Bar code scanning and reading apparatus with an oscillating scanning

Abstract

An improved miniature scanning module for scanning and reading data fields having images or symbols such as bar codes, adapted to be included in a scanning application such as a portable transaction terminal. The scan engine of the module has an oscillator apparatus in which at least one side of a vertical coil cuts lines of magnetic force from an independent fixed magnet assembly and has a rotor and a stator which are molded interconnect devices in which electrical circuits are formed by surface plating or printing during multiple-shot molding of the parts. The rotor is supported by a plurality of metal alloy flexures depending from the stator, which flexures both mechanically support the rotor and transmit electrical power and signals between control circuitry on one or more printed circuit boards on the stator and electrical elements on the rotor. A semiconductor laser diode mounted on the rotor scans in one dimension when the rotor oscillates. A collection optic such as a parabolic mirror mounted on the rotor adjacent to the scanning laser also oscillates with the rotor and collects and directs return light to a photodetector mounted on the stator at the focal point of the collection optic. The flexures define an axis passing through the photodetector, about which the rotor oscillates, and thus return light from which data representing bar codes can be derived is detectable at all angles of oscillation.