US5610752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical reader with vibrating mirror
Assignee: Opticon Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-16
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Granted: 1997-03-11
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Expires: 2015-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Systems embodying the invention include a vibrating arm having one side on which is mounted a reflective surface for sweeping a beam of light across a target whose contents are to be read. The vibrating arm includes a bar of magnetic material pivoted about its center so as to be able to rotate freely (i.e., be "movable"). The ends of the "movable" bar are located between the side walls of a stationary (i.e., non-moving or fixed) yoke of magnetic material with a driving coil located between the ends of the movable bar and the side walls of the stationary yoke. The stationary yoke is of magnetic material for concentrating a magnetic field encompassing the movable bar, the coil and the stationary yoke. The combination of the movable bar and the yoke are configured to produce a magnetic field such that with no current in the driving coil, the movable bar has a defined equilibrium (or rest) position and when the movable bar is displaced from its equilibrium position a magnetic restoring torque is present such that the movable bar oscillates about its equilibrium, position. In a preferred embodiment the bar is a permanent magnet and the yoke is made of magnetic material. A varying current signal is selectively supplied to the driving coil to control the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations of the movable bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Hayakawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/085; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1821; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10633; G06K7/10643; G06K7/10653
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable arm of length L and width W, having one side on which is fixedly mounted a first reflective surface for receiving a light beam and for projecting the light beam across a target spaced externally from the scanning device; said movable arm being of magnetic material and being pivoted about its center to permit the arm to rotate freely about its center; stationary, non-moving, components, external to the movable arm, including a driving coil and a fixed yoke; said driving coil formed of a plurality of turns of wire closely wound about each other and located between the movable arm and said fixed yoke, said driving coil for receiving an electric current for selectively causing movement of said movable arm; and said fixed yoke being formed of magnetic material, and having sides, with the movable arm located between the sides of the fixed yoke for producing a magnetic circuit coupling the fixed yoke with the movable arm and for establishing an equilibrium position for the movable arm, the magnetic circuit being arranged such that when said movable arm is displaced from its equilibrium position, and in the absence of a current in said driving coil, a restoring torque is present tending to cause the movable arm to oscillate about its equilibrium position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable arm of length L and width W, having one side on which is fixedly mounted a first reflective surface for receiving a light beam and for projecting the light beam across a target spaced externally from the scanning device; said movable arm being of magnetic material and being pivoted about its center to permit the arm to rotate freely about its center; stationary, non-moving, components, external to the movable arm, including a driving coil and a fixed yoke; said driving coil formed of a plurality of turns of wire closely wound about each other and located between the movable arm and said fixed yoke, said driving coil for receiving an electric current for selectively causing movement of said movable arm; and said fixed yoke being formed of magnetic material, and having sides, with the movable arm located between the sides of the fixed yoke for producing a magnetic circuit coupling the fixed yoke with the movable arm and for establishing an equilibrium position for the movable arm, the magnetic circuit being arranged such that when said movable arm is displaced from its equilibrium position, and in the absence of a current in said driving coil, a restoring torque is present tending to cause the movable arm to oscillate about its equilibrium position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed yoke has four sides fully enclosing the sides of the driving coil and the movable arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed yoke is generally U shaped having three sides; one side extending along the length of the movable arm and the other two sides extending perpendicularly to the ends of the arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable arm is a permanent magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second reflective surface is mounted on the movable arm, the second reflective surface being mounted on a side of the arm opposite to the side than the one on which the first reflective surface is mounted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second reflective surface is for receiving the light reflected from the target illuminated by the projected light beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a holding frame is positioned within the fixed yoke and wherein said movable arm is mounted within said holding frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The scanning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field produced by the combination of said movable arm and said fixed yoke is of a generally rectangular nature with a middle transverse line in the center of the rectangle defining two generally square shaped regions, with the equilibrium position of said movable arm lying along the transverse line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable part with front and rear sides a holder; a fixed yoke and a driving coil generally square shaped; said movable part comprising a movable arm mounted on a rotating axis supported by said holder and arranged to rotate freely, and said movable part comprising a permanent magnet magnetized perpendicularly to the direction of