US3792268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Document scanner having optical diffusion means
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-06
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-01-06
Abstract
Abstract An illumination provides incident radiation to a document lying in an object plane. A photodetector converts nonspecular reflections from the plane into an electrical signal. To prevent unwanted specular reflections, from plastic mail-piece windows or uneven documents, for degrading the signal-to-noise ratio, an optical diffuser is located adjacent the object plane. Both the incident and the reflected radiation pass through the diffuser, which may be a ground-glass flat.
Inventors
- 👤 B Bjerke
- 👤 M Siverling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10831; B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/10; B07C3/14; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N21/474; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A scanner for an information bearing document positioned substantially in a document plane, said scanner comprising: illumination source means for providing incident radiation to said document in said plane; detector means for receiving radiation reflected from said document and for converting said reflected radiation to an electrical signal representative of the intensity of said reflected radiation; and diffusion means mounted on said scanner and disposed adjacent said document plane so as to intercept both said incident radiation and said reflected radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A scanner for an information bearing document positioned substantially in a document plane, said scanner comprising: illumination source means for providing incident radiation to said document in said plane; detector means for receiving radiation reflected from said document and for converting said reflected radiation to an electrical signal representative of the intensity of said reflected radiation; and diffusion means mounted on said scanner and disposed adjacent said document plane so as to intercept both said incident radiation and said reflected radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A scanner according to claim 1, wherein said radiation is optical radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A scanner according to claim 2, further comprising means for directing said incident radiation along a predetermined axis so as to produce in said document plane an illuminated area having a small extent in at least one dimension of said plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanner according to claim 3, wherein said illuminated area has the shape of a line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanner according to claim 3, wherein said illuminated area has the shape of a spot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A scanner according to claim 3, wherein said diffusion means is disposed with respect to said source means and said document plane such that said illuminated area is substantially constant both in the presence and absence of said diffusion means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A scanner according to claim 6, wherein said diffusion means is disposed such that said indident radiation is substantially dispersed at distances beyond said document plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A scanner according to claim 3, wherein said diffusion means is substantially in contact with said document.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanner according to claim 2, further comprising means for directing said reflected radiation to said detector means along along a predetermined axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanner according to claim 9, wherein said axis is substantially perpendicular to said document plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scanner according to claim 9, further comprising means for directing said incident radiation along a further predetermined axis so as to produce an illuminated area in said document plane, said axes defining unequal angles with said document plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanner according to claim 2, wherein said diffusion means comprises a sheet of translucent material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanner according to claim 12, wherein said diffusion means comprises a substantially flat sheet of glass having a ground surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanner according to claim 13, wherein said ground surface is disposed adjacent said document plane.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |