US3783273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling a light source of an optical reader mechanism
Assignee: Zellweger Uster AG
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling a light source of an optical reader mechanism wherein a light source generating a scanning light beam is essentially only placed into its operating condition during the time-span required for carrying out a scanning operation, during the remaining time it is controlled so as to assume a preparatory condition with reduced or interrupted power supply. The apparatus for carrying out the aforesaid method embodies a light source for generating the scanning light beam and a supply means associated with such light source. A control mechanism is provided for the supply means for regulating the respective operating and preparatory condition of the light source. The control mechanism has delivered thereto an input signal as a function of the throughpassage of an object through a reading zone of the reader mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 W Strohschneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/10; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1012; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of controlling a light source of an optical reader for the recognition of articles or the like, comprising the steps of controlling a light source generating a scanning light beam such that it operates at full power during its working condition and essentially only during the time-span required for an article scanning operation, controlling such light source during the remaining time so as to assume a preparatory condition with reduced or interrupted power, and wherein an output signal of a control mechanism is employed to act upon a power supply device for the light source of the reader such that the light source is supplied by the power supply device, during the time such light source assumes its preparatory condition, only with a reduced power supply which is of sufficient magnitude that when an article passes through a reading zone of the reader there is generated an output signal by means of which there can be indicated the entry of an article, delivering this output signal to the control mechanism by means of which there is produced a further output signal, and employing the further output signal to cause the power supply device to deliver for a predetermined period of time the full power supply to the light source of the reader and thus to place such light source temporarily into its working condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of controlling a light source of an optical reader for the recognition of articles or the like, comprising the steps of controlling a light source generating a scanning light beam such that it operates at full power during its working condition and essentially only during the time-span required for an article scanning operation, controlling such light source during the remaining time so as to assume a preparatory condition with reduced or interrupted power, and wherein an output signal of a control mechanism is employed to act upon a power supply device for the light source of the reader such that the light source is supplied by the power supply device, during the time such light source assumes its preparatory condition, only with a reduced power supply which is of sufficient magnitude that when an article passes through a reading zone of the reader there is generated an output signal by means of which there can be indicated the entry of an article, delivering this output signal to the control mechanism by means of which there is produced a further output signal, and employing the further output signal to cause the power supply device to deliver for a predetermined period of time the full power supply to the light source of the reader and thus to place such light source temporarily into its working condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the steps of employing the articles to be recognized by the reader so as to trigger a control signal at a barrier means no later than during passage of an article through a reading zone of the reader, delivering such control signal to the control mechanism, employing such delivered control signal to place a timing element of the control mechanism into operation, generating an output signal during the operating time of the timing element, delivering such output signal to the power supply device for the light source of the reader, and employing such delivered output signal to operate said supply device such that the supply device before and after said operating time of the timing element places the light source in its preparatory condition with reduced or interrupted power supply, but during the operating time of the timing element the light source is placed into its working condition and thus the full power supply is delivered to the light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of triggering a control signal at a barrier means by each article to be recognized by the reader prior to entry of the article into the reading zone of the reader, delivering such control signal to the control mechanism, producing an output signal at the control mechanism, delivering the output signal to the power supply device for the light source of the reader, employing the delivered output signal to control the power supply device in such a manner that the light source is shifted from a prior assumed preparatory condition with reduced or interrupted power supply for the light source into its working condition in which the power supply device delivers the full power supply to the light source, moving the articles after departing from the reading zone through a further barrier means and generating a further cOntrol signal at said further barrier means, delivering said further control signal to the control mechanism, producing a further output signal at said control mechanism by means of which the light source is again reset back into the preparatory condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of utilizing disappearance of the output signal of the reader for a predetermined period of time for operating the control mechanism to again control the power supply device so as to deliver a reduced power supply to the light source and thus again resetting the light source back into its preparatory condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of passing on article bearing a coded marking characterizing such article through a reading zone of the reader, generating an output signal of a control mechanism for the light source upon impingement of the scanning light beam upon the coded character of the article, and employing the generated output signal to place the light source into its working condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 5, further including the step of controlling the light source to assume its preparatory condition when the scanning light beam again no longer impinges upon the coded marking of the article.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for controlling a light source of an optical reader having a reading zone, comprising a light source generating a scanning light beam, power supply means for said light source, control means provided for said power supply means for regulating the light source so as to respectively assume a working condition and a preparatory condition, the power supply energy to said light source during its working condition being greater than during its preparatory condition, said control means having delivered thereto an input signal as a function of the passage of an article through the reading zone of the reader, and wherein said reader has an output and said control means an input, said output being connected with said input of the control means in such a manner that an output signal of the reader produced by scanning a code character characterizing an article acts through the agency of said control means upon said power supply device and thus places the light source into its working condition where it is furnished with the full power supply energy essentially only during the time when the scanning light beam sweepingly passes over the code character.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for controlling a light source of an optical reader having a reading zone, comprising a light source generating a scanning light beam, power supply means for said light source, control means provided for said power supply means for regulating the light source so as to respectively assume a working condition and a preparatory condition, the power supply energy to said light source during its working condition being greater than during its preparatory condition, said control means having delivered thereto an input signal as a function of the passage of an article through the reading zone of the reader, and wherein said reader has an output and said control means an input, said output being connected with said input of the control means in such a manner that an output signal of the reader produced by scanning a code character characterizing an article acts through the agency of said control means upon said power supply device and thus places the light source into its working condition where it is furnished with the full power supply energy essentially only during the time when the scanning light beam sweepingly passes over the code character.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including a first barrier means arranged forwardly of the reading zone of the reader with respect to the movement of the articles, an output signal of said first barrier means defining said input signal serving to supply the full power supply energy to the light source of the reader so as to cause said light source to assume its working condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including barrier means operatively associated with the control means such that upon passage of an article through said barrier means there is triggered a control signal delivered to control means as said input signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including a second barrier means arranged following the reading zone of the reader with respect to the movement of the articles, an output signal of such second barrier means serving to regulate the preparatory condition of the light source of the reader so that said light source operates with at least reduced power supply voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3225177A
Cited
US3532859A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |