The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2000
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc., Canton, MA (US);
Abstract
An imager for illuminating and imaging encoded symbology to facilitate decoding of the symbology and which provides both “bright field” and “dark field” illumination patterns is provided with an illumination directing device to direct the “bright field” illumination pattern into an alternative “dark field” illumination pattern. In one embodiment the illumination directing device takes the configuration of a disc that is selectively positionable in front of the imager and removable therefrom depending upon whether or not the illumination pattern is to be changed. The disc snap fits into a position at the front of the imager housing and includes a fresnel configured outer ring, a light blocking inner ring, and a light transmissive center. The fresnel configuration receives light and redirects the light forward of the imager and towards a center line passing through the device to provide the alternative illumination pattern. Other embodiments of illumination directing devices are to be carried by the imager for disposition in either operative or inoperative positions; while still other embodiments of illumination directing devices selectively position collimating lenses and reflective surfaces to receive and redirect light from the images or permit the light from the imager to provide an unmodified illumination pattern.