Optical scanning device

Abstract

An optical scanning device is provided, which is compact-sized and lightweight, and, which consumes less power. A movable member of the device is supported on a fixed member via a swing axis provided on the fixed member. On an upper surface and along an axial line of swing of the movable member, there are disposed a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When an AC current flows through a coil provided in the movable member, electromagnetic force acting on the coil when traversing a magnetic circuit comprising a yoke and a permanent magnet both provided on the fixed member urges the movable portion to swing around its swing axis at a predetermined cycle. A laser bean L from the light emitting unit scans a bar code and a reflected light L′ from the bar cord is received by the light receiving unit thereby reading information of the bar code. The above structure of the device minimizes the drop in the efficiency of light reception and contributes to a compact and lightweight design, and less power consumption.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.