US3708655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Article identification apparatus
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-30
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Binary coded designator labels fixed to articles which they identify are scanned and the signals thereby obtained are employed to produce clock pulses. Various circuits are included for checking the accuracy of signals read from a label and for distinguishing them from marks or other data on the article.
Inventors
- 👤 J Schanne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:48
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for serially optically scanning binary encoded information where said information contains regions of a first reflectivity alternating with regions of a second reflectivity, and wherein dimensions of each region along the scan path relate to the number of bits represented by that reflectivity, comprising, iN combination: means for producing a signal indicative of the binary information scanned, having one value when the scan is occurring over regions of the first reflectivity, and having a different value when the scan is occurring over regions of the second reflectivity; means responsive to the signal from said first mentioned means for producing a signal indicative of a transition between said one and said different values; and clock means producing signals nominally corresponding to the boundary between successive bit positions and responsive to said signal from said transition producing signal means for resynchronizing said boundary representing signals to correspond with the boundaries between regions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for serially optically scanning binary encoded information where said information contains regions of a first reflectivity alternating with regions of a second reflectivity, and wherein dimensions of each region along the scan path relate to the number of bits represented by that reflectivity, comprising, iN combination: means for producing a signal indicative of the binary information scanned, having one value when the scan is occurring over regions of the first reflectivity, and having a different value when the scan is occurring over regions of the second reflectivity; means responsive to the signal from said first mentioned means for producing a signal indicative of a transition between said one and said different values; and clock means producing signals nominally corresponding to the boundary between successive bit positions and responsive to said signal from said transition producing signal means for resynchronizing said boundary representing signals to correspond with the boundaries between regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
A self-clocking system comprising, in combination: means producing successive signals, spaced intervals Delta t or integral multiples thereof from one another, a clock signal simulating circuit responsive to said signals from said first named means for producing in response to a first signal from said first named means not followed by a second signal within an interval Delta t from the first signal, a signal following the first signal by an interval slightly greater than Delta t; means in said simulating circuit responsive to signals from said first named means spaced intervals Delta t from one another for preventing said clock signal simulating circuit from producing signals; and a clock pulse source receptive of said signals produced by said first means and said signals produced by said clock signal simulating circuit for producing a clock signal in response to each signal it receives.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A self-clocking system comprising, in combination: means producing successive signals, spaced intervals Delta t or integral multiples thereof from one another, a clock signal simulating circuit responsive to said signals from said first named means for producing in response to a first signal from said first named means not followed by a second signal within an interval Delta t from the first signal, a signal following the first signal by an interval slightly greater than Delta t; means in said simulating circuit responsive to signals from said first named means spaced intervals Delta t from one another for preventing said clock signal simulating circuit from producing signals; and a clock pulse source receptive of said signals produced by said first means and said signals produced by said clock signal simulating circuit for producing a clock signal in response to each signal it receives.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for producing clock signals corresponding to boundaries between regions of a first reflectivity and regions of a second reflectivity on a medium, the dimensions of each region along a scan line corresponding to the number of bits of the same value represented by that region comprising, in combination: means responsive to a scan along said scan line for producing a signal indicative of the binary information scanned, said signal having first and second values corresponding to said first and second reflectivities, means responsive to transitions between said levels for producing clock signals corresponding to said transitions, and means responsive to the presence of one of said clock signals, to an amount of time, after the occurrance of said clock signal, which is slightly greater than the time needed to scan the length of region occupied by a single bit, and to the absence of a second clock signal during that time, for also generating a clock signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for producing clock signals corresponding to boundaries between regions of a first reflectivity and regions of a second reflectivity on a medium, the dimensions of each region along a scan line corresponding to the number of bits of the same value represented by that region comprising, in combination: means responsive to a scan along said scan line for producing a signal indicative of the binary information scanned, said signal having first and second values corresponding to said first and second reflectivities, means responsive to transitions between said levels for producing clock signals corresponding to said transitions, and means responsive to the presence of one of said clock signals, to an amount of time, after the occurrance of said clock signal, which is slightly greater than the time needed to scan the length of region occupied by a single bit, and to the absence of a second clock signal during that time, for also generating a clock signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for reading binary information visually represented on a medium in colors exhibiting two different reflectivities and which medium may also include background noise, wherein said binary information comprises a unique preamble identifying pattern and a data section containing a known number of bits, comprising, in combination: scanning means for scanning said medium for producing signals the values of which correspond to the reflectivity of the portion of the medium being scanned; means responsive to said scanning means signals in a bit pattern corresponding to said preamble identifying pattern for producing a signal indicating that the scan may be over said binary information on said medium; a register; means responsive to said signal which indicates that the scan may be over said binary information on said medium for causing the bits assumed to be data bits to be entered serially into said register; and counter means for counting each bit as it is entered into said register and for producing a signal when said known number of data bits have been entered.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for reading binary information visually represented on a medium in colors exhibiting two different reflectivities and which medium may also include background noise, wherein said binary information comprises a unique preamble identifying pattern and a data section containing a known number of bits, comprising, in combination: scanning means for scanning said medium for producing signals the values of which correspond to the reflectivity of the portion of the medium being scanned; means responsive to said scanning means signals in a bit pattern corresponding to said preamble identifying pattern for producing a signal indicating that the scan may be over said binary information on said medium; a register; means responsive to said signal which indicates that the scan may be over said binary information on said medium for causing the bits assumed to be data bits to be entered serially into said register; and counter means for counting each bit as it is entered into said register and for producing a signal when said known number of data bits have been entered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein following the production of said signal from said counter, said scanning means again scans said data section and further including means for producing a signal indicative of whether the signals produced by said scanning meanS on said second scan correspond to said information stored in said register.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said binary information further comprises an end section including a portion having at least a known number of consecutive bits of one value and further including timing means responsive to a scan onto said portion containing said bits of one value for producing a delayed signal prior to the time said scan should pass over said portion and means responsive to said signal for indicating that said known number of data bits have been entered and responsive to a signal that the time required to scan across said bits of one value of said end section has not passed and responsive to a signal from said scanning means indicating said scanning means is not scanning across said one value for producing an error signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The combination of: a label having a pattern of concentric rings representing ones and zeros and said pattern also having a circular center region representing one of the binary values; means for scanning the label along parallel lines passing through the pattern and for sensing the information represented thereby; and means for reading the information sensed by the last named means in response to a signal manifestation which indicates that the center region of the label has been sensed and that the length of said center region along the line being scanned is greater than a given length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
The combination of: a label having a pattern of concentric rings representing ones and zeros and said pattern also having a circular center region representing one of the binary values; means for scanning the label along parallel lines passing through the pattern and for sensing the information represented thereby; and means for reading the information sensed by the last named means in response to a signal manifestation which indicates that the center region of the label has been sensed and that the length of said center region along the line being scanned is greater than a given length.
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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |