Bar code readers having selectable optical elements

Patent 6024283 Issued on February 15, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 17, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Symbol Technologies, Inc.

Application

No. 999956 filed on 09/17/1997

US Classes:

235/462.32, Specific scanning detail (e.g., scanner with a specific scanning field of view)235/462.41Using an imager (e.g., CCD)

Examiners

Primary: Hajec, Donald T.
Assistant: Tremblay, Mark

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

Foreign Patent References

WO 94/19765 EP. 09/18/1994
59-156219 JP. 09/18/1984
63-184178 JP 07/18/1988
63-198177 JP 08/18/1988

International Class

G06K 007/10

Abstract

A bar code reader for reading a symbol located at a distance from the laser comprises an array of groups of reading elements and an array of selectable liquid crystal elements. Each of the groups of reading elements have an associated predetermined operating focal distance. At least one liquid crystal element corresponds to each group of reading elements. In the bar code reader, a device activates a selected liquid crystal element to transmit light to a selected group of reading elements. In this way, the reading elements can operate at a predetermined, fixed operating focal distance.

Other References

Schneider et al., "Efficient Room-Temperature Continuous-Wave AlGaInP/AlGaAs Visible (670 nm) Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Diodes," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 313-316, (1994)
"IBM, TI announce better ways to manipulate light signals," The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineeers, Inc., vol. 13, No. 11, (1989