Norand Corporation

Other

Intermec IP Corporation

Vadim Laser

George E Chadima, Jr

George F Chadima, Jr

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch or less. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected onto the image photosensor by a reflecting mirror positioned relative to the image photosensor by virtue of their common association with a printed circuit board.

Instant portable bar code reader

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g., bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch, or even less. Preferably the light source is of an electronically triggerable instant response type and is located substantially within the reader head portion. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is decoded by a battery powered programmable decoder located substantially within the handle portion.

An improved bar code reader unit. The bar code is hand-held and has improved focussing and illumination structure.

The present invention utilizes photosensitive arrays for decoding optically readable portable data files. The invention accomplishes focusing, controlling image exposure, capturing data files, and processing information contained within optically readable portable data files.

Portable data file readers

A portable optical reader system for reading optical information over a substantial range of distances includes a casing having a light receiving opening for alignment with optical information. Further included is a reading sensor for converting a reflected light image of optical information into an information signal and reflected light optical elements for forming a reflected light image. The optical system is adjustable to tend to focus a reflected light image of optical information, located within a substantial range of distances, onto the reading sensor. A light beam generator is associated with the casing and directed relative to the optical elements and the light receiving opening such that a light beam generated thereby will impinge on an information carrier, having optical information to be read, and will be reflected therefrom through the light receiving opening and via the optical elements to the reading sensor. Since the position of impingement of the reflected light beam on the reading sensor is a function of the range of the information carrier from the image sensor, the optical system may be adjusted to focus a reflected light image of optical information associated with the information carrier, at least in part, according to the position of impingement of the reflected light beam on the reading sensor.

Portable reader system having an adjustable optical focusing means for

An apparatus and method for reading invisible messages is disclosed. Two light sources impinge upon a surface upon which a luminescent message is located. The first light excites the luminescent message, which luminesces and emits a luminescent light. The luminescent light is received by an image sensor and is converted into a first electric signal. The second light has wavelengths substantially similar to the luminescent light, which reflects from the surface and is received by an image sensor and converted to a second electric signal. The first and second signals are processed to compensate for local variations in the reflectivity of the surface.

Method and apparatus for reading invisible messages

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch, or even less. Preferably the light source is of an electronically triggerable instant response type and is located substantially within the reader head portion. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected by reflected light gathering means in a folded return path to a photodetector. The reflected light gathering means and the photodetector are mounted on a single printed circuit board. The reflected bar code image is decoded by a battery powered programmed decoder located substantially within the handle portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch or less. Preferably, the light source is of an electronically triggered instant response type. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected onto the image photosensor by a reflecting mirror positioned relative to the image photosensor by virtue of their common association with a printed circuit board. A total bar code reader system may be conveniently carried by the user during bar code reading operations.

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-hald bar code reader has an elongated relatively narrow hand grip portion and an enlarged reader head portion with an extended window of greater width that the hand grip portion. Light energy is outwardly through the extended window so as to flood a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image plane in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read bars/spaces with a minimum width of about 0.0075 inch, or even less. Preferably the lens system provides a depth of focus for such bar code patterns of at least ten millimeters, so that a bar code pattern of marked curvature can be read in its entirety by means of an instant reading operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held bar code reader has an elongated relatively narrow hand grip portion and an enlarged reader head portion with an extended window of greater width that the hand grip portion. Preferably the lens system provides a depth of field for such bar code patterns of at least ten millimeters, so that a bar code pattern of marked curvature can be read in its entirety by means of an instant reading operation. The preferred embodiment provides a single unitary circuit board configuration with a rigid lens mounting arrangement which furthers the achievement of a precise and reliable optical system.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Vadim Laser