High speed bar code scanning on inserters using pivotable moving beam bar codes scanners

Claim 1

In an inserter, an apparatus for reading a bar code symbol on a sheet being conveyed along a paper path, comprising: means for feeding a plurality of sheets seriatim in a first direction along a paper path, at least one of said sheets containing a bar code symbol printed thereon,; a moving beam scanner operatively connected to said feeder means for scanning the bar code symbol as the sheet is fed along the paper path; means for pivoting said scanner to one of a first and second position, said first and second positions being in a plane parallel to the paper path and said second position being generally perpendicular to said first position, wherein said scanner when positioned in said first position provides a scan sweep in line with said first direction for scanning bar code symbols oriented in said first direction, and wherein said scanner when positioned in said second position provides a scan sweep in line with a second direction generally perpendicular to said first direction for scanning bar code symbols oriented in said second direction, said scanner in either position completing at least two scan sweeps of the bar code symbol; and means operatively connected to said scanner for interpreting the bar code symbol.