US3639730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical reader system
Assignee: Datatype Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-11
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for optically reading data printed in transversely extending lines on a document comprising a scanning head, means for supporting the scanning head for transverse movement relative to such a document, first drive means for reciprocating the scanning head on the supporting means, second drive means for moving such a document longitudinally relative to the scanning head, the second drive means including friction drive roller means for engaging and moving such a document, a motor, electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting the roller means to the motor, and electrically operated brake means for stopping the roller means, and control means for the first and second drive means. The control means includes means for optically detecting a line of data on such a document and operating the clutch means and brake means to stop such longitudinal movement of such a document and to start movement of the scanning head away from its initial starting position. The first drive means includes a drive pulley, at least one idler pulley, flexible means trained about the pulleys, a continuously running drive motor, and clutch means for drivingly connecting the drive pulley to the drive motor. The flexible means is fastened to one point on the periphery of the drive pulley and the scanning head is fastened to a point on the flexible means. A coiled tension spring is provided for returning the scanning head to its initial starting position when the drive pulley is disengaged from the drive motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy F Higginbotham
- 👤 Fred D Blonder
- 👤 David E Snyder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/20; G06V10/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for optically reading data printed in transversely extending lines on a document comprising a scanning head, means for supporting said scanning head for transverse movement relative to such a document, first drive means for reciprocating said scanning head on said supporting means, second drive means for moving such a document longitudinally relative to said scanning head, said second drive means including friction drive roller means for engaging and moving such a document, a motor, electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said roller means to said motor, and electrically operated brake means for stopping said roller means, and control means for said first and second drive means, said control means including means for optically detecting a line of data on such a document and operating said clutch means and brake means to stop such longitudinal movement of such a document and to start movement of said scanning head from its initial starting position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for optically reading data printed in transversely extending lines on a document comprising a scanning head, means for supporting said scanning head for transverse movement relative to such a document, first drive means for reciprocating said scanning head on said supporting means, second drive means for moving such a document longitudinally relative to said scanning head, said second drive means including friction drive roller means for engaging and moving such a document, a motor, electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said roller means to said motor, and electrically operated brake means for stopping said roller means, and control means for said first and second drive means, said control means including means for optically detecting a line of data on such a document and operating said clutch means and brake means to stop such longitudinal movement of such a document and to start movement of said scanning head from its initial starting position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 1 in which said supporting means includes a transversely extending cylindrical guide rod, a carriage supporting said scanning head, an antifriction bushing supporting said carriage on said guide rod, a stabilizing rod extending parallel to said guide rod, and antifriction means carried by said carriage and engaging said stabilizing rod to prevent movement of said carriage about the axis of said guide rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 2 in which said second rod is disposed adjacent said guide rod and in which said antifriction means includes a pair of roller bearings and a trunnion supporting each of said bearings, said bearing being disposed rollably to engage, respectively, opposite sides of said stabilizing rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 in which said first drive means includes a drive pulley, a second motor, at least one idler pulley, and flexible means trained about said pulleys, said flexible means being fastened to said drive pulley at one point on the periphery thereof, and said scanning head being fastened to a point on said flexible means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 4 in which said first drive means includes a second electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said drive pulley to said second motor, and return spring means resisting movement of said scanning head away from its initial position by said second motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 5 in which said second motor is continuously running and in which said return spring meanS includes an elongated coiled tension spring, said spring being effective to return said scanning head to its said initial position when said second clutch means is operated to disengage said drive pulley from said second motor to permit said drive pulley to return to its initial starting position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 3 in which said first drive means includes a drive pulley, a second motor, at least one idler pulley, and flexible means trained about said pulleys, said flexible means being fastened to said drive pulley at one point on the periphery thereof, and said scanning head being fastened to a point on said flexible means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 7 in which said first drive means includes a second electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said drive pulley to said second motor, and return spring means resisting movement of said scanning head away from its initial position by said second motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 8 in which said second motor is continuously running and in which said return spring means includes an elongated coiled tension spring, said spring being effective to return said scanning head to its said initial position when said second clutch means is operated to disengage said drive pulley from said second motor to permit said drive pulley to return to its initial starting position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 9 including pulley means about which said coiled spring is trained, said pulley means and said coiled spring being disposed so that, when said scanning head is moved from its initial position to the end of its travel, there are two runs of said spring at least equal in length to the distance which said scanning head is moved by said drive pulley.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 10 in which said flexible means includes a wire cable trained about said drive pulley and said idler pulley, and including takeup means arranged selectively to control the tension on said cable between said scanning head and said drive pulley.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 in which said motor of said second drive means is continuously running, said clutch means being effective, when operated, drivingly to connect said roller means to said motor and said brake means being effective, when operated and said clutch means is operated to disconnect said roller means from said motor, to stop said roller means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said control means includes a flip-flop having two outputs, circuit means for connecting said electrically operated clutch means to one of said outputs and circuit means for connecting said electrically operated brake means to the other of said outputs, said flip-flop, clutch means and brake means being arranged so that said clutch means and said brake means are alternately energized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 12 in which said control means includes a flip-flop having two outputs, circuits means for connecting said clutch means to one of said outputs and circuit means for connecting said brake means to the other of said outputs, said flip-flop, clutch means and brake means being arranged so that said brake means and clutch means are alternately energized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 6 in which said control means includes a flip-flop having two outputs, circuit means for connecting said first mentioned clutch means of said second drive means to one of said outputs and circuit means for connecting said brake means to the other of said outputs, said flip-flop, first mentioned clutch means and brake means being arranged so that said first mentioned clutch means and brake means are alternately energized.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention of claim 15 in which said control means includes a second flip-flop having two outputs, said second clutch means being connected to one of its said outputs, said second flip-flop and said second clutch means being arranged so that said second clutch means is operated drivingly to connect said drive pulley to said second motor when said brake means is operated to stop said friction roller meAns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 16 in which said means for optically detecting a line of data includes a light-responsive device, said control means including circuit means for conditioning the output of said device and a gating circuit connected to the output of the last said circuit means, the output of said gating circuit being a triggering input to said first mentioned and said second flip-flops.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for optically reading data graphically printed in transversely extending lines on a document comprising a scanning head, means for supporting said scanning head for transverse movement relative to such a document, first drive means for reciprocating said scanning head on said supporting means, second drive means for moving such a document longitudinally relative to said scanning head, and control means for said first and second drive means, said control means including means for optically detecting a line of data on such a document and stopping such longitudinal movement of such a document and starting movement of said scanning head from its initial starting position, said first drive means including a drive pulley, a motor, at least one idler pulley, flexible means trained about said pulleys, said flexible means being fastened to said drive pulley at one point on the periphery thereof, and said scanning head being fastened to a point on said flexible means, an electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said drive pulley to said motor, and return spring means resisting movement of said scanning head away from its initial starting position by said motor.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for optically reading data graphically printed in transversely extending lines on a document comprising a scanning head, means for supporting said scanning head for transverse movement relative to such a document, first drive means for reciprocating said scanning head on said supporting means, second drive means for moving such a document longitudinally relative to said scanning head, and control means for said first and second drive means, said control means including means for optically detecting a line of data on such a document and stopping such longitudinal movement of such a document and starting movement of said scanning head from its initial starting position, said first drive means including a drive pulley, a motor, at least one idler pulley, flexible means trained about said pulleys, said flexible means being fastened to said drive pulley at one point on the periphery thereof, and said scanning head being fastened to a point on said flexible means, an electrically operated clutch means for drivingly connecting said drive pulley to said motor, and return spring means resisting movement of said scanning head away from its initial starting position by said motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 18 in which said motor is continuously running and in which said return spring means includes an elongated coiled tension spring, said spring being effective to return said scanning head to its said initial position when said clutch means is operated to disengage said drive pulley from said motor to permit said drive pulley to return to its initial starting position.
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) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |