US3673417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric scanning apparatus for detecting code markings
Assignee: Novartis AG
•
Filing: 1970-08-07
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1990-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A photoelectric scanning head is provided for identifying ampoules by detecting different combinations of color-coded rings on the necks of the ampoules which are moved past the head in a direction aligning the axes of the ampoules at right angles to their direction of travel. The head includes a plurality of first optical systems having lenses arranged in a staggered relationship in relation to the direction of travel of the ampoules, the lenses imaging light from the code rings via associated optical fibers to a photosensitive device which provides signals corresponding to the coding provided by said rings to identify the ampoule being scanned. The rings are illuminated by a plurality of second optical systems which comprise a bundle of optical fibers which guide separate beams of light from a source onto the rings as they are being scanned. The ends of the optical fibers of the second optical systems are positioned in the head in the same staggered relationship as the lenses of the first optical systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Wahli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732; G06K7/12; G01N2035/00742; G01N2035/00772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
Photoelectric scanning apparatus for identifying objects by detecting code markings on the objects as the objects are moved along a predetermined path, the markings being spaced one from another and arranged in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the objects, so as to trace out a corresponding number of parallel tracks, the apparatus comprising a housing, a plurality of optical systems, one for each code marking track, mounted in said housing in alignment with the corresponding track and in staggered relationship relative to the path of movement of said objects so that the code markings fall sequentially within the field of view of their respective optical systems as the object carrying said markings is moved along said path, a photosensitive device, a first set of optical fibers each guiding light from a different one of said optical systems to said photosensitive device, a light source, and a second set of optical fibers guiding light from said source to the plane of said code markings, the end portions of the fibers of said second set being held in said housing in the same staggered relationship to the direction of movement of the objects as said optical systems but inclined at such an angle to the axis of said optical systems that each of the individual beams of light emitted from said end portions of said second set of fibers intersect one of the axes of said optical systems in one of the tracks of the code markings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
Photoelectric scanning apparatus for identifying objects by detecting code markings on the objects as the objects are moved along a predetermined path, the markings being spaced one from another and arranged in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the objects, so as to trace out a corresponding number of parallel tracks, the apparatus comprising a housing, a plurality of optical systems, one for each code marking track, mounted in said housing in alignment with the corresponding track and in staggered relationship relative to the path of movement of said objects so that the code markings fall sequentially within the field of view of their respective optical systems as the object carrying said markings is moved along said path, a photosensitive device, a first set of optical fibers each guiding light from a different one of said optical systems to said photosensitive device, a light source, and a second set of optical fibers guiding light from said source to the plane of said code markings, the end portions of the fibers of said second set being held in said housing in the same staggered relationship to the direction of movement of the objects as said optical systems but inclined at such an angle to the axis of said optical systems that each of the individual beams of light emitted from said end portions of said second set of fibers intersect one of the axes of said optical systems in one of the tracks of the code markings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Photoelectric scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said optical systems includes a telecentric optical arrangement of lenses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
Photoelectric scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of optical fibers are merged together to form a first and a second common bundle adjacent to said photosensitive device and said light source respectively, said photosensitive device including a plurality of means for splitting the light received from said first bundle of optical fibers into different colored light beams and further including a plurality of photocells each responsive to the intensity of a different one of the colored light beams, said opTical fibers merging together within said housing and said second and first common bundles emerging from said housing to receive light from said source and projecting light onto said photosensitive device respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Photoelectric scanning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for splitting the light and said photocells are contained within a separate third housing into which enters the first bundle of optical fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2627199A
Cited
US3106706A
Cited
US3327584A
Cited
US3576358A
Cited
US3581102A
Cited
US3566120A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |