US5430285A — Illumination system for optical reader

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

An apparatus for illuminating a sensing region having an object therein, comprising: a reflector that is elongated in a first plane, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, and further having a first curved profile in said first plane about a center of curvature, said reflector being disposed between said center of curvature and the sensing region, a reflecting surface of said reflector further comprising a second curved profile in a second plane that is orthogonal to said first plane and includes said center of curvature; a plurality of substantially Lambertian light sources, each facing said reflector for directing light thereto for reflection toward the sensing region.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 120 words

An apparatus for illuminating a sensing region having an object therein, comprising: a reflector that is elongated in a first plane, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, and further having a first curved profile in said first plane about a center of curvature, said reflector being disposed between said center of curvature and the sensing region, a reflecting surface of said reflector further comprising a second curved profile in a second plane that is orthogonal to said first plane and includes said center of curvature; a plurality of substantially Lambertian light sources, each facing said reflector for directing light thereto for reflection toward the sensing region.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second profile comprises a portion of an ellipse and a said light source is disposed substantially at a primary focus thereof.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second profile comprises a portion of an parabola and a said light source is disposed substantially at a focus thereof.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second profile has a gap for transmitting retroreflected light from the sensing region therethrough, said gap defining an upper and a lower portion of said second profile.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 80 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said upper portion of said second profile comprises a portion of a first surface of revolution selected from the group of ellipse and parabola, and said lower portion of said second profile comprises a portion of a second surface of revolution selected from the group of ellipse and parabola, a said light source being disposed at a focus of each of said first surface of revolution and said second surface of revolution.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said upper portion of said second profile comprises a planar surface, and said lower portion of said second profile comprises a portion of a second surface of revolution selected from the group of ellipse and parabola, a said light source being disposed at a focus of said second surface of revolution.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 250 words

An optical scanner for reading externally located indicia that are disposed in a sensing region comprising: a housing having a median longitudinal plane and a scanning axis disposed in a cross-longitudinal plane; a source of substantially Lambertian illumination; an elongated reflector aligned generally in said scanning axis for reflecting light incident thereon, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, said light travelling along a path extending to said reflector from said source of illumination, and being reflected generally toward the sensing region, said reflector being elongated generally along said scanning axis, and having a central portion, two end portions, a focal line connecting a plurality of primary focal points, a reflecting profile in a plane orthogonal to said focal line, said source of illumination being disposed in said focal line; window means in said housing for transmitting said reflected light to illuminate the sensing region and for admitting light from said sensing region therethrough, a frontal plane orthogonal with said median longitudinal plane being defined at an intersection of said median longitudinal plane with said window means, a displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane differing from a displacement of said central portion therefrom; a photodetector disposed in said housing in a path of said admitted light and producing an output responsive thereto; and optical means disposed in a path of said admitted light for projecting an image of the indicia onto said photodetector.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 250 words

An optical scanner for reading externally located indicia that are disposed in a sensing region comprising: a housing having a median longitudinal plane and a scanning axis disposed in a cross-longitudinal plane; a source of substantially Lambertian illumination; an elongated reflector aligned generally in said scanning axis for reflecting light incident thereon, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, said light travelling along a path extending to said reflector from said source of illumination, and being reflected generally toward the sensing region, said reflector being elongated generally along said scanning axis, and having a central portion, two end portions, a focal line connecting a plurality of primary focal points, a reflecting profile in a plane orthogonal to said focal line, said source of illumination being disposed in said focal line; window means in said housing for transmitting said reflected light to illuminate the sensing region and for admitting light from said sensing region therethrough, a frontal plane orthogonal with said median longitudinal plane being defined at an intersection of said median longitudinal plane with said window means, a displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane differing from a displacement of said central portion therefrom; a photodetector disposed in said housing in a path of said admitted light and producing an output responsive thereto; and optical means disposed in a path of said admitted light for projecting an image of the indicia onto said photodetector.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said reflecting profile is nonlinear.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 8, wherein said source of illumination comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 59 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 9, wherein said reflecting profile comprises a first reflecting profile in a first plane including a first light emitting diode and a second reflecting profile in a second plane including a second light emitting diode, said first reflecting profile and said second reflecting profile having non-identical configurations in said first and second planes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said reflecting profile has a gap disposed in said path of admitted light for transmission of said admitted light therethrough, said gap defining an upper and a lower portion of said reflecting profile.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is parabolic, and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is elliptical.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is linear, and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is elliptical.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is linear, and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is parabolic.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said reflector has a curvature in said cross-longitudinal plane.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 15, wherein said curvature comprises an arc of a circle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said reflector has a central portion and two angulated end portions, said central portion and said end portions being linear in said cross-longitudinal plane.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane exceeds said displacement of said central portion therefrom.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 7, wherein said displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane is less than said displacement of said central portion therefrom.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 301 words

An optical scanner for reading externally located indicia that are disposed in a sensing region comprising: a housing having a median longitudinal plane and a scanning axis in a cross-longitudinal plane; a source of substantially Lambertian illumination comprising a plurality of quasi-monochromatic light emitting diodes; an elongated reflector aligned generally in said scanning axis for reflecting light incident thereon, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, said light travelling along a path extending to said reflector from said source of illumination, and being reflected generally toward the sensing region, said reflector being elongated generally along said scanning axis, and having a central portion, two end portions, a focal line connecting a plurality of primary focal points, and a nonlinear reflecting profile in a plane orthogonal to said focal line, said light emitting diodes being disposed in said focal line; window means in said housing for transmitting said reflected light to illuminate the sensing region and for admitting light from without the scanner therethrough, a frontal plane orthogonal with said median longitudinal plane being defined at an intersection of said median longitudinal plane with said window means, said reflecting profile having a gap disposed in said path of admitted light for transmission of said admitted light therethrough, said gap defining an upper and a lower portion of said reflecting profile; a photodetector disposed in said housing in a path of said admitted light and producing an output responsive thereto; and optical means disposed in a path of said admitted light for projecting an image of the indicia onto said photodetector; said reflector having a curvature in said cross-longitudinal plane, and a displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane exceeding a displacement of said central portion therefrom.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 301 words

An optical scanner for reading externally located indicia that are disposed in a sensing region comprising: a housing having a median longitudinal plane and a scanning axis in a cross-longitudinal plane; a source of substantially Lambertian illumination comprising a plurality of quasi-monochromatic light emitting diodes; an elongated reflector aligned generally in said scanning axis for reflecting light incident thereon, said reflector having a width dimension that is less than a width dimension of a sensing region to be illuminated, said light travelling along a path extending to said reflector from said source of illumination, and being reflected generally toward the sensing region, said reflector being elongated generally along said scanning axis, and having a central portion, two end portions, a focal line connecting a plurality of primary focal points, and a nonlinear reflecting profile in a plane orthogonal to said focal line, said light emitting diodes being disposed in said focal line; window means in said housing for transmitting said reflected light to illuminate the sensing region and for admitting light from without the scanner therethrough, a frontal plane orthogonal with said median longitudinal plane being defined at an intersection of said median longitudinal plane with said window means, said reflecting profile having a gap disposed in said path of admitted light for transmission of said admitted light therethrough, said gap defining an upper and a lower portion of said reflecting profile; a photodetector disposed in said housing in a path of said admitted light and producing an output responsive thereto; and optical means disposed in a path of said admitted light for projecting an image of the indicia onto said photodetector; said reflector having a curvature in said cross-longitudinal plane, and a displacement of each said end portion from said frontal plane exceeding a displacement of said central portion therefrom.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 20, wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is parabolic, and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is elliptical.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 20, wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is elliptical and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is parabolic.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

The scanner in accordance with claim 20 wherein said upper portion of said reflecting profile is linear, and said lower portion of said reflecting profile is elliptical.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-07-03	1999-01-02	1999-07-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-07-03	2003-01-02	2003-07-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-07-03	2007-01-02	2007-07-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Illumination system for optical reader

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