US3784791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical addressing system
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-29
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An optical addressing system for an automatically controlled vehicle comprising a plurality of opaque address plates mounted at appropriate locations along possible paths of movement of the vehicle, the plates each being formed with a pair of elongated strobe-indicating bars located at respective ends of the plate to provide optically readable strobe signals and a plurality of shorter bars and spaces disposed intermediate the strobeindicating bars cooperating to provide an optically readable address signal, and photoelectric means carried by the vehicle for sensing the optically readable signals provided by the address plates.
Inventors
- 👤 L Pease
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:49
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An addressing system for an automatically controlled vehicle comprising: a light source; a plurality of address plates each mounted at respective appropriate locations along possible paths of movement of said vehicle, each of said address plates being formed of a flat sheet of opaque material to have an elongated bar at each end thereof and a plurality of shorter bars and spaces disposed intermediate said elongated bars, said elongated bars and said shorter bars and spaces cooperating to produce an optically readable address signal and an optically readable ''''Read Now'''' signal when said plate is illuminated by said light source; a reader head carried by said vehicle and having an elongated slot extending through said head positioned to pass about said address plates during movement of said vehicle; and a plurality of photoelectric means on said reader head corresponding in number to the number of bars and spaces on each of said address plates and communicating with said slot to optically read said address signal provided by each of said address plates upon detection of said ''''Read Now'''' signal from said address plates and converting said address signal into electrical signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An addressing system for an automatically controlled vehicle comprising: a light source; a plurality of address plates each mounted at respective appropriate locations along possible paths of movement of said vehicle, each of said address plates being formed of a flat sheet of opaque material to have an elongated bar at each end thereof and a plurality of shorter bars and spaces disposed intermediate said elongated bars, said elongated bars and said shorter bars and spaces cooperating to produce an optically readable address signal and an optically readable ''''Read Now'''' signal when said plate is illuminated by said light source; a reader head carried by said vehicle and having an elongated slot extending through said head positioned to pass about said address plates during movement of said vehicle; and a plurality of photoelectric means on said reader head corresponding in number to the number of bars and spaces on each of said address plates and communicating with said slot to optically read said address signal provided by each of said address plates upon detection of said ''''Read Now'''' signal from said address plates and converting said address signal into electrical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The addressing system of claim 1 wherein: said means for optically reading comprises photoelectric means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The addressing system of claim 1 wherein said photoelectric means comprises: a row of photoelectric devices disposed along one side of said slot and positioned to sense said optically readable address signal, and a pair of photoelectric devices located adjacent respective ends of said reader head and positioned to sense only said optically readable ''''Read Now'''' signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The addressing system of claim 3 further comprising; a plurality of light sources each positioned to correspond to a respective one of said photoelectric devices and mounted on the opposite side of said slot from said photoelectric devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
An addressing system for an automatically controlled vehicle comprising: a light Source; a plurality of address plates mounted at stationary locations along the path of vehicle travel and formed of a flat sheet of opaque material having an elongated bar formed at each end of each address plate and a plurality of shorter bars and spaces disposed intermediate said elongated bars, said elongated bars and said shorter bars and spaces cooperating to produce an optically readable address signal and an optically readable ''''Read Now'''' signal when said plate is illuminated by said light source; a reader head carried by said vehicle and having a plurality of photoelectric means corresponding to said shorter bars and spaces on said plate for sensing said optically readable address signal, said reader head also having means for detecting said elongated bars to actuate said ''''Read Now'''' signal only upon alignment of said reader head with said address signal of said plate; and said reader head sensing said optically readable address signal only upon detection of said ''''Read Now'''' signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
174 words
An addressing system for an automatically controlled vehicle comprising: a light Source; a plurality of address plates mounted at stationary locations along the path of vehicle travel and formed of a flat sheet of opaque material having an elongated bar formed at each end of each address plate and a plurality of shorter bars and spaces disposed intermediate said elongated bars, said elongated bars and said shorter bars and spaces cooperating to produce an optically readable address signal and an optically readable ''''Read Now'''' signal when said plate is illuminated by said light source; a reader head carried by said vehicle and having a plurality of photoelectric means corresponding to said shorter bars and spaces on said plate for sensing said optically readable address signal, said reader head also having means for detecting said elongated bars to actuate said ''''Read Now'''' signal only upon alignment of said reader head with said address signal of said plate; and said reader head sensing said optically readable address signal only upon detection of said ''''Read Now'''' signal.
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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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |