Optical scanner alignment indicator method and apparatus

In an optical scanner having a field of view, apparatus for indicating whether a target is aligned within said field of view, said apparatus comprising:

• a microprocessor, said microprocessor defining a first zone within said field of view and a second zone within said field of view, and determining whether said target is within said field of view, and
• if said target is within said field of view, said microprocessor identifying a target alignment point on said target and determining whether said target alignment point is within said first zone or said second zone;
• and
• if said target alignment point is within said first zone, said microprocessor sending a first signal indicating that said target alignment point is located within said first zone;
• and
• if said target alignment point is within said second zone, said microprocessor sending a second signal indicating that said target alignment point is located within said second zone;
• and
• an alignment indicator, said alignment indicator electrically connected to said microprocessor, said alignment indicator receiving said first signal from said microprocessor and, in response to said first signal, said alignment indicator providing an indication, said indication indicating that said target alignment point is located within said first zone, and said alignment indicator receiving said second signal from said microprocessor and, in response to said second signal, said alignment indicator providing another indication, said another indication indicating that said target alignment point is located within said second zone.

A method for aligning a target within a field of view of an optical scanner, said optical scanner comprising an alignment indicator, said method comprising the steps of:

• defining a first zone within said field of view;
• defining a second zone within said field of view;
• determining whether said target is within said field of view;
• and
• if said target is within said field of view,
• identifying a target alignment point on said target;
• determining whether said target alignment point is within said first zone, and, if said target alignment point is within said first zone, said alignment indicator providing a first indication;
• and
• determining whether said target alignment point is within said second zone, and, if said target alignment point is within said second zone, said alignment indicator providing a second indication.

In an optical scanner having a field of view, apparatus for indicating whether a target is aligned within said field of view, said apparatus comprising:

• a microprocessor adapted to determine whether said target is within said field of view, and to define a first zone within said field of view by identifying a field of view alignment point, defining a reference target size, determining an actual target size of said target, determining a target radius of said target, computing a first reference distance, said first reference distance being a function of said reference target size, said actual target size, and said target radius, and defining said first zone to comprise a set of points within said field of view, wherein each point of said set of points is located less than one first reference distance from said field of view alignment point, and
• if said target is within said field of view, said microprocessor identifying a target alignment point on said target and determining whether said target alignment point is within said first zone, and
• if said target alignment point is within said first zone, said microprocessor sending a first signal indicating that said target alignment point is located within said first zone;
• and
• an alignment indicator, said alignment indicator electrically connected to said microprocessor, said alignment indicator receiving said first signal from said microprocessor and, in response to said first signal, said alignment indicator providing an indication, said indication indicating that said target alignment point is located within said first zone.