Patent ID: 6499664
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: G02B,G06K

Abstract:
An automatic code symbol reading device comprising:(a) a housing with an optically transmissive window through which optical energy can exit from, and enter into, the housing; (b) an optical energy source in the housing which, when activated by a controlling mechanism, produces an optical beam projected through the optically transmissive window and into a scan field extending outwardly from the housing; (c) a scanning mechanism in the housing which, when activated by the controlling mechanism, scans the optical beam across the scan field to form a scanning pattern; (d) an optical detector in the housing for detecting optical energy reflected from a code symbol as the optical beam is scanned across the scan field and the code symbol therein, and, in response to the detected optical energy, generating scan data indicative of the scanned code symbol; (e) an object detector in the housing for detecting the presence of an object within an object detection field extending outwardly from the housing, and producing in response thereto an activation signal, the object detection field being characterized by a volumetric extent that spatially encompasses at least a portion of the scan field; (f) a processor for processing produced scan data so as to decode the code symbol on the detected object, and upon detecting the code symbol, automatically producing data representative of the decoded code symbol; and (g) a controlling mechanism for providing at least one of (i) timed activation of the optical beam source and/or the scanning mechanism; and (ii) selection of an operating range for the code symbol reading device.