Patent US5530233A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5530233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bar code scanner with quasi-retroreflective light collection
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1994-06-30
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Granted: 1996-06-25
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Expires: 2014-06-30
Abstract
Abstract Optical scanning of bar code symbols in which light reflected from the scanned symbol is collected with stationary light collection optics and swept across an array of individual light detection elements (e.g., photodetectors). Detection circuitry determines which of the detection elements is receiving the incoming light beam at a given time, and produces an output signal based preferably only on the outputs of those detection elements. The selection of detection elements to be used in forming the output signal may be made by synchronizing the sampling of the detection elements with the scanning movement of the outgoing light beam. Alternatively, the selection may be based on the output level of the detection elements (e.g., by only using outputs that exceed a predetermined threshold).
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Krichever
- 👤 Simon Bard
- 👤 Peter Fazekas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An optical scanner for scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and for collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), the scanner comprising: a source of the outgoing light beam; scanning optics with at least one moving optical element for tracing the outgoing light beam across the symbol; stationary light collection optics for collecting the incoming light beam and for directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector; the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and detection circuitry for determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and for producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An optical scanner for scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and for collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), the scanner comprising: a source of the outgoing light beam; scanning optics with at least one moving optical element for tracing the outgoing light beam across the symbol; stationary light collection optics for collecting the incoming light beam and for directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector; the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and detection circuitry for determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and for producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of optically scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), the method comprising the steps of: generating the outgoing light beam; scanning the outgoing light beam across the symbol using at least one moving optical element; collecting the incoming light beam using stationary light collection optics and directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector, the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of optically scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), the method comprising the steps of: generating the outgoing light beam; scanning the outgoing light beam across the symbol using at least one moving optical element; collecting the incoming light beam using stationary light collection optics and directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector, the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for optically scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), comprising: light source means for generating the outgoing light beam; scanning means for scanning the outgoing light beam across the symbol using at least one moving optical element; collecting means for collecting the incoming light beam using stationary light collection optics and directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector; the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and detection means for determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for optically scanning an outgoing light beam across an information symbol comprising regions of different light reflectivity, and collecting an incoming light beam (the outgoing light beam as modified by the regions of different light reflectivity), comprising: light source means for generating the outgoing light beam; scanning means for scanning the outgoing light beam across the symbol using at least one moving optical element; collecting means for collecting the incoming light beam using stationary light collection optics and directing the incoming light beam to an optical detector; the optical detector comprising an array of individual light detection elements, each capable of providing an output representative of light impinging thereon, the array of detection elements being sized and configured so that the incoming light beam sweeps across the array of detection elements; and detection means for determining on which of the detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging at a given time and producing an output signal primarily from the outputs of those detection elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The subject matter of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein determining on which detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging is performed by synchronizing sampling of detection elements to scanning movement of said outgoing light beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The subject matter of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein determining on which detection elements the incoming light beam is impinging is performed based on the output level of the detection elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The subject matter of claim 5 wherein primarily only detection elements with outputs exceeding a threshold are used to produce output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The subject matter of claim 6 wherein the outputs exceeding a threshold are summed to provide the output signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The subject matter of claim 4 wherein the detection elements comprise individually accessible photodetectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The subject matter of claim 5 wherein the detection elements comprise individually accessible photodetectors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The subject matter of claim 6 wherein the detection elements comprise individually accessible photodetectors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical scanner of claim 8 wherein first and second of the photodetectors are oriented to preferentially receive the incoming light beam along first and second intersecting incoming beam paths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical scanner of claim 10 wherein first and second of the photodetectors are oriented to preferentially receive the incoming light beam along first and second intersecting incoming beam paths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The subject matter of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein a filter is used to selectively transmit to the optical detector primarily only light having a wavelength range corresponding to the wavelength range of the incoming light beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The subject matter of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein field-of-view limiting optics are provided to restrict the field of view of individual detection elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The subject matter of claim 14 wherein the field-of-view limiting optics comprises Fresnel lenses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The subject matter of claim 14 wherein the field-of-view limiting optics comprises orientation of the detection elements to preferentially receive incoming light along incoming light paths that are at acute angles with respect to the incoming light paths of other detection elements.
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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) | 1999-06-25 | 1999-12-25 | 2000-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-25 | 2003-12-25 | 2004-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-25 | 2007-12-25 | 2008-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |