U.S. patent application number 12/221848 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for scanning devices and methods using surface emitting laser diodes.
Invention is credited to Eric Barkan, Vikram Bhargava, Andrew Fusco, Yajun Li, Thomas Mazz, Howard Shepard, Miklos Stern, Chinh Tan, Mark Weitzner.
Application Number | 20080308639 12/221848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39776458 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080308639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern; Miklos ; et
al. |
December 18, 2008 |
Scanning devices and methods using surface emitting laser
diodes
Abstract
A bar code scanning device, system and method that utilizes one
or more vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes for producing
at least one laser beam, where the vertical cavity surface emitting
laser diodes are disposed on a substrate, and wherein the produced
laser beam is substantially an essential single spatial mode laser
beam. The bar code scanning device, system and method of present
invention also comprise a photodiode attached to the substrate and
arranged to receive at least a portion of the beam of light
reflected off the scanned bar code or symbol.
Inventors: |
Stern; Miklos; (Woodmere,
NY) ; Tan; Chinh; (Centereach, NY) ; Li;
Yajun; (Oakdale, NY) ; Shepard; Howard; (Great
River, NY) ; Mazz; Thomas; (Huntington, NY) ;
Barkan; Eric; (Novato, CA) ; Bhargava; Vikram;
(Nesconsett, NY) ; Fusco; Andrew; (Smithtown,
NY) ; Weitzner; Mark; (Plainview, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRSCHSTEIN, OTTINGER, ISRAEL;& SCHIFFMILLER, P.C.
425 FIFTH AVENUE, 5TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016-2223
US
|
Family ID: |
39776458 |
Appl. No.: |
12/221848 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09777076 |
Feb 5, 2001 |
7428995 |
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12221848 |
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09519576 |
Mar 6, 2000 |
6257491 |
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09777076 |
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08631364 |
Apr 12, 1996 |
6059188 |
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09519576 |
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08506574 |
Jul 25, 1995 |
6102294 |
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08631364 |
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08141342 |
Oct 25, 1993 |
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08506574 |
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08394813 |
Feb 27, 1995 |
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08141342 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/462.32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/10702 20130101;
G06K 7/10742 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/462.32 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1-210. (canceled)
211. A device for scanning a dataform, comprising: a laser diode
for producing a laser beam; a movable micromachined scanning mirror
for scanning the laser beam across the dataform for reflection
therefrom as return light; a collecting optic for collecting the
return light from the dataform; a stationary detector for detecting
the return light collected by the collecting optic; and a support
on which the laser diode, the scanning mirror and the stationary
detector are commonly mounted to constitute a scan module.
212. The device of claim 211, wherein the collecting optic collects
the return light directly from the dataform.
213. The device of claim 211, wherein the support is a printed
circuit board.
214. The device of claim 211, wherein the scanning mirror is
connected to a silicon substrate.
215. The device of claim 211, wherein the scanning mirror is driven
electrostatically.
216. The device of claim 211, wherein the scanning mirror is
suspended between a pair of torsional hinges.
217. The device of claim 211, wherein the laser diode is a vertical
cavity surface emitting laser.
218. A device for scanning a dataform, comprising: a housing; a
laser diode in the housing for producing a laser beam; a movable
micromachined scanning mirror in the housing for scanning the laser
beam across the dataform for reflection therefrom as return light;
a collecting optic in the housing for collecting the return light
from the dataform; a stationary detector in the housing for
detecting the return light collected by the collecting optic; and a
support on which the laser diode, the scanning mirror and the
stationary detector are commonly mounted as a scan module in the
housing.
219. The device of claim 218, wherein the collecting optic collects
the return light directly from the dataform.
220. The device of claim 218, wherein the support is a printed
circuit board.
221. The device of claim 218, wherein the scanning mirror is
connected to a silicon substrate.
222. The device of claim 218, wherein the scanning mirror is driven
electrostatically.
223. The device of claim 218, wherein the scanning mirror is
suspended between a pair of torsional hinges.
224. The device of claim 218, and at least one of a keypad and a
display on the housing.
225. A method of reading a dataform, comprising the steps of:
presenting a device that outputs a laser beam from a surface
emitting laser diode; presenting an object with the dataform to the
device: aligning the dataform with the device so that the laser
beam is incident on the dataform; a movable micromachined scanning
mirror for scanning the laser beam across the dataform for
reflection therefrom as return light; collecting the return light
from the dataform with a collecting optic; detecting the return
light collected by the collecting optic with a stationary detector;
and commonly mounting the laser diode, the scanning mirror and the
stationary detector on a support to constitute a scan module in the
device.
226. The method of claim 225, and constituting the micromachined
mirror from silicon.
227. The method of claim 225, wherein the collecting step is
performed by collecting the return light directly from the
dataform.
228. The method of claim 225, and electrostatically driving the
micromachined mirror.
229. The method of claim 225, and suspending the micromachined
mirror between a pair of torsional hinges.
230. The method of claim 225, and configuring the laser diode as a
vertical cavity surface emitting laser.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/631,364, filed Apr. 12, 1996, U.S. Pat. No.
6,059,188, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 08/506,574, filed Jul. 25, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,294, which
is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/141,342, filed
Oct. 25, 1993, abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/394,813, filed Feb. 27, 1995, abandoned,
all of which are owned by the same assignee as the present
application and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application relates to portable electronic devices and
non-electronic articles, and more particularly to a bar code
scanner and communications module for use with such devices and
articles.
[0003] Various optical readers and scanning systems have been
developed for reading bar code symbols appearing on a label or
surface of an article, generally, a bar code symbol is a dataform
having a coded pattern of indicia comprising a series of bars of
various widths separated by spaces of various widths and the bars
and spaces having differing light reflecting characteristics. The
bar code scanning system electro-optically transforms the graphic
indicia of the data form into electrical signals and decodes these
signals into alphanumeric characters that provide some information
about the article. The alphanumeric characters are represented by
digital data which is used as an input to processing systems
associated with applications, such as point of sale and inventory
control systems. Scanning systems of this general type are well
known in the art and have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,387,297, 4,409,470 and 4,460,120, all assigned to the
assignee of the present application.
[0004] A scanning system of this type generally includes a hand
held laser scanner configured to enable a user to aim it a bar code
pattern and emit a beam of light. The light beam is optically
modified to form a beam spot of a certain size at a target
distance. The bar code scanning system also typically includes a
sensor, such as a photodetector, that detects light reflected back
from the bar code pattern. The photodetector can be positioned in
the scanner such that it has a field of view which extends across
and slightly past a symbol within the pattern and a portion of the
light that is reflected off the symbol is acquired and converted
into an electrical signal. A bar code scanning system of this type
can be either retroreflective, that is, the outgoing light and the
incoming light share a common path with regard to a scanning
element, or non-retroreflective.
[0005] After the reflected light is converted into an electrical
signal, signal processing circuitry or software converts the
electrical signal into a digital representation of the data
contained in the bar code. This data is then decoded into a desired
format.
[0006] Currently, many portable electronic products, such as
personal digital systems, cellular telephones, computer terminals,
do not have bar code scanners included as one of their peripheral
devices. Moreover, non-electronic products, such as writing
instruments, rings and the like do not include bar code scanners as
an integral part thereof. The reason for this is lack of space on
such devices for an independent bar code scanning module. If,
however, a bar code scanner could be integrated along side existing
peripheral circuitry or integrated within a device without
substantial size or weight thereto, the functionality of the
portable electronic device or portable article could be
advantageously increased.
[0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide an integrated
communication and bar code scanning module for portable electronic
devices and portable articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore one objective of the present invention to
provide an integrated communication and bar code scanning module
for portable electronic devices and portable articles.
[0009] This and other objectives of the present invention are
accomplished by the present invention wherein a scanner comprises
at least one surface emitting laser diode on a substrate for
producing a laser beam, beam shaping for shaping the beam and
wherein the shaped beam is substantially an essential single
spatial mode laser beam, or where the single spatial mode is the
fundamental spatial mode.
[0010] The surface emitting laser diode is preferably a vertical
cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) which is a type of laser
diode that emits light vertically from the top surface of a chip.
VCSELs have many advantages over conventional edge emitting laser
diodes. They have well controlled beam characteristics, can be
tested on the wafer scale, are easy to package and have inherently
lower costs and consume four to five times less power than edge
emitting laser diodes. It is also possible to create multiple
VCSELs on one single chip.
[0011] A typical size of a VCSEL chip is a few hundred microns so
that it can be handled, but the dimension of the actual surface
emitting laser is 10 to 20 microns. Since the cost of producing a
chip is largely determined by its size, it is cost effective to
produce multiple VCSELs on one chip. In addition, incorporating
VCSELs as a light source into the scanning module in accordance
with the invention allows miniaturization of the scanner module to
less than 5 mm in height, and reduction of the scanner's volume to
about 1 cubic inch or less.
[0012] In a typical flying-spot laser bar code scanner, consisting
of an oscillating mirror that scans a focused laser, and where the
direction of the incident laser beam and the rotation axis of the
scanning mirror are not perpendicular to each other, the mirror
sweeps out a curved line on a flat bar code target. The resulting
curved scan line is known as the "smiley" effect and the degree of
curving is dependent on the angle of incidence of the laser beam to
the scan mirror. The more oblique is the out-of-plane incident
angle from the laser to the scan mirror, the more profound is the
curve. Besides aesthetic reason, a curved line makes reading of
two-dimensional and short (or truncated) one-dimensional bar codes
difficult or impossible. Accordingly, one objective of the
invention is to provide an optical arrangement that eliminates or
reduces the curvature of the "smiley" line by inserting a conical
section in the scanned laser path. The effect of the inserted
conical section is to match the curvature of the curved scan line
and to tilt the laser beam when it leaves the conical section so
that its final direction is perpendicular to the rotating axis of
the scanning mirror.
[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide an optical
arrangement that utilizes a tilted conical mirror with a curvature
to eliminate or reduce the curvature of the "smiley" line.
[0014] A further objective of the invention is to provide an
optical arrangement that eliminates or reduces the curvature of the
"smiley" line and reduces thickness of the conical element by
utilizing a very coarse conical Fresnel optical surface instead of
a bulk conical surface.
[0015] These and other objectives, characteristic and advantages of
the present invention will be disclosed in more detail with
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vertical cavity top surface
emitting laser used in accordance with the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a scanning system according
to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is one embodiment of a scanner subassembly according
to the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4A-4C is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 a further embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0021] FIGS. 6A-6B is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0022] FIGS. 7A-7B is a further embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 8A-8B is a still further embodiment of a scanner
subassembly according to the invention;
[0024] FIGS. 9A-9E are further embodiments of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0026] FIGS. 11A-11B is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0027] FIGS. 12A-12B show alternative methods for mounting a VCSEL
according to the invention;
[0028] FIGS. 13A-13B is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0029] FIGS. 14A-14C is a further embodiment of a scanner
subassembly according to the invention;
[0030] FIGS. 15A-15B is a still further embodiment of a scanner
subassembly according to the invention;
[0031] FIGS. 16A-16C is another embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention;
[0032] FIGS. 17A-17B is a further embodiment of a scanner
subassembly according to the invention;
[0033] FIGS. 18A-18C show a scanner in an interface card in
accordance with the invention; and
[0034] FIGS. 19A-19C show a pen with a scanner in accordance with
the invention.
[0035] FIG. 20 shows a curved scan line, the so-called "smiley"
line, resulting from the intersection of a flat surface with a cone
swept by the scanning mirror.
[0036] FIG. 21 shows a straight "smiley" scan line, resulting when
the laser beam is bent back by the incident angle, so that the
final scanned line is perpendicular to the scanning axis.
[0037] FIG. 22 shows one optical arrangement using a plano-convex
conical section according to the invention that eliminates or
reduces the "smiley" scan line.
[0038] FIG. 23 shows another optical arrangement using a
plano-concave conical section according to the invention that
eliminates or reduces the "smiley" scan line.
[0039] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of one particular orientation
of the conical section with respect to the scan mirror according to
the invention.
[0040] FIG. 25 shows a sectional view of another orientation of the
conical section with respect to the scan mirror according to the
invention that directs specular reflection away from the scanning
mirror.
[0041] FIG. 26 illustrates the geometry of the conical section for
the convex element according to the invention to correct and
eliminate the "smiley" scan line.
[0042] FIG. 27 illustrates the geometry of the conical section for
the concave element according to the invention to correct and
eliminate the "smiley" scan line.
[0043] FIG. 28 shows an optical arrangement using a conical section
with two surfaces of different curvature according to the invention
that eliminates or reduces the "smiley" scan line.
[0044] FIG. 29 shows a sectional view of the optical arrangement
utilizing a refractive optical element, such as one having a coarse
"Fresnel" conical surface on one side of the element, which
eliminates or reduces the "smiley" scan line.
[0045] FIG. 30 shows an optical arrangement utilizing a conical
mirror according to the invention that eliminates or reduces the
"smiley" scan line.
[0046] FIG. 31 shows an embodiment of a scanner subassembly
according to the invention, which utilizes an edge-emitting laser
diode and a mirror instead of a VCSEL as a light source.
[0047] FIG. 32a shows a simplified circuit diagram of an embodiment
of the current invention that utilizes VCSEL diode as a temperature
sensor.
[0048] FIG. 32b shows a simplified circuit diagram of another
embodiment of the current invention that utilizes VCSEL diode as a
temperature sensor, with parasitic resistor (Rs).
[0049] FIG. 32c shows a simplified circuit diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the current invention that utilizes a second
(non-lasing) diode on the same substrate to monitor temperature and
better estimate the required drive current supplied to the laser
emitting diode in order to regulate the optical power.
[0050] FIG. 33 shows a scanner module according to the invention,
having a focusing lens and two total internal reflection (TIR)
surfaces that direct light from the laser to the scanning
mirror.
[0051] FIG. 34 shows another scanner module according to the
invention, having two focusing lenses, two total internal
reflection (TIR) surfaces and a plurality of overlapping collection
lenses for producing a larger collection area to collect the light
scattered from the scanned symbol, while shortening the distance
between the collection lenses and a photodiode.
[0052] FIG. 35a shows another scanner module according to the
invention, which utilizes an edge-emitting laser diode and a prism
to bend and re-direct a light beam from the laser at an angle
toward a focusing lens, and further having two total internal
reflection (TIR) surfaces that direct light from the laser to the
scanning mirror.
[0053] FIG. 35b shows another scanner module according to the
invention, which utilizes an edge-emitting laser diode and a prism
to bend and re-direct a light beam from the laser at an angle
toward a focusing lens, and further having two total internal
reflection (TIR) surfaces that direct light from the laser to the
scanning mirror, wherein the prism is molded into the plastic cap
that encloses the scanner module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] FIG. 1 shows the cross section (not to scale) of the
epitaxial layer structure of a VCSEL for use in the present
invention. The VCSEL structure consists essentially of a top and
bottom quarter-wave mirror stack (also known as Bragg reflector)
surrounding a spacer region (usually a material wavelength thick)
containing the active quantum wells at its center (located at the
peak optical-field anti-node for increased simulated emission
efficiency). Referring to FIG. 1, the VCSEL structure comprises the
n-contact 10 and the n-doped bottom mirror stack 12, separated by
the GaAs substrate layer 11. The VCSEL structure further comprises
the p-mirror stack 15 and the p-contact 16, separated from the
n-mirror stack 12 by the spacer 14, which consists of the undoped
active GaAs quantum wells 14a enclosed by the top confinement layer
14b and the bottom confinement layer 14c. The p-contact 16 has an
opening 17 for emitting the laser beam from the device. In
accordance with the present invention, an optional aperture layer
18 having an aperture 19 is formed on the p-contact layer to
provide an output beam which is shaped for the function of the
diode and which is preferably a single spatial mode laser beam for
bar code scanning applications. Alternatively, the bottom n-contact
10 substrate may have an opening and provide an output beam.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a scanning device
utilizing a surface emitting laser diode on a substrate in
accordance with the present invention.
[0056] The surface emitting laser diode 20 emits light which is
scanned by a scanning element 21 which can be a mirror or other
scan element which is driven by a scanner drive circuit 22. Light
reflected from a bar code B is received by a photodetector 23
either by means of the scanner 21 in a retroreflective system, or
directly from the bar code in a non-retroreflective system. The
output from the photodetector 23 is received by a signal processor
24 and digitized and thereafter applied to a microprocessor 25
which further processes the signal by decoding same. The decoded
output is then communicated externally of the device via
communications circuit 26 which is preferably a wireless
communications circuit which is capable of communicating the data
via WAN, LAN, Bluetooth, cellular transmission, etc.
[0057] The surface emitting laser diode 20 is driven by the drive
circuit 27, which is controlled by the microprocessor 25 to apply a
current to the diode 20 so as to limit the output power and to
ensure that it emits substantially an essential single spatial mode
laser beam. Alternatively, the single spatial mode may be the
fundamental spatial mode of the emitted laser beam. As part of the
drive circuit 27, the photodetector 28 is provided to receive a
portion of the light emitted by the diode 20. The drive circuit 27
may use that as a feedback signal for further control of the diode
20. It should be noted that while the feedback control described
above is preferred, it is not strictly necessary and many
embodiments of the current invention that utilize VCSELS over a
limited temperature range may operate without it with the
invention, as described below, the VCSEL itself can be used as a
temperature sensor, to estimate its own temperature T.
[0058] The VCSEL is basically a semiconductor LASER diode, and as
such can be modeled as a diode, as shown in FIG. 32a. The parasitic
resistor (Rs), shown in FIG. 32b, is an integral part of the VCSEL
diode and can be used to monitor the changes and variations in
temperature. Alternatively, a series resistor (i.e., either a
discrete resistor or a resistor manufactured on VCSEL substrate)
may be connected with the VCSEL diode and used to monitor changes
in temperature. The following equations for the circuit shown in
FIG. 32b demonstrate that both parasitic resistor Rs (or a series
resistor connected to VCSEL diode in series, not shown) and the
more "ideal" diode (less its resistance) have temperature
dependencies.
Rs=Rs.sub.0(1+TC1(T-T.sub.0))
[0059] where TC1 is temperature coefficient (1/.degree. K);
I.sub.diode=I.sub.d=I.apprxeq.I.sub.0(e.sup.Vd/nVt);
I.sub.0.apprxeq.K*T.sup.m(e.sup.-Vgo/nVt) [0060] where T is
temperature in degrees Kelvin; [0061] K is constant; [0062] Vd is
diode voltage; [0063] V.sub.go is a voltage which is numerically
equal to the forbidden-gap energy E.sub.go; [0064] n is a
multiplying factor, which depends on the material used and the
current; for example: [0065] for Silicon (Si) diodes: n=2, m=1.5
and V.sub.go=1.21V [0066] for Germanuim (Ge) diodes: n=l, m=2 and
V.sub.go=0.785V [0067] T.sub.0 is temperature at a reference point;
[0068] Vt is the volt equivalent of temperature=T/11,600
[0069] If the VCSEL is driven with current I, the forward voltage
drop is Vf=I*Rs+Vd. From the equations it can be seen that Vf is
now dependent on the drive current I and temperature T. Since we
know the current I we can estimate temperature T from the forward
voltage drop Vf. Knowing temperature and properties of the VCSEL
(P.sub.o=f(T, I, Vf) we know what drive current is needed to
achieve a desired optical power based on its Vf. The properties of
the VCSEL can be either derived analytically or empirical
measurements in a temperature chamber.
[0070] The following are several examples of determining drive
current: [0071] Drive a current I.sub.1, which is less than the
lasing threshold current and measure Vf.sub.1. [0072] Drive a
current I.sub.2 based on the Vf.sub.1 observation and measure
Vf.sub.2. [0073] Drive a current I.sub.3 based on the Vf.sub.1 and
Vf.sub.2 observations.
[0074] In addition, an equation and/or look-up table could be used
to convert the present drive current and Vf into the next drive
current. Multiple observations are not necessary, but allow
calculation of (Vf.sub.2-Vf.sub.1). This has the advantages that
offset voltage error in the observer drops out and some of the
"assumed" constants in the equations drop out. Hence final drive
current is I=f(T, I, Vf.sub.1, I.sub.2, Vf.sub.2).
[0075] In one preferred (modified) embodiment of the invention, a
circuit diagram of which is shown in FIG. 32c requires a second
(non-lasing) diode that is preferably manufactured on the same die
as the lasing VCSEL diode (i.e., the first VCSEL). This second
diode will have similar electrical characteristics as the first
VCSEL. Because of that, the second (non-lasing) diode could be used
as a monitor diode to sense temperature of the first lasing VCSEL
diode. The second diode could share a common anode or cathode with
the VCSEL. A parasitic resistor of the second diode, or a series
resistor connected to the second diode in series (which could
either be used by itself or in combination with a parasitic
resistor), may be utilized to facilitate temperature sensing and
improve the estimate of temperature, and hence determine the
required drive current for a desired P.sub.o.
[0076] Surface emitting laser diodes mounted on a substrate provide
for a great deal of flexibility in the construction of scanning
devices, as can be seen hereinafter with regard to the description
of FIGS. 3-11.
[0077] In particular, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are
desirable due to low operating power, aperture control, and wafer
level testing. A number of the following embodiments can be used to
provide focusing without the need for active focusing.
[0078] While it is preferable and more efficient to use vertical
cavity surface emitting VCSELs as a light source in the scanner
assemblies and different scanner embodiments described below, it is
also possible to produce a similar effect using one or more
edge-emitting laser diodes and a reflective optical element, as for
example a mirror, as the light source. For example, as shown in
FIG. 31, an edge-emitting laser diode 3110 may be mounted on a
circuit board 3130 on its side, and transmit a light beam to the
mirror 3150 along the path 3140a. The mirror may then re-direct it
outward (or toward another reflective element) along a different
path 3140b, at some angle to the path 3140a.
[0079] VCSELs are tested on a wafer, separated into dice and
mounted on a lead frame. The packaged VCSEL is then mounted by
conventional surface mounting or flip chip techniques to a
substrate or circuit board. FIGS. 3 and 4 A-C show a low cost
molded plastic lens and a precision stop and clips. Specifically,
the mounting of the VCSEL chip 100 on the substrate 30 having
mounting holes 31 therein is carried out by the mounting member
assembly 40, preferably made of plastic, which comprise the
mounting clips 41, having the outer stop surfaces 45 and the inner
stop surface 44, the latter contacting the top surface 101 of the
chip 100 when the chip is mounted. The mounting member 40 also
includes beam shaping optics which comprises a lens 46 which is a
molded plastic lens and which has an opaque mask 43 on the top
thereof, forming an aperture 42 for a beam to be emitted from the
chip 101.
[0080] The inner stop surface 44, when in contact with the VCSEL
chip 100 sets a specific lens to VCSEL separation. The legs or
clips 41 go through the mounting holes 31 in the substrate and lock
the lens in place. The surface of the lens can be designed and
fabricated such that the elements in a VCSEL array can be focused
to different distances and spot sizes to obtain multiple focus
packages.
[0081] To control the process of non-uniformity of the lens and
VCSEL, the aperture 42 can be added on the top surface of the lens
by directly coating the lens or by adding an external cap. The lens
46 is preferably aspherical to convert the circular beam from the
VCSEL to elliptical shape, which is preferred for 1-dimensional
scanning. The lens 46 can also be spherical to maintain a round
laser spot for 2-dimensional and omni scanning. In this embodiment,
the lens may be either refractive or diffractive and may reside on
either the upper or lower surface.
[0082] In FIG. 4A, the VCSEL chip 100 is mounted into place on
substrate 30 using standard die-attached or surface mount
techniques. Beam shaping and focusing is accomplished by mounting
element 40' which has legs or clips 41' with stop surface 45' to
lock it into place. In this embodiment, the beam shaping optics
includes a plastic lens 46' which is disposed below the top surface
43' of the mounting element and which has an aperture 42' for
shaping the beam to be emitted.
[0083] FIGS. 4B and 4C show how the lens 46' is mounted in the cap.
The lens has a rod 46a that slides into the notch 40a in the cap.
FIG. 4C also shows a 90.degree. rotational view of the lens
46'.
[0084] FIG. 5 illustrates another mounting cap for a VCSEL 100. In
this embodiment, the substrate 30 has the mounting holes 31 and the
VCSEL 100 is mounted on the substrate using standard die-attach or
surface mount techniques. A molded plastic lens 57, mounted on a
mounting structure 55 that has a cutout 56 for the VCSEL and a
central cavity 58, is placed over the VCSEL so as to provide a
highly accurate distance between the lens 57 and the upper surface
of the VCSEL 100. Alternatively, the plastic lens 57 comprises a
1-piece molded structure with the mounting structure 55. The unit
is locked in place with a cap 50 having legs with locking surfaces
51 and an aperture 53.
[0085] FIGS. 6A and 6B shows a molded lens and laser power
monitoring photodetector which doubles as the aperture.
[0086] In these embodiments, the VCSEL 100 is covered with a cap 60
which has a power monitoring detector 61, shown in FIG. 6C disposed
at the top thereof and thus forming the aperture 67 and receiving a
portion of the light emitted by the VCSEL 100. Wire bonds 62 enable
the output of the detector to be fed to the drive circuit for the
VCSEL. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the cap 60 has a lens 66
which is disposed in the aperture 67 in the detector 61.
[0087] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-9, the laser and the
power monitoring detector can be die attached to a lead frame which
is encapsulated with plastic with a lens on top. As shown in FIGS.
7A and 7B, the plastic encapsulation 70 has the lens 71 on top and
the aperture 72. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the laser is mounted on the
monitoring detector 110 which can be die attached to a lead frame
30 and all of which is encapsulated with the plastic member 80,
having the aperture 82 and the lens 81 on its top.
[0088] FIGS. 9A-9E show alternative embodiments of the plastic cap
with lens and aperture integrally formed therein on the top, as
well as different variations as to how the aperture is achieved. In
these embodiments, the VCSEL 100 is on the lead frame or substrate
30 with the power monitoring detector 110 disposed nearby, both
encapsulated within the plastic housing 90. The housing has the
lens 91 centered over the VCSEL 100 but off center of the cap and
the aperture 92 is integrated in the lens.
[0089] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9d, the surface
surrounding the aperture can be opaque or textured to achieve the
aperture in the lens. The aperture portion 92 in the lens acts to
transmit light from VCSEL 100 through it, while the area around the
aperture acts to reflect it back to the detector 110. Moreover, the
area around the aperture can be ellipsoidal.
[0090] Alternatively, the aperture may be formed just by having a
plane plastic surface surround the embedded lens. In that case, the
unfocused light scatters and only the focused light traveling
through the aperture propagates any appreciable distance.
[0091] To achieve an elliptical laser spot from a circularly
symmetric laser, the lens can be cylindrical or toroidal and
therefore having two focal lengths.
[0092] In FIGS. 8 and 9, the laser light is scattered by the
housing and aperture and is reflected back to the power monitoring
detector. Furthermore, the area around the lens can have a gentle
tilt to deflect the scattered light in the general direction of the
monitoring detector. Alternatively, the focusing lens, limited by
the aperture, can be embedded in an ellipsoidal dome, as shown in
FIG. 9E with the laser and detector as its foci. The laser light
collected by the dome will be reflected and concentrated to a
smaller power monitoring detector.
[0093] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A and of FIG. 11B, the
plastic cap 111 has mounting feet 112 which are heat staked and/or
glued after passing through mounting holes in substrate 30. The cap
covers the VCSEL 100 and the detector 110 and has a reflective
surface 113 at the top thereof including aperture 114 for emitting
a beam. The reflective surface scatters some of the light from the
VCSEL and the scattered light is then captured by the power
monitoring detector 110.
[0094] FIGS. 12A and 12B show methods for the precise height
control of VCSEL chip mounting for a passively focused VCSEL
module. The control of the height directly effects the positioning
of the chip with respect to a focusing lens in a cap as shown in
the previous embodiments. Typically, the chip is mounted on a
substrate using a bonding agent. The bonding agent can be a low
viscous liquid adhesive dispensed in a prescribed amount on a
substrate and the chip is then mounted under controlled pressure
during cure. Alternatively, the bonding agent can be an adhesive
film called a pre-form having a known thickness. The chip is
mounted on the film and cured under controlled pressure. Both
methods depend on precision control of pressure and amount in
volume or thickness of the adhesives.
[0095] Alternatively, one can make a precision step 121 in the
pickup tool 120 and place the machine so that no matter how much
adhesive 125 is under the chip 110 between the chip and the
substrate 30, the step will always place the chip at a fixed height
above the substrate 30, reducing the height variation from part to
part.
[0096] A GRIN or other small lens can be embedded in the cap and
the cap can be either a hermetic package or a non-hermetic package.
Generally, if a purely plastic package is used with current
invention, it is typically non-hermetic because moisture can
permeate plastic.
[0097] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12B, a precision ridge 30'
can be machined on the substrate 30 which cooperates with pickup
tool 120' to achieve the same result.
[0098] The flip chip technique of mounting the power monitoring
detector and VCSEL onto the substrate is shown in FIG. 10. The
VCSEL 100 and power monitor 110 are mounted in the flip chip manner
onto the substrate 30. The assembly is then mounted onto the
substrate 30, or leads can be attached to create a stand alone
surface mountable module. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the
focusing module 103 is placed over the VCSEL and has a lens 104 and
allows light to go to a reflective element 105 in the top of the
plastic cap 102. The reflective element 105 reflects light onto the
micromirror 106, which directs the beam out through the aperture
107 in the top of the plastic for scanning a bar code.
Alternatively, the micromirror 106 can be oscillated to create a
scanned beam.
[0099] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show an integrated retroreflective
miniature scanner using a silicon micromachined mirror and a
surface emitting laser diode. In this embodiment, the laser, signal
detectors, scanning element and electronics are assembled on a
common substrate, while the optics are on a different plane.
[0100] In the retro-reflective integrated scanning system shown in
FIGS. 13a and 13b, the VCSEL 100 and an optional power monitoring
photodiode 110 for laser power control are mounted on a substrate
30. The collection photodiode 131 that receives reflected light
from the bar code, the micromirror 132 for optical scanning and
other electronics (not shown) are mounted on a common substrate.
Standard electronic assembly techniques can be used for the
mounting. The optical cap 134, which can be injection molded, is
mounted on the substrate with the aid of machine vision or other
precision mechanical alignment features, such as guiding pins. The
focusing mirror 135 focuses and directs light from the VCSEL to the
scan mirror 132 producing a flying spot on a bar code. The optical
signal reflected from the bar code is collected by the collection
fold mirror 133 and directed to the collection photodiode 131.
Since the collection field of view follows the scanning of the scan
mirror, this a retroreflective arrangement. The aperture is
optionally needed to reduce part and process variations to achieve
passive VCSEL focusing and to obtain an elliptical spot. The light
blocked by the aperture is collected by a power monitoring photo
diode for VCSEL power control. The desired mirror curvatures are
formed in the mold and the reflective surface can be achieved by
evaporation coating. The rest of the top surface on the cap can be
antireflection coated to improve transmission efficiency. For best
beam profile and minimum aberrations, off-axis parabolic or
elliptical shaped mirror designs are desirable for the collection
fold mirror 133.
[0101] FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C show the mirrors in the cap relative
to the photodiodes and the scan mirror. Specifically, the
collection fold mirror is 133, the focusing mirror is 135 and the
scan mirror 132. A filter 138 can be placed over the photodiode
131. The photodiode also has an aperture 139 between the filter and
the photodiode 131.
[0102] The optical cap can be assembled and fixed on the substrate
in a manner similar to those embodiments described
hereinbefore.
[0103] The VCSEL and photodiodes can be mounted next to the
scanning mirror as shown in the previous embodiments, or they can
be mounted in holes on the frame on the scanning mirror as
shown.
[0104] In this case, the hole serves as an aperture stop for the
collection photodiode. A spectral filter can be inserted into the
hole to block ambient light as well. Alternatively, the VCSEL and
photodiodes can also be mounted on the top surface of the frame of
the scanning mirror.
"Smiley" Correction
[0105] In a typical flying-spot laser scanner that consists of an
oscillating mirror that scans a focused laser, and where the laser
and the rotation axis of the scanning mirror are not perpendicular
to each other, the mirror sweeps out a curved line on a flat bar
code target. The resulting scan line is shown in FIG. 20 as a
section of a cone 201 swept by the scanning mirror, with the laser
light 204 emerging from the vertex of this cone. The curved laser
line on the bar code target is the result of intersecting a side of
a cone with a plane. This curved line 205 is generally known as
"smiley" in the bar code scanning industry. The more oblique is the
out-of-plane incident angle from the laser 500 to the scanning
mirror 208, the more profound is the "smiley" curve 205. Besides
aesthetic reason, a curved line would make reading of
two-dimensional and short one-dimensional bar codes difficult or
impossible.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 21, one way to eliminate the "smiley" is
to bend back the scan laser beam by the incident angle so that the
final scanned line 215 is perpendicular to the scanning axis 216.
To the target, it seems as though the laser beam from the laser 500
is emerging from the projection of the vertex of the scanning cone
211 onto the base of the cone, rather than from the vertex
itself.
[0107] An optical arrangement according to the invention that
eliminates the "smiley" line is shown in FIG. 22. It shows a
conical section 222 inserted in the laser path to eliminate the
"smiley" line. The input surface 222a of the conical section faces
the scan mirror and the exit surface 222b faces the bar code. The
input surface could be flat. The exit surface of the conical
section is conical and is realized by sweeping a right triangle (a
cut of a prism) by the scan angle around the rotation axis of the
scanning mirror. This arrangement is defined as a "plano-convex"
configuration in this patent, and the apex angle of the right angle
is called the "prism angle" in the context of this patent.
[0108] FIG. 23 shows another optical arrangement that utilizes
conical section 232, which is a so-called "plano-concave" version,
where the concave surface is the input surface 232a, oriented
toward the scanning mirror, and the flat surface 232b faces the bar
code. Again, the flat surface is oriented at the "prism" angle with
respect to the concave surface. Such conical sections can be
optically molded or ground.
[0109] Alternatively, an optical element that combines both types
of optical arrangements discussed above, the so-called
"convex-concave" configuration, may be used in accordance with
current invention to eliminate the "smiley" line.
[0110] In order to completely eliminate the "smiley", the optical
arrangements must satisfy the following two conditions: [0111] The
curvature of the curve surface must match the radius of curvature
of the scanning cone, which is related to the distance of the
conical section from the scanning mirror and the scan angle. [0112]
The "prism" angle of the conical section must tilt the beam so that
when the beam leaves the conical section, its direction is
perpendicular to the rotating axis of the scanning mirror, as shown
in FIG. 21.
[0113] It should be noted, however, that with a conical section
which somewhat deviates from the above two conditions, it is still
possible to reduce, as opposed to completely eliminating, the
curvature of the "smiley" scan line. In some applications, reduced
curvature of the "smiley" line is an acceptable solution due to
other system constraints.
[0114] The orientation of the conical section with respect to the
incident scanned beam is important in accomplishing the objects of
the invention as illustrated in sectional views in FIGS. 24 and 25.
In FIG. 24, the incident laser beam 244 is perpendicular to the
input surface of the conical section 242. In this arrangement,
however, the specular reflection 249 from the input surface will be
directed back to the scanning mirror 248, which is part of the
receiving chain, creating optical noise inside the scanner. This is
generally not preferred, particularly in retro-reflective systems.
The optical arrangement shown in FIG. 25 is preferred, since
specular reflection 259 is directed to some fixed location away
from the mirror 258 and can be baffled. It is also understood that
other cylindrical or conical surfaces with similar properties and
producing the same results may be used to correct the "smiley".
[0115] The "prism" angle of the conical sections for a conical
section of the type shown in FIG. 22 that is utilized in current
invention is calculated as further described with reference to FIG.
26. The "smiley" correction surface is toward the bar code with
radius of curvature R. Legends referring to FIG. 26 are as follows:
[0116] .gamma.: incident angle of the scanned laser beam to the
conical section; [0117] .theta.: "prism" angle; [0118] .GAMMA.:
angle of the laser beam after being refracted at the input flat
surface of the conical section; [0119] .alpha.: incident angle of
the laser beam to the curve surface inside the conical section;
[0120] n: index of refraction of the material of the conical
section; [0121] R: radius of curvature of the curve surface of the
conical section; (R is in a plane that is normal to the curve
surface); [0122] l: distance from the rotating axis of the scanning
mirror to the intersection of the laser beam and the curve surface
of the conical section.
[0123] To calculate the "prism" angle, the Snell's law is applied
as follows:
.theta.=.alpha.+.GAMMA.
sin .gamma.=n sin .GAMMA.
n sin .alpha.=sin .theta.
[0124] Solving the above 3 equations, yields:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 tan .theta. = sin .gamma. n cos .GAMMA. - 1
##EQU00001## but cos .GAMMA. = n 2 - sin 2 .gamma. n ##EQU00002##
tan .theta. = sin .gamma. n 2 - sin 2 .gamma. - 1 ##EQU00003##
For small incident angle
n.sup.2>>sin.sup.2 .gamma..about..gamma.
n.about.1.5
[0125] we can approximate
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 tan .theta. .about. sin .gamma. ( n - 1 ) -
sin 2 .gamma. 2 n ##EQU00004## .theta. .about. 3 .gamma. 15 -
.gamma. 2 ##EQU00005##
[0126] In general, the radius of curvature of the conical section
is a function of the "prism" angle .theta., and other parameters,
such as L (the distance between the flat surface and the axis of
rotation of the scan mirror), and h (side of the element):
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 R ( h , .theta. ) = L + h tan .theta. cos
.theta. ##EQU00006##
The radius of curvature R.sub.0 of the curve surface at the
intersection of the laser beam and the conical surface:
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Ro = l cos .theta. ##EQU00007##
The optical power .phi. of the cylindrical curvature at the
intersection of the laser beam and the curve surface is simply:
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 .phi. = n - 1 Ro .about. 1 2 Ro = 1 focal
length ##EQU00008##
For
[0127] .gamma.=25 degrees, l=5 mm, we calculate:
[0128] .theta..about.44 degrees
[0129] R.sub.0.about.6.95 mm
[0130] .phi..about.72 diopters (0.072 mm)
[0131] focal length f.about.13.9 mm
[0132] The "prism" angle of the conical sections for a conical
section of the type shown in FIG. 23 that is utilized in current
invention is calculated as further described with reference to FIG.
27. The "smiley" correction surface is toward the bar code with
radius of curvature R. Legends referring to FIG. 27 are as follows:
[0133] .gamma.: incident angle of the scanned laser beam to the
conical section; [0134] .theta.: "prism" angle; [0135] .GAMMA.:
angle of the laser beam after being refracted at the input surface
of the conical section; [0136] .alpha.: incident angle of the laser
beam to the curve surface inside the conical section; [0137] n:
index of refraction of the material of the conical section; [0138]
R: radius of curvature of the curve surface of the conical section;
(R is in a plane that is normal to the curve surface); [0139] l:
distance from the rotating axis of the scanning mirror to the
intersection of the laser beam and the curve surface of the conical
section.
[0140] To calculate the "prism" angle, the Snell's law is applied
as follows:
sin(.theta.+.gamma.)=n sin .theta.
Solving the above equation, yields:
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 tan .theta. = sin .gamma. n - cos .gamma.
##EQU00009##
For small-incident angles and n.about.1.5 we can approximate
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 .theta. .about. .gamma. n - 1 .about. 2
.gamma. ##EQU00010##
The radius of curvature R.sub.0 of the curve surface at the
intersection of the laser beam and the correction surface:
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Ro = 1 cos .theta. ##EQU00011##
The optical power .phi. of the cylindrical curvature is simply:
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 .phi. = n - 1 Ro .about. 1 2 Ro = 1 focal
length ##EQU00012##
For
[0141] y=25 degrees, l=5 mm, we calculate:
[0142] .theta..about.35 degrees
[0143] R.sub.0.about.6 mm
[0144] .phi..about.82 diopters (0.082 mm)
[0145] focal length f.about.12 mm
[0146] In bar code scanning, the useful range of the scanner is
determined by the size and shape of the laser spot, and the signal
to noise ratio. For the sake of discussion, we call the width of
the laser spot that is across the spaces and bars in a bar code the
x-spot, and the orthogonal width the y-spot. An optical element
(lens or mirror) focuses the diverging beam from a laser into the
desired spot. By inserting the conical section into the laser path,
the x-laser spot is changed, and the upstream focusing optics must
be changed accordingly. The required approximated adjustments to
the optical power of the upstream optics are described with
reference to the following example.
EXAMPLE 1
[0147] f: effective focal length of the optical system to create
the desired beam spot; [0148] f.sub.1: focal length of the curve
surface of the conical section that corrects the "smiley"; [0149]
f.sub.0: focal length of the laser focusing optics to maintain the
desired laser beam spot; [0150] d: separation between the principal
planes of the laser focusing optics and the curve surface of the
conical section.
[0151] A focusing optics of 4 mm focal length is originally used to
focus the laser to the desired spot diameter. The laser incidents
at 25 degrees out of plane from a scanning mirror. A conical
section of the type shown in FIG. 22 is used to correct the
"smiley", and the distance between the principle planes of the
laser focusing optic and the conical section is 10 mm. In
accordance with calculations above, the focal length of the conical
section in one plane (sagittal) is 12 mm, the other plane
(longitudinal) does not have optical power. The focal length in the
sagittal plane is relevant since it affects the x-spot of the
laser.
[0152] The new effective focal length f of the system in the
sagittal plane is:
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 1 f = 1 f 0 + 1 f 1 - d f 0 f 1
##EQU00013## for f.sub.0 = 4 mm f.sub.1 = 12 mm d = 10 mm f = 8
mm
[0153] The effective focal length of the system is doubled. In
order to maintain the same system focal length of 4 mm (i.e., f=4
mm, the focal length of the laser focusing optics must be changed
to:
f.sub.0,new=1 mm
This being a very strong optical element, the alignment is very
critical to be practical in many bar code reading applications.
[0154] Because of the above consideration, it may be desirable to
have two different curvatures R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 on the two
surfaces of the conical section 281, as shown in FIG. 28, rather
than a plano-convex or a plano-concave conical sections (with a
flat and a curved surface). One curvature, shown as R.sub.1 (the
conical section) is used to eliminate "smiley", while the other
curvature R.sub.2 (the cylindrical surface) is used to correct the
overall optical power of the system. The required curvatures of the
conical sections and laser focusing optics are described with
reference to the following example.
EXAMPLE 2
The Following Legends and Discussion is Applicable to the Sagittal
Plane
[0155] f: effective focal length of the optical system to create
the desired beam spot; [0156] f.sub.1: focal length of the curve
surface of the conical section that corrects the "smiley"; [0157]
R.sub.1: curvature of the curve surface of the conical section that
corrects the "smiley"; [0158] f.sub.0: focal length of the laser
focusing optics to maintain the desired laser beam spot; [0159]
f.sub.2: focal length of the other curve surface of the conical
section which is used to manipulate the optical power of this
element; [0160] f.sub.c: focal length of the conical section;
[0161] R.sub.2: curvature of the other curve surface of the conical
section which is used to manipulate the optical power of this
element; [0162] D: separation between the principal planes of the
laser focusing optics and the conical section; [0163] N: index of
refraction of the conical section material.
[0164] A focusing optics of 4 mm focal length is originally used to
focus the laser to the desired spot diameter. The laser incidents
at 25 degrees out of plane from a scanning mirror. A conical
section of the type shown in FIG. 23 is used to correct the
"smiley", and the distance between the principle planes of the
laser focusing optic and the conical section is 10 mm. The radius
of curvature of the "smiley" correction surface of the conical
section is 6 mm. For this example, the thickness of the conical
section is 1 mm, and the radius of curvature of the other surface
is 7 mm.
The effective focal length f.sub.c of the conical section is:
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 1 fc = 1 f 1 + 1 f 2 - t n f 1 f 2 1 fc = n
- 1 R 1 + n - 1 R 2 - ( n - 1 ) 2 t n R 1 R 2 ##EQU00014## for
R.sub.1 = -6 mm R.sub.2 = 7 mm t = 1 mm n = 1.5
where the sign convention has been applied to R.sub.1. We
obtain:
f.sub.c=-126 mm
The new system focal length is now:
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 1 f = 1 f 0 + 1 fc - d f 0 fc ##EQU00015##
for f.sub.0 = 4 mm f.sub.c = -126 mm d = 10 mm f = 3.82 mm
To maintain the same system focal length at 4 mm, the focal length
of the laser focusing optics needed to be changed to:
f.sub.0,new=4.195 mm
[0165] It is also possible to add some curvature in the "y"
direction (orthogonal to the curvature that corrects the "smiley")
of the conical section to manipulate the y-spot. This addition is
desirable for the purpose of reducing printing noise and speckle
noise. In fact, the "smiley" elimination conditions and system
optical power can probably be met simultaneously by properly
choosing the two curvatures of the "smiley" correction element, and
the orientation of the two surfaces, in concert with the upstream
focusing optics.
[0166] It should be noted that there is a trade-off in the location
of the conical section. On one hand, one would want to place it
close to the scanning mirror to void having a large optical
element. On the other hand, placing such an element too close to
the scanning mirror necessitates a large curvature, which is more
difficult to fabricate and has strong optical power. Besides the
optical power consideration, the conical section could also become
the exit window of the scanner.
[0167] In a retro-reflective scanner arrangement, the scanning
mirror is part of the receiving chain. Sometimes, it determines the
signal collection area for the returned bar code signal. With a
"smiley" correction element inserted between the bar code and the
scanning mirror, the optical power of the conical section in the
sagittal plane focuses the returned light in one direction onto the
scanning mirror. A smaller scanning mirror could be advantageous in
some applications where features such as reduced cost and size of
the scanning mirror are important. The downstream optical
element(s) in the receiving chain may be designed accordingly.
Alternatively, the scanning element can be the photodetector to
receive the bar code signal, with a small metallized area to
deflect the outgoing laser.
[0168] Furthermore, in a retro-reflective system according to the
invention, the "smiley" correction element must be large enough so
that it will not clip the return signal beam. In particular, when
the incident angle is large (meaning large "smiley"), the "prism"
angle of the conical section must be large proportionally, and its
increase in thickness translates to the increase in cost. One way
to reduce the thickness of the element is to use a refractive
element, as for example having a very coarse conical Fresnel
surface 292 on one side (shown in FIG. 29), rather than a bulk
conical surface. The pitch of the Fresnel surface must at least
accommodate the size of the outgoing scan beam, so that the beam
quality is not compromised. The thickness of the section is
determined by the size of the outgoing beam, rather than a much
larger collection area (hence thicker conical section).
Alternatively, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art to
utilize another type of a refractive element or a diffractive
element to reduce the thickness of the element.
[0169] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 30, a reflective element
can be used to eliminate "smiley". This is accomplished by using a
conical mirror 302 with a curvature that equals to the segment of
the scanning cone 301, and is tilted at an angle with magnitude
equal to the incident angle 501 of the laser 500, but with opposite
sign, as shown in FIG. 30. Due to tolerance of the outgoing
projection of the laser beam, the cylindrical mirror will most
likely reduce, rather than fully eliminate the smiley, in most
instances. Note that the focal point of a curve mirror is half its
radius of curvature, and the apparent scanning axis is no longer
the rotating axis of the scanning mirror, but some distance away.
The optical power of the mirror is twice the curvature and is
generally very strong in comparison to the optical power of a
refractive optical element.
[0170] While the figures showing the optical arrangements for the
"smiley" correction depict bulk optical elements, the same
functionality of the conical section can be accomplished using
diffractive optics in accordance with teachings of the current
invention. The primary trade-off in such systems is a thinner
element at lower optical efficiency.
[0171] As previously discussed, the arrangement of the scan mirror
relative to the VCSEL produces a curved scan line. This is a
"smiley" effect and the degree of curving is dependent on the angle
of incidence to the scan mirror. The embodiments of FIGS. 15A and
15B show retroreflective arrangements that do not produce the
"smiley" effect. In this arrangement, the scan mirror 132'
oscillates along a different axis. The cap 134' has a slanted scan
window 133' for the scan beam.
[0172] In both of these arrangements, the exit window can be
designed in such a way that it is at the Brewster angle with
respect to a polarized VCSEL to maximize optical transmission
without the need for an antireflection coding.
[0173] Miniaturization of the Scanner Module
[0174] FIGS. 16A-16C show a scanner module arrangement wherein the
light beams from the VCSELs 100 are focused by the focusing lens
161 and reflected by the prism 162 (or another type of focusing
optical element) to the scan mirror 163. The prism can be a total
internal reflection (TIR) prism, or its faces can be reflectively
coated. The reflected signal from the bar code is collected by a
collection lens 164. The collection lens helps limit the field of
view of the collecting photodiode 165, but does not scan with the
scan mirror 163. A baffle 166 separates the transmission optical
train from the collection optical train.
[0175] FIGS. 17A and 17B show an alternative embodiment with a
shorter optical path for a non-retroreflective scanner comprising a
focusing lens 171, a prism 172, a scan mirror 173, a collection
lens 174, a photodiode 175 and a baffle 176.
[0176] As shown, in FIGS. 16A-16C, 17A-17B, 33 and 34, the light
from the VCSELs is reflected at 90.degree. angle by the prism 162,
172, 332a or 342a, respectively, (or another type of focusing
optical element) and then again redirected at an angle to the scan
mirror 163, 173, 333 or 343, respectively. So long as the internal
reflection is achieved, angles of reflection other than 90.degree.
may be used by the prism 162, 172, 332a or 342a, respectively, to
achieve the desired result. By utilizing these optical arrangements
with shorter scan path, the height of the scanner module may be
miniaturized to about 5 mm or less, and the overall scanner's
volume may be reduced to about 1 cubic inch or less.
[0177] Referring to FIG. 33, which shows a similar embodiment of
the scanner module to that shown in FIGS. 16a-16c, a part of the
light from the VCSEL diode 100 is focused by a focusing lens 331
and reflected at 90.degree. angle at point C toward point D. The
focusing lens 331 and an aperture are molded into inner surface of
the plastic cap (enclosure) 330. While part of the light from the
laser is focused and re-directed from point C to point D, the light
reflected off the plastic around the aperture is scattered back to
the monitor photodiode (MPD) 335 (or toward another type of
feedback sensor).
[0178] The focused light is fully reflected by a flat surface 332a
that provides total internal reflection (TIR). This surface is on
the other side of the plastic cap 330. A second flat surface 332b
that satisfies the TIR condition is molded on the same side of the
cap. It directs the light to the mirror surface of the
micromachined mirror 333. The laser spot that is scanned by the
mirror is re-directed and transmitted through the top surface of
the plastic cap 330. This surface is polished and constitutes an
exit window 339 of the scanner. The light reflected off the scanned
symbol is collected by a collection optics and transmitted to the
signal photodiode (PD) 336.
[0179] All active components of the scanner module, including the
VCSEL 100, scanning mirror 333, monitor photodiode (MP) 335, and
signal photodiode 336 are preferably mounted on a substrate 337.
All optical surfaces of the embodiment shown in FIG. 33 are
preferably molded into a transparent plastic cap 330 that is also
mounted on the substrate 337, wherein the optical surfaces are
positioned at some distance (denoting the height of the scanning
module) above the substrate. Alternatively, instead of the exit
window 339, a slot is cut out so that the laser beam may exit the
plastic cap without encountering any window. It is also understood
that the optical surfaces of the scanning module in accordance with
the invention may be either bulk refractive optics, Fresnel lenses,
diffractive optics, or a combination thereof.
[0180] TIR condition happens when the light incidents from a dense
material (having a higher index of refraction, n.sub.h) to a less
dense material (having a lower index of refraction, n.sub.l), such
as for example from plastic or glass to air. Substantially all
(close to 100%) of the light will be reflected at the interface of
the two materials when the angle of incidence reaches and surpassed
a critical angle that satisfies the following condition:
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 .theta. c .gtoreq. .alpha. sin n l n h
##EQU00016##
For glass-air interface, with index of glass .about.1.5, the
critical angle is
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 .theta. c .gtoreq. .alpha. sin 1 n .about.
.alpha. sin 1 1.5 .about. 42 .degree. ##EQU00017##
The index of refraction of a common plastic is around 1.5 as
well.
[0181] In order to accommodate practical alignment tolerance with
current assembly techniques and to achieve a desired focusing
depth, the focal length of the focusing lens built in accordance
with the embodiment shown in FIG. 33 is preferably 2.5 mm or
longer. The lens is formed by creating a curve surface on the
plastic cap. A scanner module built in according with the
embodiment shown in FIG. 33, and having a 3 sq. mm collection area,
may have the following additional specifications:
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Package: 4.5 H .times. 7.5 L .times. 7.5 W
mm (~3/16 .times. 9/32 .times. 9/32 in.) (2 .times. 1 mm PD, 3 sq.
mm collection area) Smiley: Accommodates 6 to 10 deg. smiley; 10
deg. smiley shown Placement tolerance: z: +/-0.025 mm x, y:
+/-0.050 mm Laser pointing error: +/-4 deg. Cap angular error
+/-0.4 deg. due to placement: Cap prism error: +/-0.5 deg. Cap
feature tolerance: +/-0.025 mm
[0182] When the optical path ACDB in FIG. 33 is examined, it is
understood that it is equivalent to the optical path inside a thick
plano-convex lens of center thickness equal to the distance from A
to B. For such a lens, its back focal length (BFL) is the same as
the effective focal length (EFL), and the laser is generally placed
in a close proximity to the BFL location.
[0183] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 34, it is possible
to further reduce the height of the scanner module by molding the
two focusing lenses 341a and 341b into the plastic cap 340. When
the optical path ACDB in FIG. 34 is examined, it is understood that
a thick lens of thickness equal to the length from A to B and
bounded by two curved surfaces may be used. In addition, if the two
curvatures are the same, then the lens is a biconvex lens.
[0184] The BFL of a thick lens having curvatures R1 and R2 is
typically shorter than its EFL. The equations describing EFL and
BFL of a thick lens are as follows:
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 EFL = 1 n ( R 2 - R 1 ) + ( n - 1 ) t c [ n
R 1 R 2 n - 1 ] ##EQU00018## BFL = 1 n ( R 2 - R 1 ) + ( n - 1 ) t
c [ n R 1 R 2 n - 1 - R 2 t c ] ##EQU00019##
where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote the radii of curvature of the
curved surfaces of the thick lens; and t.sub.c is the center
thickness of the lens.
[0185] A scanner built in accordance with the embodiment shown in
FIG. 34 may have a BFL of 1.8 mm and an EFL of 3 mm. By reducing
the distance between the laser and the lens, the size of the whole
scanner module is reduced.
[0186] Referring to FIG. 34, one TIR flat surface 342a is used as
an aperture, to re-direct light focused by the focusing lens 341a,
and the light reflected off the plastic cap around the TIR flat
surface is scattered back to the MPD 345. To increase the amount of
light collected by the MPD, the area around the aperture may be
tilted toward the MPD. Whether this surface is tilted or not, only
about 4% of light is reflected, and the direction of the reflection
is omni-directional. By adding a curvature to the cap surface
around the aperture, more light can be collected, and the reflected
light can be concentrated (focused) and directed to the MPD. In
addition, the area around the aperture may be another TIR flat
surface oriented toward the MPD, so that 100% of that light,
instead of 4%, is reflected to the MPD. In such case, the TIR
surface utilized to bend the central portion of the light beam that
is used for scanning is surrounded by another TIR surface, which
directs an annulus of the laser beam to the MPD for laser power
monitoring.
[0187] The embodiment of FIG. 34 also illustrates use of multiple
overlapping lenses 348 in a scanner module built in accordance with
the invention. These lenses overlap to produce a larger light
collection area (collecting the light scattered from the bar code),
while allowing the photodiode 346 to be placed in a close proximity
to the back of the lenses.
[0188] The focusing power of a lens is determined by its curvature
and index of refraction. Typical index of refraction of optical
materials ranges from 1.4 to 1.7. To focus light to a close
distance, a short focal length lens is required. When a lens with
small radius and diameter is employed, it produces a reduced
collection area. However, by overlapping multiple lenses, each with
a smaller collection area and a short focal length, it is possible
to establish a larger combined collection area, while maintaining a
shorter distance between the lenses and a photodiode. A single
photodiode, or multiple smaller photodiodes could be used with the
multiple collection lenses in accordance with the invention.
[0189] When multiple collection lenses are utilized, each lens
focuses light from the bar code to a spot at a focal point of that
individual lens. Thus, with such an arrangement, a larger
photodiode is preferred. However, by adding a prism to the back of
each lens, either by attachment or by including it in the mold, it
is possible to steer the focal point of each lens in such a way
that different focal points overlap or/and come closer to each
other. Therefore, by bringing focal points closer together a
smaller photodiode could be employed, which translates to
cost-savings in production of the scanner and an improvement in
performance due to the lower capacitance of the photodiode.
[0190] Alternatively, instead of adding a prism, the focal points
of the collecting lenses could be steered to achieve the same
effect as described above by de-centering some of the collection
lenses.
[0191] A scanner module built in accordance with the embodiment
shown in FIG. 34 may have the following specifications:
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Package: 3.5 H .times. 6.5 L .times. 7 W mm
(~9/64 .times. 1/4 .times. 9/32 in.) (0.019'' (12 mm) collection
area) Smiley: 15 degrees smiley shown Placement tolerance: z:
+/-0.025 mm x, y: +/-0.050 mm Laser pointing error: +/-4 degrees
Cap angular error +/-0.4 degrees due to placement: Cap prism error:
+/-0.5 degrees shown Cap feature tolerance: +/-0.05 mm
[0192] FIGS. 35a and 35b illustrate two alternative embodiments of
a scanner module built according to the invention, which utilize an
edge-emitting laser diode as a light source. As shown in FIG. 35a,
the light from the edge-emitting laser diode 350 is re-directed by
a stand-alone prism 355 (or another reflective optical element) at
an angle, toward the focusing lens 351a. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 35b, the prism 355' for re-directing the light from the
edge-emitting laser diode 350 is molded into the plastic cap
330.
[0193] FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C show embodiments of the scan module
of the present invention in a standard interface module, such as
PCMCIA card, a flash card, a compact flash card or a Springboard
module, for plugging into a module slot in a hand held or portable
electronic device, such as a personal digital assistant or the
like. The module 180 is disposed in the card 182 as shown and
enables scanning to be carried out through a window 181 with the
data received from the scanning module being fed to the
microcomputer of the electronic device.
[0194] FIGS. 19A-19C show how a scanning module according to the
present invention inserted into a writing instrument, such as a
pen, to give it scanning functionality. Using a the communications
circuit, such as a Bluetooth communications circuit, the pen can
then scan and transmit the data to a host computer for further
processing.
[0195] It is understood that the embodiments described hereinabove
are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention. It is realized that various changes, alterations,
rearrangements and modifications can be made by those skilled in
the art without substantially departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
* * * * *