Handheld imaging apparatus for, and method of, imaging targets using a high performance, compact scan engine

摘要

An apparatus for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target by image capture, employ a scan engine in a handheld housing having a tilted handle. A single tilted printed circuit board (PCB) in the handle has front and rear surfaces that respectively face toward and away from the target during reading. An optical assembly having a pair of fold mirrors is mounted on the rear surface, for receiving return light from the target through an aperture in the PCB along the horizontal, and for directing the return light along an internal folded optical path. An imaging lens assembly is mounted between the fold mirrors and has an imaging axis that extends generally parallel to the PCB. The imaging lens assembly projects the return light onto a solid-state, two-dimensional, image sensor to enable the return light to be detected over a field of view, and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected return light.

主权项

1. A compact scan engine for electro-optically imaging a target, comprising:
a single printed circuit board (PCB) tilted at an acute angle of inclination relative to the vertical, the PCB having a tilted front surface that faces the target during imaging, and a tilted rear surface that faces away from the target during imaging, the PCB having an aperture that extends through the PCB between the tilted front and rear surfaces; a solid-state image sensor mounted on the tilted rear surface and having a two-dimensional sensor array with a field of view; an optical assembly on the tilted rear surface and including a pair of fold mirrors arranged relative to each other and relative to the image sensor, for receiving return light returning from the target and passing through the aperture along the horizontal, and for directing the return light along a folded path; and an imaging lens assembly mounted in the folded path between the fold mirrors and having an imaging axis that extends generally parallel to the PCB, for projecting the return light onto the image sensor to enable the image sensor to detect the return light over the field of view, and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected return light.