Patent ID: 6412700
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: G02B,G06K,G07F

Abstract:
A bar code symbol reading system, comprising:a housing having a light transmission aperture through which light an exit from and enter into the housing; a laser beam generator in the housing for generating a laser beam; a laser beam scanning mechanism in the housing for projecting the laser beam through the light transmission aperture and scanning the laser beam across a code symbol on an object located within at least a portion of a scan field defined external to the housing; an object detector in the housing for detecting the object located in an object detection field defined external to the housing, for generating an activation signal in response to the detection of the object in the object detection field, and for automatically activating the laser beam generator and the laser beam scanning mechanism; a laser light detector disposed in the housing for detecting the intensity of laser light reflected off the code symbol as the laser beam is scanned across the scan field and the code symbol, and automatically producing scan data indicative of the detected intensity; a scan data processor for processing the scan data produced by the laser light detector so as to decode the scanned code symbol, and to automatically produce symbol character data representative of the decoded code symbol; a controlling mechanism for automatically controlling the operation of the bar code symbol reading system, including an activation mechanism for activating the laser beam generator and the laser beam scanning mechanism for up to a predetermined period of time in response to the generation of the activation signal upon the detection of the object in the object detection field, a range mode selection mechanism for selectively producing: a short range mode activation signal to induce the bar code symbol reading system into a short-range mode of operation; and a long range mode activation signal to induce the bar code symbol reading system into a long-range mode of operation; a range mode controller for automatically controlling the operation of the scan data processor when the bar code symbol reading system is induced into the short-range mode of operation or the long-range mode of operation; and a support stand for supporting the housing; wherein the range mode selection mechanism comprises a support stand position detector disposed in the housing for detecting the placement of the housing on the support stand.