US6273336B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collection system for range enhancement
Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Inc
•
Filing: 2000-02-10
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Granted: 2001-08-14
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Expires: 2020-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A data reading system and method which renders the return signal strength of light reaching the detector more uniform over greater distances and/or positions relative to the collection system and including an optical correction module or corrective optical element(s) is placed in the light collection path to the detector whereby the characteristics of light coming from sources in different locations and/or distances relative to the collection lens may be changed. In one embodiment, an optical element such as a diffusion element or aperture is placed between a collection lens and the detector such that the amount of collected light from a far field target reaching the detector is maximized and the amount of collected light from a near field target reaching the detector is selectively inhibited rendering the total light intensity on the detector more uniform as between the far field signal and the near field signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Rudeen
- 👤 James W. Ring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10702; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of bar code scanning comprising the steps of: sending out an outgoing light beam focused to a given waist location; reflecting light off a target; focusing the light reflected off the target with a focusing system; directing focused light toward a detector; making intensity of the reflected light from various locations reaching the detector more uniform by passing the light through a corrective optical element positioned between the focusing system and the detector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of bar code scanning comprising the steps of: sending out an outgoing light beam focused to a given waist location; reflecting light off a target; focusing the light reflected off the target with a focusing system; directing focused light toward a detector; making intensity of the reflected light from various locations reaching the detector more uniform by passing the light through a corrective optical element positioned between the focusing system and the detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising passing the light through the corrective optical element with a minimum quantity of reflected light from far field being prevented from reaching the detector by the corrective optical element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the focusing system comprises a collection mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of focusing reflected light from near range with the lens toward the corrective optical element and preventing a portion of the reflected light from near range from reaching the detector by means of the corrective optical element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of making intensity of the reflected light from various locations reaching the detector more uniform comprises diffusing portions of the reflected light via the corrective optical element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of making intensity of the reflected light from various locations reaching the detector more uniform comprises compensating for migration of reflected light across or off the detector depending upon location of the target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the corrective optical element comprises an aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the corrective optical element comprises a plurality of apertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An optical system for data reading comprising a light source directing an optical beam along an outgoing path toward an object; a detector positioned to receive light reflected from the object; a focusing system for focusing return light from the object along a return path toward the detector; a corrective optical element disposed in the return path between focusing system and the detector for making intensity of reflected light from different locations reaching the detector more uniform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
An optical system for data reading comprising a light source directing an optical beam along an outgoing path toward an object; a detector positioned to receive light reflected from the object; a focusing system for focusing return light from the object along a return path toward the detector; a corrective optical element disposed in the return path between focusing system and the detector for making intensity of reflected light from different locations reaching the detector more uniform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element comprises a non-symmetrically positioned aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element is constructed and arranged to prevent only a minimum quantity of reflected light from far range from reaching the detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element is constructed and arranged to prevent a portion of reflected light from near range from reaching the detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the focusing system comprises a collection mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element includes an aperture and the collection system comprises a focusing lens element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element comprises light diffusing regions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element compensates for migration of reflected light across or off the detector depending upon location of the target.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element comprises a round aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system according to claim 9 wherein the corrective optical element comprises a plurality of apertures.
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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) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |