Patent US4488168A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5999301A
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Optical scanning device
Assignee: Omron Microscan Systems Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-16
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A laser bar code scanner employing a retroreflector in combination with a rotating polygon reflector to increase scan width and reduce curvature in the scanning beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Wai-Fai Chin
- 👤 James E. Thomas
- 👤 Bruce R. Scharf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10613
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An optical scanning device for scanning coded information on a distant object comprising: a) a retroreflector having a light receiving surface and a light transmitting surface; b) a rotating polygon reflector positioned so as to reflect light onto said light receiving surface; c) an optical scanning beam source positioned to project light onto said rotating polygon reflector so that a beam is reflected onto said light receiving surface of said retroreflector; and d) housing for said retroreflector, said rotating polygon reflector and said optical scanning beam source, wherein said retroreflector is positioned in said housing so as to provide a scanning beam reflected by said light transmitting surface of said retroreflector with a clear line of sight to an object to be scanned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An optical scanning device for scanning coded information on a distant object comprising: a) a retroreflector having a light receiving surface and a light transmitting surface; b) a rotating polygon reflector positioned so as to reflect light onto said light receiving surface; c) an optical scanning beam source positioned to project light onto said rotating polygon reflector so that a beam is reflected onto said light receiving surface of said retroreflector; and d) housing for said retroreflector, said rotating polygon reflector and said optical scanning beam source, wherein said retroreflector is positioned in said housing so as to provide a scanning beam reflected by said light transmitting surface of said retroreflector with a clear line of sight to an object to be scanned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said retroreflector comprises a 90 degree corner prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said retroreflector comprises a first flat mirror positioned at a 90 degree angle relative to a second flat mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said retroreflector comprises a 90 degree corner reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said 90 degree corner reflector is formed by positioning a first mirrored surface at 90 degrees relative to a second mirrored surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting surface of said retroreflector is offset from said rotating polygon reflector so as to provide a scanning beam reflected by said light transmitting surface with a clear line of sight to an object to be scanned distant from said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said retroreflector comprises a 90 degree corner reflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said 90 degree corner reflector is formed by positioning a first mirrored surface at 90 degrees relative to a second mirrored surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical scanning device comprising: a) a retroreflector having a light receiving surface and a light transmitting surface; b) a linearly oscillating optical scanning beam source positioned to project a linearly oscillating beam of light onto said light receiving surface; c) housing for said retroreflector and linearly oscillating optical scanning beam source, disposed so that a scanning beam exits said housing for scanning code information on a distant object; and d) optical detector mounted on said housing for detecting optical refelections from code information from said object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical scanning device comprising: a) a retroreflector having a light receiving surface and a light transmitting surface; b) a linearly oscillating optical scanning beam source positioned to project a linearly oscillating beam of light onto said light receiving surface; c) housing for said retroreflector and linearly oscillating optical scanning beam source, disposed so that a scanning beam exits said housing for scanning code information on a distant object; and d) optical detector mounted on said housing for detecting optical refelections from code information from said object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said retroreflector comprises a 90 degree corner prism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said retroreflector comprises a first flat mirror positioned at a 90 degree angle relative to a second flat mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said retroreflector is positioned in said housing so as to provide a scanning beam reflected by said light transmitting surface with a clear line of sight to a distant object to be scanned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said light transmitting surface of said retroreflector is offset in said housing from said linearly oscillating optical scanning beam source so as to provide a scanning beam reflected by said light transmitting surface with a clear line of sight to an object to be scanned.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |