Bar code reader

Abstract

A bar code reader for reading a bar code by emitting a laser beam from a laser diode toward the bar code and receiving the subsequently reflected light on a photosensor, in which the photosensor is disposed along an irradiating direction of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode, thereby achieving the most effective arrangement of the laser diode and the photosensor occupying less area.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bar code reader for reading a bar code by means of emitting a laser beam from a laser diode toward the bar code and receiving the subsequently reflected light on a photosensor, wherein the photosensor is disposed along an irradiating direction of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode.  
     
     
         2 . The bar code reader according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the laser diode and the photosensor are housed in a case; and    wherein a scanning mirror for reflecting the laser beam, emitted from the laser diode, to redirect an optical path of the laser beam; and a mirror-setting angle changing means for changing an angle of setting of the scanning mirror, are provided in a front end portion of the case in the irradiating direction of the laser beam.    
     
     
         3 . The bar code reader according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the laser diode and the photosensor are housed in a case; and    wherein a scanning mirror for reflecting the laser beam, emitted from the laser diode and deflected by a stationary mirror, to redirect an optical path of the laser beam; and a mirror-setting angle changing means for changing an angle of setting of the scanning mirror, are provided in a front end portion of the case in the irradiating direction of the laser beam.    
     
     
         4 . The bar code reader according to  claim 1 , comprising a case shaped to have a front end portion thereof bent so that the laser diode and the photosensor are housed inside of a portion between the bent portion and a tail end portion of the case, and a scanning mirror for reflecting the laser beam, emitted from the laser diode, to redirect an optical path of the laser beam, a mirror-setting angle changing means for changing an angle of setting of the scanning mirror; and a reflected-light path changing member for reflecting the reflected light, reflected from the bar code after being reflected toward the bar code by the scanning mirror, toward the photosensor, are provided in the bent portion of the case.  
     
     
         5 . The bar code reader according to  claim 2 , wherein said mirror-setting angle changing means comprises a piezoelectric element.  
     
     
         6 . The bar code reader according to  claim 3 , wherein said mirror-setting angle changing means comprises a piezoelectric element.  
     
     
         7 . The bar code reader according to  claim 4 , wherein said mirror-setting angle changing means comprises a piezoelectric element.