CA2063348C - Mirrorless scanners with movable laser, optical and sensor components - Google Patents

Abstract

In bar code symbol scanning systems employ-ing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these compon-ents an a drive for repetitively reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.
All of the components are mounted, together in a common assembly to constitute a compact, lightweight scan module which is mounted in an interchangeable, modular manner in housings of different configurations.

Description

MIRRORLESS SCANNERS WITH MOVABLE LASER, OPTICAL AND SENSOR COMPONENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field o.f" the Invention This invention generally relates to laser scanner systems for reading inciicia of different light reflectivity such as bar code symboa_s and, more particularly, to so-called mirrorless scanner systems wherein system components, other than mirrors, are employed to effect. sweeping or scanning of symbols to be read.

2. Description of Related Art Laser scanner systems and components of the type exemplified by U.S. Pate. Nos. 4,251,798; 4,360,798;
4,369,361: 4,387,297 4,593,:186; 4,496,831; 4,409,470:
4,460,120: 4,607,156: ~~.673,803~ 4,736,095 4,758,717;
4,816,660: 4,808,804; 4,816,661; 4,'760,248; 4,871,904;
4, 806, 742 and 4, 845, 35(), -- all of said patients and patent applications being ownE=d by the assignee of the instant invention -- have generally been designed to read indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, e.g. bar code symbols, particularly of the Universal Product Code (UPC) type, at a certain working or reading distance from a hand-held or stationary sra:zner_.

Typically, a light source such as a laser generates a light beam which is optically modified to form a beam spot of a certain size at t:~e working dis-tance and is directed by optical components along a light path toward a bar code symbol located in the vicinity of the working distance for reflection from the symbol. A photodetector having a~. field of view e:c-tending across and slightly past the symbol detects light of variable intensity reflected off the symbol and generates electrical signals indicative of the detected light. These electrical signals are decoded into data descriptive of the symbol. A scanning com-ponent is situated in the light path. The scanning component may either sweep the beam spot across the symbol and trace a scan line across and past the symbol, or scan the field of view of the photodetector, or do both:
In any case, the scanner typically includes a moving mirror. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,798 discloses a rotating polygon having a planar mirror at each side, each mirror tracing a scan line across the symbol. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,38?,297 and 4,409,470 both employ a planar mirror which is repetitively and re°
ciprocally driven in alternate circumferential direc-ti.ons about a drive shaft on which the mirror is mounted.
_2_ U.S. ?atant No. 4,816,660 discloses a multi-~~~'~~~~
struction composed of a generally concave mirror portion and a generally planar mirror portion, the mufti-mirror construction being repetitivel~,r and reciprocally driven in '!' alternate circumferential directions about a drive shaft on which the mufti-mirror construction was mounted.
No matter what the shape or orientation or t:~e mir-ror, the known scanning components employred in laser scanning systems moved mirrors to perform the aforementioned sweeping and scanning actions. Moving other laser scanning system components was not thought to be practical. Thus, moving a gas laser tube was unthinkable, particularly in hand°:~eld, compact system applications, due to. the large size and the requisite large roam necessary to accommodate a moving gas laser tube. Moving an optical lens was also not thought to be desirable, because optical alignment is critical in laser scanning systems. Hence, it was the mirror that was typi-cally designated to effect the sweeping/scanning functions.
~iowever, in some laser scanning applications, mirror move-ments have not been found to be altogether desirable.
In non-laser scanning systems of the type exempli-fied by U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,571, a non-laser light emitting diode, an optical assembly, a photodetector, and electronic preamplifier/filter circuitry are all fixedly mounted an a common support that is connected to a cantilevered bimorph which is reciprocatingly driven 'to jointly move all the aforementioned components back and forth over a bar code symbol to be scanned. The large volume and heavy mass of all the commonly-mounted non-laser system components requires the expenditure of a great deal of power for the drive. This is not altogether practical in those cases, e.g. battery-powered operations where pawer consumption is to be held to a minimum. Also, moving only one or more non-mirrored system components relative to another for conserving power was heretofore not considered desirable, because of the optical alignment problems described above.
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~n'r~ ~ ~'~J c~ .t ~7 The components for the light scanning system, including the light source, optics, photo-detector, scanning component and an electrical con-ductor, are mounted together in a common assembly to constitute a compact, lightweight, scan module. The scan module is mounted in an interchangeable, modular manner in housings of different configurations.
For example, the housing can be hand-held and shaped as a cylinder in a so-called flashlight-type con-figuration, or shaped as a box, or shaped with a gun-like configuration. The housing can be mounted on the back of an operator's arm (see, for example, U.S.
4,766,299) or on one or more fingers of the operator's hand, typically with the aid of a strap, a clip, or a glove. The housing can be mounted on the operator's arm, typically adjar_ewt or on the wrist. The housing can be mounted in a countertop raorkstation. The hou:>ing can be mounted in a mobile cart, or shopping rart,~or,in some cases, even in a stationary installation.
The compact, lightweight nature of the scan module enables myriad other housing configurations to be fashioned. Thus, the scan module can be mounted any-where on an operator's person, e.g. in a helmet to be worn on the operator's head, in eyeglasses to be worn in front of the operator's eyes, in a shoulder or body harness, etc.

s~ ~ c~ .; ~ ~a r !.a ~ ~. e, e.~ ~., SL~''~.ARY OF THr I~lV~~i~'IO?~1 1. Obiects of the Invention It is a general object of this invention to advance the state of the art of scanner systems for reading indicia _of different light reflectivitTr, parti-cularly laser scanner systems for reading bar code symbols.
Another object of this invention is to elim-inate the use and the movement of mirrors to effect sweeping and scanning actions.
A further object of this invention is to pro-vide a so-called "mirrorless" scanner system which is compact in size, light in weight, reliable in use, and relatively inexpensive to assemble and manufacture.
Still another object of this invention is to move one or more scanner system components either jointly or separately relative to one another to ef°
feet the sweeping and scanning actions.
Yet another object of this invention is to~
employ the mirrorless scanner system in a plurality of hand-held, finger-held, arm-held, body-held, desk-top workstation, mobile or stationary configurations.
A still further object of this invention is to employ a mirrorless scanner system in a plurality of scanning modes, such as single and mufti-axis scanning.
Another object of this invention is to inter-changeably mount the mirrorless scanner system in housings of different configurations.
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2. Features of the Invention In keeping with these objects, and oters whicz will.come apparent hereinaf ter, one feature of this inven-tion resides, briefly stated, in a mirrorless scanner ar-rangement in a light scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, e.g. bar code symbols having alternating bars and spaces. The system is of the general type which includes a light source component, e.g. a laser, for emitting a laser light beam; an optical component, e.g. a focusing lens and/or an aperture stop, for optically modifying and directing the lacer beam along an optical path toward the symbol located in the vicinity of a reference plane exteriorly of the system; and a photadetector component, e.g. a photodiode, having a field of view and ap-erative for detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity along a return path reflected off the symbol, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detec-ted light intensity. This electrical signal is thereupon processed and converted to data descriptive of the symbol.
In accordance with this invention, the mirrorless scanner arrangement includes means for mounting at least one of the components far repetitive, reciprocating movement relative to at least another of the components, as well as drive means for repetitively, reciprocatingly moving the mounting means and said at least one component to scan at least one of said light beam and said field of view. Only one or only two of said components can advantageously be reciprocated relative to said other components. In addi-tion, all the components can be jointly reciprocated, in which event, it is advantageous if the optical and return paths are co-linear, at least within a housing in which all the aforementioned components are housed.
-S-Advantageously, tae drive :~ear.s includes a :,rotor having an elongated s:~af t, and Operati Ve for reciarocatingly turning the shaft about an axis which extends along the elongation of the shaft in alter-pate circumferential directions over arc lengths less than 360°, e.g. 20° to either side of a center position.
Said at least one component is mounted on the shaft for joint turning movement therewith.
The component mounted on the shaft may be the laser, e.g. a semiconductor laser diode, a focus-ing lens, an aperture stop, the combination of a focus-ing lens and an aperture stop, or the entire combina-tion of the diode, the lens and the aperture stop.
Also, the photodiade could be mounted on the shaft for joint turning movement therewith. Since the diode re-quires a power supply,.e.g. a 12-valt DC source, and since the electrical signal developed by the photodi-ode must be conveyed to signal processing circuitry, electrical coiled tensile wires are advantageously con-nected to the laser diode and the photodiode.
Rather than turning the aforementioned com-ponents about an axis, the drive means may also be operative to reciprocatingly move one or moxe of said components in a gla.ne which is perpendicular to an op°
txcal axis along which the optical path extends in a center position. Such planar movement can be effected by many types of drives, e.g. an electromagnetic drive, a mechanical drive, a piezoelectric drive, and a bi.°
metallic heating drive.

The mirrorless scanner arrangement of this in-vention can be used to generate a single scan line over the symbol to be read, or can be used tNith other scanner components to generate a multi-line scan pattern aver the symbol.
In addition, the mirrorless scanner arrangement is very compact in size and light in weight, and can be mounted in modular manner in many different system con-figurations. For example, the arrangernent can be mounted in hand-held housings having any convenient shape, e.g.
a gun-shaped head having a barrel and a handle. or a box-like head, or a cylindrical-type head, or in wrist-held or arn~rheld housings, or in glove-like housings, or in finger held housings, e.g. a ring-shaped head, or in desk-top or countertop housings, e.g. a workstation having scan-above, scan-down, or scan-sideways capabilities, or in mobile, cart-mounted housings; or in stationary system installa-Lions, e.g. mounted at a production line or at a cash register. The compact size and lightweight characteris-tic renders the arrangement very versatile for multiple applications and uses. The power requirements for recip-rocating the one or more components to be reciprocated is minimal. Advantageously, the arrangement is easily removable from the system in which it is installed.
An arrangement requiring replacement is easily inter-changeable with another.
_7_ r The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in parti-cular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advan-tapes thereof, best will be understood from the follow°
ing description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

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r'~RILF DESCRIPTION OF TT.iE DR.~WINGS
FIG. 1A is a partly broken-away, partly sec-boned side view of a hand-held light scanning system in which a mirrorless scanner arrangement in accord-ance with this invention is housed;
FIG. 1B is an end view of 1:'IG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mirrorless scanner arrangement of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 is a partly sectioned side view of a mirrorless scanner arrangement in accordance with another embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of t:~e eml~di-ment of FIG. 3 depicting its operation;
FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of a mirrorless scanner, arrangement in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. S:
FIG. 7. is a diagrammatic tnp plan view of t~'Ze em~di-mexit of FIG. 5 depicting its operation at twa e~-l~~g ~°sitions.
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the mirrorless scanner arrangement of FIG. 2 as employed in a multi-axis scanning system;
FIG. 9 is a partly broken-away perspective view of an additional embodiment of the mirrorless scanner arrang~znent in accordance with this invention;
-g-~~s~'r~~' FIG. 10 is a side view of a gooseneck-tyke scanning system workstation Yor use with any of the mirrorless scanner arrangements oz this invention;
FIG. 11 is a side view of still another em-bodi:~nent of a mirrorless scanner arrangement in accord-ance with this invention;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional. view of an alter-nate spring for use in the embodiment of FIGs. 11 and 12;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 16;
FIG. 15 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 16;
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of a mirrorless scanner arrancJement in accord-ance with this invention;
FIG. 17 is a view analogous to FTG. 14, but of another embodiment of a mirrorless scanner arrange-ment in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 18 is a view analogous to FIG. 14, but of still another embodiment of a mirrorless scanner arrangement in accordance with this invention;
EIG. 19 is a view analogous to FIG. 14, but of yet another embodiment of a mirrorless scanner arrangements FIG. 20 is a partly broken-away, perspective view of a hand-held scanning system for use with the mirrorless scanning arrangement;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a hand-held, swivel-type scanning system for use with the mirrorless scanxring arrangement;
FIG. 22 is a partly broken-away, sectional view of a hand-held scanning system for use with the mirror-less scanning arrangement;
FIG. 23 is a :aide view of FIG. 22;
FIG. 2.4 is a side view of an arm-held sdanning system for use with the mirrorless scanning arrangement;
FIG. 24A .is a front perspective view of another arm-held scanning system for use with the mirrorless scanning arrangement;

FIG. 24B is a side perspective vie:a of still another arm-held scanning system for use with the mirro.r-less scanning arrangement;
FIG. 25 is a side view of a clove-like scan-ning system worn on a user's hand;
FIG. 26 is a side view of a finger-held, ring-type scanning system for use with the mirrorless scan-ning arrangement;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a mobile, checkout stand for use with the mirrorless scanning arrangement;
FIG. 28 is a side view of a hand-held scanning system far use with the mirrorless scanning arrangement, as mounted on a shopping cart;
FIG. 29 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 29--29 of FTG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a countertop scanning system at a point-of-transaction site;
FIG. 31 is a side view of a countertop scanning system with a detachable head; and FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a scanning system adapted to accommodate right- and left-handed users.

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H~ ~,~ y e9 s. ; 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTT_ON OF THE PREFERRED E:~~ODI?~IENTS
Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1A and 1B generally identifies an arrangement in a scanner system of the type generally described in the above identified patents and patent applications, the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, far reading symbols, particularly UPC bar code symbols. As used in this specification and the following claims, the term "symbol" is intended to be broadly construed and to cover not only symbol patterns composed of alternat-ing bars and spaces, but also other patterns, as well as alpha-numeric characters and, in short, any indicia having portions of different light reflectivity.
The arrangement 10 comprises a hand-held housing 12 having a base .14 which subdivides the in-terior of the housing into an upper half 16 and a lower half 18. A lightweight, high-speed, miniature scanning motor 20 similar to that described in U,S, Pat. No. 4,896,831 is mounted on base 14. The motor 20 has an output shaft 22 which is repetitively driven in alternate circumferential directions about an axis along which the shaft extends over arc lengths less than 360° in each direction. Structural, func-t~onal and operational aspects of the motor 20 and of control circuitry 24 for the motor are set forth in -i n-~t~~:~~.,~~~~ r~~
~.~ ~.,~ a a ~ .1 a detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,831 and, hence, for the sake oz brevity, will not be repeated herein.
' One difference between the motor 20 of t:nis invention and the motor of U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,831 is the superstructure that is mounted on the output shaft 22. Instead of a planar mirrox: as taught by said patent, the invention proposes, in FIG. 1A, mounting a generally U-shaped support 26 at the end of the shaft 22, and mounting a laser/optics subassembly 28 on the support 26. The subassembly 28 and the support 26 are jointly oscillated and turned with the shaf t 22.
The subassembly 28 includes an elongated hollow tube 30, a laser diode 32 fixedly mounted at one axial end region of the tube 30, a lens barrel 34 mounted at the opposite axial end region of the tube 30, and a focusing lens 36 rmunted within the barrel (see FIG.3) .
~lhe foGUSing lens 36 is preferably a plane°convex lens, but may ire spherical, convFx or cylirx3rical as well. TPze barr~. 34 has an end wall forn~ed with an aperture sip 33 which is an opening exte~°
ing through the end wall-. 'Ihe barrel 34 is mounted for longitudinal.
telescoping movement within and along the tube 30.
The lens 36 is situated adjacent the end wall~of the barrel and is mounted for joint movement with the barrel. The position of the barrel and, in turn, of the lens relative to the diode is fixed typically by gluing ox clampingr at the assembly-site so that a -11°

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known dis Lance between t::e lens and tze aperture stop, on the one hand, and between the lens, the aperture stop and the diode, on the other hand, is obtained.
coil spring 37 (see F1G. 3) is located within and extends along the barrel and tube, and has one coil end bearing against the diode, and another coil end bearing against a planar side of the lens. The spring urges the lens against the end wall having the aperture stop, thereby fixedly locating~the lens relative to the aperture stop.
The subassembly 28, per se, forms no part of this invention and, in fact, is described and claimed in .U.S. Patent No. 4,816,60 to which refer-ence can be had for further structural, functional and operational aspects of the subassembly. 2t is suffi-dent for this invention to understand that the sub-assembly 28 includes a solid-state laser diede 32 opera-tive for propagating and generating an incident laser beam, either in the invisible or visible light range;
and the combination of a focusing lens and an aperture stop together operative for focusing the laser beam to have a beam cross-section ar beam spot of a certain waist size within a range of working distances relative to the housing 12. The focused beam passes through the aperture stop 38 and through a scan window 40 on the housing in the vicinity of a reference plane located _12_ s ~ ~.~ t:~ ~:~ t exteriorly of the housing wit:~in t:Ze range of working distances along an outgoing optical path.
i.
During the alternate, repetitive oscillations of t:~e shaft 22, the support 26 and the subassembly 28 likewise participate in this oscillatory movement, thereby causing the beam spot to be swept in an arc whose center of curvature is located at the diode across the symbol at the reference plane and to trace a curved scan line thereat. Hence, no longer is a mirror used to effect sweeping of a beam spot across a symbol, but, instead, other scanner components are moved and, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, these other components comprise the laser diode 32 and the optical components which are jointly turned as a unitary struc--tune about an axis parallel to the reference plane.
~1 portion of the light reflected off the symlrol passes along a retairn path through a second. window 42 on the housing in the direction of arrow B to a photodetector 44 for detecting the variable intensity of the returning por-tion of the reflected laser light over a field of view, and for generating an electrical analog signal indices-tive of the detected variable light intensity. In the FIG. 1A embodiment, the photodetector 44 is sta-tionarily mounted on the printed circuit board 46.
Printed circuit boards 48 and SQ at either side of v board 46 contain signal processing circuitry a2 and microprocessor control circuitry 53 for converting the analog electrical signal to a digital signal, and for _1~-r'a G ~
processing the digital signal to data descriptive of the symbol being read. Details or the signal processing and microprocessor control circuit::_f can be had by reference to the above-identified patents and applications.
~ two-part multi-wire plug-in cable connector 54 has one part electrically connected to the signal process-ing and microprocessor control circuitry and another part electrically connected to a flexible multi-wire cable 54°
connected to a display 5S and a keyboard 56. A recharge-able battery pack 58 supplies power to the laser diode and the electrical circuitry in the housing. By moving only the laser diode and the apti.cal component relative to t~:e stationary photodetector, power from the battery pack is conserved.
Means for initiating reading may advantageously include a trigger 6A mounted on the housing 12. The trigger extends in part outwardly of the housing to be manually actu-ated by a user who is holding the housing 12 in his hand.
The trigger is operatively connected through trigger switch 62 and actuates the laser diode 32, the motor 2Q, the pho-todetector 44, the signal processing circuitry 52 and the control circuitry 53 to initiate a reading of the symbol.
The ,trigger is actuated once for each symbol to be read, each symbol in its respective turn. Once the control cir-cuitry determines that the symbol has been successfully de~
coded, the control circuitry terminates the reading of the symbol and deactuates the previously actuated components in the hauling and readies the system for the next symbol.

s C) ;~ 's ~) ~~ .~ ~ ~~: ~9 FIG. 2 illustrates the various electrical, mechanical and optical components assembled as a modu-lar unit prior to mounting in the upper half 16 of the housing 12 of FIGS. 1A, 1B. The electrical circuitrar on the printed circuit boards 46, 48, 50, as well as on base 14, has been omitted from FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.
Turning now to FIG. 3, like parts with that of FIG. 1A have been identified with like reference numer-als. The oscillating motor 20, once again, has an out--put shaft 22 on which a generally U-shaped support. 26 is mounted. A laser/optics subassembly 28 is mounted on one leg 64 of the support. A photodetector 44 is mounted an another leg 66 of the support. Coiled tensile wire groups 68, 70 connect the diode 32 and the photodetector 44 to the non-illustrated electrical circuitry on printed circuit board 48. Although coiled wires have been illus-trated, other types of electrical connectors, e.g. flat cable, could be employed. A collecting lens 72 is mounted on leg 64 and coaxially surrounds subassembly 28. The lens ?2, the subassemb7,y 28 and the photodetector 44 all have a common boresight or optical axis 74 along which the optical and return paths are co-linear, and ale all oscillatable as a unit in alternate circumferential direc-tions (see double-headed arrow 76 in FIG. 4~ about the a.~ci~s along which shaft 22 extends .

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The operation of t.',ze FIG. 3 embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 4. An incident laser beam is emitted from the subassembly 28. In a center posi-tion, this beam is directed along optical axis 74 to a reference plane ?8 at which a symbol is located.
Light is scattered in all directions from the symbol.
A portion of the reflected light, as represented by light rays'79,81, is incident on collecting lens 72, e.g. a Freanel.lens, and focused onto an inlet of the photodetector 44'. ~Tne inlet may be round, sgaare or rectangular (see FIG.6). As the unit turns in the direction of either arrow 76, the bea~-n spat at the reference plane likewise moves across the symbol. The returning light is always focused onto the inlet of the photodetector.
The FIG. 3 embodiment is retro-reflective because not only the incident beam, but also the field of view of the photodetector, are being simultaneously scanned across the symbol. By contrast, the FIGS. 1A, 1B embodiment is a so-called "flying spot" scanner, because only the incident beam is being swept across the symbol, the photodetectar being stationary.
Turning now to the embodiment of~FIGs. 5-7, like reference numerals again identify l ice parts.
The oscillating motor 20, once again, has an output shaft 22 on which a support 80 is mounted. ~tather than being t1-shaped like support 26, support 80 is L-shaped t; and has an upright leg 82~ A laser/optics subassembly .~ i ~.'y ~ ~ =~ ~a 28 is :,bunted on leg 82. a photodetector 44 is sta-tionarily mounted on printed circuit board 46. Coiled r_ tensile wire group 68 interconnects the diode 32 and electrical circuitry on board 46. Collecting lens 72 is mounted on leg 82 in a coa:~ially surrounding rela-tionship with subassembly 28. The lens 72 and the sub-assembly 28 turn as a unit in either direction of double-headed arrow 76, whereas photodetector 44, in contrast to the previous embodiment of FIG. 8, is stationary.
As schematically shown in FIG. 7, an incident light beam emitted from subassembly 28 is directed in one end-limiting position along optical axis 84 to impinge on a symbol located at the reference plane 78, whereupon a portion of the reflected light, as repre-sented by light rays 86, 88, is incident on collecting lens 72 and focused at one end 90 of an elongated slot-like inlet 92 of the photodetector 44, best shown in FIG. 6. At an opposite end-limiting position, shawn,in phantom lines in FIG. 7, the collected portion of re-flected light is focused at an opposite end 94 of the inlet 92. Between end-limiting portions, the collected, focused light travels lengthwise along the inlet 92.
The FIGS. 5-7 embodiment is another retro-reflective arrangement, because both the incident beam is being swept across the symbol, and the field of view of the photodetectax~ is likewise being swept across the symbol at the same time due to the movement of the col-lecting lens: The collecta.ng lens could be eliminated -17_ CId.~~3 ~'~(J
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As described so far, the various embodiments describe a single curved trace or scan line in one di-rection across the symbol being read. rr~IG. 8 shows an arrangement for generating a scan pattern e:ctending in more than one direction over the symbol. Thus, as before, motor 20 repetitively drives output shaft 22, support 26 and laser/optics subassembly 28 in the alter-note directions indicated by arrows T6. Tensile wire group 68 interconnects the diode 32 with a low voltage ' power supply 96. The motor and its su;?erstructure are mounted on a horizontal platform 98 of a base 100.
The base has additional platforms for other components. Thus, horizontal platform 102 supports a collecting lens 104. Platform 106 supports a photo--detector 44 on an upper surface, as well as a printed circuit board 108 an which signal processing circuitry is mounted on a lower surface.
A second motor 20' identical to motor 20 is mounted on a vertical platform 110 and has an output shaft 22' which is at right angles to shaft 22. Instead of the aforementioned superstructure, a planar mirror 112 is mounted at one end of shaft 22', thereby being similar to the scanning element described in U.S. Pat. Ido. 4,496,831. The motor 22' _1$_ dr' VeS t-1C.' ml~~ar 1~ 2 '_:1 al.te~::aZ.e C'rC:.lmre~en t13~
direr dons as incicated by douale-headed arrow 11:x.
Tn operation, witz motors 22, 22' both os-rillating t'.~.e components mounted on taeir shafts, a scan pattern composed of multiple lines is generated over the symbol. Thus, with motor 20 generating a single scan line along an X-axis direction, motor 20' will move the single scan line along a Y-axis, thereby generating a set of mutually parallel lines extending across the pattern. By varying the speed, direction and frequency of the motors 20, 20', complex scan pat-terns, e.g. Lissajous patterns, can be generated.
Due to the oscillatory movement of the laser/optics subasserably 28, the tensile wires 68 .
interconnecting the diode and its power supply 96 are subjected to considerable stress. The mechanical in-tegrity of the wire joints is weakened by such stress farces generated while the subassembly changes direc-tions. Generally speaking, these stress forces are proportional to the distance between the shaft 22 and the point of the wire attachment to the subassembly.
FZG. 9 shows an arrangement wherein the wire joints between the diode and its power supply are po-sitioned in the immediate vicinity of the shaft, there-by minimizing the stress forces acting to weaken such.
joints and maximizing the working lifeti.~ae of the arrangement.
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Thus, a support block 26" is mounted a.n t~~e shaft 22, but off to one side of the shaft. The sub°
assembly 28 is mounted on the block 26". A printed circuit board 116 is mounted at the side of the block facing. the shaft 22. The board 116 h.as three printed conductive strips 118a, 118b, 118c e:~;tending along the board 116. The laser diode 32 has a first group of wires 68 connected to respective ends of the strips and a second group of wires 120 is connected to respective opposite ends of the strips and to the power supply 96.
The subassembly 28, the board 116 and the first group of wires 68 are jointly oscillated. The second group of wires 120 is subjected to stress forces, but, as shown, the wire joints at the opposite ends of the strips are immediately adjacent the shaft 22 sa that the magnitude of the stress.forces is much reduced as compared to the situation wherein the first group of wires 68 were directly connected to the gower supply 96.
FIG. 10 shows a desk-top workstation wherein a housing 121 generally having the same shape as the upper half of housing 12 in FIG. 1A is mounted above a base 12~ situated on a generally horizontal support surface such as a tabletop 126. A gooseneck-type semi-rigid, besidable, car~duit 127 interconnects the housing 121 with, the base 123 and enables the housing to be ~nuall.y bendably posi°
tinned in any desired orientation relative to the base and to be maintained in the desired orientation.
_20_ f~~~'~~~t~~~7 The light beam emitted from the housing can thus be posi-tioned at any desired angle relative to the symbol to be read.
Advantageously, the base 123 is hollow and con-tains signal processing circuitry which is connected by electrical wires running through the conduit 127 to the mirror scanning arrangement contained in the housing 121.
Instead of the base, the end of the conduit remote from the housing 121 could be attached to a cash register, analogous point-of-sale apparatus, or a fixed mount, e.g.
on a production line.
As described so far, the laser diode/optics subassembly 28 by itself or with the photodetector 44 is turned about an axis to effect a scansiing or sweep-ing action. This invention also proposes moving the focusing lens 36 either by itself or with the aperture stop 28 relative to the diode 32 in a plane generally parallel to the light-emitting outlet of the diode.
Turning to F2G. :1l, the laser diode 32 is stationarily mounted on a support 122. The diode 32 emits along optical axis 130 a wide-angle fan-shaped laser beam schematically represented by light rays 124, 126. The fan-shaped beam diverges at different angles in both orthogonal planes extending parallel to the plane of the diode owtle~t and perpendicular to the optical axis 130. The focusing lens 36 is mounted in a holder 128 at a fixed distance of focal length F as measured along axis 130, from the diode. The holder has an opening centered on the axis 130, the opening serving as the aperture stop 38.
The holder 128, as shown in FIG. 12, extends into a permanent magnet casing 132. A pair of convo-luted diaghragm suspension springs 134, 136 support cj ~°~ ~' ' y () ~e p.'r ~~ e~ ~~ v,'t U
the holder 128 on t:~e magnet casing 132. a voice coil i38 surrounds the holder 128 inside the casing 132 and is bounded by north N and south S poles of the casing.
Ey electrically energizing the coil i38, the holder and, in turn, the lens and the aperture stop are made to jointly reciprocate back and forth in a plane per-pendicular to axis 130 due to electromagnetic attrac-tion and repulsion forces generated at the coil. if the deflection of t.~ze lens and aperture stop as measured from the ahis 130 to one end-limiting position is de-noted D, then it can be shown that the c~,eflected :Laser beam represented by light ray 140 is shifted by an angu-~.ar distance A = tan-1D
F .
FIG. 13 shows an alternate to the convoluted springs 134, 136. A so-called "spider"' spring 142 having curved legs'144 could also be used.
FIG. 14 shows another arrangezaent for recip-rocally shifting the lens 36 and aperturs stop 38 in a plane parallel to the plane of the outlet of the .
diode 32. Ths lens 36 is mounted an a bridge support 150 which spans the distance between, and is carried by, two center legs 152, 154 of E-shaped leaf springs 156, 158. Outer legs 160, 162 of spring 1S6 and outer legs 164, 166 of spring 158 are stationarily connected to an overhead support frame 170.

~~ s' $~ a~ e~ ~~ c5 The bridge support 1a0 has an opening cen-tered on optical axis 130, the opening serving as the aperture stop 38. A permanent magnet strip 172 having a north N pole at one end and a south S pole at an opposite end is carried by the bridge support. A pair of driving coils 174, 176 surrounds each pole.
In operation, each driving coil is electric-ally energized. Electromagnetic attz:action and repul-sion forces are generated by magnetic interaction between the coils and the poles N, S, thereby causing the bridge support to be reciprocally shifted in a plane perpendicular to axis 130. FIG. 14 shows this arrangement in a center, non-shifted position. By con-trast, the FIG. 17 embodiment described below illus-trates a shifted position. It will be noted that only the upper ends of the center legs of the E-springs are displaced. A substantially constant distance between the lens and aperture stop combination and the diode is maintained. Proper laser beam focus at the refer-ence plane is thus maintained thereat.
As before, the shifting of the lens and apertLtre stop causes tYie laser beam emitted by the diode to be deflected at an angle A ~ tan-~"~~-,. The beam spot is moved along an.arc around a center of curvature at the lens. It is possible, by having un-equal lengths car stiffnesses in the legs of the spr~.ngs.
_~3~

c1", l'' s) ~ r° .ti .r 9~ ~'3 :~ ~i 0 to '.::ave the beam spot moved in a desired manner across the symbol. For example, the spot can be moved in a i straight line.
Rather than using electromagnetic means, other means can be used to displace the lens and aper-tune stop. FIG. 17 shows an arrangement identical to FIG. 14, but, instead of the magnetic strip 172, a plate 180 is connected to the bridges support. 'Ihe plate 180 has a lug 182 to which a drive bar 184 is pivotably connected. The 3x~' 184 can be connected: to a .are reechanical drive, an electro-mechanical drive. or a piezo--electric substrate, i.e. a transducer operative for oonv~~ing electrical to mechanical energy, to effect the reciprocal movement.
Tn another variant, the center legs 152, 154 of the springs can be made of one bi~me~taJ.lic material while the outer legs are made of another bi-metallic material. Heating all, the legs would cause the center legs to be displaced relative to the outer legs.
In FTGs. 14-17, since the aperture stop 88 moves with the lens 36, the output power of the laser beam will decrease at the ends of the scan line, be--cause the intensity of the unfocused laser beam :is brightest on the axis 1~0. This loss of pawer at the ends of the scan could be compensated electrically by sensing the putput power of the beam, or the light re-flected aff the rear surface of the aperture stop, and ~y adjustiing the electrical supply current ~o the laser diode so as to maintain a constant power output.
-~24.~

Another approach is shown in iIG. 18, :where-in the aperture stop 33 is held stationary, and only r the focusing lens 36 is reciprocally shifted. Since the laser beam does not pass through the center of tze lens 36 when the lens is shifted off axis, the deflection or scan angle A is amplified. Light pass-ing through the lens off the axis 130 has more optical aberrations, but they have not been :Found to be sig-nificant for bar code reading applicatior~.
The low mass of the moving structure, i.e.
the lens alone; the lens and aperture stop together;
the lens, aperture stop and diode jointly; and the lens, aperture stop, diode and photodetector jointly, enables the system to operate at resonance for low power applications, as. well as off resonance. Very high scanning speeds on the order of 40 scans per sec-ond and more are obtainable due to the low mass of the moving structure.
Yet another approach is shown in FIG. 19, wherein the focusing lens 36 is held stationary, and only the aperture stop 3E3 is reciprocally shifted.
The aperture stop 38 is formed as an opening in a top wall 200 that is positioned by side walls 202, 204 at a distance from a support 206 on which the laser diode 32 is mounted. The apertured top walk 200 ~.s shiftable to the left and to the right, ~s indicated by the phan°
tom l~.nesr by any reciprocating drive, e.g. an electro-':z magnet or piezo-electric drive. Bimor?h material can also be used for the walls 200, 202, 204 to move the c aperture stop in a plane in front of the lens 36.
FIG. 20 shows the compact laser/optics sub-assembly 28 mounted on the reciprocating motor 20, as described above, installed in a hand-held housing 210 equipped with a display 212 and a keyboard 214. The housing 210 has a rectangular cross-section and, at its top, is provided with a superstructure that enables scanning to be performed to the right or, in another mode of operation, to the left of the honasing.
The housing 210 has a top rectangular wall 216 fixedly mounted in place with the aid of four screws 21$ at the corners of the top wall. A hood 220 is mounted at one end of the top wall. A stationary re-flecting mirror 222 is located within the confines of the hood above the top wall 216. A scan window 224 closes the interior of the hood from the environment.
The mirror 222 is positioned in the path of the emitted laser beam emanating from the laser/optics subassembly 28, xnd redirects the laser beam toward one side, e.g.
toward the right side, of the housing. Returning light from the symbol being read passes through the window 224 and is collected by photodetector 44.
By removing the four screws 228; turning the superstructure by 180°, replacing the screws 218, the ~~.,~~De9 ~ J
scanning arrangement will wor't just as described above, except that, this time, tze mirror 222 will redirect f the laser beam toward t:~.e other side, e.g. toward the left side, of the housing. In this way, right- and left-handed users can be accommodated.
To the same effect is the structure shown in FIG. 21 in which the emitted bea.~~ carp also be directed toward the right or the left. A housing 226 of cylin-drical cross-section has a circular top wall 228 on which a hood 230 is supported. A reflecting mirror identical to mirror 222 is mounted within hood 230.
A scan window 232 closes the hood 230. An L-shaped locking Lug 23~ de~aends from the top wall 228 and, in the illustrated position, lockingly engages a hook 236 provided on the circular side wall of the housing 226.
The same laser/optics subassembly shown in FIG. 20 is mounted within housing 226. The laser beam is propa-gated toward the right in FIG: 23..
To accommodate the user, the top wall 228wand hood 230 can be turned to the position shown in phantom lines unta.l the lt~g 234 engages another non--illustrated hook spaced 180°, away from hook 236. In this locked position, the laser beam is propagated toward the left in FIG. 21. The swiveling of a locking lug to engage one or the ether of two~hooks with a snap-type action ~;:s somewhat easier to perform than the removal, and re-placement of screws as described for FIG. 20:
_~7- .

P
In all of the various enoodi:-~ents, the mirrorless scanning arrangement is very compact in size. This allows the arrangement to be fabricated as a module that can be installed in many different types of laser scanning systems. The module advan-tageously comprises a laser/optics subassembly mounted on a support such as a reciprocating scan component, together with a photodetector, all of which are con-nected to an electrical connector to enable the module to be electrically connected to other electrical components.
As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the mirrorless scanning arrangement is mounted in a cylindrical flash-light-type housing 250. In the preferred P.mbodiment, the diameter of the housing 250 is on the order of one inch. Otherwise, like parts have been identified with like numerals.
The trigger switch 62 is located on the cir-cuit board 48 and has an operating button or trigger 60 which projects slightly through the cylindrical side wall of the housing. The trigger 60 is positioned to be engaged and depressed by the user's fingers, parti-cularly the thumb, as illustrated.
The laser/aptics subassembly 28 directs the laser beam through a circular window 252 at a nose end o~ the housing 250. ~teflected light from the symbol returns through the window 252 and is detected by photo-detector 54.
The on-board battery pack 58 is advantageously mounted at a rear end of the housing 250.
-2g-,r ~, z~,, G.~~~a~i '~;~
As shown in FTG. 24, any of the above-de°
scribed mirrorless scanni.~.g arrangements can be mounted in a box°shaped housing 2S4 which is mounted on the user's arm adjacent the wrist 256 by a strap 2S8 that at least partially encircles the wrist. The strap 258 is preferably cotrposed of multiple expandable links, but can also be constituted of an elastomeric material, or a rigid material whose opposite ends are detachably interconnected, similar to a belt or a watch band.
Reading is initiated either_ automatically by object recognition, or manually by movement of the hand of the operator. For example, a trigger switch 260 has an elongated armature 262 pivotably mounted on, and laterally affset from; the housing 2°r4. The armature 262 extends into the space formed between the forefinger and the thumb of the operator. The operator's fingers pivot the armature 262 to initiate reading. For ergono-metric reasons, it is preferred if the armature 262 is ' positioned closer to the forefinger, as shown in solid lines in FTG. 24, so that the armature can be displaced upwards, or if the armature 262 is positioned closer to the thumb, as shown in dashed lines in FTG. 24; so that the armature can be displaced downwards.
As shown in FIG. 24A, another arm-held hous-ing 251 is mounted adjacent and encircles wrist 256 by means of a strap 253. A keyboard 255 for data entry, as well as a display 257 for displaying information, are positioned on the housing 251 so as to face the operator.
An exit window 2Sg is positioned adjacent the wrist and laterally offset from the back of the operator's hand to allow an outgoing light beam and/or reflected light to pass laterally thereof. A trigger switch 261 is pivot-ably mounted in the housing 251 adjacent the wrist and in the path of outward movement, of the back of the oper-ator's hand when the wrist is flexed relative to the arm.
Ln a preferred use, the operator points his or her out-stretched forefinger 263 toward the symbol to be read, _2g-:',9 J ~~aa c~ s (, 'r.~ ~C~ ts~ t.~ f and s;pings the forefinger, t~gether ;~rith t'!e caizcle hand by fle:cing the wrist 256, (reel=; in space bet;aeen the points P1 and P2 so as to trace the s~-~;bol.
As shown in FIG. 24B, still another arm-held housing 265 is mounted adjacent and encircles wrist 2.56 by means of a strap 267. A keyboard 269 and a disDlav 271 are positioned on the housing 265. In this case, .he exit window is positioned adjacent: the wrist and elevated above the back of the operator's hand to allow an outgoing light beam and/ar reflected light to pass thereover. A trigger switch 273 is pivotably mounted or_ the housing adjacent the wrist and in the path of inceard movement of the hand during wrist flexure. Again, the operator points outstretched finger 263 toward the symbol 275, and swings the forefinger, together with the cahole hand, freely in space between points P3 and P4 so as to trace the symbol.

. ,>, r~~s~~~~~c~
Tn addition to the embodiments, in which a lever switch may be employed to initiate scanning, a switch may also be provided on the strap which mounts the scanner/terminal on the wrist to perform the scanning initiating function. Such switch when mounted on the inside of the strap so 'that the switch may be activated by appropriate user motion.
As an alternative to a lever or other pressure operated switch, electronic activation may be utilized to initiate scanning.
Object sensing (i.e., triggering when an object is proximate to the scanner), or voice activation (i.e., triggering when the user says "scan") may also be used.
29~

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The °'glove" approach allows functional modules in addition to scanning to be added or deleted with relative ease. Such modules may include functions such as keyboard, display, communications, power supply, memory, and data storage, printer, or alternative reader technologies (e.g., magnetic stripe) which can be interchangeably attached or detached from electrical connectors disposed the glove. The glove also allows appropriate fixed positioning of such modules so that they.may be most conveniently accessed and utilized by the user. As an example, as shown in Figure 24A the display may be positioned on the inside of the arm or wrist, and a keyboard positioned so that it is more easily accessed.

The arrangements of cIGs. 24a, 2~B serge as complete, independent data terminals.
Turning nova to FIG. 25, a box-shaped housing 277, analogous to housing 25=~ of FTG. 24, is incorporated in a glove 279 that is worn on the operator's hand. The glove 279 is preferably composed of an elastomeric mater-ial. The housing has a base support 28:L that is embedded in the glove and rests above the back of the operator's hand between the knuckles and the wrist. The outgoing light beam and/or returning reflected Eight pass over the operator's fingers. Reading is initiated either automat-ically by object recognition, or manually by movement of the operator's hand. For example,. clenching the hand can cause a pressure sensor embedded in the glove to generate a trigger signal for initiating reading.

Turning now to FIG. 26, a finger-held housing 264 containing the scanning arrangement is supported on at least one of the user's finger: 266 by a ring-like support 268. A
particularly compact scanning arrangement, is that the light source and the scanning component are implemented on a ~>ingle semiconductor and/or electro-optical substrate. The outgoing light beam passes over the user's fingers and, as before., reading can be automatically or manually initiated.
FIG. 27 illustrates a mobile checkout stand in which the scanning arrangemeni~ is incorporated, together with other point-of-transaction accessories. The stand 270 includes a wheeled carriage 272 wh:LCh supports the scanning arrangement underneath an X-shaped caindow 274 located in a planar top wall of the carriage, a keyboard 276 for entering data relating to a product bearing the symbol being scanned, an overhead display 278 for displaying data relating to the product, a weighing scale 280 for weighing the product, a printer 282 for printing a paper tape receipt or labels for application to a product, a bag support 284 for holding r r,~,r~~
1J ~_~ P.'S (~ '.~ ~~
l bags in an upright orientation suitable for bagging the products, a bag sealer 286 for closing a plastic bag by heat, adhesive or the like, and a storage com-~partment 288 for temporarily storing bagged products.
A push handle 290 enables a customer to push the stand from place to place, typically along aisles of a retail store.
FIG, 28 depicts a conventional, wire-frame shopping cart 292 equipped with the scanning arrange-ment incorporated in a hand-held head 294 that has a gun-shaped configuration. As best shown in FIG. 29, a snap-on holder 296, preferably constituted of a , resilient plastic material, has walls bounding a com-partment 298 in which a barrel of the gun-shaped head 294 is stored. the holder 296 has legs 300 which snap over and resiliently grip individual wires 302 of the wire-frame cart 292. A rubber-like, shock-absorbing pad 304 is mounted within the compartment 298 to protect the barxel of the head 294 from being nicked and dam-aged during withdrawal and replacement of the head relative to 'the holder.
As also shown in FIG. 28, the holder is mounted to the rear of the cart at one of the side walls, thereby avoiding damage to the holder and/or c. a, ~ ;~ 4">
~3~ ~ -.-.; U
t:e head when multiple shopping carts are nested to-gether. A fold-up display 306 is mounted at the front of the cart to display data concerninca a product bear-ing a symbol being scanned.
Turning now to FIG. 30, a point-of-transac-tion counter 308, such as an appetizing counter, has a plurality of appetizing products such as fish 310, meat 312, potato salad 314, cheese 316, salami 318, just to mention a few exemplary choices. Each product is asso-ciated uniquely with a bar code symbol. For example, flags 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 bear unique coded symbols which, when electro-optically scanned, decoded and read, respectively identify the products 310, 312, 314, 316, 318.
The counter 308 also includes a cash register 330 of the type having a conventional cash drawer, a keyboard, a display, and a paper receipt tape assembly, together with an antenna 332 which is in radio frequency communication with an antenna 334 of a countertop scan-per 336. A clerk stands behind the counter. 308 and op-erates the scanner 336 and the cash register 330.
The scanner 336 is a modified version of the one depicted in FIG. 10, and includes a head 338 mounted at one end of a semi-rigid, bendable column 340 whose other end is connected to a base 342. The head 338 is - tvl 2 h t' ~ 2~
eauipped with a keyboard 344, a display 346 and a card reader having a slot 348 through which magnetically encoded customer cards, e.g. debit, credit or smart cards, are passed. The base 342 is equipped with a weighing scale 350, an elctranic surveillance tag de-activator 352, and a printer having an opening 354 through which paper tape and/or machine-readable and/or human-readable labels are passed. The scale has a weighing platform in the plane of the top wall of the base 342. The deactivator is mounted within the base and is operative to change the state of a tag associ-ated with a product to deter theft. The printer is also mounted within the base, and ejects tape and/or labels for application to a product through opening 354.
In use, a customer walks up to the counter 308 and requests a portion of a particular prad~zct, such as salami 318. The clerk cuts and weighs the par-tion on scale 350 and aims the scanner 338 at the flag 328 to advise the system that the product being weighed is, in fact, salami. It is this optical identification of the product which prevents operator error as is com-mon with manual entry of product identification codes in known systems.
...33~

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With the product and its weight known, a local data base having price per unit weight information is interrogated, and a label is printed by printer 354.
The label is applied to the salami portion, typicaller on a paper wrapping therefor.
During the weighing process, the clerk could check the display 346 to see that the correct product was identified, or could manually access the keyboard.
After the label is applied to the product. a credit card can be passed through the reading slot 348 to charge the customer's account.
The scanner 338 need not be in wireless com-munication with the cash register 330, but could be hard wired thereto. Also, the scanner 338 need not be mechan-ically supported by the base 342, but could be mounted on a post or analogous support; fixed ox manipulatable.
This invention is not intended to be limited to food counters, since any merchandise can be optically read in the manner described above. In a retail situa-tion such as a clothing store, the tag deactivator 354 would be more useful.
FIG. 31 shows a gun-shaped head 360 detachably connected to a bendable arm 362, as previously described.
One end of the arm 362 supports one part 364 of an elec-tro-mechanical connector 366 whose mating part 368 is <s~~~~~~a~~~~
suaported by the head 360. Thus, the head 360 can be removed for use as a hand-held head, or for purposes of repair and maintenance, The other end of the arm 362 is connected to a base 370 that rests on a support sur-face 372. The outgoing light beam is directed at a symbol placed underneath the head in the workstation mode, or at a symbol placed in front of tie head in the hand-held mode.
FIG. 32 depicts another arrangement for accom-modating right-handed and left-handed users, as previ-ously discussed in connection with FIGs. 20 and 21. A
laser/optics assembly 28, as previously described, is oscillated during scanning in the directions of the double-headed arrow 374. A light-directing element 376, preferably of light-transmissive material, is positioned in the light path of the light beam emanating from 'the assembly 28. The element 376 is positioned in either the solid-line or the dashed-line position, with the aid of a handle extending exteriorly of the housing 378.
In the solid-line position, the element 376 steers the light beam about 10° - 15° off to the right of its straight-line path to accommodate left-handed users. In the dashed-line position, the element 376 steers the light beam about IO° - 15° off to the left of its straight-line path to accommodate right-handed users.

'J~°v ~~ ~~" ::~ :,7 ~~ ~.r SJ S' ~ L'.~ C~~ <<:
It will be understood t::at each of t:~e ele-ments described above, ar t~.ao or more together, also may find a useful appllCatlon in other types of con-structions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has beean illustrated and described as embodied in mirrorleas scanners with movable laser, optical and sensor components, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirits of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the follawing claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be pro-tected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (31)

1. A scanner arrangement in a light scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising:

(A) a light source component for emitting a light beam;

(B) an optical component for optically modify-ing and directing the light beam along an optical path toward indicia located in the vicinity of a reference plane exteriorly of the system;

(C) a photodetector component having a field of view and operative for detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off the indicia, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity;

(D) a scanning component for scanning at least one of the light beam and the field of view;

(E) an electrical connecting component for con-ducting the electrical signal away from the photodetector component;

(F) all of said components being mounted to-gether in a common assembly to constitute a compact, lightweight scan module; and (G) means for mounting the scan module in an interchangeable, modular manner in housings of different configurations.

2. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the housings is a hand-held terminal having a keyboard, a display and a rechargeable battery pack.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the housings includes a read-control component for manually initiating scanning.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the housings has a cylindrical shape and is sized to be held in a user's hand.

5. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for support-ing one of the housings on a user's wrist.

6. The arrangement as recited in claim 5, wherein the supporting means includes a strap that at least partially encircles the user's wrist.

7. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for support-ing one of the housings on a user's hand.

8, The arrangement as recited in claim 7, wherein the supporting means includes a glove in which at least a part of said one housing is supported.

9. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for support-ing one of the housings on a user's finger.

10. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein the supporting means includes a ring that at least partially encircles the user's finger.

11. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for support-ing one of the housings on a mobile cart.

12. The arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein the cart is a shopping wagon having a support in which one of the housings is removably held.

13. The arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein the cart includes a keyboard, a display, a scale and a printer.

14, The arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein the cart includes a bag holder for holding a bag in an upright condition, and a bag sealer for sealing the bag.

15. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the housings is mounted at an end of a bendable arm for adjusting a position of said one housing relative to the indicia, said one housing in-cluding a keyboard, a display, and a card reader for reading encoded cards.

16. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein said one housing includes a scale and a printer.

17. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein said one housing includes a surveillance tag deactivator.

18. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the mounting means includes a detachable electro-mechanical connector having one part on said end of the arm, and a mating part on said one housing.

19. The arrangement as recited in claim 1;
and further comprising means for converting one of the housings for use by a specific hand of a user, said converting means including means for steering the light beam to one of two courses.

20. a mounting method in a light scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising the seers of:

(A) emitting a light beam from a light source component;

(B) optically-modifying and directing the light beam by a light source component along an optical path toward indicia located in the vicinity of a reference plane exteriorly of the system;

(C) detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off the indicia by a photo-detector component having a field of view, and generat-ing an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity;

(D) scanning at least one of the light beam and the field of view by a scanning component;

(E) conducting the electrical signal away from the photodetector component by an electrical connecting component;

(F) mounting all of said components together in a common assembly to constitute a compact, light-weight scan module; and (G) mounting the scan module in an interchange-able, modular manner in housings of different configura-tions.

21. A hands-free scanning system for read-ing indicia having parts of different light reflect-ivity, comprising:
(a) a housing having a window;
(b) actuatable electro-optical scanner means in the housing, for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the in-dicia, and for detecting light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an elec-trical signal representative of the indicia;
(c) means for mounting the housing on an arm of an operator; and (d) actuating means far actuating the scanner means to initiate reading of the indicia upon movement of the operator's hand relative to the arm.

22. The system as recited in claim 21; and further comprising data entry means for manually enter-ing data and display means for displaying information, said data entry means and display means being mounted on the housing to constitute, together with the scanner means, an integrated scanner and data terminal.

23. The system as recited in claim 21.
wherein the window is located adjacent the operator's wrist, and wherein the scanner means projects the light beam over the back of the operator's hand in a pointing direction along which the operator's out-stretched forefinger generally points.

24. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the actuating means includes a trigger switch switchable between switched states by flexure of the wrist of the operator's hand.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein the swatch includes a movable armature mounted on the housing.

26. The system as recited an claim 25, wherein the armature is pivotably mounted on the hous-ing and overlies the back of the operator's hand.

27. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the armature is an elongated handle pivotably mounted on, and laterally offset relative to, the hous-ing, said handle extending between the forefinger and the thumb of the operator's hand.

28. A method of reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising the steps of:
(a) mounting an actuatable electro-optical scanner having a window on an arm of an operator; and (b) actuating the scanner by moving the operator's hand relative to the arm to project a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, to scan the indicia, and to detect light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia for gener-ating an electrical signal representative of the indicia.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the actuating step is performed by pointing the operator's outstretched forefinger toward the indicia, and by tracing the forefinger in free space across the indicia while simultaneously flexing the operator's wrist.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the actuating step is performed by overlying an armature of a trigger switch over the back of the operator's hand.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the actuating step is performed by extending an armature of a trigger switch between the fore-finger and the thumb of the operator's hand.