US3772648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical character reader
Assignee: Isotec Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-11
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1991-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical character reader for a font of two dimensional plane characters based on an ideal plane matrix of two mutually perpendicular sets of linear strokes, comprising a linear array of scanning sensor elements disposed to scan one character at a time while the characters move in a direction perpendicular to the array of sensors. A logic circuit converts data pulses corresponding to detected strokes to data bits corresponding to characters scanned. The circuit includes means for detecting beginning and end edges of characters in their path of movement and is adapted to scan alphabetic and numeric characters inscribed in ideal form.
Inventors
- 👤 A Schlang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An optical character reader for optical visible characters having verticle and horizontal strokes comprising: a first optical means for scanning a top horizontal stroke of said character; a second optical means for scanning verticle strokes in the upper half of said character; a third optical means for scanning a middle horizontal stroke of said character; and a fourth optical means for scanning vertical strokes in the lower half of said character; a first circuit means responsive to signals from said first and said third optical means for producing a first timing signal indicating the passage of more than one-half the width of said character and for producing a signal indicating the presence of a middle horizontal stroKe of said character: a second circuit means responsive to said second optical means, said fourth optical means and said second timing signal for indicating the presence of any of said vertical strokes; and logic circuit means connected to said first and second circuit means for producing data bits indicative of said character.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An optical character reader for optical visible characters having verticle and horizontal strokes comprising: a first optical means for scanning a top horizontal stroke of said character; a second optical means for scanning verticle strokes in the upper half of said character; a third optical means for scanning a middle horizontal stroke of said character; and a fourth optical means for scanning vertical strokes in the lower half of said character; a first circuit means responsive to signals from said first and said third optical means for producing a first timing signal indicating the passage of more than one-half the width of said character and for producing a signal indicating the presence of a middle horizontal stroKe of said character: a second circuit means responsive to said second optical means, said fourth optical means and said second timing signal for indicating the presence of any of said vertical strokes; and logic circuit means connected to said first and second circuit means for producing data bits indicative of said character.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical character reader as recited in claim 1 wherein said first circuit means includes means for producing a second timing signal indicating the width of said character and wherein said optical character reader further includes a memory means connected to said logic circuit and responsive to said second timing signal for receiving said data bits from said logic circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
An optical character reader as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third circuit means connected to said first optical means for counting the number of pulses therefrom, the output from said third circuit means connected to said logic circuit means whereby a pre-determined count from said third circuit means deactivates a portion of said logic circuit to prevent erroneously decoding of said character.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical character reader as defined in claim 1 wherein said optical means comprises photoelectric cells which are closely spaced for detecting irregularities in portions of the strokes of said character.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical character reader as recited in claim 1 wherein said second circuit means comprises a logical circuit including gates and pulse generators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical character reader as recited in claim 1 wherein said second circuit means comprises a logic circuit including gates and counters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical character reader as recited in claim 2 further including fourth circuit means responsive to said second timing signal and connected to said first circuit means and said second circuit means for clearing all stroke data therein when scanning of each of said characters is completed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |