Optical device and a method for aiming and visually indicating a reading area
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01B-011/14
G06K-007/10
출원번호
US-0963723
(2004-10-14)
우선권정보
EP-98830656(1998-10-30)
발명자
/ 주소
Canini,Federico
Palestini,Valeria
출원인 / 주소
DATALOGIC, S.p.A.
대리인 / 주소
Nixon &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
14인용 특허 :
22
초록▼
The invention relates to an optical device for aiming along an optical axis and visually indicating a reading area, comprising at least an illuminating assembling acting on a portion of the reading area along an optical emission path. The illuminating assembly comprises a light beam emitting source,
The invention relates to an optical device for aiming along an optical axis and visually indicating a reading area, comprising at least an illuminating assembling acting on a portion of the reading area along an optical emission path. The illuminating assembly comprises a light beam emitting source, a diaphragm having a preset shape, such diaphragm being effective to select a portion of the light beam generated by said emitting source, and a converging lens placed, on the optical emission path, downstream of the diaphragm and adapted to collimate the shaped light beam coming from the diaphragm and project it onto a portion of the reading area. The device of this invention is at once economical and accurate (i.e. capable of producing sharp images), thereby providing the user with a clear cut indication of the reading area being aimed regardless of the distance of the latter from the device.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. An aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, comprising at least one illuminating assembly active on a reading zone portion along an optical emission path, said at least one illuminating assembly comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphr
The invention claimed is: 1. An aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, comprising at least one illuminating assembly active on a reading zone portion along an optical emission path, said at least one illuminating assembly comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; and a converging lens placed downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting said shaped light onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaped light relative to the reading zone. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the converging lens is positioned at a suitable distance away from the diaphragm such that a sharp pattern of the shaped light coming from the diaphragm is generated onto the reading zone portion. 3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one optical deflection prism disposed on the optical emission path. 4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a tubular element associated with a holding/supplying plate for the light source and adapted to isolate the light emitted by the source and hold the diaphragm and converging lens. 5. An optical apparatus for reading information, including an aiming device for visually indicating along a Z axis a reading zone, comprising at least one illuminating assembly active on a reading zone portion along an optical emission path, said at least one illuminating assembly comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; and a converging tens placed downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting it onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaped light relative to the reading zone. 6. A method for aiming and visually indicating a reading zone, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: generating, by means of a light source, at least one light beam for illuminating a portion of the reading zone along an emission path; selecting, by means of a shaped diaphragm, a portion of the light beam generated by the light source as shaped light, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; collimating, by means of a converging lens, the selected portion of the shaped light coining from the diaphragm; and projecting, onto the reading zone, the shaped light beam picked up on the converging lens, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaped light relative to the reading zone. 7. An aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, the device comprising at least two first illuminating assemblies disposed on opposite sides with respect to an aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission pats in order to identify on the reading zone respective patterns, wherein each of said at least two first illuminating assemblies comprises: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; and a converging lens placed downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting the shaped light onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaped light relative to the reading zone. 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the converging lens is positioned at a suitable distance away from the diaphragm such that a sharp pattern of the shaped light coming from the diaphragm is generated onto the reading zone portion. 9. A device according to claim 7, wherein said at least two first illuminating assemblies are disposed symmetrically relative to the aiming axis Z such that their respective optical emission paths identify a linear portion on the reading zone. 10. A device according to claim 7, comprising at least two second illuminating assemblies disposed symmetrically relative to the aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission pats such that these optical emission paths identify, jointly with the optical paths of the first illuminating assemblies, a quadrangular portion on the reading zone. 11. A device according to claim 10, further comprising at least two tubular elements associated with a holding/supplying plate for the light sources, each tubular element being adapted to isolate the light emitted by the source and hold the diaphragm and converging lens. 12. A device according to claim 10, wherein each illuminating assembly comprises a V-like light guide disposed, on the emission path, between the light source and the converging lens and effective to generate a pair of optical paths respectively set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of 짹φH/2 on a second reference plane YZ. 13. A device according to claim 10, further comprising a means for determining a distance of the reading zone from the device. 14. A device according to claim 10, further comprising a means for determining an orientation of the reading zone with respect to the device. 15. A device according to claim 7, wherein each light source generates an inclined optical beam with respect to a first and a second reference plane XZ, YZ lying perpendicular to and intersecting each other along the aiming axis Z. 16. A device according to claim 15, comprising at least two first illuminating assemblies disposed symmetrically relative to the aiming axis Z such that their respective optical emission paths identify a linear portion on the reading zone, wherein the optical paths of the first illuminating assemblies are set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of +φv/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the first reference plane XZ, and at an angle of + φH/2 and-φH/2, respectively, on the second reference plane YZ. 17. A device according to claim 15, comprising at least two second illuminating assemblies disposed symmetrically relative to the aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone portion along respective optical emission paths such that these optical emission paths identify, jointly with the optical paths of the first illuminating assemblies, a quadrangular portion of the reading zone, wherein the optical paths of the second illuminating assemblies are set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of +φv/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the first reference plane XZ, and at an angle of +φH/2 and-φH /2, respectively, on the second reference plane YZ. 18. A device according to claim 17, comprising at least two substantially tubular elements, each having an inclined upper surface for accommodating the light source of one of said at least two illuminating assemblies such that the optical path of the illuminating assembly is inclined at angles of 짹φv/2 and 짹φ H/2 relative to the axis Z. 19. A device according to claim 17, wherein each optical emission path of the first and second illuminating assemblies comprises a first path length set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of + φv/2 and-φv/2 and + φH/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the first and second reference planes XZ and YZ, and a second path length set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of +φ v/2 and-φv/2 and +φH/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the first and second reference planes XZ and YZ, and at an angle of +φH/2 and-φH/2 and +φH/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the second and first reference planes YZ and XZ. 20. A device according to claim 19, further comprising at least one optical deflection prism disposed on each optical emission path, wherein the optical deflection prism is effective to deflect the second path lengths through angles of 짹φH/2 and 짹φv/2. 21. A device according to claim 17, wherein each optical emission path of the first and second illuminating assemblies comprises a first path length substantially parallel to the aiming axis A and a second path length set, relative to the axis Z, at an angle of + φv/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the first reference plane XZ, and at an angle of +φ H/2 and-φv/2, respectively, on the second reference plane YZ. 22. A device according to claim 21, comprising a pair of optical deflection prisms arranged on each optical emission path and effective to deflect the second path lengths through angles of 짹φH/2 and 짹φv/2. 23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the optical prisms of each pair of optical prisms are of a integral construction and are placed downstream of the converging lens on the optical emission path. 24. A device according to claim 22, wherein the optical prism of each pair of optical prisms is formed integrally with the optical prism of the pair of prisms situated on the same side with respect to the second reference plane YZ. 25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the optical prisms of each pair of optical prisms are of integral construction and are placed downstream of the converging lens on the optical emission path, wherein the pairs of optical prisms situated on the opposite side with respect to the second reference plane YZ are mutually associated by a mounting plate. 26. A device according to claim 21, comprising a single optical deflection prism arranged on each optical emission path downstream of the converging lens and effective to deflect the second path lengths through angles of 짹φH/2 and 짹φv/2. 27. A device according to claim 7, further comprising at least one optical deflection prism disposed on each optical emission path. 28. An aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, the device comprising at least two first illuminating assemblies disposed on opposite sides with respect to an aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission paths in order to identify on the reading zone respective patterns, wherein each of said at least two first illuminating assemblies comprises: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; a converging lens placed downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting the shaped light onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaved light relative to the reading zone; at least two second illuminating assemblies disposed symmetrically relative to the aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission paths such that these optical emission paths identity, jointly with the optical paths of the first illuminating assemblies, a quadrangular portion on the reading zone; means for determining an orientation of the reading zone with respect to the device; means for determining a distance of the reading zone from the device, wherein the means for determining said distance and orientation of the reading zone comprises: a lens for picking up the light diffused from the illuminated portion of the reading zone; means for sensing an image of the light diffused from the reading zone and picked up on the lens; means for processing the image acquired by the sensing means for calculating the distance and orientation of the reading zone according to the size of the diaphragm, a distance between the diaphragm and a main image plane of the converging lens, a distance between a main image plane of the lens and the sensing means, a distance between the lens and the converging lens, and a size of the image acquired by the sensing means. 29. An optical apparatus for reading information, comprising an aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, the device comprising at least two first illuminating assemblies disposed on opposed sides with respect to an aiming axis Z and active on respective portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission paths in order to identify on the reading zone respective patterns, wherein each of said at least two first illuminating assemblies comprises: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said light source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; a converging lens place downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting the shaped light onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said shaped light relative to the reading zone. 30. A method for aiming and visually indicating a reading zone, wherein the method comprises the steps of: generating, by means of at least two light sources, at least two tight beams for illuminating respective portions of the reading zone along respective emission paths; selecting, by means of shaped diaphragms having a predetermined size, a portion of each of the light beams generated by the light sources as shaped light beams comprising shaped light, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portions of each of the light beans and preventing propagation of remaining portions of each of the light beams; collimating, by means of converging lenses, the shaped light beams coming from the diaphragms; projecting, onto the reading zone portion, the shaped light beams picked up on the converging lenses in order to identify on the respective portions of the reading zone respective patterns and provide on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said patterns. 31. A method according to claim 30, comprising the step of determining a distance of the reading zone. 32. A method according to claim 30, comprising the step of determining an orientation of the reading zone. 33. A method for aiming and visually indicating a reading zone, wherein the method comprises the steps of: generating, by means of at least two light sources, at least two tight beams for illuminating respective portions of the reading zone along respective emission paths; selecting, by means of shaped diaphragms having a predetermined size, a portion of each of the light beams generated by the light sources as shaped light beams comprising shaped light, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portions of each of the light beams and preventing pronapation of remaining portions of each of the light beams; collimating, by means of converging lenses, the shaped light beams coming from the diaphragms; projecting, onto the reading zone portion, the shaped light beams picked up on the converging lenses in order to identify on the respective portions of the reading zone respective patterns and provide on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said patterns; determining a distance of the reading zone, wherein the step of determining the reading zone distance comprises the following steps: picking up, on a receiving lens, the light beam diffused from the illuminated portion of the reading zone; acquiring, on a sensing means, an image of the light diffused from the reading zone and picked up on the receiving lens; processing the acquired image to calculate the distance of the reading zone according to the size of the diaphragm, a distance between the diaphragm and a main image plane of the converging lens, a distance between a main plane of the receiving lens and the sensing means, a distance between the receiving lens and the converging lens, and a size of the image picked up on the sensing means. 34. An aiming device for visually indicating a reading zone, the device comprising at least two first illuminating assemblies disposed on opposed sides with respect to an aiming axis Z and active on opposed portions of the reading zone along respective optical emission pats in order to identify on the reading zone at least two discrete patterns, wherein each of said at least two first illuminating assemblies comprises: a light source for emitting a light beam; a diaphragm having a preset shape for selecting as shaped light a portion of the light generated by said source, thereby allowing propagation of said selected portion of the light beam and preventing propagation of a remaining portion of the light beam; a converging lens placed downstream of the diaphragm for collimating the shaped light coming from the diaphragm and projecting the shaped light onto the reading zone portion, thereby providing on the reading zone immediate visual feedback regarding the position of said discrete patterns.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (22)
Gehmann Walter (Karlstrasse 40 7500 Karlsruhe DEX), Aiming device.
Olmstead Bryan L. ; Ahten Michael J. ; Paris Bruce E. ; Acosta Jorge L. ; Ring James W. ; Huss Paul R. ; Williams Jon P.C. ; McQueen Alexander M. ; Person Randy L., Image reader with multi-focus lens.
Wascher Rick R. (P.O. Box 198468 Nashville TN 37219) Fairbanks ; Jr. Ray (1806 E. Main St. Murfreesboro TN 37130) Neuhauser ; III Roy L. (P.O. Box 10613 Knoxville TN 37939), Laser assisted telescopic target sighting system and method.
Kahn Joel (Rockville Centre NY) Isaac Richard (East Northport NY) Devita Joseph (Patchogue NY) McGlynn Daniel R. (Brooklyn NY) Shapira Reuven (Plainview NY) Bard Simon (Setauket NY) Katz Joseph (Ston, Optical reader with independent triggering and graphical user interface.
Edwards D. Brandon (Virginia Beach VA) Edwards Bruce W. (Virginia Beach VA) Howard Ian D. (Norfolk VA) Ives Donald H. (Chesapeake VA), Telemicroscopic apparatus for sighting and bi-level viewing.
Hennick, Robert J.; Barber, Charles P.; Coleman, Eric C.; Ehrhart, Michael A.; Gannon, Colleen P.; Gardiner, Robert C.; Havens, William H.; Hunter, Vivian L.; McCall, Melvin D.; Ruhlman, Thomas, Image sensor based optical reader.
Hennick, Robert J.; Barber, Charles P.; Coleman, Eric C.; Ehrhart, Michael A.; Gannon, Colleen; Gardiner, Robert C.; Havens, William H.; Hunter, Vivian L.; McCall, Melvin D.; Ruhlman, Thomas, Image sensor based optical reader.
Hennick, Robert John; Barber, Charles P.; Coleman, Eric C.; Ehrhart, Michael A.; Gannon, Colleen; Gardiner, Robert C.; Havens, William H.; Hunter, Vivian L.; McCall, Melvin D.; Ruhlman, Thomas, Image sensor based optical reader.
Hennick, Robert John; Barber, Charles P.; Coleman, Eric C.; Ehrhart, Michael A.; Gannon, Colleen; Gardiner, Robert C.; Havens, William H.; Hunter, Vivian L.; McCall, Melvin D.; Ruhlman, Thomas, Image sensor based optical reader.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.