the centerline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The scan module as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor means is mounted on the board away from the centerline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scan module as recited in claim 2, wherein the light source means includes a laser diode and an optical assembly arranged in an optically-aligned relationship along the first optical path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface of the scanning mirror is generally planar and is mounted to form an obtuse angle with the plane in which the board lies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1, wherein the collecting surface of the collecting mirror is generally concave and is centered on the second optical path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning and collecting mirrors are mounted together for joint oscillating movement about an axis that extends generally normally of the board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1, wherein the board is a thin, flexible substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1; and further comprising a drive mounted at the rear region of the board, and operatively coupled to the scanning and collecting mirrors to move the mirrors to effect scanning of the indicia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The scan module as recited in claim 9, wherein the drive includes a reciprocally-oscillatable motor mounted on a lower surface of the board, and a drive shaft extending through the board to an upper surface of the board, and wherein the light source means, sensor means, scanning mirror and collecting mirror are mounted at the upper surface of the board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The scan module as recited in claim 1; and further comprising an electrical cable mounted on the board, for conducting electrical signals to and away from the board.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
252 words
A system for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising: (a) a housing having an exit port and an interior; (b) a generally planar, printed circuit board mounted in the interior of the housing and having front and rear regions spaced longitudinally apart of each other; (c) light source means at the front region, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (d) a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, said scanning mirror having a reflecting surface inclined relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path through the exit port to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (e) sensor means at the front region, for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the exit port; and (f) a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, said collecting mirror having a collecting surface for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path through the exit port and passing above the sensor means, and for directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
252 words
A system for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising: (a) a housing having an exit port and an interior; (b) a generally planar, printed circuit board mounted in the interior of the housing and having front and rear regions spaced longitudinally apart of each other; (c) light source means at the front region, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (d) a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, said scanning mirror having a reflecting surface inclined relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path through the exit port to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (e) sensor means at the front region, for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the exit port; and (f) a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, said collecting mirror having a collecting surface for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path through the exit port and passing above the sensor means, and for directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the board has a centerline, and wherein the light source means and the scanning mirror are centrally mounted on the board on the centerline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the sensor means is mounted on the board away from the centerline.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the reflecting surface of the scanning mirror is generally planar and is mounted to form an obtuse angle with the plane in which the board lies.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the collecting surface of the collecting mirror is generally concave and is centered on the second optical path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as recited in claim 12; and further comprising a drive mounted at the rear region of the board, and operatively coupled to the scanning and collecting mirrors to move the mirrors to effect scanning of the indicia.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the drive includes a reciprocally-oscillatable motor mounted on a lower surface of the board, and a drive shaft extending through the board to an upper surface of the board, and wherein the light source means, sensor means, scanning mirror and collecting mirror are mounted at the upper surface of the board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system as recited in claim 12; and further comprising a terminal operatively connected to the housing, said terminal including display means for displaying data descriptive of the indicia being read, and keyboard means for enabling an operator to enter information relating to the indicia being read, and data storage means for storing the data descriptive of the indicia being read.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the housing has a handle for hand-held operation.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a generally planar printed circuit board having front and rear regions within a housing having an exit port; (b) mounting a light source means at the front region of the board, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (c) mounting a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, and inclining a reflecting surface of the scanning mirror relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path through the exit port to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (d) mounting sensor means at the front region of the board, for receiving light reflected off the indicia through the exit port; and (e) mounting a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, and positioning a collecting surface of the collecting mirror for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path through the exit port and passing above the sensor means, said collecting surface directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a generally planar printed circuit board having front and rear regions within a housing having an exit port; (b) mounting a light source means at the front region of the board, for generating and directing a light beam toward the rear region along a first optical path; (c) mounting a movable scanning mirror at the rear region in the first optical path, and inclining a reflecting surface of the scanning mirror relative to the board for reflecting the light beam toward the front region along a second optical path through the exit port to the indicia for reflection therefrom, said second optical path passing above the light source means and being angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a vertical plane generally normal to the board; (d) mounting sensor means at the front region of the board, for receiving light reflected off the indicia through the exit port; and (e) mounting a movable collecting mirror at the rear region in the second optical path, and positioning a collecting surface of the collecting mirror for collecting the reflected light from the indicia traveling along the second optical path through the exit port and passing above the sensor means, said collecting surface directing the collected reflected light to the sensor means along a third optical path that is angularly offset from the first optical path as considered in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the board.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |