US3727030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand probe for manually operated optical scanning system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A low-cost hand held probe for scanning retrospective pulse modulation bar coding documents of high density comprises a bundle of many discrete optical image fibers which is optically divided into a pair of light carrying conduits by means of an aperture plate having two contiguous apertures therein. One aperture transmits light from a source of illumination down one optical conduit to a paper document. The light emanating from the document end of the bundle travels horizontally through the fibers of the paper to the optical fibers forming the other optical conduit. This light is transmitted up through the bundle to a photosensitive device coupled to circuitry for determining the degree of reflected light. The optical bundle is preferably tapered and is drawn in a unit which eliminates critical alignment problems and reduces the number of operations for manufacture. The apertures are parts of a circle whereby orientation of the probe is virtually unnecessary in most applications. Where orientation is desired, the tip is faced at an angle normal to and at an angle away from normal to the longitudinal axis of the probe in one alternate embodiment and the fiber optic bundle is bent in another alternate arrangement. These structures assist the operator in orienting the light apertures with respect to the document being scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 Murtry D Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus comprising a bundle of coherent light transmitting fibers having one end for contacting a document to be scanned and another end, a source of illumination directed toward said other end, a photosensitive device directed toward said other end, and at least one opaque member arranged at said other end and having contiguous apertures therein individual to said source of illumination and said photosensitive device for transmitting light from said source through one portion of said fibers to said one end for illuminating said document accordingly and reflecting light from and proportionally to indicia on said document to another portion of said fibers at said one end for transmission to said light sensitive device at said other end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus comprising a bundle of coherent light transmitting fibers having one end for contacting a document to be scanned and another end, a source of illumination directed toward said other end, a photosensitive device directed toward said other end, and at least one opaque member arranged at said other end and having contiguous apertures therein individual to said source of illumination and said photosensitive device for transmitting light from said source through one portion of said fibers to said one end for illuminating said document accordingly and reflecting light from and proportionally to indicia on said document to another portion of said fibers at said one end for transmission to said light sensitive device at said other end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus comprising a bundle of tapered coherent light transmitting fibers having one end for contacting a document to be scanned and a larger end, a source of illumination directed toward said larger end, a photosensitive device directed toward said larger end, and at least one opaque member having contiguous apertures therein individual to said source of illumination and said photosensitive device for transmitting light from said source through one portion of said fiberS to said one end for illuminating said document accordingly and reflecting light from and proportionally to indicia on said document to another portion of said fibers at said one end for transmission to said light sensitive device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus comprising a bundle of tapered coherent light transmitting fibers having one end for contacting a document to be scanned and a larger end, a source of illumination directed toward said larger end, a photosensitive device directed toward said larger end, and at least one opaque member having contiguous apertures therein individual to said source of illumination and said photosensitive device for transmitting light from said source through one portion of said fiberS to said one end for illuminating said document accordingly and reflecting light from and proportionally to indicia on said document to another portion of said fibers at said one end for transmission to said light sensitive device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the transmitted light at said one end is translated substantially horizontally from said one portion to said other portion of said fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and said contiguous apertures are contiguous semicircular apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein said contiguous apertures are elongated apertures contiguous along the longer dimensions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein said one end is faced at an angle substantially differing from the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bundle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein said longitudinal axis of said bundle is curved to bring the facing of said one end at said angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 2 and wherein said one end is offset with respect to said larger end with the longitudinal axes thereof substantially parallel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 1 and incorporating a tube in which said bundle and said opaque member with said apertures are mounted with concentric longitudinal axes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 9 and wherein the tip of said bundle at said one end is bent with respect to the longitudinal axis of said barrel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 9 and incorporating, a sleeve concentric with said tube and arranged for relative movement in the direction of the longitudinal axes thereof, an electric switch arranged within said tube and said sleeve for actuation in accordance with said relative movement as resulting from the act of pressing the tip of said bundle against the document to be scanned by urging said tube toward said document.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 2 and wherein said contiguous apertures are aligned in the direction of scan.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Manually operated optical scanning apparatus as defined in claim 2 and wherein said one end of said bundle has a cross-section at the tip thereof which is relatively long and narrow.
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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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |