Appeal No. 1999-0236
Application 08/624,173
intensity level. The crossed beams enable the operator to
position the scanner 10 until the intersection point of the
beams coincides with the bar code symbol 18. Then the
operator pulls the trigger 14 to illuminate the diodes 34 at a
second (or higher) intensity level. This higher intensity
level, coupled with the intersection of the beams, results in
the symbol being brightly illuminated so that a high
resolution image of the symbol 18 can be reflected onto the
electro-optical element 36 to be decoded. The use of a low
intensity level for focusing decreases the power consumption.
Claim 6 is reproduced below.
6. A device for imaging low contrast symbols
comprising:
a housing;
an electro-optical element disposed within said
housing and visible through an opening in said housing;
and
means for illuminating a singular point within a
field of view of said electro-optical element, said
illuminating means providing light to said
electro-optical element that has reflected off a symbol
positioned at said point, said illuminating means further
comprising first means for illuminating said point to
focus said electro-optical element on said symbol with
said light at a first intensity level, and second means
for illuminating said point with said light at a second
intensity level to permit scanning of said symbol by the
electro-optical element.
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