said rotating axis; said fixed yoke comprising at least three sides; said movable part located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said movable part and said fixed yoke producing a magnetic circuit of generally rectangular shape with a middle transverse line inside the rectangle forming two generally square shaped regions; said driving coil located at the same center core as that of said fixed yoke; and a first reflective mirror mounted on the front side of said movable part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable part with front and rear sides a holder; a fixed yoke and a driving coil generally square shaped; said movable part comprising a movable arm mounted on a rotating axis supported by said holder and arranged to rotate freely, and said movable part comprising a permanent magnet magnetized perpendicularly to the direction of said rotating axis; said fixed yoke comprising at least three sides; said movable part located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said movable part and said fixed yoke producing a magnetic circuit of generally rectangular shape with a middle transverse line inside the rectangle forming two generally square shaped regions; said driving coil located at the same center core as that of said fixed yoke; and a first reflective mirror mounted on the front side of said movable part.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a second reflective mirror mounted on the rear side of said movable part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A scanning device claimed in claim 9 wherein said movable part includes two permanent magnets located at the two ends of the movable part with a movable yoke located between the two permanent magnets, and said movable yoke coupling the two permanent magnets mechanically and magnetically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable part having a front side and a rear side; a holder; a fixed yoke; a fixed magnet; a rectangular shaped driving coil; said movable part comprising a movable arm rotating about an axis supported by said holder so as to rotate freely; said fixed yoke having at least three sides and a general "U" like shape; said movable part being located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said fixed magnet being located between said opposite sides of said fixed yoke, said movable part being on a line perpendicular to said rotating axis; said movable part and said fixed yoke defining a magnetic circuit having a generally rectangular shape with a middle transverse line inside the rectangle defining two generally square shaped regions; said driving coil being is located at the same center core as that of said fixed yoke; and a first reflective mirror fixedly mounted on the front side of said movable part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A scanning device comprising: a movable part having a front side and a rear side; a holder; a fixed yoke; a fixed magnet; a rectangular shaped driving coil; said movable part comprising a movable arm rotating about an axis supported by said holder so as to rotate freely; said fixed yoke having at least three sides and a general "U" like shape; said movable part being located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said fixed magnet being located between said opposite sides of said fixed yoke, said movable part being on a line perpendicular to said rotating axis; said movable part and said fixed yoke defining a magnetic circuit having a generally rectangular shape with a middle transverse line inside the rectangle defining two generally square shaped regions; said driving coil being is located at the same center core as that of said fixed yoke; and a first reflective mirror fixedly mounted on the front side of said movable part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said movable part is a permanent magnet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 12 further including a second reflective mirror fixedly mounted on the rear side of said movable part.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A scanning device comprising: a reflective mirror mounted on a movable part; a holder; a fixed yoke; a driving coil; said movable part comprising a movable arm mounted on a rotating axis supported by said holder so as to rotate freely; said movable part comprising a magnet magnetized perpendicularly to the direction of said rotating axis; said fixed yoke having at least three sides; said movable part being located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said movable part and said fixed yoke comprising a magnetic circuit having a generally square shape; and said driving coil (9) being wound around said opposite sides of said fixed yoke.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
A scanning device comprising: a reflective mirror mounted on a movable part; a holder; a fixed yoke; a driving coil; said movable part comprising a movable arm mounted on a rotating axis supported by said holder so as to rotate freely; said movable part comprising a magnet magnetized perpendicularly to the direction of said rotating axis; said fixed yoke having at least three sides; said movable part being located between a pair of opposite, facing, sides of said fixed yoke; said movable part and said fixed yoke comprising a magnetic circuit having a generally square shape; and said driving coil (9) being wound around said opposite sides of said fixed yoke.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said movable part includes two magnets located at the two ends of the movable arm and a movable yoke located between the two magnets for coupling them mechanically and magnetically.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said opposite sides of said fixed yoke facing the outer edges of said movable part are shaped like an arc between the stop position of said movable part and the maximum position of its rotating angular movement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A scanning device as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a mechanical spring component.
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) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-09-09 | 2001-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-10 | 2004-09-09 | 2005-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-09-09 | 2009-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |