Patent ID: 7296749
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: G02B,G06K

Abstract:
1. A machine-readable symbol reader to read machine-readable symbols carried by targets, the machine-readable symbol reader comprising: a microfluidic lens assembly having at least one first fluid and a number of electrodes selectively operable to modify a shape of the at least one first fluid; an optical sensor positioned along an optical axis of the microfluidic lens assembly relatively behind the microfluidic lens assembly with respect to the target; at least one controller, the controller coupled to cause a selected potential to be applied to at least some of the electrodes of the microfluidic lens assembly to focus images of the target on the optical sensor; and wherein the focal characteristics of the microfluidic lens assembly are controlled by application of pre-selected electrical fields to a second fluid surrounding the first fluid, where the first and the second fluids are immiscible with respect to one another, the second fluid is a conductor and the first fluid is an insulator.