Patent ID: 6216953
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An optical reader for scanning a mark carried by an article using scanning light, detecting light reflected from said mark, and thus reading information represented by said mark comprising:a light source;a scanning means that is driven by a driving means and scans light emanating from said light source;a plurality of reflection mirrors for reflecting scanning light scanned by said scanning means in different scan trajectories for reading said mark;a read window having a first read window and a second read window independent from said first read window, through which said scanning light reflected from said reflection mirrors is emitted;a light receiving means for receiving light reflected from said mark; anda control unit to control a change from a multi-scanning mode to a single-scanning mode,wherein a plurality of scan trajectories in different directions is validated in said multi-scanning mode,wherein a scan trajectory in a single direction is validated in said single-scanning mode with invalidation of said plurality of scan trajectories of said multi-scanning mode,wherein scanning rays of said scanning light tracing said plurality of scan trajectories of said multi-scanning mode are output through said first read window,wherein a scanning ray of said scanning light tracing said scan trajectory of said single-scanning mode is output through said second read window,wherein the emission direction of said scanning ray tracing said scan trajectory of said single-scanning mode is obliquely angled up relative to said scanning rays tracing said plurality of scan trajectories, andwherein said second read window is located above said first read window, and the face of said second read window is located obliquely angled up relative to the face of said first read window.