US3670169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color gradient detector device
Assignee: POSTMASTER GENERAL USA
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Filing: 1970-08-18
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A color gradient detector device is disclosed, allowing for the performance of postal meter mark discrimination, which requires a scanning step followed by a signal producing and detecting step. The device has a sensor head connected to an electronic circuit comprising a dual input-single output signal amplifier followed by a signal discriminator and detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Ephraim W Hogue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:31
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/10; B07C3/14; G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/51; G01J3/513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A color-gradient detector device comprising: a. a radiant energy source; b. means for directing said energy from said radiant source to a material test sample; c. a surface on which said test material is located; d. a light sensor means for scanning said material test sample and positioned to receive light from said material therein, said light sensor means comprising a plurality of photosensitive cells positioned to receive light from said material test sample, an integrating window positioned between the material test sample and plurality of cells and used to ensure that a uniform distribution of light enters said plurality of cells, and optical band selective means positioned between the integrating window and plurality of cells; e. a control circuit communicating and responsive to the output of the light sensor means, said control circuit providing a signal representing the color of the material tested in the scanned monitoring area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A color-gradient detector device comprising: a. a radiant energy source; b. means for directing said energy from said radiant source to a material test sample; c. a surface on which said test material is located; d. a light sensor means for scanning said material test sample and positioned to receive light from said material therein, said light sensor means comprising a plurality of photosensitive cells positioned to receive light from said material test sample, an integrating window positioned between the material test sample and plurality of cells and used to ensure that a uniform distribution of light enters said plurality of cells, and optical band selective means positioned between the integrating window and plurality of cells; e. a control circuit communicating and responsive to the output of the light sensor means, said control circuit providing a signal representing the color of the material tested in the scanned monitoring area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means for directing said energy from said radiant source to a material test sample comprises: a. a projection lens cooperating with said source and directing said energy from said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said optical band selective means comprises: a. filtering means adapted to transmit two complementary channeled spectra in two directions, said means affixed and transmitting to said photosensitive cells said channeled spectra.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said filtering means comprises: a. mono-chromatic filters each said filter of the same color and affixed to each cell and receiving energy light waves from said test material and transmitting same to said respective cell; b. different mono-chromatic filters of one other color each said filter affixed to each cell and positioned adjacent to each said other colored filter and receiving energy light waves from said test material and transmitting same to said respective cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the output of the sensor means comprises: a. two complementary channeled signals said first signal generated through a red channel amplifying unit responsive to said red channel filters said second signal generated through a green channel amplifying unit in reverse polarity to said first channel responsive to said green channel filters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said control circuit comprises: a. a dual input colored amplifying channel comprising at least one photo cell in each said channel, any other of said cells connected in parallel to said first cell in each of said channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the control circuit additionally provides amplifying means in each said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the control circuit additionally provides means for adding and amplifying the differentiating current, said means connected in series and generated from the consolidation of said input channels into a single output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said control circuit also provides a. an indicating means responsive to the color-representing signal and indicating the color of said tested material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said indicating means compRises: a. a discriminating means connected in series to the means for adding and amplifying the differentiated current said discriminating means transforming the alternating signal emitted from the adding and amplifying means to either a positive or negative direct current signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |