Claims
- 1. A hand-holdable light beam scanner producing a scanning light beam comprising:
an elongated housing having an axis along which it is elongated, said housing having a size and shape whereby it is adapted to be held in a person's fingers in the manner of a pen or a wand; a light source disposed in said housing and producing a light source beam; and a scan element disposed in said housing, said scan element receiving and redirecting said light source beam to provide a scanning beam directed generally about said axis.
- 2. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, further including receiving means for receiving light from a target illuminated by said scanning beam and a photoelectric converter for converting light received from said target to an electrical signal.
- 3. A light beam scanner according to claim 2, wherein said receiving means includes a light concentrator for concentrating received light onto said photoelectric converter.
- 4. A light beam scanner according to claim 3, wherein said light concentrator is a non-imaging light concentrator.
- 5. A light beam scanner according to claim 4, wherein said non-imaging light collector is coaxially disposed along said axis.
- 6. A light beam scanner according to claim 4, wherein said non-imaging light concentrator is a compound parabolic concentrator.
- 7. A light beam scanner according to claim 2, further including means for decoding said electrical signal and for producing a bar code output signal which represents bar code information encoded in said target.
- 8. A light beam scanner according to claim 7, further including wireless means for sending data which represents said bar code output signal to a remote terminal.
- 9. A light beam scanner according to claim 7, further including a memory means for storing data which represents said bar code output signal.
- 10. A light beam scanner according to claim 7, further including a display for displaying information which represents said bar code output signal.
- 11. A light beam scanner according to claim 7, wherein said decoding means includes a microprocessor, said light beam scanner further including a keypad coupled to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor.
- 12. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, further including a battery coupled to said scan element for supplying power thereto.
- 13. A light beam scanner according to claim 12, further including a switch coupled to said battery and to said scan element for selectively supplying power to said scan element.
- 14. A light beam scanner according to claim 13, wherein said switch is responsive to movement of said scanner.
- 15. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said scan element provides a scanning beam which scans in a one-dimensional scanning pattern.
- 16. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said scan element provides a scanning beam which scans in a two-dimensional scanning pattern.
- 17. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said light source is disposed in said housing so as to produce a light source beam which is directed generally along said axis.
- 18. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a forward end at which said scanning beam is emitted from said housing, and said scan element is disposed in said housing adjacent said forward end.
- 19. A light beam scanner according to claim 18, further including light receiving means for receiving light from a target illuminated by said scanning beam, wherein said light receiving means is disposed in said housing adjacent said forward end.
- 20. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a generally cylindrical shape.
- 21. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said housing has lateral dimensions transverse to said axis which are less than about one inch.
- 22. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said lateral dimensions are between about three-eighths inch and three-fourths inch.
- 23. A light beam scanner according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a length along said axis of between about five inches and about seven inches.
- 24. A method of generating a raster scanning light beam comprising the steps of:
providing a light beam scanning device which produces a moving light beam having a line scan pattern when directed at a target; supporting said scanning device so that said light beam is directed at a target; and moving said scanning device so that said line scan pattern is moved across said target in a direction generally perpendicular to said line scan pattern.
- 25. A method according to claim 17, wherein said supporting step includes supporting said scanning device in the hand of a user, and said moving step includes moving the user's hand.
- 26. A self contained scan module comprising:
a light source producing a source light beam directed along an axis; a scan element disposed along said axis, said scan element receiving and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam directed-generally along said axis; and a housing supporting said light source and said scan element in a predetermined spatial relationship, wherein said module has a volume of less than about one cubic inch.
- 27. A scan module according to claim 26, wherein said housing includes a generally cylindrical opening in which said light source and said scan element are disposed.
- 28. A scan module according to claim 26, wherein said housing has a generally cylindrical shape.
- 29. A scan module according to claim 26, further including light receiving means disposed within said housing for receiving light from a target illuminated by said scanning beam and for converting received light to an electrical signal.
- 30. A scan module according to claim 26, wherein said light receiving means includes a non-imaging concentrator.
- 31. A scan module according to claim 30, wherein said non-imaging concentrator is a compound parabolic concentrator.
- 32. A scan module according to claim 26, further including means coupled to said scan element for providing electrical signals to control said scan element in redirecting said source light beam.
- 33. A scan module according to claim 26, wherein said scan element is a gyrating scan element.
- 34. A scan module according to claim 26, wherein said scan element includes a pair of mirrors.
- 35. A device for providing angular displacement of a light beam in a direction selected from the X and Y directions with respect to a Z-axis, comprising:
a light beam deflecting means for redirecting said light beam; a flexible mounting means for mounting said light beam deflecting means and defining a Z-axis, said mounting means being capable of angular displacement about the X or Y direction; and a distortion means proximate said mounting means for introducing a distortion force in said mounting means to cause angular displacement of said mounting means about at least one of said X and Y directions.
- 36. The device of claim 35, wherein said light beam deflecting means is a mirror.
- 37. The device of claim 35, wherein said flexible mounting means comprises a spring having different spring constants for angular displacements about said X and Y directions.
- 38. The device of claim 37, wherein said distortion means is a piezoelectric distortion means.
- 39. The device of claim 37, wherein said flexible mounting means has folded arms.
- 40. The device of claim 39, wherein said distortion means is a piezoelectric distortion means.
- 41. The device of claim 35, wherein said flexible mounting means is a flexible ribbon suspension.
- 42. The device of claim 41 wherein said ribbon suspension is made from plastic film.
- 43. The device of claim 35, wherein said distortion means includes: a first magnetic core element attached to said mounting means for angular displacement therewith, said first core element producing a first magnetic field in a first direction; and a first coil means proximate said first core element, said first core element and said first coil means introducing an angular distortion force in said flexible mounting means about at least one of said X and Y directions.
- 44. The device of claim 43, wherein said flexible mounting means has flexible folded arms permitting angular displacement about said X and Y directions.
- 45. The device of claim 43, wherein said distortion means further includes: a second magnetic core element attached to said mounting means for angular displacement therewith, said second core element producing a magnetic field generally perpendicular to said first magnetic field and a second coil means proximate said second core element, said second core element and said second coil means an angular distortion force in said flexible mounting means about at least one of said X and Y directions.
- 46. The device of claim 43, wherein said distortion means further includes a piezoelectric element.
- 47. A device for providing angular displacement of a light beam about a direction selected from the X and Y directions with respect to a Z axis comprising:
an entrance aperture at a first end of said device for admitting an incoming light beam; a first mirror disposed to receive and reflect said incoming light beam; a flexible mounting means mounting said first mirror, said mounting means defining said Z axis, and being capable of angular displacement about the X and Y directions; distortion means for inducing angular displacement of said mounting means about the X or Y directions; a second mirror disposed generally parallel to said first mirror to receive said reflected beam from said first mirror; an exit aperture at a second end of said device opposite said first end, said exit aperture being disposed to permit said beam reflected from said second mirror to exit said device as a scanned beam of light proceeding in the same general direction as said incoming beam.
- 48. A device according to claim 47 further including: a second flexible mounting means mounting said second mirror, said second mounting means being capable of angular displacements about said X and Y directions independently of said first mounting means; and a second distortion means for inducing angular displacement of said second mounting means about the X or Y directions to cause generally independent movement of said second mirror with respect to said first mirror.
- 49. The device of claim 48, wherein said distortion means includes a first magnetic core producing a magnetic field in a plane defined by said X and Y directions and mounted to said flexible mounting means; and a coil means for introducing a force in said first magnetic core to cause angular displacement of said flexible mounting means and first mirror about said X and Y directions.
- 50. A light beam scanner producing a light beam and directing it along an optical path toward a target comprising a light source producing a source light beam and a scan element receiving said source light beam and redirecting it to provide a scanning light beam directed toward a target, said scan element including:
a generally planar flexible member; an optical element secured to said flexible member; a support coupled to and supporting said flexible member, so that said optical element is disposed in said optical path, said support being coupled to said flexible member at a plurality of locations so as to permit flexing of said flexible member between said locations; and means for flexing said flexible member, whereby flexing of said flexible member moves said optical element, thereby redirecting said optical path to provide a scanning light beam.
- 51. A light beam scanner according to claim 50, wherein said optical element is a mirror.
- 52. A light beam scanner according to claim 50, wherein said light source produces a light beam directed along a source axis, and said scan element redirects said source light beam to provide a scanning beam about a scanning beam axis which is generally parallel to said source axis.
- 53. A light beam scanner according to claim 50, wherein said scan element includes a pair of mirror disposed in said optical path, one of said mirrors comprising said optical element.
- 54. A light beam scanner according to claim 53, wherein said mirrors are disposed generally parallel to each other.
- 55. A light beam scanner according to claim 53, wherein the other of said mirrors is secured to said support.
- 56. A light beam scanner according to claim 50, wherein said flexible member includes a perimeter area, a central area, and a plurality of arms connecting said perimeter area with said central area, and said plurality of locations are disposed on said perimeter area so as to permit flexing of said arms and said central area.
- 57. A light beam scanner according to claim 56, wherein said arms have a generally serpentine shape.
- 58. A light beam scanner according to claim 56, wherein said arms have a generally spiral shape.
- 59. A light beam scanner according to claim 50, wherein said flexing means includes an electromagnetic motor.
- 60. A light beam scanner according to claim 59, wherein said electromagnetic motor includes a coil coupled to said support and a magnet coupled to said flexible member.
- 61. A light beam scanner according to claim 56, wherein said flexing means includes a piezoelectric bender coupled to said flexible member.
- 62. A gyrating optical beam deflector comprising:
a generally planar flexible member, the plane of said flexible member defining a Z axis perpendicular to said plane and mutually perpendicular X and Y axis in said plane; a support coupled to said flexible member at a plurality of spaced apart locations so as to permit flexing of said flexible member intermediate said locations; an optical element coupled to said flexible member adjacent said locations; and means coupled to said flexible member for applying a force thereto so as to flex said flexible member and rotate said optical element about said X axis.
- 63. A beam deflector according to claim 62, wherein said force-applying means applies a force to said flexible member so as to flex said flexible member and rotate said optical element about said X axis and said Y axis.
- 64. A light beam scanner according to claim 63, wherein the other of said mirrors is secured to said support.
- 65. A light beam scanner according to claim 63, wherein said flexible member includes a perimeter area, a central area, and a plurality of arms connecting said perimeter area with said central area, and said plurality of locations are disposed on said perimeter area so as to permit flexing of said arms and said central area.
- 66. A light beam scanner according to claim 62, wherein said arms have a generally serpentine shape.
- 67. A light beam scanner according to claim 62, wherein said arms have a generally spiral shape.
- 68. A light beam scanner according to claim 67, wherein said flexing means includes an electromagnetic motor.
- 69. A light beam scanner according to claim 62, wherein said electromagnetic motor includes a coil coupled to said support and a magnet coupled to said flexible member.
- 70. A scan apparatus comprising:
a light source producing a source light beam directed along an axis; and an axial scan element disposed along said axis, said scan element receiving and redirecting said source light beam to provide a scanning light beam, directed generally along said axis, said scan element including a first mirror, a second mirror, and a gyrator, said first mirror being disposed along said axis to reflect said source light beam as a first reflected beam directed toward said second mirror, said second mirror being disposed so as to receive and reflect said first reflected beam to provide said scanning light beam, said gyrator being coupled to one of said mirrors and disposed to impart to the coupled mirror a gyrating motion about said axis.
- 71. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said gyrator imparts to the coupled mirror a gyrating motion in a first direction which is generally perpendicular to said axis.
- 72. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said gyrator imparts to the coupled mirror a gyrating motion having components in first and second directions which are generally perpendicular to each other and to said axis.
- 73. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said first mirror is coupled to said gyrator.
- 74. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said second mirror is coupled to said gyrator.
- 75. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, further including a generally cylindrical housing, having an axis of cylindrical symmetry, said light source and said scan element being disposed in said housing so that said axis is generally parallel to said axis of cylindrical symmetry.
- 76. A scan apparatus according to claim 70, further including a non-imaging light concentrator having a light receiving axis about which received light is collected and concentrated, said light concentrator being deposed so that said light receiving axis is generally parallel to said axis.
- 77. A scan apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said light concentrator is disposed generally coaxially with said axis.
- 78. A scan apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said light concentrator is a compound parabolic concentrator.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/776,663 entitled “Electro-Optical Scanning System With Gyrating Scan Head”, filed Oct. 15, 1991, and of Ser. No. 08/006,754 filed Jan. 21, 1993, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/612,983, filed Nov. 15, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,612, issued Feb. 16, 1993 entitled “Gyrating Programmable Scanner”.
Divisions (4)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09287487 |
Apr 1999 |
US |
Child |
10076151 |
Feb 2002 |
US |
Parent |
08909165 |
Aug 1997 |
US |
Child |
09287487 |
Apr 1999 |
US |
Parent |
07776663 |
Oct 1991 |
US |
Child |
09287487 |
Apr 1999 |
US |
Parent |
08006754 |
Jan 1993 |
US |
Child |
09287487 |
Apr 1999 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
07612983 |
Nov 1990 |
US |
Child |
08006754 |
Jan 1993 |
US |