US5744815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beam splitting optics in bar code readers
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1995-10-05
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2015-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical reader for reading indicia such as bar codes comprises a first and second light source for generating first and second light beams of mutually orthogonal polarization orientations, and a polarized beam splitter for combining the beams without the effects of parallax or vignetting. One of the light sources is a short range light source and the other is a long range light source. The reader may be a scanner or a field of view reader. In addition, an optical reader is provided capable of reading all 2D symbologies comprising a flying spot laser scanner arrangement and a field of view reader. The respective laser sources generate light at different wavelengths and a dichroic filter is provided to allow either system to be used without parallax effects. The laser scanner beam can be used to aim the reader when carrying out field of view reading. An optical reader is further provided including a band-pass filter shaped to match the wave-front of light generated at a given location incident on the filter to reduce the band-pass bandwidth and hence the ambient noise. The shaped band-pass filter can be incorporated in the optical reader dichroic filter arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir Gurevich
- 👤 Mark Krichever
- 👤 Boris Metlitsky
- 👤 Paul Dvorkis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/12; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10574; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A scanner for electro-optically reading indicia, comprising: a first light source for generating and directing a first light beam along a first direction; a second light source for generating and directing a second light beam along a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction; a light reflector spaced apart from the first light source; and a combining element located between the first light source and the light reflector, for transmitting the first light beam entering the combining element through the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along a common path to an indicium to be read, said combining element also being located adjacent the second light source for reflecting the second light beam entering the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along said common path to the indicium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A scanner for electro-optically reading indicia, comprising: a first light source for generating and directing a first light beam along a first direction; a second light source for generating and directing a second light beam along a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction; a light reflector spaced apart from the first light source; and a combining element located between the first light source and the light reflector, for transmitting the first light beam entering the combining element through the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along a common path to an indicium to be read, said combining element also being located adjacent the second light source for reflecting the second light beam entering the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along said common path to the indicium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein each light source is a laser source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 2, wherein each laser source is a laser diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light reflector is a generally planar mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1; and further comprising a drive for moving the reflector and, in turn, the light beams to sweep the indicium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive repetitively oscillates the reflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1; and further comprising a sensor having a field of view, and operative for detecting light reflected off the indicium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light sources have different operating ranges located at different distances from the light reflector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 8, wherein each light source has an optical system for focusing the respective light beams at said different distances.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one optical system includes a lens mounted on the combining element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 8; and further comprising a controller for selecting one of said operating ranges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light beam is polarized in a first orientation, and wherein the second light beam is polarized in a second orientation, and wherein the combining element is a beam splitter operative for allowing total transmittance of the first light beam and total reflectance of the second light beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light beam is at a first frequency, and wherein the second light beam is at a second frequency, and wherein the combining element is a dichroic filter operative for allowing total transmittance of the first light beam and total reflectance of the second light beam.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of electro-optically reading indicia, comprising the steps of: generating and directing a first light beam along a first direction with a first light source; generating and directing a second light beam along a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction with a second light source; spacing a light reflector apart from the first light source; and locating a combining element between the first light source and the light reflector, and transmitting the first light beam entering the combining element through the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along a common path to an indicium to be read, and also locating said combining element adjacent the second light source and reflecting the second light beam entering the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along said common path to the indicium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of electro-optically reading indicia, comprising the steps of: generating and directing a first light beam along a first direction with a first light source; generating and directing a second light beam along a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction with a second light source; spacing a light reflector apart from the first light source; and locating a combining element between the first light source and the light reflector, and transmitting the first light beam entering the combining element through the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along a common path to an indicium to be read, and also locating said combining element adjacent the second light source and reflecting the second light beam entering the combining element to the light reflector for reflection therefrom along said common path to the indicium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein each light source is a laser source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein each laser source is a laser diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the light reflector is a generally planar mirror.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 14; and further comprising the step of moving the reflector and, in turn, the light beams to sweep the indicium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the moving step is performed by repetitively oscillating the reflector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 14; and further comprising the step of detecting light reflected off the indicium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the light sources have different operating ranges located at different distances from the light reflector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein each light source has an optical system for focusing the respective light beams at said different distances.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least one optical system includes a lens mounted on the combining element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 14; and further comprising the step of selecting one of said operating ranges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first light beam is polarized in a first orientation, and wherein the second light beam is polarized in a second orientation, and wherein the combining element is a beam splitter operative for allowing total transmittance of the light beam and total reflectance of the second light beam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first light beam is at a first frequency, and wherein the second light beam is at a second frequency, and wherein the combining element is a dichloric filter operative for allowing total transmittance of the first light beam and total reflectance of the second light beam.
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) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |