Integrated solid state light emitting and detecting array and apparatus employing said array

An optical information detecting apparatus comprising

• an integrated, solid state structure further comprising
• a first plurality of substantially coplanar photonic diodes disposed on a substrate and are optically and electrically isolated from one another;
• circuit means for enabling said diodes to detect light, whereby a signal is generated in response to said detected light;
• a second plurality of light emitting elements comprising identically fabricated photonic diodes that are substantially coplanar with said first plurality of photonic diodes said first and second plurality of photonic diodes being identically fabricated;
• means for switchably operating at least one of said identically fabricated photonic diodes in a photoemissive mode and a photodetecting mode;
• and
• means for directing light that emanates from said light emitting elements to a target and for returning light that contains optical information to said diodes, said means for directing light being external to said solid state structure;
• whereby said signal is indicative of an optical characteristic of said target.

A bar code reading apparatus having an integrated, solid state structure that comprises

• a plurality of photodiodes disposed on a substrate and are electrically isolated from one another, said diodes having a vertical structure, comprising a plurality of layers, corresponding layers of said diodes being mutually coplanar, said diodes further having identical length and width dimensions;
• circuit means for enabling said photodiodes to detect light, whereby a signal is generated in response to said detected light,
• a plurality of light emitting diodes having a vertical structure, comprising a plurality of layers that are substantially coplanar with corresponding layers of said photodiodes, said photodiodes and said light emitting diodes being identically fabricated and
• means for directing light that emanates from said light emitting diodes onto indicia being read and for returning light reflected from said indicia to said photodiodes, said means for directing light being external to said solid state structure.

A method of reading indicia on a substrate, comprising the steps of:

• collocating a plurality of identically fabricated light emitting and light sensing elements in a region, said elements having a vertical structure, comprising a plurality of layers, corresponding layers of said elements being mutually coplanar, said elements further having identical length and width dimensions;
• forming optical images of said elements on an indicia;
• causing a light emitting element to emit light that is incident on said indicia and is reflected therefrom into said region;
• detecting reflected light with at least one of said light sensing elements and producing a signal in response thereto that is indicative of an optical characteristic of said indicia.

An optical information detecting apparatus comprising:

• an integrated, solid state structure further comprising
• a plurality of photodiodes configured as light sensors disposed on a substrate, said photodiodes each having a non-isolated electrical connection to a common control line, whereby a matrix of said photodiodes can be controlled without addressing logic;
• and
• a plurality of light emitting elements that are substantially coplanar with said photodiodes, said photodiodes and said light emitting elements being identically fabricated;
• and
• means for directing light that emanates from said light emitting elements to a target and for returning light that contains optical information to said photodiodes, said means for directing light being external to said solid state structure;
• whereby said signal is indicative of an optical characteristic of said target.

An optical information detecting apparatus comprising:

• an integrated, solid state structure further comprising:
• a plurality of photonic diodes configured as a plurality of light sensors that generate a signal responsive to light incident thereon, and a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on a substrate, said diodes having a vertical structure comprising a plurality of identically fabricated layers, corresponding layers of said diodes being mutually coplanar;
• and
• means for directing light that emanates from said light emitting diodes to a target and for returning light that contains optical information to said light sensors, said means for directing light being external to said solid state structure;
• whereby said signal is indicative of an optical characteristic of said target.

A method of reading indicia on a substrate, comprising the steps of:

• collocating a plurality of light emitting and light sensing elements in a region, said light emitting and light sensing elements being identically fabricated;
• connecting at least two identical elements selected from said light sensing elements and said light emitting elements in non-isolated electrical connection with a common data line;
• forming optical images of said elements on an indicia;
• causing a light emitting element to emit light that is incident on said indicia and is reflected therefrom into said region;
• detecting reflected light with at least one of said input sensing elements and producing a signal in response thereto that is indicative of an optical characteristic of said indicia.