Patent ID: 6250550
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An apparatus for identifying components, each having a label fixedly mounted in relation to the component and having information associated with the component, comprising:a first element having a plurality of storage positions that are adapted to support the components;a second element located adjacent to the first element, such that the first and second elements are movable relative to one another;a sensor mounted to the second element and having a light source and a variable focal length lens assembly that is adapted to read the labels associated with the components, wherein the lens assembly comprises polarized liquid crystal lenses, each having a plurality of parallel substrates containing liquid crystal therebetween, each of the substrates having an electrode for applying a variable voltage to the liquid crystal located between said electrode and an adjacent electrode for altering the refractive index of the liquid crystal and, thus, the focal length of the lens assembly; andcontroller connected to the sensor and at least one of the first and second elements for moving said one of the first and second elements relative to the other and adjusting the focal length of said lens assembly of the sensor to focus on and read the labels so that the information associated with their respective components may be processed by the controller.