Patent US3610940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3610940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical coding system using rotatable light sources and code elements
Assignee: MEKONTROL Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-23
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-06-23
Abstract
Abstract This invention has to do with an identification system and, more particularly, to an optical coding system for use in conveyors and the like for identifying articles for subsequent treatment. Two code elements are rotatable to predetermined angular positions on a signal device which moves past a scanning station with two rotatable light sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis P Dunigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/48; B65G47/49; B65G47/493; B65G17/00; B65G17/20; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042; B65G2203/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An identification system, comprising a. a scanning station consisting of at least two light sources, each located at a predetermined angular position on a respective circle, the circles lying laterally of one another, each light source being mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a flat face of the scanning station for rotation about an axis passing through the center of the circle at a right angle to the face, b. a signal device adapted to move past the scanning station and consisting of at least two code elements, each located at a predetermined angular position on a respective circle, the circles being of the same size and relative location as the circles on the scanning station, and c. means at the centers of the scanning station circles operative, when the light sources on the scanning station and the code elements on the signal device occupy the same angular positions on corresponding circles, to perform a function related to identification of the signal device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An identification system, comprising a. a scanning station consisting of at least two light sources, each located at a predetermined angular position on a respective circle, the circles lying laterally of one another, each light source being mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a flat face of the scanning station for rotation about an axis passing through the center of the circle at a right angle to the face, b. a signal device adapted to move past the scanning station and consisting of at least two code elements, each located at a predetermined angular position on a respective circle, the circles being of the same size and relative location as the circles on the scanning station, and c. means at the centers of the scanning station circles operative, when the light sources on the scanning station and the code elements on the signal device occupy the same angular positions on corresponding circles, to perform a function related to identification of the signal device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An identification station as recited in cLaim 1, wherein the scanning station is provided with a lens system and said means includes a photocell located on the center of the respective circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An identification station as recited in claim 1, wherein each code element includes a means for returning the light beam which falls on it originating in the light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An identification system as recited in claim 1, wherein each code element is associated with a light-directing system which reverses the beam that falls on the code element and projects it along an axis passing through the center of the circle at a right angle to the plane thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An identification system as recited in claim 4, wherein each code element is mounted on a rotary element which is mounted on a flat face of the signal device for rotation about an axis passing through the center of the circle at a right angle to the face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An identification system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for returning the light beam is a cable of optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
An identification system as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal device moves with an article attached to a movable portion of a conveyor system, the scanning station is mounted on a fixed portion of the conveyor system, and the said means acts to switch the article when there is pattern identity between the code elements on the signal device and the light sources on the scanning station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |