Patent ID: 7963447
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A laser power monitoring arrangement in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia, comprising: a laser for generating a laser beam having an output power; an optical assembly spaced from the laser along an optical axis, for optically modifying the laser beam; a light detector spaced transversely of the optical axis away from the laser and the optical assembly, for detecting the output power of the laser beam, the light detector being operative for directly receiving a portion of the laser beam reflected from the optical assembly; wherein the laser is a laser diode, and wherein the light detector is an auxiliary photodiode; wherein the optical assembly includes a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam, and wherein the laser diode and the collimating lens are mounted axially adjacent each other along the optical axis; and wherein the collimating lens is split along inclined surfaces and inclined relative to the optical axis, and wherein the portion of the laser beam emitted by the laser diode is reflected off one of the inclined surfaces directly to the auxiliary photodiode.