CA1249143A - Hologram scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

HOLOGRAM SCANNER

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOUSRE

A hologram scanner comprising: a laser source;
a rotary body having a rotational axis; at least one hologram facet arranged on the rotary body for diffract-ing a laser beam from the laser source to scan an objective and receiving the scattered light from the objective for detection thereof; a motor means for driving the rotary body; and, an optical detector for detecting the scattered light received and diffracted by the hologram facet. The hologram facet is inclined with respect to the rotational axis of the rotary body.

Description

~OLOGRAM SCANNER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hologram scanner which scans an objective by using a laser beam diffracted by a hologram.

2. Description of the Related Art A bar-code reader is used in a market control system in a supermarket or the like. Such a bar-code reader reads a bar-code printed on a commodity and inputs the information data to a computer to control the operation of the supermarket. A hologram scanner is used as a bar-code scanner o the bar-code reader. The prior art is discussed hereinafter in greater detail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hologram scanner which makes it possible to scan perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the hologram and effectively receive the scattered light, and which allows the scanner to be made compact.
An~ther object of the present invention is to provide a hologram scanner which makes it possible to enhance the safety strength level of each scanning beam as much as possible, without enlarging the width of the scanning window through which the scanning beam passes.
In accordance with one particular aspect of the present invention, there is provide~ a hologram scann~r comprising: a laser source; a rotary body having a ro~atlonal axis; at least one hologram facet arranged on the rotary body for diffracting a laser beam from the laser source to scan an objective and receive the scattered light from the objective for detection thereo~; a motor means for driving the rotary body; and, ; an optical detector for detecting the scattered light r~ceived and diffracted by the hologram facet, wherein ;~ the hologram facet is inclined with respect to the rotational axis oE the rotary body.
~nother object is achieved by various embodimQIlts *

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of the present invention as well as further objects, as can be understood from the description with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a constructional view of a hologram scanner in accordance with the prior art, Fig. 2 is a side view of a hologram disc in accordance with the prior art;
FigO 3 is an explanatory view of the scanning beam in accordance with the prior art;
FigO 4 is a constructional view of a hologram scanner in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. 5 to 8, on the same sheet as Fig. 3, are perspective views of different examples of the rotary body of the hologram scanner in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 9 is another perspective view of another example of the rotary body of the hologram scanner;
Figs. 10 and 11 are upper views of different .i examples of the rotary body of the hologram scanner in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 12 is an explanatory view of ~he hologram construction method in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a constructional view of a bar-code reader using the hologram scanner in accordance with the present invention, ana Figs. 14 to 35 are constructional views of dlfferent embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 is a constructional view of a hologram scanner used as a bar-code reader according to the prior art. The scanner comprises a laser source 2, a beam expander 3, a hologram disc 4 comprising a plurality of hologram ~acet elements, a motor 5 for driving the . ~
hologram disc 4, a mirror 9 having a throughhole 9a at the center thereof for passing a laser beam, a condenser , ~

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~9~3 lens 10, and an optical detector 11, within an outer box 1. A laser heam from the laser source 2 passes throu~h the throughhole 9a of the mirror 9 and is diffracted by a rotating hologram disc 4 so that the laser beam scans a bar-code 12 printed on a commodity 13, as a scanning beam 7 through a window 6. The laser beam 7 irradiated onto the bar-code 12 is scattered and a part of the scattered light returns toward the hologram disc 4l as shown by the number 8 in the drawing. The scattered light 8 i5 diffracted by the hologram 4, reElected by the mirror 9, and detected by the detector 11 through the lens 10.
Each constitutional component, such as the laser source 2, the hologram disc 4, the motor 5, the mirror 9, and the detector 11, of the hologram scanner is individually attached to the outer box 1 of the bar-code reader, together with the other components such as a control circuit, an interface unit and a power souece.
Such a structure is not compact and is inconvenient to handle, which causes difficulties when assembling the bar-code reader since the positioning of the parts of the hologram scanner is not easy.
The hologram disc 4 of the prior art scanner comprises a disc plate perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof. Therefore, the diffraction angle (Fig. 2) of the scanning beam 7 must be large for elongatin~ the scanning line traced by the scan~ing point A with respect to every r~tational angle of the hologram disc 4. However~ if the diffraction angle ~ is enlarged, the amount of the scattered light 8 received by the hologram disc 4 decreases, which results in the degradation o~ the reliability of the detection.
The reading ability of the scanner is upgraded as the laser beam is strengthened. However, the eyes of the operator or customer may be damaged if the laser beam is excessively strengthened. The laser beam strength must not exceed the safety standards for the human eye. The prior art method for enhancing the allowable laSer beam strength in accordance with the .: :

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~2~9~3 safety standards is illustrated in Fig. 3. Ihe laser beam for scanning in one direction is divided into two beams which are separated from each other by more than 7 mm at the outside of the scanning window 50' (d > 7 mm), by using hologram facets having slightly different diffraction angles. The ~wo separated beams (dash line and solid line) scan in the same direction, e.g.V in the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet. By using t~o separated beams in one scanning direction, the strength of each of the beams can be enhanced, even if they continuously scan one after the other in -the same direction, since they are deemed to be independen~ of each other. However, in such an arrangement, the width of the window 50' formed in the cover plate 49' disposed over the glass plate 48' must be enlarged to allow the passage of the two separated beams, which can lead to accidental damage of the glass plate by the article to be scanned above the window 50l.
~n embodiment of the present invention is illus-trated in Fig. 4. A motor 25 is secured on a frame 20~
A rotary body 28 is attached to a rotary shaft 21 of the motor 25. The rotary body 28 comprises at leas~ one hologram Eacet 24 on which a hologram (not shown) is constructed. The hologram facet 24 is inclined with respect to the rotary shaft 21. A Fresnel mirror 26 is di~posed on the upper inner surface of the rotary body 28 to reflect and converge a parallel beam Elux. A
metallic reflection film (not shown) is coated on the front surface or the rear surface (facing the upper inner surface of the rotary body 28) of the Fresnel mirror 26.
The rotating body 28 has the shape illustrated in Fig. 5. ~wo hologram facets 24 form a wedge at an end of a cylindrical body. Variations of the rotary body 28 are illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9. The rotary body 28 of Fig. 6 comprises our hologram facets 24 forming a quadrangular pyramid at an end of a cylindrical body.
The rotary body 28 o Fig. 7 comprises four hologram facets 24 ~orming a quadrangular pyramid at an end of a ~2 Ll~

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~2~1l43 square pillar. ~he rotary body 28 of Fig. 8 comprises a conical facet 24 at an end of a cylindrical body. Two hologram facet elements 24a and 24b having different diffraction angles may be formed on the same plane, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Th~ number o~ hologram facets may be three, four, or five or more to form a pyramid.
Each hologram facet 24 diffracts a scanning beam to irradiate an objective and simultaneously receives a scattered light from the objective for the detection thereof. Therefore, each hologram facet 24 must be large enough to receive a critical amount of the scattered light to recognize the objective. Taking this point into consideration, the rotary body 28 comprising two hologram facets 24 illustrated in Fig. 5 is the most preferable from the standpoint of compactness and productivity.
A laser diode module 22 which emits a plane wave laser beam having an predetermined diameter and a mirror 23 for reflecting the laser beam are secured to the frame 20 (Fig. 4). An optical detector 29 is also secured to the frame 20 at the position facing the lower end of the rotary body 28. A concave lens 27 is installed at the lower end of the rotary body 28 for the following reason. The scattered light (dash lines~
from the objective is converged toward the center of the lower end of the rotary body 28 by the function of the Fresnel mirror 26. It is desirable to make the converging area at the Iower end of the rotary ~ody 28 as small as possible to enlarge the hologram facet area.
The optical detector 29 ~or detecting the converged beam is disposed at a distance~below the lower end of the rotary body in such a manner that the detec~or does not come in contact with the rotary body~ Therefore, the concave lens 27 is needed to elongate the focus position from the proximity of the rotary body end to the optical detector 29.
~ The upper plate 28a (Fig, 10) of the rotary bo~y 28 - has a plurality of slits 28a in a circle to pass~the ~Z~ 3 laser beam therethrough.
Another arrangement for passing the laser beam through the upper plate 28a of the rotary body 28 is illustrated in Fig. 11. In this arrangement, the upper plate 28a is made of a transparenk material and the metallic reflection film is noncoated along a circular track 39 on the front surface or the rear surface of the Fresnel lens 26 (Fig. 43 to pass the laser beam through the circular track 39. The track 39 is not embossed to form the Fresnel lens so that the beam passes straight therethrough. By this arrangement, the rotary body 28 can be securely sealed, which stabilizes the function of the hologram. In an alternative arrangement the laser beam can be introduced into the rotary body through a hologram facet, being reflected within the rotary body and emitted therefrom through the hologram facet, being diffracted thereby.
A desirable method for constructing a hologram used in the hologram scanner of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 12. A plane wave beam 43 and a spherical wave beam 42 are irradiated at a same incidence angle C~upon photosensitive emulsion 41 coated on a transparent substrate such as a glass plate 40.
The beams 4~ and ~3 interfere with each other and form interference fringes 110 in the photosensitive emulsion 41. The Bragg plane of the interference fringes 110 formed by such a method is perpendicular to the substrate surface. Therefore, the Bragg angle does not change, irrespective of any change in the thickness of the emulsion during the chemical treatment such as developing and fixing the emulsion, which results ln a high diffraction efficiency at the time of the reconstruction of the beam through the hologram.
It is desirable that the incidence angleC~ be 45 degrees, since a laser beam irradiated vertically along the rotational axis can be diffracted in the horiæontal direction, by inclining the hologram at an angle of 45 C

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12~ 3 The hologram scanner of Fig. 4 constitutes a scanniny unit 30 formed in one moduIe combining the laser source 22, the rotary hody 28, the optical detector 29, the mirror 23, and the motor 25, on the 5 frame 20. Such a scanning unit module 30 is installed in a bar-code reader, for examp~e, as illustrated in Fig. 13. The scanning unit 30 i5 installed within an outer frame 30 together with a drive control means 32, an interface means 33 for communicating with a central processing unit, and a power source 34. The laser beam emitted from the scanning unit 30 is reflected by mirrors 36 and 37 and passes and scans a bar-code 12 of a commodity 13 through a window 35.
As mentioned above, each hologram facet of the hologram scanner of the present invention is inclined with respect to the rotational axis of the rotary body.
Therefore, it is possible to scan in the dir2ction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotary body, which increases the efficiency of scanning, since the scanning range with respect to the rotational angle of~the rotary body is widened, and which~also makes it possible ~o use a small hologram facet sinc the scattered light can be effectively received, thus obtaining a compact scanner.
Also, the constitu~t1onal components of the hologram scanner are united in a body as one module. The module ; per~orms a complete scanning function by itself as one system, from~emission of the laser beam to detection of the scattered light, an~th~`me;chanical accuracy~is 30~ guaranteed by the module. ~Therefore, var~ious~reading devices are~easily~assembled by using such a scanning module, which reduces the total cost of producing the device. Assemb~ling ~he~hologram scanner as one compact module with a high~mechanical~accuracy is more easily ; ~ ~
achieved than~assé~bling the components o~ the scanner individually at the time of fabricating the reading device in which the scanner is installed.

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3~2~ 3 Also, by using such a compact scanning module, the reading device becomes small.
Other examples of the rotary body 28 of the hologram scanner in accordance with the present invention are illustrated in Figs. 14 to 20. These examples are featured in that they comprise a means for changing the incidence point of the laser beam on the hologram facet in such a manner that the passage of the beam diffracted by the hologram facet is changed.
In the example of Fig. 14, the incidence point of the laser beam 52 on each of the hologram facets 44 and 45 is changed by disposing each of the hologram facets 44 and 45 on a different level. The laser beam which passes through the holsgram face~ 44 is re~lected by mirrors 46 and 47, passes through the glass plate 48 and the wlndow 50 of the cover 49, and scans the objec-tive (not shown) above the cover as illustrated by a solid line in the ~igure. On the other hand, the laser beam which passes through tha hologram facet 45 passes in a direction as illustrated ~y a dashed line, and is emitted through the same window 50. The level of each of the hologram facets 44 and 45 and the position o~the mirrors 46 and 47 are determined so that~th~ tWQ beam passages ~solid line~and`dashed line) intersact each other around the window 50. The in~ersection~angle ~
is;~arranged to be more than 1.45 degrees (5 x 10 4 Sr~, which is prescribed as a necessary minimum angle (solid angle~ or deeming that two~i~tersecting lines of a beam ~are individual, in the laser safety~standard~ of the 3~ IEC ~International Electrotechnical Commission). These two beams scan~i~n th~samé;direction~contlnuously one after the other on the~ same obj~ective as two individual scanning beams. Therefore,~the allowable strength of each beam in accordance with the safety standards can ~e strengthened, which upgrad~s the~ reliability of the scanning and reading. A~lso, the two beams intersect around the window~of the~cover plate s~o that the width :
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In the example of Fig. lS, the rotational shaft S1 of the rotary body 28 is eccentrically arranged with respect to the center axis of the rotary body 2B, so that the incidence point of the laser beam 52 on the hologram facet 54 is shifted from that on the hologram facet 53.
1~ In the example of Fig. 16, a reflection slit 57 ha~ing inclined side mirror walls and a penetration slit 58 having vertical side walls are formed in the upper plate 28a of the rotary body 28. In this arrange-ment, the passage of the laser beam 52 is separated into two different passages after passing through the upper plate 28a, one being the passage of the beam passed through the reflection slit 57 (solid line), and the other ~eing the passaye of the ~eam passed through the penetration slit 58 (dashed line), thereby changing the incidence point of the beam on the hologram facet 55 from that on the hologram facet 56.
In the example of Fig. 17, instead of the pene-~ration slit 58 of Fig. 16, another reflection slit S9, which has inclined side mirror walls inclined in reverse to the mirror of the Slit 57, to reflect the beam in the direction reverse to the reflection direction of the slit 57 is formed in the upper plate 28a of the rotary : body ~8.
: In the example of Fig. 18, the mirro~s 61 and 63 are eccentrically provided~on the upper plate 60 to separate the passage of the beam 52 into ~wo passages, : one being the passage of the solid line passing through thè hologram facet 62 and the other being the passage of : the dashed line passing through the hologram facet 64.
: 35 In the example of Fig. 19, hologram facets 65a and : ~ 67a are formed on the lower surface of ~hick transparent ~ ~ , plates 65 and 67, respectively. A hologram piece 68 is .

~L2~ 3 formed on the upper surface of one of the plates 67 and a window 68a is formed in the lower hologram fa~et 67a corresponding to the upper hologram piece 68 so as to pass the beam di~fracted by the upper hologram piece 68.
The passage of the beam 52 passing through the same inlet 66 is differentiated after passin~ thxough the thick plate 65 or 67. The rotary body 28 of Fig. 19 is substantially sy~netric in weight with respect to the rotational shaft, which results in a smooth rotational movement, compared with the examples of FigsO 14, 15, and 18.
In the exampIe of Fig. 20, the upper ~embexs of the rotary body 28 are inclined. A refractive member 70 is disposed above one of the hologram facets. The other' upper plate member disposed above the other hologram facet has a through hole 73 for passing through the laser beam. The laser beam which passes through the refractive member 70 is refracted as illustrated in a solid line, while the laser beam which passes through the~throughhole 73 of the other upper plate passes straight as illustrated in a dashed line.
- Variations of an emhodiment of the present invention are illustrated in Figs. 21 to 23. These embodiments are featured in;that they~compri~se an improved means 25 ~for~driving the rotary body, which makes it possi~le to obtain a more compa~ hologram scanner~ ~
In the example of Fig, 21, the cylinder portion 76 of the rotary body~28~is rotatably~supported by a bearing means 75~. A~plurality~of~electromagnet coils 77 are disposed around the cylinder~portion 76, so that the rotary body 8 itself constitut~es a~motor, in which the cylindrical portivn 76 con titutes a rotor of the motor and the coils~77 constitute a stator of the mo~or.
In the~example~of Fig.~ 22, a hollow shaft 79 is secured to the frame 20. ~The rotary body 28 lS rotatably attached to the~hollow shaft 79. The hollow shaft 79 has a coil 80 inside of~the rotary body 28, so that a :: .
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, motor is formed in which the rotary body 28 constitutes a rotor and the hollow shaft 79 constitutes a stator of the motor. A support plate 78 is secured to the hollow shaft 7~. A Fresnel mirror (not shown) is disposed on the under side of the suppoxt plate 78. A laser diode module 22 is mounted on the support plate 78. Electric lines 83 connected to the laser diode module 22 and electric lines 84 cvnnected to the coil 80 of the stator are disposed within the hollow shaft 79.
In the example of Fig. 23, the optical detector 29 is disposed within the rotary body 28 so as to make the scanner even more compact than ~he example of Fig~ 22.
The optical detector 29 is secured to the end of the hollow 3haft 79 and a mirror 82 for converging the scattered light is disposed at the end of the rotary body 28~ Electric lines 85 connected to the optical detector 29 are further disposed within the hollow shaft 79. The other constructions are substantially : the same as those of Fig. 22.
: : 20: Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 24. In this example, a motor : shaft 21 penetrates the inside of the rotary ~vdy 28 :: along the entire length thereof. With this arrangement, the rotary body 28 i3 firmly secured to the motor : 25 shaft 21 so that the rotary~body 28 rotates smoo hly ;~ without generating vibration. Numeral 89 designates a transparent Fresnel len~.
Further variations:of the embodiment of the present invention are illustrated in Figs.~25 and 26. These ~examples are fea~ured in that they comprise a means for ~ condensing the scattered light behind the hologram facet .~ : so as to shorten the rotary~body in height.
: : In the example of Fig. 25, a condensing optical ~' element 86, such as a:Fresnel lens or hologramt is disposed behind each~hologram facet 24.: The scanning : ~ laser beam (solid line) passes through A window 87 of ~ the optical element 86 and is diffrJcted by tbe hologram ::

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3L249~'13 facet 24. The scattered light (da~hed line) is xeceived and diffracted by the hologram facet 24 and condensed by the optical element 86, then reflected by the Fxesnel mirror (not shown) disposed on the lower side of the upper plate of the rotary body 28, a:nd converges to the position of the optical detector 29.
In the example of Fig, 26, the ~window 87 of one of the optical elements 86' is filled with a devia~ion means 88 such as a holo~ram. A window 88' for passing the beam diffracted by the deviation means is formed in the hologram facet disposed below the optical element 86'. With such an arrangement, the passage of the laser beam 52 is separated into two p~ssages (~olid line and dash-dot line) in a manner similar to that of lS Fi~. 19, and the scattered light is condenced by each of the optical elements 86, ~6' in the manner similar to that of Fig. 25~
Further variations o~ the embodiment of the present in~ention axe illustxated in Figs~ 27 to 30. T:hese examples are featured in that the laser beam i~ intro-duced into the rotary body through a p~rtion other than :the upper plate thereof. With such an arrangement, the motor for driving the rotary body can be disposed close to the upper plate of the rotary body, sinc~ the laser source and the mirror can be removed from the gap between the motor and the rotary body, so that the scanner becomes more compact and the rotary body rotates smoothly and stably at a high speed.
In the example o~ Fig. 27, the laser beam 52 is reflected by a mirror 92:disposed at the proximity of : the lower end of the rotary body 28 and introduced into the rotary body 28 through an opening 108 at the lower end thereof. The introduced laser beam is reflected by a mirror 93 disposed annularly in the Fresnel mirror 26 and diffract~d by the hologram facet 24.
In the example of Fig. 28, an annular paraboloidal ; mirror 91 is disposed in a paraboloidal mirror 90 for ~2'~9~3 converging the scattered light, instead of the annular mirror 93 disposed in the Fresnel mirror 26 of Fig. 27.
The laser beam 52 is introduced into the rotary body 28 and emitted therefrom in a manner similar to that of Fig. 27. The focus of the paraboloidal mirror 90 is on the optical detecter 29 disposed o:n the rotational axi3 of the rotary body 28. The focus of the annular paraboloidal mirror 91 is at the intersection point of the rota~ional axi~ of the rotary body 28 with the passage of the incidence beam to this mirror 91.
In the example of Fig. 29, the laser beam 52 is i~troduced into the rotary body 28 through the hologram facet 24. The la~er beam 52 is irradiated on the hologram facet 24 at an incidence angle far from the Bra~g angle so that a great part of the beam penetrates stxaight through the hologram without being diffracted.
Paraboloidal mirror~ 96, 97 are dispo~d on the lower side of the upper plate o~ the rotary body 28, in the same manner as that of Fig. 28.
In the e~ample of Fig. 30, the laser beam 52 is introduced into the rotary ~ody 28 through its cylin-drical side wall 96, which is made ~f a transparent material. Numeral 94 designates a cylindrical lens.
The ~laser beam 52 Is re1ect~d by a conical mirror 95 ~: 25 dispo~ed at the~center of:~the lower side of the upper ~: plate of the rotary body 28,~ and diffracted by the :~ hologram facet 24. A Fresnel mirror tnot shown) is also disposed on the:~lower side of:the upper plate of the~rotary body 28.
~A further~embodiment;of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 31. In this example, the side : wall 98 of the rotary body:28 is~ormed as a hologram acet. The scat~ered light: ~rom the ob~jective is received hy the holog~am of the side wall 98 and diffracted toward the lo~er end of the rotary body 28 where the optical detector 29 i8 dispo~ed. With ~uch a ; construction, the amount o~ the scattered light received ::
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. , , 9~3 by the hologram facet i~ increased, which upgrades the detection reliability. The side wall 98 is a cylindrical wall c,r a plate constituting a polygon pillar. The hologram of the side wall 98 is constructed by using a spherical wave diverging from the scanning point of the objective as the object beam and a spherical wave converging toward the central lower end of the rotary body as the reference beam.
A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 32. In this example/ the opening 99 at the lower end of the rotary body 28 is very small and the scattered light (dashed line) is converged to this opening 99. The scattered light diverges from the converged point at the opening 99 and again converges through a convex lens 100 disposed outside of the rotary body 28 so that the converged beam is detected by the optical detector 29. A hologram or an ellipse mirror may be used for converging and deviating the scattered beam to a desired position,~instead of the convex , 20 lens lO0.
Further embodiments of~the present invention are illustrated in FigsO 33 and 34. In these examples, one inclined hologram facet~24 is~disposed on the lower side ; of ~he rotary body 28.
~In the example of~Fig. 3~3, a cylinder 76 of the rotary body 28 is rotatably supported by the frame 20 through a bearing means 75.~T~he rotary body 28 itself constitutes~a motor in which the cylinder 76 serves a rotor and coils 77 disposed around the cylinder 76 serve a~s a stator,~`simLlar~to the~example of~Fig. 21.~ Instead of~s~uch an arrangement for constituting a motor, a motor may~be used for driving~the rotary body through a reduction gear mèans.~ A hole 101 for passing the laser beam is formed~at ~he~center of the upper plate of the rotary body 28. Th~ Iaser beam 52 from the laser diode module 22 is reflected~by the mirror 23, and introdu~red ,, into the rotary body 28 through the hole lOl, then : : ' ' .
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diffracted by ~he hologram facet 24 to scan an objective.
The scattered light from the objective is xeceived by the hologram facet 24. With this construction, the area of the hologram f~cet for receiving the scattered light is enlarged.
In the example of Fig. 34, the difference from the example of Fig. 33 resides in that the laser beam 52 is irradiated to the rotary body 28 from the lower side thereof~ A mirror 103 is coated at the center of the lower surface of the hologram facet 24. In both examples of Figs. 33 and 34, the hologram facet 24 is constructed so that the spherical scattered light is changed to a plane wave light and the upper plate 102 of the rotary body 28 comprises a transparent Fresnel lens for converging the parallel plane wave scattered light diffracted by the hologram facet 24. Howéver, instead of such an arrangement, a self-focusing hologram facet and a mere transparent upper plate may be used, so that the scattered beam is directly converged to the position of the optical detector 29 by the self-focusing hologram facet.
A furthar embodiment~of the~present invention is illustrated in~Fig. 35.~ n thls~example, the laser ;beam 52 i5 introduced in~o the rotary body 28 through a , : ~
hollow rotational shaft~105.~An L-shaped pipe 104 is ; installed within the hollow~rotational shaft 105. Two mirrors 106 and~-107~for~re~fLecting~and~devlating the laser beam 52~are,~disposed i~ the L-shaped pipé 104.
The hollow shaft~105; may~be~e1ther~integra1~with the 30~;shaft of the~motor~25~or~conn~écted;~to;the~motor shaft through a reduction~gear means. The L-shaped pipe 104 ,in the hollow~shaft does~not rotate.
In~the;abové~mentioDed~embodiments of the~,present ~ invention, the~hologram~may be formed either directly on ;~ ~ 35 the r*tary body~member or on a plate which is attaahed to the rotary body, to constitute a hologram facet of rot,ary body.

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Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A hologram scanner comprising:
a laser source;
a rotary body having a rotational axis;
at least one hologram facet arranged on said rotary body for diffracting a laser beam from said laser source to scan an objective and for receiving the scattered light from said objective to diffract the light to an optical detector for detection thereof;
a motor means for driving said rotary body; and an optical detector for detecting the scattered light received and diffracted by said hologram facet;
and means for converging the scattered and diffracted light on to said optical detector, characterized in that said hologram facet is inclined with respect to said rotational axis of said rotary body.

2. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body has a cylindrical shape and wherein a wedge shaped portion is formed by two hologram facets at the end of the cylindrical rotary body.

3. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body is a cylinder, and wherein three or more hologram facets form a pyramid at an end of the cylinder.

4. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body is in the form of a polygonal pillar, and wherein three or more hologram facets form a pyramid at an end of the polygonal pillar.

5. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body has a cylindrical shape, and wherein one inclined hologram facet is disposed at an end of the cylindrical body.

6. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said hologram facet comprises at least two hologram facet elements having a different diffraction direction.

7. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said hologram facet comprises at least two hologram facet elements having a different diffraction direction.

8. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the Bragg plane of the hologram of said hologram facet is perpendicular to the hologram surface.

9. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the Bragg plane of the hologram of said hologram facet is perpendicular to the hologram surface.

10. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said rotary body comprises a means for changing the incidence point of the laser beam on said hologram facet.

11. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said rotary body comprises a means for changing the incidence point of the laser beam on said hologram facet.

12. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said rotary body constitutes a rotor of said motor means.

13. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said rotary body constitutes a rotor of said motor means.

14. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said rotary body constitutes a rotor of said motor means, and characterized in that said rotary body is rotatably attached to a hollow shaft which constitutes a stator of said motor means and electric lines are disposed through said hollow shaft.

14. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said rotary body constitutes a rotor of said motor means, and characterized in that said rotary body is rotatably attached to a hollow shaft which constitutes a stator of said motor means and electric lines are disposed through said hollow shaft.

16. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, said rotary body mounted on a rotary shaft, and wherein the rotary shaft is disposed within the inside of said rotary body along the full length thereof.

17. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, said rotary body mounted on a rotary shaft, and wherein the rotary shaft is disposed within the inside of said rotary body along the full length thereof.

18. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that an optical means for condensing the scattered light is disposed behind said hologram facet.

19. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an optical means for condensing the scattered light is disposed behind said hologram facet.

20. A hologram scanner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through an opening at an end of said rotary body, reflected within said rotary body and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet.

21. A hologram scanner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through an opening at an end of said rotary body, reflected within said rotary body and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet.

22. A hologram scanner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through said hologram facet, penetrating straight therethrough, reflected within said rotary body and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet, being diffracted by the facet.

23. A hologram scanner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through said hologram facet, penetrating straight therethrough, reflected within said rotary body and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet, being diffracted by the facet.

24. A hologram scanner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through its side wall, reflected within said rotary body, and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet.

25. A hologram scanner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the laser beam is introduced into said rotary body through its side wall, reflected within said rotary body, and emitted therefrom through said hologram facet.

26. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a hologram for condensing the scattered light is formed on a side wall of said rotary body.

27. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a hologram for condensing the scattered light is formed on a side wall of said rotary body.

28. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the converging point of the scattered light is positioned at an opening at the end of said rotary body.

29. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the converging point of the scattered light is positioned at an opening at the end of said rotary body.

30. A hologram scanner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser beam passes through a hollow shaft of the rotary body.

31. A hologram scanner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the laser beam passes through a hollow shaft of the rotary body.

32. A hologram scanner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser beam is emitted from the rotary body, in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof.

33. A hologram scanner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the laser beam is emitted from the rotary body, in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof.

34. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the motor means, the rotary body, the laser source, and the optical detector are mounted on one common frame so as to constitute one scanning module.

35. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the motor means, the rotary body, the laser source, and the optical detector are mounted on one common frame so as to constitute one scanning module.

36. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the motor means, the rotary body, the laser source, and the optical detector are mounted on one common frame so as to constitute one scanning module and characterized in that said scanning module is installed in a bar-code reader.

37. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the motor means, the rotary body, the laser source, and the optical detector are mounted on one common frame so as to constitute one scanning module and characterized in that said scanning module is installed in a bar-code reader.

38. A hologram scanner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the inclination angle of said hologram facet is 45 degrees.

39. A hologram scanner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the inclination angle of said hologram facet is 45 degrees.