US 5,179,271 A · Compact optical scan pattern generator for bar code reading systems

Abstract

A compact optical scanning system includes a rotating polygon having a plurality of curved mirror portions and a plurality of mirror facets, a collection mirror member having a pair of reflective surfaces and a source of scanning light beams which projects the scanning light beams at one of the reflecting surfaces in the collection mirror. By deflecting the scanning light beams off the curved mirror portions, the mirror facets and the pair of reflective surfaces, a single line scan pattern composed of a plurality of single line scan lines each located at a different focal plane will be generated to scan a bar code label. By changing the orientation of the mirror facets together with changing the radius curvature of the curved mirror portions, an axial invariant bow-tie scan pattern composed of multiple scan lines focused at a different focal plane will be generated.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An optical scanner for generating a multiple focus scan pattern comprising:

a source of scanning light beams projected along a first light path;
first reflecting means mounted in said first light path for deflecting the scanning light beams along a second light path;
a rotating polygon member mounted in said second light path including a curved mirror portion located in said second light path for receiving and deflecting the scanning light beams along a third light path;
and
a second reflecting means mounted in said third light path for deflecting the light beams along a fourth light path;
said polygon member further including a plurality of facet members located in said fourth light path for deflecting the received light beams in a direction for scanning a bar code label positioned in said direction.

3 more elements

An optical scanning apparatus for scanning a bar code label comprising:

a source of scanning light beams projected along a first light path;
a lens member having an elliptical surface for collecting light beams reflected from a scanned bar code label, said lens member including first and second reflecting surfaces, said first reflecting surface located in said first light path for deflecting the light beams along a second light path;
a rotating polygon member mounted adjacent said lens member including a curved mirror portion located in said second light path for receiving and deflecting the scanning light beams along a third light path;
said second reflecting surface being mounted in said third light path for deflecting the light beams along a fourth light path;
said polygon member further including a plurality of mirror facets located in said fourth light path for deflecting the received light beams in the form of a single line scan pattern in a direction for scanning a bar code label positioned adjacent said scanning apparatus.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact optical scan pattern generator for bar code reading systems

Life of this patent

Compact optical scan pattern generator for bar code reading systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13