Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is an optical imaging apparatus for focusing an image of an encoded symbol character onto an image sensor. The optical imaging apparatus includes a housing having a user input interface and a user output interface. An imaging module disposed within the housing is adapted to receive a cone of bundled light rays reflected from the encoded symbol character. The image sensor has a multiple pixel image sensor array disposed on a printed circuit board. The optical imaging apparatus further includes a focus element disposed within the imaging module, wherein the focus element is adapted to form and project the encoded symbol character upon the image sensor. A lens holding assembly is disposed within the focus element, and includes a barrel housing having a distal end for receiving the cone of bundled light rays and a proximal end for projecting an apertured cone of bundled light rays onto the image sensor. An optical lens element is disposed within an interior bore of the barrel housing. The optical lens element has a first lens surface and an opposing second lens surface; the first lens surface has a clear region and an opaque region. The opaque region is formed by a contact aperture disposed on the first lens surface, wherein the contact aperture is adapted to modify a cone angle of the bundle of light rays projected on the image sensor.

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First Claim