US3688955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Character-reading apparatus incorporating electronic scanning circuitry
Assignee: Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
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Filing: 1970-09-17
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-09-17
Abstract
Abstract Device for scanning coded characters composed of elements such as dashes, points, etc., arranged along parallel lines, which device uses an electronic camera tube whose scanning direction coincides with the direction of the said parallel lines. The information supplied by the said electronic tube is decoded and stored in logic circuits. The said device is also capable of scanning magnetic-type information and is in particular designed for the automatic identification of objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques L Huillier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/08; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1092; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/224; G06V30/2247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for reading an array of coded characters each composed of linear elements arranged on selected parallel regularly spaced baselines disposed perpendicular to said array, each character being identifiable base lines the sequence of distances between the linear elements forming said character, comprising: detecting and viewing means including a radiation pickup device and an electronic scanning system for viewing an array of characters successively along each of said base lines to detect the presence on each scan line of said linear elements and to provide output signals significant of the presence of absence of such character elements on each respective scan line; control circuit means connected to said detecting and viewIng means for controlling said scanning so that said scan lines are parallel to and coincide with said base lines; and analyzer means connected to receive the output signals form said detecting and viewing means for evaluating therefrom data representative of the characters which are scanned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for reading an array of coded characters each composed of linear elements arranged on selected parallel regularly spaced baselines disposed perpendicular to said array, each character being identifiable base lines the sequence of distances between the linear elements forming said character, comprising: detecting and viewing means including a radiation pickup device and an electronic scanning system for viewing an array of characters successively along each of said base lines to detect the presence on each scan line of said linear elements and to provide output signals significant of the presence of absence of such character elements on each respective scan line; control circuit means connected to said detecting and viewIng means for controlling said scanning so that said scan lines are parallel to and coincide with said base lines; and analyzer means connected to receive the output signals form said detecting and viewing means for evaluating therefrom data representative of the characters which are scanned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 1, wherein said analyzer means includes counter means responsive to said output signals for counting the number of scanning lines providing no character element and logic means for generating one binary indication upon detection of a first number of consecutive lines having no character element and a second binary indication upon detection of a second number of consecutive lines having no character element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 2, wherein said analyzer means further includes a shift register for storing the binary designations generated by said logic means for each character which is scanned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 3, wherein said analyzer means further includes a memory connected to said shift register for storing the binary designations relating to a plurality of characters and said logic means further including means for shifting the data in said shift register to said memory upon detection of a third number of consecutive lines having no character element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 4, wherein a plurality of analyzer means are provided, and further including column switching means connected to said viewing means for switching said output signals at predetermined times in a scanning cycle between the respective analyzer means so that each analyzer means receives the output signals corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of character columns being scanned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 5, wherein said control circuit means includes time pulse generating means for generating timing pulses to control said column switching means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for reading an array of coded characters each composed of linear elements arranged on selected parallel regularly spaced base lines disposed perpendicular to said array, each character being identifiable by the sequence of distances between the linear elements forming said character, comprising: detecting and viewing means including a radiation pickup device and an electronic scanning system for viewing an array of characters successively along each of said base lines to detect the presence on each scan line of said character elements and to provide output signals significant of the presence or absence of such character elements on each respective scan line; control circuit means connected to said detecting and viewing means for controlling said scanning so that said scan lines are perpendicular to said base lines; a plurality of analyzer means for evaluating from said output signals data representative of the characters which are scanned; and switching means connected to said detecting and viewing means for switching said output signals at predetermined times in a scanning cycle between the respective analyzer means so that each analyzer means receives the output signals corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of characters being scanned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for reading an array of coded characters each composed of linear elements arranged on selected parallel regularly spaced base lines disposed perpendicular to said array, each character being identifiable by the sequence of distances between the linear elements forming said character, comprising: detecting and viewing means including a radiation pickup device and an electronic scanning system for viewing an array of characters successively along each of said base lines to detect the presence on each scan line of said character elements and to provide output signals significant of the presence or absence of such character elements on each respective scan line; control circuit means connected to said detecting and viewing means for controlling said scanning so that said scan lines are perpendicular to said base lines; a plurality of analyzer means for evaluating from said output signals data representative of the characters which are scanned; and switching means connected to said detecting and viewing means for switching said output signals at predetermined times in a scanning cycle between the respective analyzer means so that each analyzer means receives the output signals corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of characters being scanned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 7, wherein each analyzer means includes counter means responsive to said output signals for counting the number of scanning lines providing no character element and logic means for generating one binary indication upon detection of a first number of consecutive lines having no character element and a second binary indication upon detection of a second number of consecutive lines having no character element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 8, wherein each analyzer means further includes a shift register for storing the binary designations generated by said logic means for each character which is scanned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for reading characters as defined in claim 9, wherein each analyzer means further includes a memory connected to said shift register for storing the binary designations relating to a plurality of characters and said logic means further including means for shifting the data in said shift register to said memory upon detection of a third number of consecutive lines having no character element.
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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) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |