Compact externally-driven scanner
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorFrederick F. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device, arrangement, and scanner are provided which are compact, reliable, and cost effective. The device is generally of the type in which a moving beam is scanned along a target object, and light reflected from the target object is detected and analyzed by the device. The device is preferably mirrorless. In addition, the device preferably lacks an integrated scanning component which imparts motion to the beam. In this regard, the device is provided with components for interacting with a separate adjacent scanning component, as well as a flexible connection device.
Claims55
A device comprising:
- means for providing an oscillating magnetic field;
- a printed circuit board;
- a moving beam scanner, the scanner comprising:
- a substrate;
- a laser light source mounted to the substrate;
- at least one light receiving photodiode mounted to the substrate;
- a cap mounted over the substrate;
- a lens for focusing the laser light source onto a target;
- a lens for collecting light reflected from the target;
- means mounted to the scanner for interacting with the means for providing an oscillating magnetic field;
- and
- at least one flexible connector mechanically coupling the scanner and the circuit board such that a range of oscillation between the scanner and the circuit board is possible due to the oscillating magnetic field and at least one flexing action of said at least one flexible connector.
A moving-beam scanner and a scanning component combination for imparting motion to a light beam:
- the scanner located at a non-contact distance from the scanning component, the scanner comprising:
- a substrate;
- a light source mounted to the substrate for generating a light beam;
- at least one light-receiving photodiode mounted to the substrate;
- a cap mounted over the substrate;
- a lens for focusing the light beam onto a target;
- a lens for collecting light reflected from the target;
- at least one flexible connector configured to mechanically couple the scanner to a surface such that a range of motion between the scanner and the surface is possible through at least one flexing action of said at least one flexible connector for imparting motion to the light beam;
- and
- means mounted to the scanner for interacting with the scanning component via the non-contact distance;
- wherein the scanning component is positioned adjacent to and outside the cap.
A moving-beam scanner comprising:
- a light source for generating a light beam;
- at least one light-receiving photodiode;
- lens means for focusing the light source onto a target and collecting light reflected from the target;
- housing means;
- and
- means associated with the scanner for non-contact interaction with a scanning component to impart motion to the light beam while maintaining the light source, lens means and housing means fixed relative to each other;
- wherein said motion is imparted to the light beam by a non-manual force on at least one flexible connector.
A light beam scanning assembly comprising:
- a scanner comprising means for generating a light beam and means for receiving reflected light from a target;
- and
- a scanning component located at a non-contact distance from said scanner and comprising means for generating a non-manual force, wherein said non-manual force causes oscillatory motion of said scanner during a scanning procedure for imparting motion to said light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.