Patent ID: 7201318

Claim:
An arrangement for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising: a) a variable optical lens having a pair of light-transmissive liquids arranged along an optical path, the liquids being immiscible, of different optical indicies of refraction, and of substantially same density, one of the liquids having a shape in a rest state for optically modifying light passing through said one liquid along the optical path toward the indicia to have a first optical characteristic, the variable lens having an unconfined well in which said one liquid is accommodated in symmetrical relation relative to the optical path, the unconfined well having an open side, and the variable lens further having at least one fixed focal lens spaced apart from the liquids along the optical path; and b) a controller for applying a voltage across said one liquid to change the shape thereof in the unconfined well by allowing said one liquid to move through the open side of the unconfined well, and for optically modifying the light to have a second different optical characteristic.