OPTICAL SYMBOL SCANNER WITH LOW ANGLE ILLUMINATION
First Claim
1. An optical symbol scanner assembly for detecting and decoding a symbol lying on a surface of an article, comprising a scanner device having a distal face on which is positioned a light-generating means for producing illumination to fall on said symbol, and focusing means for focusing an image of said symbol on an imager device positioned proximally thereof in said scanner device, said focusing means defining an optic axis;
- and an illumination assembly adapted to be mounted on the distal face of said scanner device, including a lens barrel member having an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of said scanning device, and at least one light pipe having a flat proximal face to receive illumination from said light-generating means and an angulated distal face for projecting said illumination at a sharp angle relative to said optic axis, such that when a distal end of said illumination assembly is positioned in contact with said article, the illumination impinges on said symbol at a low angle relative to the surface of said article with said optic axis thereof substantially normal to the surface of said article.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical symbol scanner assembly includes an illumination assembly to facilitate detection and decoding small 2-D matrix bar code symbols or other optically read symbols that are laser etched or printed on the surface of microelectronics modules or other small articles. A hand-held scanner has an array of LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face that produces light to illuminate the symbol. There is also a focussing lens on the distal face and an imager device positioned behind the lens. The illumination assembly is mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. In this assembly, a lens barrel member has an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of the scanner, and a light pipe is positioned adjacent the lens barrel member. The light pipe has a flat proximal face against the array of LEDs, and an angulated distal face for projecting the illumination at a sharp angle relative to the optic axis. The tip of the illumination assembly is in near contact with the article to read the symbol. The lens barrel member may carry an auxiliary lens. Preferably, there is a pair of light pipes disposed on opposite sides of said lens barrel member. Alternatively, the scanner may be configured as a fixed device, for reading symbols on articles that flow past it without contact.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An optical symbol scanner assembly for detecting and decoding a symbol lying on a surface of an article, comprising
a scanner device having a distal face on which is positioned a light-generating means for producing illumination to fall on said symbol, and focusing means for focusing an image of said symbol on an imager device positioned proximally thereof in said scanner device, said focusing means defining an optic axis; - and
an illumination assembly adapted to be mounted on the distal face of said scanner device, including a lens barrel member having an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of said scanning device, and at least one light pipe having a flat proximal face to receive illumination from said light-generating means and an angulated distal face for projecting said illumination at a sharp angle relative to said optic axis, such that when a distal end of said illumination assembly is positioned in contact with said article, the illumination impinges on said symbol at a low angle relative to the surface of said article with said optic axis thereof substantially normal to the surface of said article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical symbol scanner assembly for detecting and decoding a two-dimensional optical symbol lying on a surface of an article, comprising
a housing; -
a scanner device within said housing including an imager device and focusing means for focusing an image of said optical symbol on said imager device, said focusing means defining an optic axis; and
an illumination arrangement mounted in said housing at one or more sides of said optic axis and having an illumination direction that is angulated to project light therefrom at a sharp angle to said optic axis, such that when said article is oriented at a predetermined position on said optic axis, the light from said illumination impinges on said optical symbol at a low angle relative to the surface of said article with said optic axis substantially normal to the surface of said article. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeOmron Corporation
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Original AssigneeIndustrial Data Entry Automation Systems, Inc.
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InventorsHATTERSLEY, JOHN R., BLACKWELL, FRANCIS O. III
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current235/472.01
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CPC Class CodesG06K 7/10732 Light sourcesG06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
