Aiming sight for a barcode reader

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for aiming and reading a target object. The apparatus includes a barcode reader for reading the target object. The apparatus also includes an aiming sight coupled to the barcode reader. The aiming sight is used for aiming the target object and thereby directing the barcode reader to read the target object. The aiming sight can either be used independently or can be used along with an aiming pattern generator present in the barcode reader, in order to read the target object.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a barcode reader for reading a target object; and   an aiming sight coupled to the barcode reader for directing the barcode reader towards the target object to enable reading of the target object.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an aiming system within the barcode reader for projecting a visible aiming pattern on the target object, wherein the aiming system operates in combination with the aiming sight to enable reading of the target object. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the aiming system comprises a laser diode, a focusing lens, and a pattern generator for generating a desired aiming pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the visible aiming pattern comprises at least one of single dot of illumination, a plurality of dots and lines of illumination, and overlapping groups of dots or lines of illumination. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the aiming sight is aligned to match the position of the visible aiming pattern generated by the aiming system. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the aiming sight is fixedly aligned with respect to the aiming system. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the aiming sight is adjustable with respect to the aiming system. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight includes at least one of an open sight aiming sight, an aperture sight aiming sight, a telescopic sight aiming sight, a reflex sight aiming sight, and a tube sight aiming sight. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight includes an optical filter attached to the aiming sight. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight is built into a housing of the barcode reader. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight is removable with respect to the barcode reader. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight is foldable with respect to the barcode reader. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming sight is molded on the barcode reader. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader includes at least one of a laser based barcode reader and an imaging based barcode reader. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a scanning arrangement for reading a target object;   an illumination system for generating an illumination pattern directed towards the target object; and   an aiming sight for directing the scanning arrangement towards the target object to enable reading of the target object.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 an aiming system for projecting a visible aiming pattern on the target object, wherein the aiming system operates in combination with the aiming sight to enable reading of the target object. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the aiming sight is aligned to match the position of the aiming pattern generated by the aiming system. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 operating a barcode reader to read a target object; and   directing an aiming sight, coupled to the barcode reader, towards the target object to enable reading of the target object.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 generating a visible aiming pattern by an aiming system in the barcode reader; and 
 operating the aiming system in combination with the aiming sight to enable reading of the target object. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising
 projecting the aiming pattern on the target object; and 
 aligning the aiming sight to match the position of the aiming pattern.