Optical data reader with removable lens system

A selectively mountable optical assembly having an optics body, at least one optical element, and a mounting base. Coupling structure allows the optics body to be selectively coupled to the mounting base such that a flange on the optics body is selectively aligned with the mounting base when in an engaged position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is directed to an optoelectronic reader and, more particularly, to a removable optical element assembly for an Optoelectronic reader.

2. Description of the Related Art

Optoelectronic readers including moving beam devices (e.g., scanners, laser scanners, and the like) and fixed beam devices (e.g., imagers, charge coupled device imagers, and the like) typically employ optical lens for focusing a reflected light onto an optoelectronic sensor. The lenses and other optical components of the optoelectronic readers are typically permanently affixed or, in some case, held together by screws, clamps, and the like. Accordingly, exchanging or removing the optoelectronic reader's optical components may require specialized equipment and tools, or complex procedures.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,868 issued to Nishikawa et al. on Aug. 4, 1981, describes and optical data reader including a variable focus lens. The variable focus lens of the '868 patent, however, is sealed with a transparent glass diaphragm and secured by a flange. Accordingly, specialized equipment and tools are necessary to remove the variable focus lens of the '868 patent.

One method of providing a quick-change lens mount is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,895 issued to Siegfried H. Mohr on Aug. 4, 1981. The '895 patent describes a projection lens with a mounting structure for facilitating rapid lens changing. The lens assembly of the '895 patent includes a lug and a complex clamping spring system to position and secure its lens. The '895 patent fails to disclose, however, at least a selectively mountable optical assembly that includes an optics body with a positioning flange extending radially, and notches sized and positioned to receive lugs from a mounting base.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more of the shortcomings set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a selectively mountable optical assembly including an optics body, at least one optical element, and a mounting base. The optics body includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a tubular body portion, and at least two lugs. The at least two lugs may be located proximate to the second end of the optics body and may extend radially therefrom. The optics body may also include a longitudinal passage that extends along a longitudinal axis between the first and the second ends of the optics body, and through the tubular body portion. The optics body may further include at least one optical element that may be received in the longitudinal passage of the tubular body portion.

The mounting base includes at least two notches and an interior surface. The interior surface forms an interior passageway that defines a longitudinal axis. The at least two notches of the mounting base may be sized and positioned to receive the respective at least two lugs of the optics body at a same time, when the longitudinal axes of the longitudinal passage and the interior passageway are coaxial, and when the optics body is in a first angular position about the longitudinal axis of the interior passage with respect to mounting base.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a selectively mountable optical assembly including an optics body, at least one optical element, and a mounting base. The optics body includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a tubular body portion, at least two coupling structures, and a radial flange. The optics body may also include a longitudinal passage that extends along a longitudinal axis between the first and the second ends of the optics body, and through the tubular body portion. The at least two coupling structures may be located proximate to the second end of the optics body.

The radial flange may extend radially from the optics body, and may include a plan view profile of a first non-circular geometrical shape having at least one major axis of symmetry. The optics body may further include at least one optical element that may be received in the longitudinal passage of the tubular body portion.

The mounting base includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal passage extending along a longitudinal axis between the first and the second ends of the mounting base, and at least two coupling structures that may be placed proximate to the second end. The mounting base may further include a plan view profile of a second non-circular geometrical shape having at least one major axis of symmetry.

When the longitudinal axes of the tubular body portion and the mounting base are in a first angular position about the longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes of the tubular body portion and the mounting base are coaxial. Additionally, in the first angular position, the coupling structure of one of the optics body or the mounting body are loosely receivable by the coupling structures of the optics body, and the longitudinal axes of the mounting body and the at least one major axis of symmetry of the flange are parallel with a respective one of the at least one major axis of symmetry of the mounting base.

When the longitudinal axes of the tubular body portion and the mounting base are in a second angular position about the longitudinal axes, the coupling structure of one of the optics body or the mounting body is securingly engaged by at least a portion of the other of the optics body and the mounting body, and the at least one major axis of symmetry of the flange is parallel with a respective one of the at least one major axis of symmetry of the mounting base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures associated with optoelectronic readers such as barcode readers and methods for reading machine-readable symbols such as barcode symbols area or matric code symbols and/or stacked code symbols have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” or “another embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further more, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an optical electronic reader including “a lens” includes a single lens, or two or more lenses. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1shows an exemplary embodiment of an optoelectronic reader10employing a selectively mountable optical assembly14. The optoelectronic reader10may include a housing18, a control subsystem20, an optical assembly14, and optionally an illumination subsystem34, and may be used to read a machine-readable symbol12. The control subsystem20may include one or more controllers such as microprocessor26, digital signal processor (DSP)24or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (not shown). The control subsystem20may include one or more memories, for example, random access memory (RAM)30, and/or read-only memory (ROM)28coupled to the controllers by one or more busses22. The optoelectronic reader10may take a handheld form and power may be supplied from portable power source including a battery, ultra-capacitor, fuel cell, and the like.

The optoelectronic device10may include an optoelectronic sensor16operable to transform an image received as light into digital data, for example electrical signals. Examples of optical sensor16include a one- or two-dimensional CCD array, one or more photodiodes, image sensors, and the like.

The optical assembly14may further include one or more optical elements positioned to receive light from the machine-readable symbol12and to focus an optical beam onto optical sensor16. Examples of optical elements include, optical lenses (e.g., axicon lenses element, double convex lenses, and the like), optical waveguides (conical refracting surfaces, and the like), and the like.

The optoelectronic device10may include an optional illumination subsystem32including one or more light producing transducers, for example light emitting diodes (LED)34which may be operable in response to a signal from the microprocessor26.

FIG. 2shows an exploded perspective of an exemplary selectively mountable optical assembly14. The selectively mountable optical assembly14may include an optics body50, at least one optical element60, and a mounting base51. The optics body50may include a first end52, a second end54opposite the first end52, a tubular body portion58, and at least two coupling structures68. The at least two coupling structures68may take the form of lugs68a(as shown inFIG. 5), and may be located proximate to the second end54of the optics body50and may extend radially therefrom.

The optics body50may also include a longitudinal passage59that extends along a longitudinal axis102, between the first end52and the second end54of the optics body50, and through the tubular body portion58. The optics body50may further include at least one optical element60that may be received in the longitudinal passage59of tubular body portion58. In an embodiment, the longitudinal passage59of tubular body portion58may have a circular cross-section. In another embodiment, the at least one optical element60may be selected form an optical lens. In another embodiment, the selectively mountable optical assembly14includes a rectangular geometric shape, the tubular body portion includes a circular cross-section and the at least one optical element is an optical lens.

The mounting base51may include at least two coupling structures66and an interior surface64. The interior surface64, of the mounting base51, may form an interior passageway67that defines a longitudinal axis104. In an embodiment, the at least two coupling structures66may take the form of notches66a(as shown inFIG. 5), and the at least two coupling structures68may take the form of lugs68a(as shown inFIG. 5). In another embodiment, the at least two notches66aof the mounting base51may be sized and positioned to receive the respective at least two lugs68aof the optics body50, at a same time, when the longitudinal axes102and104are coaxial and the optics body50is in a first angular position (as shown inFIG. 3B) about the longitudinal axis104of the interior passage67with respect to mounting base51. In a further embodiment, the at least two coupling structures68may take the form of two lugs68a(as shown inFIG. 5) and the lugs68amay be positioned diametrically opposed from one another across the tubular body portion58.

In another embodiment, the mounting base51my further include at least one engagement surface (not shown) positioned to securingly engage at least one of the lugs68awhen the optics body50is in a second angular position (shown inFIG. 3C) rotated about the longitudinal axis102, of the interior passage59, with respect to the first angular position (shown inFIG. 3B).

The optics body50may further include a radial flange62proximate to second end54. The radial flange62may be spaced between first end54and the at least two coupling structures68, and along the longitudinal axis102of the longitudinal passage59.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 6, the radial flange62may include a plan view profile90of a first geometrical shape, and the mounting base51may include a plan view profile92of a second geometrical shape. The plan view profiles90and92may be selected, such that the shape of the plan view profile90(the first geometrical shape) of the radial flange62, and the shape of the plan view profile92(the second geometrical shape) of the mounting base51are the same. In another embodiment, the first and the second geometrical shapes may be selected from rectangles, and in a further embodiment from squares. In another embodiment, plan view profiles90and92may be independently selected, such that plan view profile90(the first geometrical shape) of the radial flange62, and plan view profile92(the second geometrical shape) of mounting base51are not the same.

Referring toFIGS. 2,3A-3C, and6, in yet another embodiment, plan view profiles90and92may be independently selected, such that plan view profile90(the first geometrical shape) of the radial flange62, includes a profile of a first non-circular geometrical shape and having at least one major axis of symmetry106; and plan view profile92(the second geometrical shape) of mounting base51includes a profile of a first non-circular geometrical shape and having at least one major axis of symmetry108.

The term “registration” refers to the correspondence, adjustment of position, or alignment of shapes, colors in a figure, impressions in a design, and the like. Plan view profiles90and92, of radial flange62and mounting base51respectively, may be defined to be out of registration when the optics body50is in a first angular position (as shown inFIG. 3B) with respect to the mounting base51. Plan view profiles90an92, of radial flange62and mounting base51respectively, may be defined to be in registration when the optics body50is in the second angular position (as shown inFIG. 3C) with respect to the mounting base51. Plan view profiles90an92, of radial flange62and mounting base51respectively, may be defined to be in registration when the optics body50is in the second angular position (as shown inFIG. 3C) with respect to the mounting base51, and the first geometrical shape (of plan view profile90) is in alignment with the second geometrical shape (of plan view profile92).

The selectively mountable optical assembly14may include one or more circuit boards80and82physically coupled to the mounting base51, a chassis84(as shown inFIG. 4), and may further include at least one optical sensor16carried by a circuit board82. In another embodiment, when the optics body50is in a second angular position (as shown inFIG. 3C) with respect to the mounting base51, the longitudinal passage59of the tubular body58may be aligned with the at least one optical sensor16.

Referring toFIGS. 3A,3B,3C, and6, the radial flange62may have a plan view profile90of a first non-circular geometrical shape, having at least one major axis of symmetry106; and the mounting base51may have a plan view profile92of a second non-circular geometrical shape, having at least one major axis of symmetry108.

As shown inFIG. 3B, when optics body50is in a first angular position with respect to mounting base51, about the longitudinal axes102and104, longitudinal axes102and104, of tubular body portion58and the mounting base51respectively, are coaxial; one of the at least two coupling structures68of optics body50, or one of the at least two coupling structures68of mounting body51, are loosely receivable by the coupling structures of the other of the optics body50and the mounting body51; and the at least one major axis of symmetry106of the flange62is not parallel with a respective one of the at least one major axis of symmetry108of the mounting base51.

When the optics body50is in a second angular position with respect to mounting base51, about the longitudinal axes102and104, the coupling structure of one of the optics body50or the mounting body51is securingly engaged by at least a portion of the other of the optics body50and the mounting body51, and the at least one major axis of symmetry102of the flange62is parallel with a respective one of the at least one major axis of symmetry108of the mounting base51.

Referring toFIGS. 1,3A,3B,3C, and5, in another embodiment, the at least two coupling structures66of the mounting base51may take the form of notches66a,and the at least two coupling structures68of the optical body50may take the form of lugs68a.The notches66amay be sized and positioned to receive respective ones of the lugs68aat a same time when the optics body50is in the first angular position with respect to mounting base51. In another embodiment the radial flange62may be optionally omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 1,3A-3C, and6, in another embodiment, the at least two coupling structures68, of the optical body50, may take the form of notches68b,and the at least two coupling structures66, of the mounting base51, may take the form of lugs66b.The notches68bmay be sized and positioned to receive respective ones of the lugs66bat a same time when the optics body50is in the first angular position with respect to mounting base51. In another embodiment the radial flange62may be optionally omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3B, in another embodiment, the flange62of the optics body50includes a number of edges, and the mounting body51includes an equal number of edges as the flange62. In another embodiment, each of the edges of flange62are coextensive with the respective edges of the mounting body51when the optics body50is in the second angular position with respect to the mounting base51.

The selectively mountable optical assembly14may include one or more circuit boards80and82physically coupled to the mounting base51; and may further include at least one optical sensor16carried by a circuit board82. In another embodiment, when the optics body50is in a second angular position (as shown inFIG. 3C) with respect to the mounting base51, the longitudinal passage59of the tubular body58may be aligned with the at least one optical sensor16.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/672,930, filed Apr. 19, 2005, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits, and concepts of the various patents, applications, and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

While the invention has been described through an illustrative discussion of specific embodiments and non-limiting examples thereof, one of ordinary skill in the art may, upon reading the specification and claims, envision other embodiments and variations which are also within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shall only be construed and defined by the scope of the appended claims.