Patent ID: 6854650
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. An optical symbol scanner assembly for detecting and decoding a symbol lying on a surface of an article, the symbol comprising a pattern of areas of a non-mirror finish on a mirror-finish surface, the assembly comprising: a scanner device having a distal face on which is positioned light-generating means for producing illumination to fall on said symbol, and focusing means for focusing an image of said symbol on an imager device positioned proximally thereof in said scanner device, said focusing means defining an optic axis; and a diffuse illuminator mounted on the distal face of said scanner device, including an optical passageway having an optic axis aligned with the optic axis of said scanning device, and at least one light conduit having a proximal face to receive illumination from said light-generating means and carrying illumination out to a bar-shaped diffuse distal face with the light conduit having a sufficient distance between the proximal and distal faces so that the diffuse distal face of the illuminator appears as an elongated uniform bar of substantially even diffuse illumination, such that when the seamier device is oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of said article, the light from the bar of diffuse illumination impinges on said symbol such that the scanner device views a reflected image of the uniform diffuse bar reflected in said mirror surface with said non-mirror finish areas thereof creating dark, low-illumination areas in said reflected image.