Scanning Method for Use in an Automated Analyser

Abstract

A scanning method with simple mechanics for use in an automated analyser to scan objects or codes on objects. The invention enables one to move a scanning unit comprising a camera and two deflection mirrors and to set two different focus levels with one and the same drive unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scanning method for use in an automated analyser, the method comprising the steps of:
 moving a scanning unit comprising a camera positioned on a camera slide and one or two deflection mirrors mounted on a deflection mirror mount with an oblong hole along a linear guidance to a first position with the help of a drive unit, wherein the camera slide is connected to the deflection mirror mount over the long hole for adjusting the distance between camera and the one or two deflection mirrors;   fixing the deflection mirrors at said position;   adjusting the distance between the camera and the fixed deflection mirrors over the long hole to adjust the focus level, by moving the camera with the help of the drive unit;   fixing the camera;   scanning an object and/or an ID code on an object by capturing an image shown on the deflection mirrors with the camera;   processing the captured image.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of choosing the position in that the deflection mirrors are fixed such that the deflection mirrors catch the image of an object and/or a code on an object. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of fixing the deflection mirrors at said position with a pre-loading guidance element installed at the bottom side of the deflection mirror mount and fixing the camera with a pre-loading guidance element installed at the bottom side of the camera slide. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of illuminating the object and/or code on the object to be scanned with a lamp mounted on a lamp mount before the scanning step, wherein the lamp mount is installed on the camera slide next to the side of the camera. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein moving steps are controlled by an encoder. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein one V-shaped deflecting mirror with two angled deflecting sides is used for deflecting bar codes located at opposite sides of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The use of a scanning device in an automated analyser system for scanning an object or an ID code on an object, wherein the scanning device comprises:
 a camera;   a camera slide;   a drive unit   one V-shaped deflection mirror with two angled deflecting sides; and   a deflection mirror mount with an oblong hole;   wherein the camera is positioned on the camera slide and the V-shaped deflection mirror is mounted on the deflection mirror mount and the deflection mirror mount is connected to the camera slide over the oblong hole, defining the distance between two focus levels between the camera and the V-shaped deflection mirror.