Laser power control arrangements in electro-optical readers

A laser power control arrangement for regulating output power of a laser beam that is emitted by a laser and that is swept by a motor drive in an electro-optical reader, comprising:

• a) a motor fail circuit for detecting failure of the motor drive;
• and
• b) a controller for energizing the laser to emit the laser beam with a reduced level of output power even if the motor drive has failed and the emitted beam is stationary, and for energizing the laser to emit the laser beam with an increased level of output power when the motor drive has not failed and the emitted beam is being swept, the reduced level being lower in output power than the increased level.

A method of regulating output power of a laser beam that is emitted by a laser and that is swept by a motor drive in an electro-optical reader, comprising the steps of:

• a) detecting failure of the motor drive;
• and
• b) energizing the laser to emit the laser beam with a reduced level of output power even if the motor drive has failed and the emitted beam is stationary, and energizing the laser to emit the laser beam with an increased level of output power when the motor drive has not failed and the emitted beam is being swept, the reduced level being lower in output power than the increased level.

(canceled)