Multiple plane scanning system for data reading applications

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

• a scanner housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion;
• a first window located in the upper housing portion, the first window being oriented in a generally vertical plane;
• a second window located in the lower housing portion, the second window being oriented in a generally horizontal plane;
• a means for producing at least a first optical beam and a second optical beam;
• an optical scanning element;
• a first mirror array located in the upper housing portion adjacent the first window;
• a second mirror array located in the lower housing portion adjacent the second window on a side of the second window generally distal from the first window;
• a third mirror array located in the lower housing portion adjacent the second window on a side of the second window generally adjacent the first window;
• first means for directing the first optical beam along a first optical path to a first side of the optical scanning element, the optical scanning element scanning the first optical beam across the first mirror array;
• second means for directing the second optical beam along a second optical path toward a second side of the optical scanning element, the optical scanning element scanning the second optical beam across the across the second mirror array and the third mirror array, the first optical beam and the second beam being simultaneously scanned by the optical scanning element,
• wherein the first mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a first pattern of scan lines passing through the first window and into the scan volume as the first optical beam is scanned across the first mirror array, the second mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a second pattern of scan lines passing through the second window and into the scan volume as the second optical beam is scanned across the second mirror array, and the third mirror array is constructed and arranged to generate a third pattern of scan lines passing through the second window and into the scan volume as the second optical beam is scanned across the third mirror array.