Multiple plane scanning system for data reading applications

A method of scanning an item having a bar code label thereon from multiple directions, comprising the steps of

• providing a scanner housing with a first window arranged in a generally horizontal plane and a second window arranged in a generally vertical plane;
• arranging a first mirror array proximate to the first window, a second mirror array proximate the second window and third mirror array proximate the second window, wherein the second mirror array is arranged on a side of the second window generally adjacent the first window and the third mirror array is arranged on a side of the second window generally distal from the first window;
• using a laser diode and a beam splitter to generate a plurality of optical beams, including a first optical beam and a second optical beam;
• providing a rotating optical scanning element in the scanner housing;
• producing first, second and third sets of scanning beams by:
• directing the second optical beam onto one side of the optical scanning element and producing the second and third sets of scanning beams by scanning the second optical beam across the second and third mirror arrays and through the second window, and
• simultaneously directing the first optical beam onto another side of the optical scanning element and producing the first set of scanning beams by scanning the first optical beam across the first mirror array and through the first window;
• passing scanning beams through both the first and second windows at the same time;
• detecting light reflected and/or refracted off the item from the first optical beam in a first detector and simultaneously detecting light reflected and/or refracted off the item from the second optical beam in a second detector.

A scanner for reading symbols on an object being passed through a scan volume, comprising:

• a housing having (1) a vertically extended housing section positioned generally to one side of the scan volume, (2) a bottom housing section positioned generally below the scan volume;
• an optical scanning element within the housing;
• a first window oriented generally vertically and disposed in a lower portion of the vertically extended housing section;
• a second window oriented generally obliquely to the first window and disposed in an upper portion of the vertically extended housing section;
• a third window oriented generally horizontally and disposed in the bottom housing section;
• a first mirror array positioned in the lower portion of the vertically extended housing section adjacent the first window;
• a second mirror array positioned in the upper portion of the vertically extended housing section adjacent the second window;
• third mirror array positioned in the bottom housing section;
• means for generating at least two optical beams including a laser diode and a beam splitter and means for simultaneously directing the optical beams onto different sides of the optical scanning element to produce first, second and third sets of scanning beams being scanned across the first, second and third mirror arrays, with a set of scanning beams being directed into the scan volume through each of the first, second and third windows.