US3758783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reader mechanism for optically discernible characters
Assignee: Zellweger Uster AG
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Filing: 1972-01-28
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A reader mechanism for optically discernible characters, especially characters associated with an article and applied thereat or thereto and which can be located within a predetermined depth of focus region about a reference plane and can be scanned by means of a light spot, wherein there is also present a photoelectrical receiver which takes-up a portion of the light reflected back from the character and delivers an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light current. The invention provides for a collecting lens arranged between the reference plane and the receiver. A diaphragm arranged at the focal plane of the collecting lens confronting the receiver at the region of the light current extending to the receiver. The diaphragm is provided with an opening dimensioned such that a light beam emanating from the forwardmost situated plane of the depth of focus region and directed towards the receiver at least completely fills-out the diaphragm opening in the transverse direction.
Inventors
- 👤 E Sick
- 👤 G Pinior
- 👤 J Plockl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A reader mechanism for optically discernible characters, especially characters associated with an article and applied thereat or thereto and which can be located within a predetermined depth of focus region about a reference plane and can be scanned by means of a light spot, said depth of focus region being delimited by an outermost plane and an innermost plane disposed to opposite sides of the reFerence plane, photoelectrical receiver means serving to take-up a portion of the light reflected from the character and delivering an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light current, the improvement comprising a collecting lens arranged between the reference plane and the receiver means, diaphragm means for compensating for fluctuations in intensity of the incident light current arriving at the receiver means, said diaphragm means being arranged at the focal plane of the collecting lens confronting the receiver means at the region of the light current directed towards said receiver means, said diaphragm means being provided with an opening dimensioned and positioned such that a light beam emanating from the outermost plane of the depth of focus region and directed towards the receiver means at least completely fills-out the diaphragm opening in the transverse direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A reader mechanism for optically discernible characters, especially characters associated with an article and applied thereat or thereto and which can be located within a predetermined depth of focus region about a reference plane and can be scanned by means of a light spot, said depth of focus region being delimited by an outermost plane and an innermost plane disposed to opposite sides of the reFerence plane, photoelectrical receiver means serving to take-up a portion of the light reflected from the character and delivering an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light current, the improvement comprising a collecting lens arranged between the reference plane and the receiver means, diaphragm means for compensating for fluctuations in intensity of the incident light current arriving at the receiver means, said diaphragm means being arranged at the focal plane of the collecting lens confronting the receiver means at the region of the light current directed towards said receiver means, said diaphragm means being provided with an opening dimensioned and positioned such that a light beam emanating from the outermost plane of the depth of focus region and directed towards the receiver means at least completely fills-out the diaphragm opening in the transverse direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said collecting lens comprises a cylindrical lens having an axis extending in the scanning direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said collecting lens comprises a torus lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm opening is substantially elongate, and extends substantially parallel to the scanning direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said elongate opening varies in size to both sides of a central transverse axis of said diaphragm means in such a manner as to at least partially compensate for an incidence angle-dependency of the sensitivity of the receiver means or an interference filter arranged forwardly of the receiver means and/or intensity change of the incident light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, further including an image-reproducing system for reproducing the diaphragm means at the receiver means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein said image-reproducing system comprises a cylindrical lens member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the focal point of the collecting lens is disposed at the region of the innermost plane bounding the depth of focus region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the focal point of the collecting lens is located outside of the depth of focus region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 1, further including means for providing a character read-out gap between the reference plane and said collecting lens, said gap defining a window which intersects the light beam emanating from the outermost plane of the depth of focus region such that it still completely illuminates the diaphragm opening in the transverse direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said window is formed by an interruption in a conveying mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 11, wherein said window of said conveying mechanism is formed by two deflecting rollers covered by a respective conveyor band.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 12, wherein the surface of the conveyor bands facing away from the collecting lens coincides with the innermost plane forming the boundary of the depth of focus region of the side of the collecting lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the focal point of the collecting lens is disposed within said window.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reader mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the focal length of the collecting lens is 5 to 20 times as large as said window.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |