Patent US3784832A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3784832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical scanning apparatus for avoiding ambiguity in a quantised signal
Assignee: Rank Organization Ltd
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Filing: 1973-01-19
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1993-01-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for avoiding ambiguity in a quantised signal representing a pattern which is scanned by an optical detector. The apparatus operates to scan the pattern to be represented and to produce a quantised signal each quantum of which represents the major colour in each scanning element of the pattern scanned. Sampling means are provided which sample the binary signal produced by the scanning means at a rate higher than the rate at which the signal is ultimately to be quantised and the output from the sampling means controls a gating circuit which operates to prevent the signal representing the pattern from changing from a representation of one colour to a representation of another unless a predetermined number of the samples all represent one colour. This avoids any indeterminacy in the quantised signal at colour junctions where there are two or more colours present in an element being scanned, and no colour is sufficiently predominant for the detectors to unambiguously provide an output representing only that colour.
Inventors
- 👤 B Sewell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:37
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D19/00; F04D19/02; F04D19/04; G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
In a device for optically scanning a pattern to produce a quantised coded signal representative thereof, comprising: scanning means operating to scan successive regions of an object bearing said pattern, at least two colour detecting means arranged to receive light from said scanning means, said colour detecting means producing output signals representative of the colour of each successive region as it is scanned by said scanning means, and quantising means coupled to receive said output signals from said colour detecting means and operating to produce quantised signals therefrom at a predetermined quantising rate, the improvement wherein there are provided: sampling means operative to take a plurality of samples of said output signals from said colour detecting means at a predetermined sampling rate greater than said predetermined quantising rate, gating means coupled to the output of said sampling means to receive said samples said gating means operating to prevent the signal fed to said quantising means from changing from a representation of one colour to a representation of another colour when said scanning means passes a point where said pattern changes from one colour to another, unless a predetermined number of successive said samples taken from each of said outputs of said colour detecting means represent only one colour respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a device for optically scanning a pattern to produce a quantised coded signal representative thereof, comprising: scanning means operating to scan successive regions of an object bearing said pattern, at least two colour detecting means arranged to receive light from said scanning means, said colour detecting means producing output signals representative of the colour of each successive region as it is scanned by said scanning means, and quantising means coupled to receive said output signals from said colour detecting means and operating to produce quantised signals therefrom at a predetermined quantising rate, the improvement wherein there are provided: sampling means operative to take a plurality of samples of said output signals from said colour detecting means at a predetermined sampling rate greater than said predetermined quantising rate, gating means coupled to the output of said sampling means to receive said samples said gating means operating to prevent the signal fed to said quantising means from changing from a representation of one colour to a representation of another colour when said scanning means passes a point where said pattern changes from one colour to another, unless a predetermined number of successive said samples taken from each of said outputs of said colour detecting means represent only one colour respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said colour detectors produce a binary output signal in dependence on the colour of light incident thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said sampling means includes a plurality of shift registers coupled to receive said outputs from respective said colour detecting means, said gating means being coupled to the parallel outputs of said shift registers and operating to provide an output signal only when at least a predetermined number of said parallel outputs of said shift registers, together with said input thereto, are all in the same state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said gating network is responsive to output signals from only a predetermined group of said parallel outputs of said shift registers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said predetermined sampling rate is in the region of ten times greater than said predetermined quantising rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said predetermined number of said parallel outputs of said shift registers is three.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said predetermined number of said parallel outputs of said shift registers is four.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said colour detectors each comprise, a photo electric detector, a colour filter adjacent the sensitive face of said photo electric detector, an amplifier connected to receive at its input the output signals from said photo electric detector, and a voltage level discriminator connected to receive at its input the output signals from said amplifier, said voltage discriminator producing a binary signal output from said input signal.
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) | 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 |