Patent ID: 8027095

Claim:
An imager for use in a data collection device, said imager comprising a fluid lens system for focusing light received by said data collection device from a target image, said fluid lens system comprising: an optically clear front window, a fluid lens having a front surface and a rear surface, a first volume bounded by said front window and said front surface of said fluid lens, said first volume having a first fluid disposed therein; an optically clear rear window; a second volume bounded by the front surface of said fluid lens and said rear window, said second volume having a second fluid disposed therein; and a sealed system comprising a pump, a first channel connecting said first volume to said pump, and a second channel connecting said second volume to said pump, wherein said pump comprises a seal that separates said first fluid and said second fluid, and wherein operation of said pump to effect a first change in the quantity of fluid in either of said first volume or said second volume results in a corresponding second change in the quantity of fluid in the other of said first volume or said second volume, wherein the front surface of said fluid lens defines a meniscus, and wherein the fluid lens system is operative so that curvature of the meniscus is changed responsively to change in the quantity of fluid in either of said first volume or said second volume.