US6166375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offset optical axes for bar code scanner
Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-01
•
Granted: 2000-12-26
•
Expires: 2017-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Ahten
- 👤 James W. Ring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10702
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of data reading comprising the steps of generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object and focusing the incoming light along a collection axis into a spot on a detector; limiting dynamic range of the incoming light reaching the detector by offsetting the collection axis from the outgoing axis and causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of data reading comprising the steps of generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object and focusing the incoming light along a collection axis into a spot on a detector; limiting dynamic range of the incoming light reaching the detector by offsetting the collection axis from the outgoing axis and causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising increasing the portion of the spot which falls off the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising decreasing the portion of the spot which falls on the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged parallel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged substantially parallel +/-5°.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of data reading comprising the steps of generating an optical beam and directing the optical beam along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; setting focusing arrangement for the collection lens to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range, and causing a portion of the larger spot to fall off the detector at the near range.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of data reading comprising the steps of generating an optical beam and directing the optical beam along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; setting focusing arrangement for the collection lens to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range, and causing a portion of the larger spot to fall off the detector at the near range.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate on the detector such that as the object being read is moved nearer the collection lens, an increasing portion of the spot falls off the detector.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate on the detector such that as the object being read is moved nearer the collection lens, an increasing portion of the spot falls off the detector.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate on the detector such that a decreasing portion of the spot falls on the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of data reading comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; causing the spot to migrate on the detector such that a decreasing portion of the spot falls on the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
A method comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; increasing the portion of the spot which falls off the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
102 words
A method comprising generating an optical beam and directing it along an outgoing axis toward an object to be read; scanning the optical beam with a scanning mechanism for producing at least one scan line toward the object; collecting incoming light scattered and/or reflected from the object via the scanning mechanism to a collection lens and focusing the incoming light into a spot on a detector; offsetting the outgoing axis of the optical beam from an incoming axis of the collection lens; increasing the portion of the spot which falls off the detector as the object is located nearer to the detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged parallel to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged substantially parallel +/-5° to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
A optical scanning system comprising a light source for generating an optical beam with an optical axis along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned; a detector for detecting light reflected off the object; a collection lens for collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it onto the detector; a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens, wherein the optical axis of the optical beam is offset from an incoming axis of the collection lens, wherein the collection lens and detector are constructed and arranged to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range such that a portion of the larger spot falls off the detector at the near range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
172 words
A optical scanning system comprising a light source for generating an optical beam with an optical axis along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned; a detector for detecting light reflected off the object; a collection lens for collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it onto the detector; a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens, wherein the optical axis of the optical beam is offset from an incoming axis of the collection lens, wherein the collection lens and detector are constructed and arranged to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range such that a portion of the larger spot falls off the detector at the near range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanning system according to claim 13 wherein the collection lens comprises a notch in one side thereof, and wherein the light source comprises a laser diode module disposed in the notch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A scanning system according to claim 13 wherein the light source is arranged with its optical axis parallel to the incoming axis of the collection lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A scanning system according to claim 13 wherein the light source is arranged with its optical axis substantially parallel +/-5° to incoming axis of the collection lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A scanning system according to claim 13 wherein the light source is arranged with its optical axis generally parallel to the incoming axis of the collection lens.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical scanning system according to claim 13 further comprising means for adjusting the offset between the optical axis of the outgoing beam and the incoming axis of the collection lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
A scanning system according to claim 13 further comprising a housing, wherein the collection lens comprises a one-piece plastic molded lens assembly including a collection lens portion and a bracket portion, the bracket portion being mounted in the housing and the collection lens portion collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it onto the detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A scanning system according to claim 19 wherein the collection lens portion comprises a notch in one side thereof, and wherein the light source comprises a laser diode module mounted in the housing and disposed in the notch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
140 words
An optical scanning system comprising a light source for generating an optical beam with an optical axis along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned; a detector for detecting light reflected off the object; a collection lens for collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it to a spot on the detector; a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens, wherein the optical axis of the optical beam is offset from an incoming axis of the collection lens; means for causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
140 words
An optical scanning system comprising a light source for generating an optical beam with an optical axis along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned; a detector for detecting light reflected off the object; a collection lens for collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it to a spot on the detector; a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens, wherein the optical axis of the optical beam is offset from an incoming axis of the collection lens; means for causing the spot to migrate across and partially off the detector when the object being read is located in a near field.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising setting focusing arrangement for the collection lens to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range, and causing a portion of the larger spot to fall off the detector at the near range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged parallel to each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the outgoing axis and the collection axis are arranged substantially parallel +/-5° to each other.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 7 further comprising setting focusing arrangement for the collection lens to form a small spot on the detector for an object located at a far range and to form a larger spot on the detector for an object located at a near range, and causing a portion of the larger spot to fall off the detector at the near range.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A scanning system according to claim 25 wherein the light source is arranged with its optical axis parallel to the incoming axis of the collection lens.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A scanning system according to claim 26 wherein the light source is arranged with its optical axis substantially parallel +/-5° to incoming axis of the collection lens.
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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) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |