US3786238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical reader
Assignee: DBS Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical information recognition system for sensing information carried on an information carrying member having an information carrying surface exhibiting a normal surface level and having information carried thereon as raised surface areas. The reader includes light transmitting means, such as an array of fiber optic tubes, for transmitting light along a given acute angle of incidence relative to the member so as to illuminate a portion thereof. Light receiving means, such as an array of fiber optic tubes leading to one or more light sensors, serves to receive light reflected from the member and to provide an output indication only when the amount of received light exceeds a given level. This is accomplished by positioning the light receiving means relative to the light transmitting means and the information carrying member so that the given amount of light is received only when a raised surface area is illuminated by the light transmitting means.
Inventors
- 👤 D Heisner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:07
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An information recognition system for sensing information embossed on the surface of an information carrying member, comprising: a bed for supporting an information carrying member; a read head mounted adjacent to said bed; means for causing relative movement between a member carried on said bed and said read head; light transmitting means included in said read head for carrying light along an acute angle relative to a line on said bed transverse to the direction of relative movement between said read head and said bed so as to illuminate a portion of said bed; light receiving means included in said read head for carrying light along an acute angle relative to said line on said bed so as to receive light reflected from a point a predetermined distance above said bed; said predetermined distance from which light is reflected and received by said light receiving means being substantially equal to the greatest thickness of said information carrying member including the thickness of embossed information; and said acute angle relative to a line on said bed transverse to the direction of relative movement between said read head and said bed at which said light transmitting means carries light being substantially equal to said acute angle at which said light receiving means carries light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
An information recognition system for sensing information embossed on the surface of an information carrying member, comprising: a bed for supporting an information carrying member; a read head mounted adjacent to said bed; means for causing relative movement between a member carried on said bed and said read head; light transmitting means included in said read head for carrying light along an acute angle relative to a line on said bed transverse to the direction of relative movement between said read head and said bed so as to illuminate a portion of said bed; light receiving means included in said read head for carrying light along an acute angle relative to said line on said bed so as to receive light reflected from a point a predetermined distance above said bed; said predetermined distance from which light is reflected and received by said light receiving means being substantially equal to the greatest thickness of said information carrying member including the thickness of embossed information; and said acute angle relative to a line on said bed transverse to the direction of relative movement between said read head and said bed at which said light transmitting means carries light being substantially equal to said acute angle at which said light receiving means carries light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An information recognition system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light transmitting means and said light receiving means are positioned so as to be spaced from the information embossed on said information carrying member by a distance substantially less than the height of the said information embossed thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An information recognition system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light receiving means includes fiber optic means having an information member facing end positioned for conveying light received to an opposite end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An information recognition system as set forth in claim 3 including photosensitive means for receiving light from the opposite end of said fiber optic means to provide an output signal in accordance therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An information recognition system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said light transmitting means includes a light source and fiber optic means having one end for receiving light from said source and conveying said light to an information carrying member facing end to project light toward said information carrying member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3629835A
Cited
US3706874A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |