U.S. patent application number 17/545642 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-31 for bioptic barcode reader.
The applicant listed for this patent is ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Edward Barkan, Mark Drzymala, Darran Michael Handshaw.
Application Number | 20220100977 17/545642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220100977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drzymala; Mark ; et
al. |
March 31, 2022 |
BIOPTIC BARCODE READER
Abstract
A bioptic barcode reader has a housing having a lower housing
portion with an upper surface and an upper housing portion
extending above the lower housing portion. A generally horizontal
window is positioned at the upper surface and a generally upright
window is positioned in the upper housing portion. An illumination
assembly has an illumination field-of-view and an imaging assembly,
including an image sensor, has an imaging field-of-view with a
centerline that is directed at an angle relative to the upper
surface. A mirror arrangement is configured to split the imaging
field-of-view into first and second portions, redirect the first
portion of the imaging field-of-view through the generally upright
window, and redirect the second portion of the imaging
field-of-view and the illumination field-of-view through the
generally horizontal window such that the second portion is covered
by the illumination field-of-view at the generally horizontal
window.
Inventors: |
Drzymala; Mark; (Saint
James, NY) ; Barkan; Edward; (Miller Place, NY)
; Handshaw; Darran Michael; (Sound Beach, NY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
Lincolnshire |
IL |
US |
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Appl. No.: |
17/545642 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17017416 |
Sep 10, 2020 |
11210481 |
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17545642 |
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International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1. A bioptic barcode reader, comprising: a housing having a lower
housing portion with an upper surface facing a product scanning
region and an upper housing portion extending above the lower
housing portion; a generally horizontal window positioned at the
upper surface of the lower housing portion, the generally
horizontal window configured to allow a first light to pass between
the product scanning region and an interior region of the housing;
a generally upright window positioned in the upper housing portion,
the generally upright window configured to allow a second light to
pass between the product scanning region and the interior region of
the housing; an illumination assembly having an illumination
field-of-view; an imaging assembly including an image sensor, the
imaging assembly having an imaging field-of-view with a centerline
that is directed at an angle relative to the upper surface; and a
mirror arrangement positioned within the interior region, the
mirror arrangement configured to split the imaging field-of-view
axis into a first portion and a second portion, redirect the first
portion of the imaging field-of-view through the generally upright
window, and redirect the second portion of the imaging
field-of-view and the illumination field-of-view through the
generally horizontal window such that the second portion of the
imaging field-of-view is covered by the illumination field-of-view
at the generally horizontal window, wherein the angle is greater
than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 5.0
degrees.
2. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein a reflection of
the illumination assembly is located outside of the second portion
of the imaging field-of-view in the product scanning region.
3. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the illumination
assembly comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
4. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, comprising a printed
circuit board, wherein the image sensor and the illumination
assembly are mounted on the printed circuit board.
5. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 4, wherein the imaging
assembly comprises an imaging lens and a central axis of the
imaging lens is offset from a central axis of the image sensor.
6. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 4, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned perpendicular to the upper surface and the
image sensor is mounted at the angle on the printed circuit
board.
7. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 4, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned at the angle relative to an axis
perpendicular to the upper surface.
8. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 4, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned perpendicular to the upper surface and the
imaging assembly comprises a prism that redirects the imaging
field-of-view at the angle.
9. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the illumination
assembly is mounted to a first printed circuit board, the first
printed circuit board aligned perpendicular to the upper surface,
and the imaging assembly in mounted to a second printed circuit
board, the second printed circuit board aligned at the angle
relative to an axis perpendicular to the upper surface.
10. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the generally
horizontal window has a length extending from a proximal end
towards a distal end of the upper surface and a width extending
perpendicular to the length, the width greater than the length.
11. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 10, wherein the generally
horizontal window has a width that is 4 1/2 inches and a length
that is 4 inches.
12. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the mirror
arrangement comprises a splitter mirror, a first mirror, and a
second mirror, the splitter mirror positioned directly in a first
path of the first portion of the imaging field-of-view and
configured to split the imaging field-of-view along a horizontal
axis and redirect the first portion from the first path to a second
path towards the second mirror, the first mirror positioned
directly in a third path of the second portion of the imaging
field-of-view and directly in a fourth path of the illumination
field-of-view and configured to redirect the second portion of the
imaging field-of-view and the illumination field-of-view through
the generally horizontal window, and the second mirror positioned
directly in the second path and configured to redirect the first
portion through the generally upright window.
14. A bioptic barcode reader, comprising: a housing having a lower
housing portion with an upper surface facing a product scanning
region and an upper housing portion extending above the lower
housing portion; a generally horizontal window positioned at the
upper surface of the lower housing portion, the generally
horizontal window configured to allow a first light to pass between
the product scanning region and an interior region of the housing;
a generally upright window positioned in the upper housing portion,
the generally upright window configured to allow a second light to
pass between the product scanning region and the interior region of
the housing; an illumination assembly including a light emitting
diode, the illumination assembly having an illumination
field-of-view; an imaging assembly including an image sensor, the
imaging assembly having an imaging field-of-view with a centerline
that is directed at an angle relative to the upper surface; a
mirror arrangement positioned within the interior region, the
mirror arrangement including a splitter mirror, a first mirror, and
a second mirror; wherein the splitter mirror is positioned directly
in a first path of a first portion of the imaging field-of-view and
is configured to split the imaging field-of-view and redirect the
first portion of the imaging field-of-view from the first path to a
second path towards the second mirror; the first mirror is
positioned directly in a third path of a second portion of the
imaging field-of-view and directly in a fourth path of the
illumination field-of-view and is configured to redirect the second
portion of the imaging field-of-view and the illumination
field-of-view through the generally horizontal window such that the
second portion of the imaging field-of-view is covered by the
illumination field-of-view at the generally horizontal window and a
reflection of the light emitting diodes is located outside of the
second portion of the imaging field-of-view in the product scanning
region; and the second mirror is positioned directly in the second
path and is configured to redirect the first portion through the
generally upright window.
15. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 14, wherein the angle is
greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 5.0
degrees.
16. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 14, comprising a printed
circuit board, wherein the image sensor and the illumination
assembly are mounted on the printed circuit board.
17. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 16, wherein the imaging
assembly comprises an imaging lens and a central axis of the
imaging lens is offset from a central axis of the image sensor.
18. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 16, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned perpendicular to the upper surface and the
image sensor is mounted at the angle on the printed circuit
board.
19. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 16, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned at the angle relative to an axis
perpendicular to the upper surface.
20. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 16, wherein the printed
circuit board is aligned perpendicular to the upper surface and the
imaging assembly comprises a prism that redirects the imaging
field-of-view at the angle.
21. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 14, wherein the
illumination assembly is mounted to a first printed circuit board,
the first printed circuit board aligned perpendicular to the upper
surface, and the imaging assembly in mounted to a second printed
circuit board, the second printed circuit board aligned at the
angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the upper surface.
22. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 14, wherein the generally
horizontal window has a length extending from a proximal end to a
distal end of the upper surface and a width extending perpendicular
to the length, the length greater than the width.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/017,416, filed on Sep. 10, 2020, and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bioptic barcode readers traditionally use a camera/sensor
and split the camera/sensor's field-of-view between vertical and
horizontal windows, which creates a variety of challenges that must
be solved through careful arrangement of the internal components.
However, since the fields-of-view through the vertical and
horizontal windows are intrinsically tied together to the same
camera/sensor, the options of how to arrange the internal
components can be limited. In typical bioptic readers that split
the camera/sensor's field-of-view, the field-of-view through the
horizontal window is tilted towards the tower/upper housing portion
so that a portion of the field-of-view is not illuminated and cuts
off a portion of the field-of-view. In addition, a substantial
portion (10%) of the field-of-view through the horizontal window is
typically lost because it is not illuminated without causing
internal reflection issues.
SUMMARY
[0003] In an embodiment, the present invention is a bioptic barcode
reader having a housing having a lower housing portion with an
upper surface facing a product scanning region and an upper housing
portion extending above the lower housing portion. A generally
horizontal window is positioned at the upper surface of the lower
housing portion and is configured to allow a first light to pass
between the product scanning region and an interior region of the
housing. A generally upright window is positioned in the upper
housing portion and is configured to allow a second light to pass
between the product scanning region and the interior region of the
housing. An illumination assembly has an illumination field-of-view
and an imaging assembly, including an image sensor, has an imaging
field-of-view with a centerline that is directed at an angle
relative to the upper surface. A mirror arrangement is positioned
within the interior region and is configured to split the imaging
field-of-view along a horizontal axis into a first portion and a
second portion, redirect the first portion of the imaging
field-of-view through the generally upright window, and redirect
the second portion of the imaging field-of-view and the
illumination field-of-view through the generally horizontal window
such that the second portion of the imaging field-of-view is
uniformly covered by the illumination field-of-view at the
generally horizontal window.
[0004] In another embodiment, the present invention is a bioptic
barcode reader having a housing having a lower housing portion with
an upper surface facing a product scanning region and an upper
housing portion extending above the lower housing portion. A
generally horizontal window is positioned at the upper surface of
the lower housing portion and is configured to allow a first light
to pass between the product scanning region and an interior region
of the housing. A generally upright window is positioned in the
upper housing portion and is configured to allow a second light to
pass between the product scanning region and the interior region of
the housing. An illumination assembly, including a light emitting
diode, has an illumination field-of-view and an imaging assembly,
including an image sensor, has an imaging field-of-view with a
centerline that is directed at an angle relative to the upper
surface. A mirror arrangement is positioned within the interior
region and includes a splitter mirror, a first mirror, and a second
mirror. The splitter mirror is positioned directly in a first path
of a first portion of the imaging field-of-view and is configured
to split the imaging field-of-view along a horizontal axis and
redirect the first portion of the imaging field-of-view from the
first path to a second path towards the second mirror. The first
mirror is positioned directly in a third path of a second portion
of the imaging field-of-view and directly in a fourth path of the
illumination field-of-view and is configured to redirect the second
portion of the imaging field-of-view and the illumination
field-of-view through the generally horizontal window such that the
second portion of the imaging field-of-view is uniformly covered by
the illumination field-of-view at the generally horizontal window
and a reflection of the light emitting diodes is located outside of
the second portion of the imaging field-of-view in the product
scanning region. The second mirror is positioned directly in the
second path and is configured to redirect the first portion through
the generally upright window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed
examples, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an example
bioptic barcode reader;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the example barcode reader
of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of
FIG. 2 taken along line A-A with a first example configuration of
illumination and imaging assemblies;
[0009] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of the barcode
reader of FIG. 3A;
[0010] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of
FIG. 2 taken along line A-A with a second example configuration of
illumination and imaging assemblies;
[0011] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of the barcode
reader of FIG. 4A;
[0012] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of
FIG. 2 taken along line A-A with a third example configuration of
illumination and imaging assemblies;
[0013] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion of the barcode
reader of FIG. 5A;
[0014] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of
FIG. 2 taken along line A-A with a fourth example configuration of
illumination and imaging assemblies;
[0015] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion of the barcode
reader of FIG. 6A;
[0016] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of
FIG. 2 taken along line A-A with a fifth example configuration of
illumination and imaging assemblies; and
[0017] FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of the barcode
reader of FIG. 7A.
[0018] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
[0019] The apparatus and method components have been represented
where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing
only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
disclosed examples so as not to obscure the disclosure with details
that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The examples disclosed herein relate to bioptic barcode
readers where the centerline of the field-of-view of the
camera/sensor is angled from horizontal, or the plane of the upper
surface of the housing, at a specific angle to address the issues
encountered by typical bioptic barcode readers.
[0021] When configuring the fields-of-view in a bioptic barcode
reader, there are four main factors to consider: (1) field-of-view
placement; (2) illumination uniformity; (3) internal reflection
avoidance; and (4) internal path length. First, the fields-of-view
through the vertical and horizontal windows should be located to
maximize coverage of the windows. The field-of-view through the
horizontal window should fill the window and provide good coverage
from the far end of the window up to 5 inches above the upper
surface and the field-of-view through the vertical window should
fill the window as much as possible and also provide good coverage
from the upper surface to 5 inches above the upper surface at the
middle of the horizontal window. Second, the illumination system
should cover each of the fields-of-view uniformly both at the
horizontal and vertical windows and up to 5 inches away from the
windows. Third, reflections of the illumination system (e.g., light
emitting diodes) should not be visible in the field-of-view of the
camera/sensor. Fourth, the internal path traveled by the
fields-of-view should be such that the camera/sensor is focused
near the upper surface of the horizontal window and focuses
approximately 1-2 inches from the vertical window.
[0022] In typical bioptic barcode readers, where the centerlines of
the camera/sensor field-of-view and the illumination field-of-view
are horizontal or parallel to the upper surface, all of these
factors are not addressed. For example, in these bioptic barcode
readers the illumination through the horizontal window is not
uniform across the field-of-view of the camera/sensor through the
horizontal window and the field-of-view of the camera/sensor
through the horizontal window is clipped at the tower side of the
horizontal window. While tilting the mirror that directs the
field-of-view of the camera/sensor upward may allow the
illumination to more uniformly cover the field-of-view of the
camera/sensor at the horizontal window, doing so also moves the
reflection of the illumination assembly within the field-of-view of
the camera/sensor, causing internal reflection issues.
[0023] By tilting the field-of-view of the camera/sensor as
described herein, the field-of-view of the camera/sensor through
the horizontal window can be tilted so that it is not clipped by
the tower, so the field-of-view of the camera/sensor is uniformly
illuminated, and so the reflection of the illumination assembly is
not within the field-of-view of the camera/sensor. This also allows
the field-of-view of the camera/sensor to be split unevenly to
allow for a larger portion of the field-of-view of the
camera/sensor to be directed out of the vertical window, which
allows the field-of-view through the vertical window to see higher
above the upper surface and cover more of the vertical window. More
uniformity of illumination, larger and non-clipped fields-of-view
through the horizontal and vertical windows, and avoidance of
reflections of the illumination assembly within the camera/sensor
field-of-view results in a much better performing bioptic barcode
reader.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example bioptic barcode
reader 10 is shown that can be configured to be supported by a
workstation, such as a checkout counter at a POS of a retail store,
and has a product scanning region 150. Bioptic barcode reader 10
has a housing 100 with a lower housing portion 110 and an upper
housing portion 135 that extends above lower housing portion 110.
Lower housing portion 110 has an upper surface 115 that faces
product scanning region 150 and has a proximal end 120 proximate
upper housing portion 135 and a distal end 125 that is generally
parallel to and opposite proximal end 120. A generally horizontal
window 130 is positioned at upper surface 115 of lower housing
portion 110 and is configured to allow a first light to pass
between product scanning region 150 and an interior region 105 of
housing 100. Horizontal window 130 has a length L that extends from
proximal end 120 of upper surface 115 towards distal end 125 and a
width W that extends perpendicular to and is greater than length L.
In the example shown, length L is approximately 4 inches and width
W is approximately 4 1/2 inches. A generally upright window 140 is
positioned in upper housing portion 135 and is configured to allow
a second light to pass between product scanning region 150 and
interior region 105 of housing 100. The first and second lights
intersect to define product scanning region 150 of bioptic barcode
reader 10 where a product can be scanned for sale at the POS.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, bioptic barcode reader 10 is
shown with a first example configuration of internal components. In
the example shown, a printed circuit board 200 is positioned in
interior region 105 of housing 100 and is oriented perpendicular
(generally vertical) to upper surface 115 (generally horizontal).
An illumination assembly 205, having an illumination field-of-view
210, is mounted on printed circuit board 200 and can include one or
more light emitting diodes or any other light source appropriate
for a given application. An imaging assembly 225, having an imaging
field-of-view 230, has an image sensor 240 that is also mounted on
printed circuit board 200. Mounting illumination assembly 205 and
image sensor 240 of imaging assembly 225 on the same printed
circuit board 200 minimized cost and complexity for bioptic barcode
reader 10. Imaging field-of-view 230 of imaging assembly 225 has a
centerline 235 that is directed at an angle a relative to upper
surface 115, which is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5
degrees and less than or equal to 5.0 degrees. In this example,
imaging lens 250 of imaging assembly 225 has a central axis 255
that is parallel to and offset from a central axis 245 of image
sensor 240 to redirect the field-of-view of image sensor 240 to
imaging field-of-view 230.
[0026] A mirror arrangement 300 is also positioned within interior
region 105 of housing 100, is configured to divide imaging
field-of-view 230, and includes a splitter mirror 305, first mirror
310, and second mirror 315. Splitter mirror 305 is positioned
directly in a first path P1 of first portion 231 of imaging
field-of-view 230 and is configured to split imaging field-of-view
230, preferably along a horizontal axis, into a first portion 231
and a second portion 232. Splitter mirror 305 redirects first
portion 231 through upright window 140 by redirecting first portion
231 from first path P1 to a second path P2 towards second mirror
315. Second mirror 315 is positioned directly in second path P2 and
is configured to redirect first portion 231 of imaging
field-of-view 230 through upright window 140. First mirror 310 is
positioned directly in a third path P3 of second portion 232 of
imaging field-of-view 230 and in a fourth path P4 of illumination
field-of-view 210 and is configured to redirect second portion 232
of imaging field-of-view 230 and illumination field-of-view 210
through horizontal window 130, such that second portion 232 of
imaging field-of-view 230 is uniformly covered by illumination
field-of-view 210 at horizontal window 130. As shown, splitter,
first, and second mirrors 305, 310, 315 are planar mirrors,
however, mirror arrangement 300 can various alternative
configurations. For example, first mirror 310 and/or second mirror
315 could be concave or convex mirrors, or multiple planar mirrors
could be used, to reflect multiple fields-of-view through
horizontal window 130 and upright window 140, respectively. In
addition, splitter mirror 305 could be a concave or convex mirror,
or multiple planar mirrors could be used, to divide second path P2
of first portion 231 into multiple fields-of-view that are directed
towards multiple second mirrors and through upright window 140.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, bioptic barcode reader 10 is
shown with a second example configuration of internal components.
In the example shown, printed circuit board 200 is positioned in
interior region 105 of housing 100 and is oriented perpendicular to
upper surface 115. Illumination assembly 205 and imaging assembly
225 are mounted on printed circuit board 200. Mounting illumination
assembly 205 and image sensor 240 of imaging assembly 225 on the
same printed circuit board 200 minimized cost and complexity for
bioptic barcode reader 10. Centerline 235 of imaging field-of-view
230 is directed at angle a relative to upper surface 115, which is
preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or
equal to 5.0 degrees. In this example, to tilt imaging
field-of-view 230 at angle a, image sensor 240 is mounted on
printed circuit board 200 at angle a relative to printed circuit
board 200. Mirror arrangement 300 in this example is the same as
described above.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, bioptic barcode reader 10 is
shown with a third example configuration of internal components. In
the example shown, printed circuit board 200 is positioned in
interior region 105 of housing 100. Illumination assembly 205 and
imaging assembly 225 are mounted on printed circuit board 200.
Mounting illumination assembly 205 and image sensor 240 of imaging
assembly 225 on the same printed circuit board 200 minimized cost
and complexity for bioptic barcode reader 10. Centerline 235 of
imaging field-of-view 230 is directed at angle a relative to upper
surface 115, which is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5
degrees and less than or equal to 5.0 degrees. In this example, to
tilt imaging field-of-view 230 at angle a, printed circuit board
200 is aligned at angle a relative to an axis that is perpendicular
to upper surface 115. Mirror arrangement 300 in this example is the
same as described above.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, bioptic barcode reader 10 is
shown with a fourth example configuration of internal components.
In the example shown, printed circuit board 200 is positioned in
interior region 105 of housing 100 and is oriented perpendicular to
upper surface 115. Illumination assembly 205 and imaging assembly
225 are mounted on printed circuit board 200. Mounting illumination
assembly 205 and image sensor 240 of imaging assembly 225 on the
same printed circuit board 200 minimized cost and complexity for
bioptic barcode reader 10. Centerline 235 of imaging field-of-view
230 is directed at angle a relative to upper surface 115, which is
preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or
equal to 5.0 degrees. In this example, to tilt imaging
field-of-view 230 at angle a, imaging assembly 225 includes a prism
260 that is positioned in front of imaging lens 250 to redirect
imaging field-of-view 230 at angle a. Mirror arrangement 300 in
this example is the same as described above.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, bioptic barcode reader 10 is
shown with a fifth example configuration of internal components. In
the example shown, a first printed circuit board 200A is positioned
in interior region 105 of housing 100 and is aligned perpendicular
to upper surface 115 and a second printed circuit board 200B is
positioned in interior region 105 and is aligned at angle a
relative to an axis perpendicular to upper surface 115.
Illumination assembly 205 is mounted on first printed circuit board
200A and imaging assembly 225 is mounted on second printed circuit
board 200B such that centerline 235 of imaging field-of-view 230 is
directed at angle a relative to upper surface 115, which is
preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or
equal to 5.0 degrees. Mirror arrangement 300 in this example is the
same as described above.
[0031] In all of the examples shown in FIGS. 3-7 and described
above, by tilting imaging field-of-view 230 at angle a, second
portion 232 of imaging field-of-view 230 that exits through
horizontal window 130 is moved away from upper housing portion 135
and no longer intersects upper housing portion 135, so that more of
second portion 232 is available for scanning at greater distances
from upper surface 115. In addition, even though the second portion
232 of imaging field-of-view 230 that exits through horizontal
window 130 is moved away from upper housing portion 135, a
reflection 215 of the light emitting diode(s) or other light source
of illumination assembly is still located outside of second portion
232 in product scanning region 150, which again provides more
useful scanning area in second portion 232.
[0032] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present teachings. Additionally, the described
embodiments/examples/implementations should not be interpreted as
mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially
combinable if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other
words, any feature disclosed in any of the aforementioned
embodiments/examples/implementations may be included in any of the
other aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations.
Moreover, no steps of any method disclosed herein shall be
understood to have any specific order unless it is expressly stated
that no other order is possible or required by the remaining steps
of the respective method. Also, at least some of the figures may or
may not be drawn to scale.
[0033] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The legal scope of the property right is defined solely
by the appended claims including any amendments made during the
pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as
issued.
[0034] Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes",
"including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those
elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element
proceeded by "comprises . . . a", "has . . . a", "includes . . .
a", "contains . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes,
contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or
more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms
"substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any
other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting
embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another
embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in
another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein
is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not
necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0035] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be
comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or
"processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal
processors, customized processors and field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including
both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors
to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits,
some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus
described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be
implemented by a state machine that has no stored program
instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of
certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of
course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
[0036] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code
stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a
processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein.
Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are
not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a
magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM
(Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that
one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort
and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time,
current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the
concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of
generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with
minimal experimentation.
[0037] The patent claims at the end of this patent application are
not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f) unless
traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such
as "means for" or "step for" language being explicitly recited in
the claim(s).
[0038] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly
ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted
with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or
limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
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