Patent ID: 6460767
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: A47F,G02B,G06K,G07G

Abstract:
A projection laser scanner having a laser beam and a light transmissive window and CHARACTERIZED BY:(a) a rotating element comprising a first plurality of optically reflective surfaces; (b) a stationary array including a second plurality of optically reflective surfaces; (c) a control mechanism for utilizing the laser beam, the rotating element, and the stationary array so as to generate a plurality of scan line groups, each group including a plurality of substantially parallel scan lines, and wherein the scan lines are propagated out through the light transmissive window such that two or more scan line groups intersect at least once within a defined scan volume of approximately columnar and/or conical extent, extending from substantially adjacent to the light transmissive window out to a distance of at least about six inches, so as to provide a substantially omnidirectional scanning pattern within the defined scan volume, wherein a bar code symbol situated within the defined scan volume is scanned omnidirectionally, and a bar code symbol situated substantially exterior to said defined scan volume is not scanned; (d) a scan data processing mechanism for decoding bar code symbols situated within the defined scan volume and producing data representative of such bar code symbols; wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser diode; and wherein the defined scan volume is oriented laterally above a substantially horizontal surface at a point of sale station, such that the scanning pattern is directed from the light transmissive window approximately downwards towards the horizontal surface.