Patent US3689744A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3689744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for scanning characters
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract The characters used on the records are symbols made up of parallel straight marks for which equal space partitions are provided. To avoid crowding, the marks are applied on two levels. The space partitions of the two levels are relatively displaced by half the spacing of the partitions. A narrow beam of light is passed over each line of characters from one end to the other. An image of the narrow lighted area is formed adjacent a point common to all character positions. The rays of the two image halves that correspond to the two character levels are transmitted to different photocells. The fluctuating electric currents received therefrom are combined after transformation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Wildhaber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10831
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of scanning characters which comprises employing a record having characters arranged in a plurality of lines, said characters comprising areas of constant width having parallel marks thereon, each of said areas containing an upper and a lower level of equal spaces for selectively applying said marks thereon, emitting light from a narrow line-like area, sweeping said lines of characters from one end to the other with the narrow beam of light emitted from said line-like area, while moving said record at an angle to said line of characters, said angle differing from a right angle by less than 5* , said beam of light being narrower than a quarter of the width of a character area, forming an image of the narrow strip lighted by said beam which is in two halves corresponding to said upper and lower levels, respectively, and directing the light of said two levels to different photocells, respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of scanning characters which comprises employing a record having characters arranged in a plurality of lines, said characters comprising areas of constant width having parallel marks thereon, each of said areas containing an upper and a lower level of equal spaces for selectively applying said marks thereon, emitting light from a narrow line-like area, sweeping said lines of characters from one end to the other with the narrow beam of light emitted from said line-like area, while moving said record at an angle to said line of characters, said angle differing from a right angle by less than 5* , said beam of light being narrower than a quarter of the width of a character area, forming an image of the narrow strip lighted by said beam which is in two halves corresponding to said upper and lower levels, respectively, and directing the light of said two levels to different photocells, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said spaces of the two levels of marks are displaced relatively to each other by about one-half of the width of a space in the direction of the lines of characters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for scanning characters, comprising a rotor containing at least one lens at a distance from its axis, the axis of said lens including an angle with the direction of the rotor axis, means for supporting a record bearing characters arranged in at least one line, means for projecting a narrow beam of light through said lens to said record to illuminate thereon a strip narrower than a quarter of the character width, so that the lighted strip moves along a line of characters as the rotor turns on its axis, means carried at least partly by said rotor, for forming an image of said moving strip adjacent a common point of fixed position, and means for transmitting light of each of a plurality of image parts making up said image to a different photocell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for scanning characters, comprising a rotor containing at least one lens at a distance from its axis, the axis of said lens including an angle with the direction of the rotor axis, means for supporting a record bearing characters arranged in at least one line, means for projecting a narrow beam of light through said lens to said record to illuminate thereon a strip narrower than a quarter of the character width, so that the lighted strip moves along a line of characters as the rotor turns on its axis, means carried at least partly by said rotor, for forming an image of said moving strip adjacent a common point of fixed position, and means for transmitting light of each of a plurality of image parts making up said image to a different photocell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the axis of said lens intersects the rotor axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said rotor contains a plurality of lenses spaced about its axis at a constant distance therefrom, said strip extends approximately in the direction of the rotor axis and includes an angle of less than 5* therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means on the rotor for forming an image of the lighted strip comprises the same lens that projects the light to said strip, a beam splitter is set in the path of light between the circle of lenses and the rotor axis to direct part of the light returning from the record towards said common point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means on the rotor for forming an image of the lighted strip comprises the same lens that projects the Light to said strip, a plane mirror is set at an angle between the circle of lenses and the rotor axis to direct part of the light returning from the record towards said common point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the projection means includes an incandescent lamp having a filament emitting light from a straight narrow area, said filament being directed to approximately coincide with the direction of the rotor axis, including an angle of less than 5* with said direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for projecting a narrow beam of light is placed to emit light appearing to come from the rotor axis, means are provided for supporting a record bent to follow a scanning line extending about the rotor axis, whereby said lens projects a strip of light to the record, and said lighted strip moves along the scanning line as the rotor turns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means on the rotor for forming an image of the lighted strip comprises the same lens that projects the light to said strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for transmitting light of different parts of said image to different photocells comprises tapered and curved light pipes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light of each half-image is transmitted to a single photocell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein means are provided for combining the electric currents of said different photocells after individual transformation.
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) | 1975-09-05 | 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 |