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
Estimating the term…
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;
- 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;
- d) a detector for detecting light reflected from the indicium during one of the modes, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the indicium;
- and
- e) a transmitter for transmitting the electrical signal by wireless communication to a host remote from the light sources.
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 omni-directional 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;
- e) a mode selector for enabling a user to change the mode of operation of the pattern generator;
- f) a detector for detecting laser light reflected from the symbol during one of the modes, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the symbol;
- and
- g) a transmitter for transmitting the electrical signal by wireless communication to a host remote from the housing.
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;
- 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 a single scan line across the indicium in a second mode of operation;
- d) detecting light reflected from the indicium during one of the modes, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the indicium;
- and
- e) transmitting the electrical signal by wireless communication to a host remote from the light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.