MODULAR OMNIDIRECTIONAL BAR CODE SYMBOL SCANNING SYSTEM WITH SCAN MODULE INSERT

摘要

A modular omnidirectional laser-based bar code symbol scanning system having at least one scan module insert that is removably disposed within a system housing through a service port in the system housing. The scan module insert is a self-contained unit including at least the following components: at least one laser diode (11A1', 11A2'), a rotating scanning element (13A'), an electric motor (15A') that rotates the rotating scanning element, one or more photodetectors (17A1', 17A2'), and analog signal processing circuitry that conditions the electrical signal produced by the one or more photodetectors. The scan module insert can optionally include additional components including one or more light collecting , optical elements, one or more beam folding mirrors, circuitry for detecting and decoding bar code symbols scanned by the system, etc. The modular architecture of omnidirectional laser scanner of the present invention enables quick access to the scan module insert for efficient repair/reconfiguration/configuration of the optical components, electro-optical, electro-mechanical components and/or electrical components.