US3628016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric reader for fluorescent ink imprinted coded document
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Alpex Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-27
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1990-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for reading intelligence contained on a document in the form of information printed with fluorescent ink. To accommodate the document to be read, the reader includes a slot comprising a pair of flat plates between which the document is inserted. Formed in the plates are apertures or windows over which the document is drawn; one window effects the readout; another verifies or approves the document. A fluorescent light source is directed through the readout window and an incandescent light source is directed through the approval window. Aligned with the respective windows are light detector means comprising a plurality of photocells. A housing capable of substantially excluding light contains the document-receiving slot, the light source and photocell detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Berler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0163; G06K7/10; G06K7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A reader for a document upon which information is coded in a pattern imprinted on said document with fluorescent ink, said reader comprising: Means to guide the manual insertion and manual withdrawal of a document in said reader, A source of light positioned contiguous to said guide and arranged so as to project light on a document inserted in said guide, A first photoelectric cell bank for seNsing information coded on said document positioned contiguous to said guide means the individual cells of said bank arranged to be responsive only to the fluorescence generated from the fluorescent ink coded information imprinted on the inserted document as said light is projected on a document inserted into said reader, A second photoelectric cell bank, electrically interconnected with said first bank, adapted to validate a document only when it has bottomed in said guide, Electrical signal means responsive to an optical approval signal from said second photoelectric cell bank for activating said first photoelectric cell bank to produce a readout only when said document has bottomed in, and is withdrawn from, said guide means, and A housing capable of substantially excluding stray light enclosing said means, light source and photoelectric cell banks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A reader for a document upon which information is coded in a pattern imprinted on said document with fluorescent ink, said reader comprising: Means to guide the manual insertion and manual withdrawal of a document in said reader, A source of light positioned contiguous to said guide and arranged so as to project light on a document inserted in said guide, A first photoelectric cell bank for seNsing information coded on said document positioned contiguous to said guide means the individual cells of said bank arranged to be responsive only to the fluorescence generated from the fluorescent ink coded information imprinted on the inserted document as said light is projected on a document inserted into said reader, A second photoelectric cell bank, electrically interconnected with said first bank, adapted to validate a document only when it has bottomed in said guide, Electrical signal means responsive to an optical approval signal from said second photoelectric cell bank for activating said first photoelectric cell bank to produce a readout only when said document has bottomed in, and is withdrawn from, said guide means, and A housing capable of substantially excluding stray light enclosing said means, light source and photoelectric cell banks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source for the first photoelectric cell bank is ultraviolet light and a separate incandescent light source is provided for the second photoelectric cell bank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which incorporates an invalidation signal for a document which is jiggled as it is manually withdrawn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the validation means comprises the generation of a predetermined number of clock pulses.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for reading a document upon which information is coded in a pattern imprinted on said document with fluorescent ink, said apparatus comprising: A document receiving slot to guide the manual insertion and manual withdrawal of documents to be read, said slot comprising an upper and lower plate, A readout window and a first approval window formed in said upper plate, A second approval window in registry with said first approval window formed in the lower plate, A source of light positioned so as to direct light through said approval windows, A source of UV light positioned so as to project fluorescent light through said readout window, A first photoelectric cell bank positioned contiguous to said approval window on the opposite side of said slot so as to receive light directed through said approval windows so long as said windows are not obstructed by a document inserted in said slot, A second photoelectric cell bank for sensing information coded on said document position contiguous to said readout window arranged to sense only light projected into said window and reflected from the fluorescent ink coded information imprinted on the document inserted in said slot, electrical signal means responsive to an optical approval signal from said second photoelectric cell bank for activating said first photoelectric cell bank to produce a readout only when said document has bottomed in, and is withdrawn from, said slot, and A housing capable of substantially excluding stray light enclosing said slot light source and photoelectric cell banks.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for reading a document upon which information is coded in a pattern imprinted on said document with fluorescent ink, said apparatus comprising: A document receiving slot to guide the manual insertion and manual withdrawal of documents to be read, said slot comprising an upper and lower plate, A readout window and a first approval window formed in said upper plate, A second approval window in registry with said first approval window formed in the lower plate, A source of light positioned so as to direct light through said approval windows, A source of UV light positioned so as to project fluorescent light through said readout window, A first photoelectric cell bank positioned contiguous to said approval window on the opposite side of said slot so as to receive light directed through said approval windows so long as said windows are not obstructed by a document inserted in said slot, A second photoelectric cell bank for sensing information coded on said document position contiguous to said readout window arranged to sense only light projected into said window and reflected from the fluorescent ink coded information imprinted on the document inserted in said slot, electrical signal means responsive to an optical approval signal from said second photoelectric cell bank for activating said first photoelectric cell bank to produce a readout only when said document has bottomed in, and is withdrawn from, said slot, and A housing capable of substantially excluding stray light enclosing said slot light source and photoelectric cell banks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light source directing light through said approval windows is an incandescent lamp and the light source projecting light through said readout window is a UV fluorescent lamp and said fluorescent lamp is positioned on the opposite side of the slot from said incandescent lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the cells of the second photoelectric cell bank are selectively responsive to an orange-red fluorescent ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the document receiving end of said upper and lower plates are flared outward to facilitate insertion of the document into the slot.
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) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |