Patent ID: 6068190
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
In a system for reading bar code symbols, a hand-held, retro-reflective scanning head, comprising:a) a housing having a window, a front end and a handle for enabling a user to hold and support the housing in one's hand, and to aim the front end of the housing at a bar code symbol to be read;b) a movable reflector mounted in the housing at a distance rearwardly of the front end;c) an optical arrangement including a light source in the housing for directing a light beam to the reflector for reflection therefrom to the symbol to be read;d) a sensor in the housing for detecting light of variable intensity reflected off the symbol over a field of view to the reflector for reflection therefrom to the sensor, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity;e) a drive in the housing for moving the reflector to scan at least one of the light beam and the field of view through the window over a scan that extends across and past the symbol, said scan having a length that is proportional to said distance; andf) a signal processor in the housing for processing the electrical signal to generate therefrom data descriptive of the symbol being read.