Scan pattern generator convertible between multiple and single line patterns
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsLisa Courtney, Richard Wienecke, Thomas Boehm, Edward Barkan, Paul Dvorkis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An arrangement for and a method of reading bar code symbols on a target to move a light beam emitted by a light source in a multiple line, scan pattern during a scan period in a first operational mode. Upon selection of a second operational mode by a user, a controller intermittently operates and energizes the light source to emit the light beam for a working time period which is less than, and a fraction of, the scan period to generate a single scan line across the symbol.
Claims20
An arrangement for electro-optically reading indicia, comprising:
- a) an energizable light source for emitting a light beam when energized;
- b) a pattern generator for moving the light beam in a multiple line, scan pattern across an indicium during a scan period in a first mode of operation;
- and
- c) a controller for converting the multiple line, scan pattern to a single scan line by intermittently operating and energizing the light source to emit the light beam for a working time period which is less than, and a fraction of, the scan period to cause the pattern generator to generate the single scan line across the indicium in a second mode of operation.
An arrangement for electro-optically reading bar code symbols, comprising:
- a) a housing having a handle for hand-held use;
- b) an energizable laser in the housing for emitting a laser beam when energized;
- c) a pattern generator in the housing, for moving the laser beam in an omnidirectional scan pattern comprised of a plurality of intersecting sets of a plurality of scan lines across a symbol during a scan period in a first mode of operation;
- d) a controller in the housing for converting the plurality of scan lines to a single scan line by intermittently operating and energizing the laser to emit the laser beam for a working time period which is less than, and a fraction of, the scan period to cause the pattern generator to generate the single scan line across the symbol in a second mode of operation;
- and
- e) a mode selector for enabling a user to change the mode of operation of the pattern generator.
A method of electro-optically reading indicia, comprising the steps of:
- a) emitting a light beam from a light source;
- b) moving the light beam in a multiple line, scan pattern across an indicium during a scan period in a first mode of operation;
- and
- c) converting the multiple line, scan pattern to a single scan line by intermittently operating and energizing the light source to emit the light beam for a working time period which is less than, and a fraction of, the scan period to generate the single scan line across the indicium in a second mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.