WO2002037405A1

WO2002037405A1 - A focusing method and device for a pen reader

Info

Publication number: WO2002037405A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/002444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Magnus Waldt; Fredrik LÖNN; Georg Dietl; Ernst Pobenberger; Erhard Ipp
Original assignee: C Technologies Ab
Priority date: 2000-11-06
Filing date: 2001-11-06
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: AU2002214449A1

Abstract

A method and a device for recording of information positioned on an information carrier. The reading device comprises a light-sensitive optical sensor (8), and an objective (7) for imaging the information on the sensor (8). The reading device can be set in different operating modes for imaging objects at different distances. The reading device is adjusted between a first mode and a second mode by moving a means, which actuates a movable part of the objective (7), in a first direction that is essentially parallel to the optical axis (29). The reading device is adjusted between a second mode and a third mode by moving the means in a second direction which is essentially orthogonal to the first direction. The front lens (6) of the objective (7) is fixedly arranged at one end of the reading device. Adjusting between the different operating modes is carried out by moving the means in an L-shaped groove in the casing of the reading device.

Description

A FOCUSING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A PEN READER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for focusing an objective in a pen reader or reading pen. In particular it relates to an adjusting device for adjusting between three modes, a scanning mode, a photography mode and a macro mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to collate parts of text or image information into a document. A known method of entering text and image information into a computer is to use a scanner.

A stationary scanner can be used to enter whole pages or several pages with text and image information. This type of scanner is less suited for scanning of selected parts of information on a page.

A portable, hand-held scanner can be used whenever interesting information is to be scanned, but in many cases has a smaller image range. US Patent Specification 5,301,243 discloses a handheld scanner for scanning characters from a substrate. The scanner has an optical system which "sees" a small part of the substrate. The optical system comprises a line sensor of CCD type with aligned, light-sensitive elements. When the scanner is passed over the characters on the substrate, a sequence of vertical "slices" of the characters and of the interspaces between them is recorded. The "slices" are stored in the scanner as a digital bitmap. OCR software (OCR = Optical Character Recognition) identifies the scanned characters and stores them in character-coded form, such as ASCII code. The character recognition can either be made in the scanner or in an external computer to which the bitmapped characters have been transferred. A drawback of the scanner described above is that the "field of vision" is relatively small. To record a large quantity of information, such as a text consisting of several lines, a user must move the scanner back and forth over the surface repeatedly, which is often experienced as time-consuming and monotonous work. Moreover, the movement must occur according to a predetermined pattern, such as following the lines in proper order. Publication WO 99/57678 discloses a device for recording of information from a base. The device can operate in a first and a second operating mode, in which modes a first small and a second large area are recorded. In the first mode, text is recorded while the device is being moved over an information carrier whereas in the second mode an image of a remote object is recorded. It is desirable to have a third mode for recording at an intermediate distance.

The relative distances between lenses in the objective need to be changed to a great degree when such a device is to be adjusted between the first and one of the second and third modes. The relative distances between parts of the objective need to be changed to a small degree when such a device is to be adjusted between the second and the third mode. Thus, a lens in the objec- tive is moved a short distance for adjusting between the second operating mode and the third operating mode and a long distance for adjusting between the first and one of the other operating modes.

Such a movement can be made in a traditional manner such as in an ordinary objective or a zoom objective in a camera. When adjusting between three distinct modes, it would, however, be desirable to have a device with a less complicated and more user-friendly adjusting mechanism. A simple solution could involve a fix- focus objec- tive. However, such an objective results in a far too poor image quality for it to be used both in an operating mode when images are to be recorded from a base at a small distance from the reading pen and when images are to be recorded at a longer distance from the reading pen.

In a hand-held reading pen, there is usually not very much space, which makes the choice of objective difficult. Another circumstance is that the price of the reading pen must be kept low.

Thus there is a need for a reading pen with a less complicated lens system that nevertheless satisfies the requirements for resolution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a reading pen with an objective which has an uncomplicated setting mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reading pen with- a lens system which is settable in three different modes and which is less complicated than prior-art systems.

One more object of the invention is to provide a user-friendly method for adjusting the lens system between the different modes.

A method and a device for recording of information which is available on an information carrier, according to the invention comprises a light-sensitive, optical sensor having a sensor surface, and an objective for imaging the information on the light-sensitive sensor. The device is adjustable between at least a first, a second and a third operating mode, by a movable part of the objective being moved a long distance along the optical axis of the objective for adjusting between the first and the second operating mode and a short distance for adjusting between the second and the third operating mode. The device is characterised in that it is adjustable between the first mode and the second mode by a first means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, being movable in a first direction which is essentially parallel to the optical axis, and that the device is adjustable between the second mode and the third mode by a second means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, being movable in a second direction which is essentially orthogonal to the first direc- tion.

The three different modes can be a first mode for recording of text or other information from a base such as a sheet of paper, that is a scanning mode. The second mode is a mode for recording of an image at a long dis- tance, that is a photography mode. The third mode is a mode for recording a business card, that is a macro mode.

By the device being adjustable by means of a movement parallel to the optical axis and a movement essentially orthogonal to the optical axis, a gearing will be easily obtained so that the two mechanical movements will be relatively great and approximately of the same size. When the second means is moved, there will thus be a small movement parallel to the optical axis while at the same time the movement orthogonally to the optical axis is relatively great.

According to an alternative embodiment, the movement in the second direction is a movement along an S-shaped curve essentially perpendicular to the optical axis.

The first means and the second means may consist of one and the same means. This facilitates the adjusting of the device between the different modes.

The movable part of the objective can be connected to a button which is movable in a groove which is fixed in relation to the front lens . The groove has a first groove part which is directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the objective and a second groove part which is directed essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device.

According to an alternative embodiment, the movable part of the objective is connected to a tube which can be moved between a first position and a second position along the optical axis and which can be rotated between the second and the third position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the objective comprises at least a front lens and at least one intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor, the front lens being fixedly arranged and the adjusting between the different operating modes being made by moving at least one lens in the lens means.

A device according to the invention for recording of information comprises according to one aspect a light- sensitive sensor with a sensor surface and an objective for imaging the information on the light-sensitive sensor, said objective having an optical axis and comprising at least a front lens and at least one intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor, the device being adjustable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which modes images of an area of a first small and respectively a second large size on the information carrier are recorded, and the device in the first operating mode being adapted to be moved over the information carrier during recording. The device is characterized in that the front lens of the objective is fixedly arranged at one end of the device, and that the device is adjustable between the different operating modes by moving at least one lens of the intermediate lens means .

The sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to the intermediate lens means and the device is adjustable between the different operating modes by moving the intermediate lens means and the sensor relative to the front lens parallel to the optical axis. An advantage of this is that only one part of the objective need to be moved, which is a great advantage since the mechanism will then be less expensive to manufacture. According to an alternative embodiment, the sensor is fixedly arranged relative to the front lens, and the device is adjustable between the different operating modes by moving the lens of the intermediate lens means relative to the front lens and the sensor parallel to the optical axis. An advantage of this is that the outer dimensions of the object are constant. If the front lens is moved relative to the sensor and the lens means, and the lens means comprises several lenses, the lenses can be fixedly arranged relative to each other.

To achieve a greater depth of field in the first operating mode, a diaphragm which defines the numerical aperture of the objective is arranged in the beam path.

The sensor is advantageously a colour sensor so that images from a long distance can be taken in colour. A colour sensor comprises sensor elements with sensitivity to light of different wavelengths. When taking images from a long distance all the sensor elements are used. When the device is moved over the information carrier to record information, only some of the sensor elements are used since the resolution will still be sufficient. If illumination is used in the first operating mode, it is advantageous to adjust the illumination wavelength to the sensor elements that are used. Preferably, use is made of red light-emitting diodes.

Since a movable part of the objective need only be moved a short distance for adjusting between the second and the third operating mode, it is desirable for the adjusting to be made in a simple manner that results in good position accuracy.

A device for recording of information is provided according to one aspect of the invention in such manner that the device comprises a light-sensitive sensor and an objective for imaging the information on the light- sensitive sensor. The objective has an optical axis and comprises a front lens which is fixedly arranged at the front end of the device, and a lens means between the front lens and the sensor. The device is adjustable between at least a first, second and third operating mode. The sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to the lens means. According to the invention, the device is arranged in such manner that the objective has a front part at whose one end the front lens is arranged. More- over the device has a rear part, on which the lens means is arranged and which is movable along the optical axis relative to the first part. The device has an intermediate part, which is rotatable about the optical axis relative to the front and the rear part. The interme- diate part can take a first position, in which the rear part is axially movable relative to the front part for setting the first and respectively the second operating mode and a second position which defines the third operating mode, in which second position the rear part is locked in the axial direction relative to the front part. This device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, gives good position accuracy and is easy to use.

By rotation of the intermediate part while the front and the rear part are moving only axially relative to each other, setting of the operating modes is permitted by a rotary motion without the front and the rear part rotating relative to each other.

According to one more aspect of the invention, a device is provided for recording of information which is available on an information carrier, said device comprising a light-sensitive sensor with a sensor surface, and an objective for imaging the information on the light-sensitive sensor, the device being adjustable between at least a first operating mode, a second operat- ing mode and a third operating mode, a movable part of the objective being adapted to be moved a long distance along the optical axis of the objective for adjusting between the first and the second operating mode and a short distance for adjusting between the second and the third operating mode, the device in the first operating mode being adapted to be moved over the information carrier during recording. According to the invention, the device is adjusted between the first mode and the second mode by a first means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, being moved in a first direction which is essentially parallel to the optical axis, and the adjust- ing of the device between the second mode and the third mode being made by moving a second means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, in a second direction which is essentially orthogonal to the first direction. The movement in the second direction can be a rotation. The movement in the second direction can take place along an essentially S-shaped curve essentially perpendicular to the optical axis. The first and the second means can be one and the same means. The movable part of the objective can be connected to the means which can move in a groove which is fixed relative to the front lens and which has a first groove part which is directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the objective and a second groove part which is directed essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device. The movable part of the objective can be connected to a sleeve which can be displaced between a first position and a second position along the optical axis and which can be rotated between the second and the third position. The objective may comprise at least a front lens and at least one intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor, adjusting between the different operating modes being made by moving at least one lens in the lens means. The sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to the front lens and the adjusting between the different ope- rating modes can take place by moving at least one lens in the lens means relative to the front lens and the sensor. Alternatively, the sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to the lens means and the adjusting between the different operating modes can take place by moving the lens means and the sensor relative to the front lens. The lens means may comprise several lenses which are fixedly arranged relative to each other. The sensor may comprise a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements, the device being adapted to use only some of the light- sensitive sensor elements when recording images in the first mode. According to another aspect of the invention, a device is provided for recording of information which is available on an information carrier, comprising a light- sensitive sensor with a sensor surface, and an objective for imaging the information on the light-sensitive sen- sor, said objective having an optical axis and comprising at least a front lens and at least one intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor, the device being adjustable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which images of an area of a first small and respectively a second large size on the information carrier are recorded, and the device in the first operating mode being adapted to be moved over the information carrier during recording. According to the invention, the front lens of the objective is fixedly arranged at one end of the device, and the adjusting between the different operating modes can take place by moving at least one lens of the intermediate lens means essentially parallel to the optical axis. The sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to said at least one inter- mediate lens means and the adjusting between the different operating modes can take place by moving the intermediate lens means and the sensor relative to the front lens parallel to the optical axis. Alternatively, the sensor can be fixedly arranged relative to the front lens and the adjusting between the different operating modes can take place by moving said at least one lens of the intermediate lens means relative to the front lens and a sensor parallel to the optical axis. The lens means may comprise a plurality of lenses which are fixedly arranged relative to each other. The sensor may comprise a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements, the device being adapted to use only some of the light-sensitive sensor elements when recording images in the first mode. The device can operate in a third mode, in which images of an area of a third size, which is between the first and the second size, on the information carrier can be recorded. The adjusting of the device between the first mode and one of the other modes can take place by moving a first means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, in a first direction which is essentially in the longitudinal direction of the device, the adjusting of the device between the second and the third mode being able to take place by moving a second means, which actuates the movable part of the objective, in a second direction which is essentially orthogonal to the first direction, the movable part of the objective moving a short distance parallel to the optical axis when moving the second means in the second direction. The movement in the second direction can be a rotation. The first means and the second means can be one and the same means. The movable part of the objective can be connected to a button which can move in a groove which is fixed relative to the front lens and which has a first groove part which is directed essentially parallel to the optical axis and a second groove part which is directed essentially perpendicular to the optical axis . Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is cross-sectional view of a reading pen containing a first embodiment of the invention.

Figs 2a, b and c are schematic views of an objective according to the first embodiment in Fig. 1. Figs 3a, b and c are schematic views of an objective according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the reading pen in Fig. 1 provided with a groove for adjusting between different modes .

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an objective according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an objective according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic top plan view of a sensor used in the reading pen in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the objective according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figs 9a, b and c are perspective views, obliquely from the left, of the objective according to Fig. 8 in the three different modes. Figs 10a, b and c are perspective views, obliquely from the right, of the objective according to Fig. 8 in the three different modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows a reading pen which may comprise an objective according to the invention. The reading pen has a casing 1 of approximately the same shape as a conventional highlighter. A first short side of the casing has an opening 2, which is adapted to be passed over an area on a base for recording of text, symbols or images. The information carrier can be a sheet of paper.

The casing 1 essentially contains an optics part 3, an electronic circuitry part 4, and a power supplying part 5 in the form of a battery 12 located in a compart- ment 13. Light-emitting diodes 10 are arranged for illumination of the information carrier. Alternatively, the power supplying part can be external and take place via cable.

The optics part 3 comprises an objective 7 which here is illustrated only schematically and consists of a lens 6 which is fixedly arranged relative to the casing 1 in the first short side of the reading pen. Moreover there is a light-sensitive sensor 8 which constitutes the interface to the electronic circuitry part 4.

The purpose of the objective 7 is to image an area on the information carrier on the light-sensitive sensor 8. The light-sensitive sensor 8 may consist of a two- dimensional CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor (CCD = Charge Coupled Device) with a built-in A/D converter. Such sensors are commercially available. The sensor 8 is connected to a printed circuit board 11 with a flexible wire 9 so that the sensor can move relative to the printed circuit board.

The reading pen may also comprise a number of additional parts, such as a display 25, an IR transceiver 26 for transmission of information to/from an external com- puter, buttons 27 by means of which the user can control the device, and an operation indicating device 28 consisting of light-emitting diodes.

Fig. 2 shows an objective 17 set for each of the three operating modes in Figs 2a, 2b and 2c. The objec- tive 17 consists of a front concave lens 14, an intermediate lens means 15 consisting of several lenses, and a sensor 16. The intermediate lens means 15 and the sensor 16 are fixed relative to each other and movable relative to the front lens 14. Moreover, there is a first dia- phragm 56.

In Fig. 2a, the objective is set in a first operating mode, a so-called scanning mode, to image objects in the immediate vicinity of the front lens, i.e. about 7-10 mm from the front lens. In Fig. 2c, the objective 17 is set in a second operating mode, so-called photography mode, to image objects that are positioned more than about 0.8 m from the front lens.

In Fig. 2b, the objective 17 is set in a third ope- rating mode, a so-called macro mode, to image objects that are positioned about 10 cm from the front lens. co CO M IS μ> H

Cπ o cπ o n O cπ

0 H" SD 0 $, 0 Hi μ- H to μ- PJ Ω 3 rt rt \-> rt rt 3 rt ID 13 T3 rt μ- Q to

Hi μ- μ, 13 Φ tr 13 ϋ 3 PJ KJ p tr o φ μ- if μ- tr if Φ tr ii tr ft⁾ if a 0 hf!. a Φ φ a H- φ 0 3 rt • 3 P. <! t Q Φ Φ J Φ φ μ. rt ft⁾ ID ti ^ rt Φ H CQ Ω ϋ 3 φ μ- rt Φ •O μ- φ Φ if ii a t ft⁾ pj if a if CQ 13 ft⁾ ^• t ft⁾ P. a tr f J Φ rt Φ 0 CQ φ rt Q 3 μ- φ H 0 ft H ct H rt μ- ID H Φ μ- rt ¹ Hi rt 3 μ- rt o cn Q > ω σi tr CQ μ- P PJ μ- 0 if ft> 0 Φ CQ Φ 03 o μ- tr 0 if rt μ- a tr P. o ω Φ μ- P ^ 0 φ rt 3 P μ- T3 iQ ii Φ if CQ *. Φ φ s; 13 O tr H- t CQ *τ| Φ CQ ^ Φ 0 *τ] Φ CQ 3 Ω Φ • Φ H J if rt rt . tr 0 φ ι_ι. CQ PJ tr μ- μ- μ- Hi P. μ- ø ID Φ 0 ii g rt ft⁾ μ- if tr Hi Φ CQ Ω

Φ a Φ 0 3 LQ • 3 LQ μ <! φ tD CQ to a 3 J CO Φ μ- rt h-¹ Ω Φ Φ μ- μ] a μ- 0

Ω φ P. ft⁾ a o • 0 o • 0 μ- •» μ> PJ CQ 13 rt PJ rt s; rt CQ tr ii if rt rt a

3 Φ P. ra P-. 3 Ω 3 ii H- CQ a 0 if 0 p. Q CQ Φ rt μ- P.

H- μ- cπ P- Φ co μ- φ co rt μ- rt co φ μ- 3 3 μ- a if CQ μ- Φ Hi Φ Ω rt tr 0

<! p. rf 13 - tr rt _^ Ω ϋ tr ft⁾ PJ CQ 0 φ Q CQ 0 Q 3 ft⁾ ft⁾ 13 ft⁾ CQ Φ a P.

Φ φ ft⁾ ft⁾ - μ- - H μ- Φ ^• _" P <! PJ Φ 3 0 0 iQ Ω rt a Φ Φ μ- a μ- rr tr ft 0 ft Φ rt CQ P. PJ a CQ g CQ Hi a i d μ- if a μ- Ω 0 ft⁾ μ- ct 3 if 0 if rt a tr ft 3 ^ CQ rt μ- tr CQ 0 0 φ ft⁾ μ- μ- ft⁾ o tr 13 Q d Φ if Φ Φ if CQ Ω tr t CQ PJ Pi J PJ rt CQ a CQ μ- 0 a > a (_l. tr if

Hi rr rt φ Pi Φ o P> Φ O T3 Φ to φ a rt tr rt Hi tD tr Pi φ Φ t g t μ- tr 3 13 Hi a _^ O Hi CQ CQ μ- rt ft⁾ ii Ω rt ft⁾

0 0 iQ i H¹ PJ 0 3 tr 0 a 0 J r-> i PJ 3 Φ rt rt rt Hi 3 ft⁾ rt ^ CD

<1 3 • 0 o Ω tr o o tr rt μ- tr rt Ω Φ Ω 0 μ- J Q tr ^ rt Φ μ- 0 tD μ- μ- φ 3

Φ d K. l_l. t rt (_1. if ø l— 1. if Φ 3 0 a a rt \-> μ- Φ if Q φ Pi 3 ft> < φ α <TJ t in Ω 0 φ φ o φ Φ tD φ Φ J CQ a rt φ ϋ 0 ft⁾ φ 13 Φ a t μ- tr g Ω ID. Ω Ω tr CQ ^ H Φ PJ PJ l- rt Q i . p^j tr CO ft> iQ ft⁾ 3 rt rt t rt Hi 3 rt Hi H" ISJ μ- Ω μ- a ii tr Ω - a t μ¹ rt -

CQ P rr Hi 0 μ- if J μ μ 0 μ- μ, Φ CQ o LQ PJ \ ≤ ft⁾ μ- t Pi ft> tr ϋ fi tr H Pi < J 13 <! 0 P. <! 0 •> rt a CQ rt i φ μ- μ- μ- a a CD Φ s; ι-^>

Φ t φ 0 φ φ P tr Φ 3 φ Φ a ϋ μ- Ω μ- μ- Φ CQ a μ- 3 μ- ^{* ω} na g X rt - rt Φ J a PJ co <! J rt a tr μ- rt 3 Q CQ μ- ft⁾ ft> μ- 0 H¹ ft⁾ H> μ- 3 CD < J Φ *ϋ o rt rt a tr φ if Φ Ω rt P CQ tr ct Hi oo tr 3 oo rt CQ J P. φ if tr CD φ ft⁾ 13 ft> CQ a tr μ- P- • l_l. tr o 0 0 Φ 0 φ rt 0 0 ii Φ . a μ- CQ φ CQ

<! φ Φ ii μ- d P. μ- 3 CQ 3 μ- J Hi co tr J μ- μ- μ- Q CQ <! rt μ- φ CO co Ω CQ ct φ CQ CQ μ- Φ CQ < φ tr l_l. ID g ω CQ H Ω 0 ft⁾ 3 Q

- ~ rr Hi μ- - 3 rt Φ CQ CQ a φ g μ- tr S a ft⁾ 0 rt μ- φ ; μ- ii 3 CQ o ω Q> H Φ Φ CQ PJ Ω rt rt μ- a Hi Φ Q a ft⁾ 13 rt t <! 0 ft⁾ Φ • rt φ μ- tD μ- 3 rt 3 < a rt PJ tr rt rt

0 rt • a Pi 3 a μ- m if Φ Φ 0 ID rt 00 Φ ϋ 0 CQ Φ ¹ P. μ- 1 rt 3 Φ Ω ' μ- rt ft⁾ rt CQ <

U Φ CQ rt μ- Φ J 0 K VD < Φ tr d tr φ a if μ- tr 0

0 13 μ- ø μ- 3 μ- μ- . 0 rt 3 rt PJ ω Φ t Φ CQ CQ Φ ID μ- a φ μ> rr

Hi 3 φ m ID ϋ 3 ø tr if P. if Ω rt rt d Pi CQ CQ rt φ cπ ft⁾ rt 0 Ω Φ Hi ft⁾ PJ ι_ι. φ Φ to J . CQ d Λ Hi Ω 3 O h Hi tr

<! rr μ- a O rt ii CQ ct tr φ rt to a Φ t d Q Hi 0 ft⁾ o CQ μ- ft⁾ H¹ . ft> μ- 3 CQ tr if 0 Φ if 0 Ω Hi if 0 . φ P. H3 Ct Φ J d μ- a - tr a P. 3 ct ft⁾ i a Φ μ < • ι_ι. φ 3 Φ d rt μ- φ rt a tr . a Hi Ω a φ ft⁾ if 13 CQ P.

CQ Φ μ- Φ 0 rt CQ ii tr ι-3 CQ J Φ Hi rt Hi μ- μ- Φ Φ rt 0 ct Φ Ω Ω rt rt tr m Q CQ Φ if Φ

-J μ- rt a 0 μ- μ- φ 3 a s ϋ rt a

PJ ^■^ ft⁾ rt if if (_l. φ φ ii Φ CQ 0 Hi rt Ω a tr ID μ- φ tr rt 0 tr a 13 rt CQ μ- φ Φ Ω 1 α a μ- tr φ rt μ- ii Φ d 13 φ ft⁾

Ω ft⁾ Φ μ. Ω 0 μ> 0 CQ 3 PJ a l_l. rt . Ω 3 ft⁾ t Φ φ ii P. rt i Hi rt 3 o rt * 0 φ o a rt φ if o PJ tr 0 . 3 φ H CQ 13 ct tr CQ P. tr φ μ a <! P. Φ Ω φ Hi a i tr μ- ft⁾ φ μ- tr PJ O Φ I CQ 1 ϋ 1 i f> rt < rt a φ Φ t ø Φ 1 a 1 0 rt I CQ rt

between the second and the third mode, and a relatively long distance between the first and the second mode.

The objective according to Fig. 3 can also be provided with a first and a second diaphragm, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of a reading pen according to the invention. The movable part of the objective 17, 18 is actuated by a means 30 which is movable in a groove. The groove has a first groove part 31 which is essentially parallel to the optical axis 29, and a second groove part 32 which is essentially perpendicular to the optical axis 29.

When the means is located in a first position 33, the reading pen is in the first operating mode, the scanning mode. When the means is moved to a second position 34, the reading pen is adjusted to the second operating mode, the photography mode. The movement occurs parallel to the optical axis and thus is a relatively long movement along the optical axis. Finally, when the means is moved to a third position 35, the reading pen is adjusted to the third operating mode, the macro mode, which occurs by a movement which is almost perpendicular to the optical axis and, thus, a relatively short movement along the optical axis. Although the mechanical length of movement of the means is approximately the same between the three different positions, the result will thus be movements of different lengths along the optical axis, as is desirable.

Fig. 5 shows an objective, which has a sensor 36, a front lens 37 and an intermediate lens means 38. The front lens is arranged on an inner tube 39 while the intermediate lens means 38 is arranged on an outer tube 40. A button 44a on the inner tube is movable in a groove 41a which is parallel to the optical axis of the objec- tive. The sensor 36 is arranged on a second tube 42. A button 44b on the second tube 42 is movable in a second groove 41b, which is essentially perpendicular to the first groove 41a. When the button 44a moves in the first groove 41, the device is adjusted between the first and the second operating mode. When the button 44b moves in the second groove 41b, the device is adjusted between the second and the third operating mode. In the first mode, the position of the button 44b is of no import since the difference between the two positions is small and taken up by the depth of field.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an objec- tive according to the invention. The objective has a sensor 46, a front lens 47 and an intermediate lens means 48. The front lens is arranged on an inner tube 49 which is fixedly mounted in the reading pen according to Fig. 1. The sensor and the intermediate lens means are arranged on an outer tube 30. A means 30 is connected to the outer tube 50. The means 30 is in turn arranged in the groove shown in Fig . 4.

Fig. 7 illustrates a sensor 51 with a plurality of sensor elements 52. The sensor 51 can be used in all the embodiments described above. In the first operating mode, the scanning mode, only some of the sensor elements 52 are used. The sensor can be a colour sensor, for example one where every second sensor element is most sensitive to green light, marked G in Fig. 7, and every fourth sensor element is sensitive to red light, marked R in

Fig. 7, and respectively blue light, marked B in Fig. 7. In the first operating mode, the scanning mode, the information carrier is illuminated by means of red light- emitting diodes, the sensor elements which are most sen- sitive to red light, being used for recording.

Figs 9 and 10 illustrate the objective in perspective views in its three different operating modes, seen from two different directions.

With reference to Figs 8, 9 and 10, the setting mechanism of the objective comprises three main parts, viz. a front part 60, an intermediate part 61 and a rear part 62. CO co t to μ> M cπ o cπ o cπ o LΠ

mode the front part 60 is located in a position furthest away from the rear part 62. The first button 43 is located in a first position 64a in the L-shaped groove 64 and the second button in a first position 56a in the S-shaped groove 56.

Figs 9b and 10b show the objective in the second operating mode, the photography mode, for imaging objects that are positioned more than about 0.8 m in front of the lens 6. The intermediate part 61 and the first button 43 have here been moved along the optical axis 29 of the objective so that the first button is located in a second position 64b in the L-shaped groove 64, the front part 60 being axially displaced so that the lens assembly is located closer to the rear part 62 with the sensor 16. The second button 45 is still located in the first position 56a in the S-shaped groove 56.

Figs 9c and 10c show the objective in the third operating mode, the macro mode, for imaging objects about 10 cm from the lens 6. To reach this operating mode from the second operating mode, the intermediate part 61 has been rotated about the optical axis 29, after which the first button 43 is located in the third position 64c in the L-shaped groove 64 and the second button 45 is located in the second position 56b in the S-shaped groove 56. Since the second position 56b of the S-shaped groove is located at a certain axial distance from the first position 56a, the rotation of the intermediate part, with the second button 45 running in the groove 56, causes a certain axial displacement of the front part 60 relative to the rear part 62, whereby the lens assembly 14, 19 is moved a short distance further away from the rear part 62 with the sensor 16.

When the means 30 is moved between its different positions 33, 34 and 35 in the groove 31, 31 in the cas- ing 1, the intermediate part 61 is rotated and moved, respectively, relative to the front part 60 and the rear part 62, so that the front part 60, by the movements of co O to DO μ¹ μ¹ cπ o cπ o cπ o cπ ft⁾ rt ft⁾ μ- μ- rt rt ft⁾ tr ø CQ tr • : if

< ? 0 Ω φ φ d M ft⁾ Hi

> a rt μ- (-• Φ tr ø CQ Φ d

CQ μ- φ 0 ø ft⁾ rt

Φ a o Pi CQ rt rt

0 rt rt μ- 0

CQ 0 Ω LQ if ft⁾ <! 0

0 3 ii φ CQ φ CQ

M Ω 0 CQ

0 rt 0 Hi Φ rt φ- μ- 0 0 < 0 g 0 co ø CQ Φ Ω ' - μ- ft⁾ d rt ct tr 13 CQ ^■ : if Φ tr φ 0 ft⁾ μ- φ π

Φ Hi d Hi ø H ft⁾ rt rt LQ φ Hi μ-

13 rt - φ ø if μ- CO P. ft⁾ o 0 • DO μ- Hj rt rt 0 en •> CQ VD tr

0 •^ rt 13

LQ 3 t. ft⁾ rt ft⁾

Hi Hi if ø 0 Hj LQ ft⁾ d Φ Ω rt

13 H Hi ^

Φ rt ø H Φ if en o 0 I ∞

^ tr 0 Φ DO <!

CQ rt *< Hi ~. φ

3 tr tr CQ CQ

0 ft> Φ Hi rr φ ^

P. Hi 0 if 0 tr cπ φ 13 p. Ω φ CQ Φ CT\

0 Φ d 0 ii - tr Φ 13 CQ 0 Hj Φ

Φ CQ rt tr tr en ct CQ tr μ- l_I. M *< Φ

:^> CQ φ

-

Φ μ- o Ω t

Φ CQ Hi ft⁾ rt μ- if μ-

0 Pi μ- CQ φ CQ

0 Hi l_J. <! ft⁾ tr μ- d φ Ω P. 3 tr rt φ CQ . if μ- 0

0 ft⁾ rt ft⁾ Q <! d μ- Pi Φ ø rt φ rt ø LQ ft⁾ Pi φ μ- φ ø o i CQ H, Pi Ω ft⁾

. Hi φ X

03 μ- 0 ft⁾ μ- ø 3 CQ 0 ft⁾

3 Hi

and infinity. It is possible to leave the means 30 in a position between the two end positions in the groove part 32, in which case the sharpness will be somewhere between 10 cm and 1.6 m. In this manner, there will be acceptable sharpness also in intermediate positions. In the scanning mode, the sharpness is about 7-10 mm in front of the front lens. Also in this case, the means 30 can be left somewhere in the middle of the groove part 31. However, this is inconvenient on the one hand since the sharpness decreases and will no longer be full in a VGA sensor when the means 30 approaches the scanning mode and, on the other hand, since the mechanism for pivoting the diaphragm 30 can leave the diaphragm partly pivoted, whereby it conceals parts of or the entire beam path. As men- tioned above, only part of the VGA sensor will be used in the scanning mode since a higher resolution is not necessary for scanning.

The design and the relative positioning of the three parts 60, 61, 62 of the objective can be varied within the scope of the invention.

In the described embodiments, glass lenses are used for all the lenses. The embodiments show lens systems consisting of five lenses. It will be appreciated that the number of lenses is dependent on the sharpness that is desirable and other optical requirements, such as colour correction. It will also be appreciated that it is possible to alternatively use plastic lenses. All components of the mechanism are made of aluminium. It will be appreciated that alternatively it is possible to use injection-moulded plastic.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, both the front and the rear lens are fixed. Only the intermediate lens is moved. In this embodiment, it is possible to let the movable lens 21 be positioned on a sleeve which is displaceable in the axial and the peripheral direction by means of an L-shaped groove, without using the intermediate part . The described features of the embodiments can be combined in different ways within the scope of the invention. Further modifications that a person skilled in the art realises as he reads this specification are also included in the scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for recording of information, comprising an optical sensor; an objective for imaging information on the light- sensitive sensor; an adjusting device for adjusting the objective between a first operating mode, a second operating mode and a third operating mode, one or more movable parts of the objective being adapted to be moved along the optical axis of the objective for adjusting between the operating modes, chara c t e r i s e d in that the adjusting device, for adjusting between the first and the second operating mode, comprises a means (30, 41, 61) which is movable in a first direction that is essentially parallel to the optical axis for actuation of said movable part in the objective; and that the adjusting device, for adjusting between the second and the third operating mode, comprises a second means (30, 40) which is movable in a second direction that is essentially orthogonal to the first direction for actuation of said movable part in the objective.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, c hara c t e ri s ed in that said second direction is an essentially peripheral direction.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, c hara c t e r i s ed in that the second means is essentially linearly movable in the second direction along an essentially S-shaped curve (56) essentially perpendicular to the optical axis.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, charac t e r i s e d in that the first and second means are the same means (30, 41, 61) .

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, chara c t e r i s ed in that the movable part of the objective is connected to the means (30, 40, 61) which is movable in a groove, which is fixedly arranged relative to the front lens and which has a first groove part (31) which is directed essentially parallel to the optical axis (29, 44) of the objective, and a second groove part which is directed essentially perpendicular to the optical axis.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the movable part of the objective (7, 17, 18) is connected to a sleeve (40, 61) which is displaceable between a first position and a second position along the optical axis (29, 44) and which is rotatable between the second and a third position.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 46, 51) is a colour sensor comprising sensor elements (52) with sensitivity to light of different wavelengths .

8. A reading device for recording of information, comprising a casing with an opening at one end; a light-sensitive sensor with a two-dimensional sensor surface; an objective for imaging information on the light- sensitive sensor, said objective having an optical axis and comprising a front lens and an intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor; and an adjusting device for adjusting between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which operating modes images of an area of different sizes on the information carrier are recordable, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the front lens (6, 14, 19) of the objective is fixedly arranged in one end (2) of the reading device, and that the reading device is adjustable between the different operating modes by mov- ing at least one lens of the intermediate lens means (15, 20) essentially parallel to the optical axis, with the aid of a means (30) which is movable in a groove (31, 32) in said casing (4) .

9. A reading device as claimed in claim 8, c ha ra c t e ri s e d in that the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 51) is fixedly arranged relative to said intermediate lens means (15, 20), and that the reading device is adjustable between the different operating modes by- moving the intermediate lens means (15, 20) and the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 51) relative to the front lens (6, 14, 19) , parallel to the optical axis (29) .

10. A reading device as claimed in claim 8, c ha ra c t e ri s e d in that the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 51) is fixedly arranged relative to the front lens (6, 14, 19), and that the reading device is adjustable between the different operating modes by moving said lens of the intermediate lens means (15, 20) relative to the front lens (6, 14, 19) and the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 51) parallel to the optical axis (29) .

11. A reading device as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, c h a ra c t e ri s e d in that the lens means (15, 20) comprises a plurality of lenses which are fixedly arranged relative to each other.

12. A reading device as claimed in any one of claims 8-11, c ha rac t e r i s e d in that the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 51) comprises a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements (52) , and that the reading device is adapted to use only some of the light-sensitive sensor elements (52) when recording images in the first mode.

13. A reading device as claimed in any one of claims 8-12, c harac t e r i s e d in that the reading device comprises a third operating mode, in which images of an area of a third size on the information carrier are recorded.

14. A reading device as claimed in any one of claims 8-13, charac t e r i s e d in that the sensor (8,

16, 22, 36, 46, 51) is a colour sensor comprising sensor elements (52, 55) with sensitivity to light of different wavelengths .

15. A device for recording of information, comprising a light-sensitive sensor; an objective for imaging information on the light- sensitive sensor, said objective having an optical axis and comprising a front lens, which is fixedly arranged on the front part of the device, and a lens means between the front lens and the sensor; and an adjusting device between a first, second and third operating mode, the sensor being fixedly arranged relative to the lens means, and the device in the first operating mode being adapted to be moved over the infor- mation carrier during recording, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the obj ective comprises a front part (60) at whose one end the front lens (6, 14, 19) is arranged, a rear part (62) , on which the lens means is arranged and which is displaceable along the optical axis (29) relative to the front part; and an intermediate part (61) which is rotatable about the optical axis relative to the front and the rear part, said intermediate part being able take a first position

(33) in which the rear part is axially displaceable relative to the front part for setting the first and respectively the second operating mode and a second position which defines the third operating mode, in which second position the rear part is locked in the axial direction relative to the front part.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, c ha ra c t e r i s e d in that the sensor (8, 16, 22, 36, 46, 51) is a colour sensor comprising sensor elements (52, 55) with sensitivity to light of different wavelengths.

17. A method for recording of information, by means of a hand-held reading device which comprises an optical sensor; an objective for imaging information on the light-sensitive sensor; and an adjusting device for adjusting the objective between at least a first, a second and a third operating mode, a movable part of the objective being adapted to be moved a long distance along the optical axis of the objective for adjusting between the first and the second operating mode and a short distance along the optical axis of the objective for adjusting between the second and the third operating mode, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by adjusting between the first and the second operating mode with the aid of a first means in a first direction that is essentially parallel to the optical axis; and adjusting between the second and the third operating mode with the aid of a second means in a second direction that is essentially orthogonal to the first direction.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by rotation of the second means in the second direction.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by movement of the second means in the second direction along an essentially S-shaped curve essentially perpendicular to the optical axis.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the first and the second means are the same means .

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by movement of the means which is connected to the movable part of the objective, in a groove which is fixed relative to the front lens and which has a first groove part which is directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the objective, and a second groove part which is directed essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device.

22. A method for recording of information, by means of a hand-held reading device which comprises a light- sensitive sensor with a two-dimensional sensor surface; an objective for imaging information on the light-sensitive sensor, which objective has an optical axis and comprises a front lens which is fixedly arranged at one end of the reading device, and an intermediate lens means between the front lens and the sensor, and an adjusting device for adjusting between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which operating modes images of an area of a first and respectively a second size on the information carrier are recordable, c hara c t e ri s e d by adjusting the reading device between the different operating modes by moving at least one lens of the intermediate lens means essentially parallel to the optical axis .

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, cha rac t e r i s e d by adjusting the reading device between the different operating modes by moving the intermediate lens means and the sensor, which are fixedly arranged relative to each other, in relation to the front lens parallel to the optical axis.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22, cha ra c t e r i s e d by movement of said lens of the intermediate lens means relative to the front lens and the sensor parallel to the optical axis, the sensor being fixedly arranged relative to the front lens.