US5589679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parallelepiped-shaped optical scanning module
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-19
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2015-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanning module has a metal base, a first circuit board mounted across one end of the metal base and a second circuit board mounted orthogonal to the first circuit board. The metal base supports a light emitter for producing a scanning beam and serves as a heat sink for the emitter. A flexible support attached to the metal base supports a mirror for oscillating motion. The module includes a drive mechanism, typically in the form of a permanent magnet and electromagnet, for producing reciprocal motion of the mirror. A detector included in the module senses light reflected from an indicia scanned by the beam. A flexible electrical cable connects the circuitry on the first and second circuit boards so that circuitry operates together to produce all signals necessary for operation of the scanner module and to process the electrical signals from the detector. Preferred embodiments include a flexible support consisting of a planar spring located between the mirror and one of the magnets. The components of the module are dimensioned so that the weight of the magnet balances that of the mirror. The invention also encompasses systems for scanning the beam simultaneously in two orthogonal directions at two different frequencies. This bi-directional scanning can produce a raster scan pattern for reading two-dimensional bar codes, or this scanning can produce a moving zig-zag pattern for reading truncated bar codes.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Dvorkis
- 👤 Howard Shepard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10633; G06K7/10643; G06K7/10653; G06K7/10673; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10693; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/10851; G06K7/10881; G06K7/10891; G06K7/109; G06K7/1098; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1011; G06K2207/1016; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam and a detector for receiving light reflected back from indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, comprising: a first circuit board carrying a first circuit forming at least a portion of a first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit forming at least a portion of at least a portion of a second side of said module; a base forming at least a portion of a third side of said module; said first and second circuits being electrically connected to each other; and said optical scanning module being in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam and a detector for receiving light reflected back from indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, comprising: a first circuit board carrying a first circuit forming at least a portion of a first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit forming at least a portion of at least a portion of a second side of said module; a base forming at least a portion of a third side of said module; said first and second circuits being electrically connected to each other; and said optical scanning module being in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam toward indicia on a target to be illuminated, and a detector for receiving light reflected back from the indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the portions of the indicia, comprising: a frame forming a first side of said module; a first circuit board carrying a first circuit forming a second side of said module substantially orthogonal to said first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit forming a third side of said module and disposed substantially orthogonal to said second side of said module, and substantially parallel to said first side of said module; said first and second circuits being electrically connected to each other; and said optical scanning module being in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam toward indicia on a target to be illuminated, and a detector for receiving light reflected back from the indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the portions of the indicia, comprising: a frame forming a first side of said module; a first circuit board carrying a first circuit forming a second side of said module substantially orthogonal to said first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit forming a third side of said module and disposed substantially orthogonal to said second side of said module, and substantially parallel to said first side of said module; said first and second circuits being electrically connected to each other; and said optical scanning module being in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam and a detector for receiving light reflected back from indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, comprising: a first circuit board carrying a first circuit disposed parallel to a first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit disposed parallel to a second side of said module, and electrically connected to said first circuit board; a base forming at least a portion of a third side of said module; and said optical scanning module being generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical scanning module including a light emitter for emitting a light beam and a detector for receiving light reflected back from indicia with portions of differing light reflectivity and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the differing light reflectivity of the indicia, comprising: a first circuit board carrying a first circuit disposed parallel to a first side of said module; a second circuit board carrying a second circuit disposed parallel to a second side of said module, and electrically connected to said first circuit board; a base forming at least a portion of a third side of said module; and said optical scanning module being generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, wherein said second circuit board is disposed non-parallel to said first circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 4, wherein said second circuit board is disposed orthogonal to said first circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, wherein said first circuit board is mounted substantially orthogonal to one end of the base, and the second circuit board is mounted substantially orthogonal to the first circuit board and substantially parallel to the base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical scan module according to claim 3, wherein said detector is disposed substantially orthogonal to said base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical scan module according to claim 3, wherein said base is of metal and functions as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by said light emitter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, wherein said first and second circuits operate together to produce signals to drive the emitter and to process the electrical signal produced by the detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, wherein the first and second circuits act together to produce signals to drive the light emitter and an optical device for directing the light beam towards said indicia.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, further comprising an optical device for directing said light beam towards said indicia and wherein: the first circuit includes a drive circuit for producing a signal to drive said light emitter; and the second circuit includes an integrated circuit (i) for producing a signal to drive the optical device and (ii) for processing the electrical signal produced by the detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 11, wherein said integrated circuit is application specific.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical scanning module according to claim 3, wherein said optical scanning module is capable of being removably and operatively mounted within an optical scanner housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |