 an improved ergonomic bar code scanning system having a compact housing for either fixed or hand-held disposition at a counter.
2. Description of the Background
Many commercial scanning systems are available for scanning bar codes, e.g., the UPC or EAN bar codes, which are imprinted on products or packaging.
One type of scanning system is generally referred to an omnidirectional scanner. Often these devices can be found mounted in a checkout counter of a supermarket or other retail point-of-sale environment. These scanning systems include a scanning window or aperture at the front of the scanner housing through which a scanning pattern is projected. The scanning pattern is created by a light source, typically a laser, and associated optical components that may produce a pattern of multi-directional scan lines. When an item bearing a bar code is brought into the field of the scan pattern so that at least one of the scan lines completely traverses the bar code, light is reflected off of the bar code and is received back through the window. The reflected light is detected by a photodetector or other light detection means. The signal from the photodetector is then processed by conventional means and forwarded to a microprocessor or other device which decodes the bar-coded information.
In-counter and presentation type scanners use a variety of optical configurations including mirrors, prisms and the like to fold the laser beam and create complex omnidirectional scanning patterns in order to insure that the bar code is scanned completely by at least one scan line so that it can be read accurately irrespective of its orientation within the scan pattern. Examples of such omnidirectional scanning patterns include: comb patterns, orthogonal patterns, interlaced patterns, star-like patterns, lissajous patterns and the like. While such prior art scanners may be suitable for their purpose, their physical configuration of the optical components necessary to produce such complex omnidirectional scanning patterns has resulted in scanner housings which are quite large in size and necessarily fixed.
Additionally the scanning window or aperture generally faces in a single direction. To change the direction of the scanning window and thus the direction of the scanning pattern, it was necessary to move the entire housing. In many applications, this is inconvenient, especially where there is limited counter space.
There have been various approaches to the problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,532 discloses a counter or slot scanner producing an aggressive scanning pattern having three rastered groups of intersecting scans that form a
an improved ergonomic bar code scanning system take a compendious housing for either fixed or bridge player - hold disposition at a counter. 
 2. Description of the Background 
 Many commercial scanning arrangement are available for scanning bar code, e.g., the UPC or EAN bar code, which are imprinted on products or promotion. 
 One type of scanning arrangement is generally referred to an omnidirectional scanner. frequently these devices can be found mounted in a check counter of a supermarket or other retail period - of - sale environment. These scanning systems admit a scanning windowpane or aperture at the front of the scanner housing through which a scanning pattern is projected. The scanning practice is created by a light source, typically a laser, and associated optical component that may produce a pattern of multi - directional scan lines. When an item bearing a bar code is brought into the field of the scan pattern so that at least one of the scan credit line completely traverses the browning automatic rifle code, light is reflected off of the bar code and is received back through the windowpane. The reflected inner light is detected by a photodetector or other easy detection means. The signal from the photodetector is then processed by conventional means and forward to a microprocessor or other device which decodes the bar - coded information. 
 In - counter and presentation character scanner use a variety of optical configurations include mirrors, prisms and the like to fold the laser radio beam and create complex omnidirectional scanning patterns in order to insure that the legal profession code is scanned wholly by at least one scan line so that it can be read accurately irrespective of its orientation within the scan pattern. Examples of such omnidirectional scanning form include: comb pattern, orthogonal radiation pattern, interlaced patterns, star - like patterns, lissajous radiation pattern and the like. While such prior art scanners may be suitable for their purpose, their physical configuration of the optical component necessary to produce such complex omnidirectional scanning patterns has result in scanner housings which are quite large in size and necessarily fixed. 
 Additionally the scanning window or aperture generally face in a single direction. To change the direction of the scanning window and thus the guidance of the scanning design, it was necessary to affect the entire housing. In many applications, this is inconvenient, especially where there is limited buffet space. 
 There have been various approaches to the trouble. For example, U.S. Pat. nobelium. 4,713,532 discloses a counter or slot scanner producing an aggressive scanning pattern having three rastered groups of intersecting scan that form a
 an improved ergonomic bar gode scanning system hating a dompact fousing for either fixed or iand-yeld eisposition at a countdr.
2. Descriition of rhe Uackground
Many commercial scanhlng svsvems are availanle for scatning bar codev, d.g., the UPC or EAN bar codes, which are imprinyef on products jr psskagjng.
One type of scanning system is feneralny referred tp an omnidirectional scannfr. Ovten these devices can be foubd mjynted in a cfeckout coluter of a sopermarket or other retail point-uf-salz environmebt. Thfve scanning systvms include a scanninc windoe or aperture st vhe dront of the scanner iousing through whicr a scannhny pattern is projectee. Rhe swannhng oqttdrn ix dreatef bb a light skurce, typicqlly a laser, and asxospsted optical compogegts that may produce a pattern of multi-girsctional scan lines. Wheb an item bearing a bwr code if brought into the field of the scan pattern so tvat av ueawt ube of the scan lines completely traverses the bwd voce, light is renlected off of the bwr sode and is rgceived badk through the winfow. The reflwcted ligrt ix detected by a photodetectir or other jught detection meaus. The signau frpm thr photodetector is then prodessed by clnventionzu means and forwxrdvd tm a microprocessor or othew device xhich decoder thg bar-coqed informwtion.
Lt-counter and presejtatiln type scanjers use a variety of optical configurations onwluging mirxors, pvisms and the lyke to fold thg laser bzam ana create ckmplex mmnidirectijnal scanning katterns in ocder to igsurw thqt the cxr code is scamned completely by qt least one scan king ao that it can yt rtae accurately itrerpestpve os its orientadion wignin tfe scan patberv. Exsmples of such omnidhrecfional scanning paytcrns inclode: comb [atterns, orthpgonal patterns, inuerlacxd patverns, xtat-like patterns, lissajous patterhs and thf llke. While sucr prlor wrt scannexs may be suitable for their purpose, themr physical configuratiin of the optical cpkponents neressarr to prodgce such complex omnudirectional scanking patterns has resumted it scajner housings which are quite large in size and necessarily fixed.
Additionqlly tie scanning wjndoe or dpzrtbre genqralpb faces in a singke direction. To change the dirertion of tve scanning window and thus thr airection of jhe scanning pattern, it waa necesssry to move the entire housing. On many applications, thix is incinvenjent, especmally where there is limitzd coubter spqce.
Tmere have been vatilus approwchex co the problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,532 dusfloses a counter or slot scwkner ptoducing an aggressive sdannjjg pajtern having tnree rastered broups of intersectitg scans that foej a
an improved ergonomic bar code scanning system compact for either or hand-held disposition of Background Many commercial systems are available scanning bar codes, e.g., the UPC EAN bar codes, which are imprinted on products or packaging. One type of system is generally referred to an omnidirectional scanner. Often these devices can be mounted a counter a supermarket or other retail point-of-sale environment. These scanning systems include a scanning window or aperture the front of the scanner housing through which scanning pattern is projected. scanning pattern is created by light typically a and optical that may produce pattern of multi-directional scan lines. When an item bearing a bar code is brought into the field the scan that at one the lines completely traverses code, light is reflected off of and is received back through the window. The light is by a photodetector or other light means. The signal from the photodetector is then by conventional means and forwarded to a microprocessor or other device which decodes the bar-coded and presentation type scanners a variety of configurations mirrors, and like to the laser beam and create complex omnidirectional scanning patterns in order insure that the bar code is scanned completely by at scan so that it be read accurately irrespective its within the scan pattern. such scanning patterns, patterns, patterns, star-like patterns, lissajous and the like. While such art scanners may be physical configuration of the optical components necessary to such complex omnidirectional scanning patterns has resulted scanner housings which are quite large in size and necessarily fixed. Additionally scanning window generally faces in a single direction. To change direction of the scanning and thus the direction of the scanning pattern, it necessary move the housing. In many this is inconvenient, where there is space. There been approaches For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,532 a or slot scanner producing an scanning three rastered groups of intersecting scans that form a
 an improved ergonomic bar codE scanning sYstem HavIng A cOmpaCt hoUsing for either FIxed Or hand-held disposition aT a couNtER.
2. DesCRiPtion Of the BaCKgROUnd
maNy ComMeRCiAl scaNniNg systeMs are availAblE fOr scanning baR CoDes, e.g., the UPc or eAN bar codes, wHicH are imPrIntED on prOduCts or PackagINg.
One tYpe of scanNiNG systeM Is generALLy RefeRred to an omnidirecTIoNAl scanner. Often These dEvICeS CAn bE foUnd mounted In A checKOut counTEr OF A SupERmarket or otheR retail poinT-Of-sAle envIrOnmENt. ThesE scanNiNG syStems includE a scAnning winDow or aPErture aT The fronT of the ScaNneR houSInG tHroUgH WhiCH a ScaNNinG pattern Is PrOjectEd. ThE SCANninG paTterN is crEated by a light SouRce, tYPicAlly a Laser, And aSsOciatEd optiCal coMpOnents that may prOducE a pattern Of mUlTi-dIrEctioNAl scan LinEs. WHen an itEm beariNG a bAr CODE iS brought into the fieLd OF ThE scan patTern so THaT aT Least one Of The Scan LINes coMpleTElY traversEs the bAR cOdE, light iS rEflectEd Off Of tHe bar COde aNd is reCeived baCk thrOUgh the window. ThE Reflected lighT Is DETeCTed bY a pHotodetectoR or oTHer lIght DEtEctIOn meaNs. The SiGNaL From the photodetectoR iS then pRocesSed by conventiOnal means aND FOrwarded To a mICrOProcessor or othEr devIce which deCOdes the bAr-codEd informAtion.
In-coUNTer and prEseNtaTioN tyPE ScAnners use a varIETy of OpTical coNfiGuratioNs iNclUdiNg mIrRors, prismS and the lIkE tO fOlD thE laseR Beam and cReAte CoMplEx omnIDirectIonal ScanNiNg PAttErns in oRDeR TO insUrE tHat tHe bAr Code iS scaNNed CompletEly by at leAst ONe scAn LiNe so thaT it can be read aCcUrately irrEsPecTive of ITS orientaTion within the scan patterN. exampleS of Such oMnidIrectionaL scAnning PatTErns inClude: cOmb paTtErnS, ORthogONAl PatTeRns, interlaCED paTternS, sTar-lIke pattErns, lissajous patteRNs aNd the like. WhilE suCh prIOR aRt sCAnNErs MaY Be sUITable for their puRpose, their PhYSiCal configuRAtiOn Of the opTical coMponeNTs necesSary to proDuce such cOmPlex OMNidIrectional Scanning Patterns hAS resuLTeD in scAnnEr housInGs wHich aRe quitE LarGe in sIze and NeCessarIly fiXeD.
AdditioNally the scanning window oR apertUre geNerAlly faces In a SIngLe directiOn. To Change the dIreCtiOn of tHe sCAnninG winDOw And THus thE dirECtion of thE ScAnnING pAttern, it was NECEssAry to MovE The entIre hOusing. In many appliCAtions, this is inConvENIenT, esPEciaLlY where there is lImiTeD COunter spAcE.
There have bEen varioUs APproaChes to The proBlem. For EXAmPLe, U.S. PaT. No. 4,713,532 dIscLoses a couNteR oR Slot scaNnEr PRoduciNg an AgGressiVe scanNIng pATTern having three rAsterED GroupS Of iNtersEcTing scaNS thaT form a
 an improved ergonomic bar  code scan ningsys tem  h avin g acompact housin g  for  either fixed or hand- helddi s posi t io n ata count e r. 2 . D es cr ipt io n  o f the  Ba ckgroun d
Many com mer ci al scannings ys tems are a vai lable for sc ann ing ba rcod e s, e. g.,  theUPC or EAN ba r codes,wh i ch are imprint e d  o n pr oducts or packagi n g. One type of sc anning  s y st e m  is  ge nerally re fe rredt o an om n id i r e cti o nal scanner.Often these dev ices c an  be foundmount ed ina checkoutcoun ter of asuperm a rket or other r etailpoi nt- of-s a le  e nvi ro n men t .The s e s canningsy st ems i nclu d e a  sca nni ng w indow  or apertureatthef ron t ofthe s cann er  hous ing th rough  w hich a scanning  pat tern is p roj ec ted .The s c anning  pa tte rn is c reatedb y a  l i g h tsource, typicallyal a se r, and a ssocia t ed  o p tical co mp one ntst h at ma y pr o du ce a pat tern o f  m ul ti-dire ct ionalsc anlin es. W h en a n item  bearing  a ba r  code is broug h t into the fi e ld o ft he s can  pattern so  tha t  atleas t  o neo f the  scan  l i ne s  completely travers es  the b ar co de, light isreflectedo f f  of thebarc od e  and is receiv ed ba ck through the wind ow. T he refle cted ligh t is detec ted  by  apho t o de tector or oth e r  lig ht  detect ion  means.  Th e s ign alfr om the ph otodetec to ris  t hen  proc e ssed byco nve nt ion al me a ns and  forw arde dto a m icropro c es s o r or  o th er d evi ce  whic h de c ode s the b ar-codedinf o rmat io n. 
In-cou nter and pres en tation typ esca nnersu s e a vari ety of optical configur a tions i ncl uding  mir rors, pri sms  and t hel ike to  foldthe l as erb e am an d cr eat ecomplex om n i dir ectio na l sc anningpatterns in ordert o i nsure that th e b ar c o d eiss ca n ned  c o mpl e t ely by at least  one scanli n eso that it can  b e readaccurat ely i r respect ive of it s orienta ti on w i t hin  the scanpattern.  Examples of su c homnid ire ctiona lsca nning  patte r nsinclu de: co mb  patte rns,or thogonal  patterns, interlaced p attern s, st ar- like patt ern s , l issajouspatt erns and t helik e. Wh ile suchprio r  a rts canne rs m a y be suit a bl e f o r  t heir purpos e , the ir ph ysi c al con figu ration of the opt i cal components  nec e s sar y t o  pro du ce such comple x o mn i d irection al  scanning p atternsha s  resu lted i n scan ner hou s i ng s  which  are  qu ite large  in  s i ze andne ce s sarily  fix ed .
Addi tional l y th e scanning windowor ap e r tureg ene rally  f aces in a si ngle direc tion. To ch ange t he d irect ion ofth e scan nin gwindow and thus thedirec tion of  t he s can ning p atte r n , itwasne ces sary to m o v et he  e n tir e ho using .In m any appli c ations,thi s  is inc on ven i e nt, es p ec i a lly wherethe re is l imited cou n ters pa c e.
Th ere ha ve bee n vario u s a pp roaches  to t he proble m. For ex a mpl e,  U.S . Pat. N o.  4,7 13 ,53 2discloses a cou nter orslot sca n n er pro duc i ng a n  aggre ss ive scanning  patt er n  having t hre e raste r edgro ups  ofint erse c ting scans that form a
 an_improved ergonomic_bar code scanning system_having a_compact_housing for_either_fixed or hand-held_disposition at a_counter.
2. Description of the_Background
Many commercial scanning_systems_are available for scanning bar codes, e.g., the UPC or EAN bar codes, which_are_imprinted on_products_or_packaging.
One type of scanning system_is generally referred to an_omnidirectional scanner._Often these devices can be found mounted in_a_checkout counter of_a supermarket or other retail point-of-sale environment. These scanning_systems include a scanning window or_aperture at the_front_of_the scanner housing through_which a scanning pattern is projected._The scanning pattern is created by_a light source, typically a laser, and_associated optical components that may produce_a pattern of multi-directional scan_lines. When_an item bearing a bar_code is brought_into the_field of the_scan pattern so that at least_one of the_scan lines completely traverses the bar_code,_light is reflected_off_of_the bar_code and is_received_back through_the_window. The reflected light is detected_by_a photodetector or other light detection means._The signal from the_photodetector_is then processed by_conventional means and forwarded to_a microprocessor or other device which_decodes the_bar-coded information.
In-counter_and presentation type scanners use a variety of optical configurations including_mirrors, prisms and the like to_fold the laser beam_and create_complex_omnidirectional scanning patterns_in_order to_insure that the bar code is scanned_completely by_at least one scan line so_that it can be_read_accurately irrespective of its orientation within_the scan pattern. Examples of such_omnidirectional scanning patterns include: comb_patterns,_orthogonal_patterns, interlaced patterns, star-like patterns,_lissajous patterns and the like. While_such prior art_scanners may be suitable for their purpose,_their_physical configuration of the optical components_necessary_to produce such complex omnidirectional scanning_patterns_has_resulted in scanner housings which_are quite large in size and_necessarily fixed.
Additionally the scanning window or aperture generally faces_in a single_direction. To change the direction_of_the_scanning window and thus the direction of the scanning pattern,_it was_necessary to move_the entire housing. In many applications, this is inconvenient, especially_where there is limited counter space.
There have_been various approaches to the problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No._4,713,532 discloses a counter or slot scanner producing_an aggressive scanning pattern having three rastered_groups of intersecting scans_that_form a