# US 2019/0318140 A1 · Handheld symbol reader with optical element to redirect central illumination axis

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- Number: US 2019/0318140 A1
- Document ID: US20190318140A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/952,740
- Filed: 2018-04-13
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-13
- Assignees: Zebra Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: Zebra Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Mark Drzymala; Edward Barkan; Igor Vinogradov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190318140A1

## CPC

- G06K 7/10732: {Light sources}
- G02B 19/0061: {the light source comprising a LED}
- G02B 27/0972: {Prisms (prisms per se G02B5/04)}
- G06K 7/10722: {Photodetector array or CCD scanning}
- G06K 7/10831: {Arrangement of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms (optical elements per se G02B)}
- G06K 7/10881: {constructional details of hand-held scanners}
- G06K 2007/10524: {Hand-held scanners}
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An apparatus and assembly for redirecting the central illumination axis of an illumination assembly towards the central field of view (FOV) axis of an imaging assembly using an optical element that provides an optical magnification of less than 1.5×, where the central illumination axis at the point of the illumination assembly is non-parallel to the central FOV axis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
an imaging assembly positioned within the housing and comprising an image sensor having a plurality of photosensitive elements forming a substantially flat two-dimensional surface, the image sensor having a field of view (FOV), the FOV having a central FOV axis, wherein the image sensor is configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a target and light emitted from the target;
an illumination assembly positioned within the housing and configured to emit light having a central illumination axis, wherein the central illumination axis at the point of the illumination assembly is non-parallel to the central FOV axis; and
an optical element positioned within the housing and adapted to redirect the central illumination axis towards the central FOV axis at a surface, wherein the optical element provides an optical magnification of less than 1.5×,
wherein the optical element is a prism positioned within the housing in front of the illumination assembly, and configured to redirect the central illumination axis such that the central illumination axis converges towards the central FOV axis as both axes extend away from the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central FOV axis extends along a transverse plane and a sagittal plane, and the central illumination axis intersects the transverse plane at the surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the central illumination axis intersects the transverse plane within the range of two centimeters and 70 centimeters from a nose of the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is a prism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element has an optical magnification of zero.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element material has an Abbe number of at least 40.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the optical element material is one or more of the following low dispersion materials: poly(methyl methacrylate), crown glass, crown plastic, cyclo olefin polymer, acrylic, and polycarbonate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a window, wherein the FOV extends through the window, and wherein the optical element is integral with the window.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a window, wherein the FOV extends through the window, and wherein the optical element is affixed to a surface of the window.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination assembly is mounted on a surface of a substrate, the surface of the substrate being angled such that the central FOV axis is non-normal relative to the surface of the substrate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the substrate comprises an aperture, and the imaging assembly is mounted behind the substrate, wherein the central FOV axis extends through the aperture.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination assembly comprises a first illumination assembly and the optical element comprises a first optical element, the apparatus further comprising:
a second illumination assembly separate from the first illumination assembly and positioned within the housing, the second illumination assembly configured to emit light having a second central illumination axis, wherein the second central illumination axis at the point of the illumination assembly is non-parallel to the central axis of the FOV; and
a second optical element at least partially positioned within the housing and adapted to redirect the second central illumination axis to at least partially intersect the central axis of the FOV at the surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first optical element is integral with the second optical element.

### Claim 14

An assembly comprising:
a housing having a scanning head and a handle, the scanning head having a proximal end and a distal end, and a central head axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
an imaging assembly positioned within the scanning head, wherein the imaging assembly has a field of view (FOV) directed towards the proximal end, the FOV having a central FOV axis parallel in relation to the central head axis, the imaging assembly configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a target and light emitted from a target;
an illumination assembly positioned within the scanning head in front of the imaging assembly and facing the proximal end at an acute angle with respect to the central head axis, wherein the illumination assembly is configured to emit light having a central illumination axis, such that the central illumination axis at the point of the illumination assembly is non-parallel to the central FOV axis; and
a prism positioned within the scanning head in front of the illumination assembly, and configured to redirect the central illumination axis such that the central illumination axis converges towards the central FOV axis as both axes extend away from the proximal end.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the acute angle with respect to the central head axis is within the range of ten degrees and twenty degrees.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a window at the proximal end of the scanning head, wherein the FOV extends through the window, and wherein the prism is integral with the window.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a window at the proximal end of the scanning head, wherein the FOV extends through the window, and wherein the prism is affixed to a surface of the window facing the illumination assembly.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the illumination assembly is mounted on a surface of a substrate, the surface of the substrate facing the proximal end in a direction at the acute angle with respect to the central head axis.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the substrate comprises an aperture, and the imaging assembly is mounted behind the substrate, wherein the FOV extends through the aperture.