Optical code reader system

Claim 2

An optical system for reading a graphic code positioned within a target area having a first axis extending therefrom, the graphic code having a plurality of columns with each column containing a plurality of bits of information, said optical system comprising: first means for causing light images of the graphic code to be developed; second means situated along the first axis for continuously rotating the light images of the graphic code about the first axis; third means for detecting the plurality of columns of the light images of the graphic code; fourth means for detecting the plurality of bits of information in each column; fifth means for repeatedly rotationally scanning the light images of the graphic code from said second means selectively into said third and fourth means; and Sixth means responsive to the proper alignment of the light images of the graphic code by said second means for enabling the plurality of bits of information in each column to be processed, said sixth means comprising: eighth means responsive to each of the detected plurality of columns of the light images from said third means for enabling said fourth means to detect the plurality of bits in each column after a predetermined time delay; and ninth means, coupled to said fourth means, being responsive to each of the detected plurality of columns of the light images from said third means for selectively allowing the plurality of bits in each column to be processed when the columns of a light image from said fifth means are substantially in a predetermined alignment with said third means.

Claim 3

An optical system for reading a graphic code positioned within a target area having a first axis extending therefrom, the graphic code having a plurality of columns with each column containing a plurality of bits of information, said optical system comprising: first means for causing light images of the graphic code to be developed; second means situated along the first axis for continuously rotating the light images of the graphic code about the first axis; third means for detecting the plurality of columns of the light images of the graphic code; fourth means for detecting the plurality of bits of information in each column, said fourth means comprising a plurality of photomultipliers for detecting the plurality of bits in each column of the graphic code; fifth means for repeatedly rotationally scanning the light images of the graphic code from said second means selectively into said third and fourth means, said fifth means comprising a drum-shaped member having an external periphery, said member being rotated about its longitudinal axis at a faster rate than the light images are rotated about said first axis by said second means, and a plurality of reflecting means selectively mounted on the external periphery of said drum-shaped member, for sequentially scanning the rotating light images of the graphic code first through the aperture of said opaque mask to said first photomultiplier and then after a predetermined angular rotation into said plurality of photomultipliers, said third means comprising an opaque mask having an aperture of a preselected configuration through which said fifth means scans the rotated light images, and a first photomultiplier positioned adjacent to said opaque mask for receiving and detecting each of the plurality of columns in the graphic code in the light images being scanned by said fifth means; and sixth means reSponsive to the proper alignment of the light images of the graphic code by said second means for enabling the plurality of bits of information in each column to be processed, said sixth means comprising: eighth means responsive to each of the plurality of columns of the light images detected by said first photomultiplier for enabling said plurality of photomultipliers to detect the plurality of bits in each column after a predetermined time delay; and ninth means, coupled to said plurality of photomultipliers, being responsive to each of the detected plurality of columns of the light images from said first photomultiplier for selectively allowing the plurality of bits in each colunn to be processed therein when the columns of a light image from said plurality of reflecting means are substantially in a predetermined alignment with the aperture of said opaque mask.

Claim 4

An optical system for reading a graphic code positioned within a target area having a first axis extending therefrom, the graphic code having a plurality of columns with each column containing a plurality of bits of information, said optical system comprising: first means for causing light images of the graphic code to be developed; second means situated along the first axis for continuously rotating the light images of the graphic code about the first axis; third means for detecting the plurality of columns of the light images of the graphic code; fourth means for detecting the plurality of bits of information in each column, said fourth means comprising a plurality of photomultipliers for detecting the plurality of bits in each column of the graphic code; fifth means for repeatedly rotationally scanning the light images of the graphic code from said second means selectively into said third and fourth means, said fifth means comprising a drum-shaped member having an external periphery, said member being rotated about its longitudinal axis at a faster rate than the light images are rotated about said first axis by said second means, and a plurality of reflecting means selectively mounted on the external periphery of said drum-shaped member, for sequentially scanning the rotating light images of the graphic code first through the aperture of said opaque mask to said first photomultiplier and then after a predetermined angular rotation into said plurality of photomultipliers, said third means comprising an opaque mask having an aperture of a preselected configuration through which said fifth means scans the rotated light images, and a first photomultiplier positioned adjacent to said opaque mask for receiving and detecting each of the plurality of columns in the graphic code in the light images being scanned by said fifth means; and sixth means reSponsive to the proper alignment of the light images of the graphic code by said second means for enabling the plurality of bits of information in each column to be processed, said sixth means comprising: eighth means responsive to each of the plurality of columns of the light images detected by said first photomultiplier for enabling said plurality of photomultipliers to detect the plurality of bits in each column after a predetermined time delay; and ninth means, coupled to said plurality of photomultipliers, being responsive to each of the detected plurality of columns of the light images from said first photomultiplier for selectively allowing the plurality of bits in each colunn to be processed therein when the columns of a light image from said plurality of reflecting means are substantially in a predetermined alignment with the aperture of said opaque mask.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second means comprises: a reflecting prism having the quality of internally reflecting the light images an odd number of times prior to emergence therefrom, said prism being axially aligned on the first axis; and seventh means for rotating said prism about the first axis.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second means comprises: first reflector means situated along the first axis at a first angle thereto for reflecting the light images of the graphic code in a first direction; second reflector means situated parallel to the first axis for reflecting the light images of the graphic code from said first reflector means in a second direction; third reflector means situated along the first axis at a second angle thereto for reflecting light images of the graphic code from said second reflector means in a third direction; housing means for retaining said first, second and third reflector means in fixed positions relative to each other; and seventh means for continuously rotating said housing means about the first axis.

Claim 7

An optical system for reading a light reflective graphic code having first coded lines on a first edge, second coded lines on a second edge and a plurality of coded columns parallel to the first coded lines, each column having a plurality of bits, said system having an optical axis and comprising: first means situated along the optical axis for rotating reflected light images of the graphic code about the optical axis; second means responsive to the rotating reflected light images from said first means for scanning the first coded lines and the plurality of columns; third means for detecting the first coded lines and the plurality of columns being scanned by said second means; fourth means for detecting the plurality of bits in each column; and fifth means, operationally coupled to said first and second means, being responsive to the first and second coded lines for enabling the plurality of bits in each column to be processed when the first coded lines and the plurality of columns being scanned by said second means are substantially in a predetermined alignment with said third means.

Claim 8

An optical system for reading a light reflective graphic code having first coded lines on a first edge, second coded lines on a second edge and a plurality of coded columns parallel to the first coded lines, each column having a plurality of bits, said system having an optical axis and comprising: first means situated along the optical axis for rotating reflected light images of the graphic code about the optical axis; second means responsive to the rotating reflected light images from said first means for scanning the first coded lines and the plurality of columns; third means for detecting the first coded lines and the plurality of columns being scanned by said second means; fourth means for detecting the plurality of bits in each column; and fifth means, operationally coupled to said first and second means, being responsive to the first and second coded lines for enabling the plurality of bits in each column to be processed when the first coded lines and the plurality of columns being scanned by said second means are substantially in a predetermined alignment with said third means.