US3823326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and apparatus for reading information contained in coded form
Assignee: Erwin Sick GmbH Optik Elektronik
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Filing: 1973-03-16
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Information provided in the form of a linear code of light and dark regions is provided on an information carrier and the carrier is passed through the path of a circulating light beam which is reflected by the code to a photo-electric transducer providing an output to an electronic discriminating processing system which is programmed to identify the code.
Inventors
- 👤 J Plockl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; B; B61; B61L; B61L25/00; B61L25/02; B61L25/04; B61L25/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the regions in a reading plane with a light spot travelling along a circle of a diameter exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read, the position of the scanning circle in the reading plane after each circular sweep being unidirectionally shifted a distance which is less than the width of the regions providing the code measured across the direction in which the code is to be read, whilst the information carrier traverses the reading plane across the direction of shift of the scanning circle at a speed which is slow in relation to the speed of the light spot; converting the light reflected from the code into electrical signals in a photo-electric transducer; and applying the output signals of the transducer to a discriminating processing system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the regions in a reading plane with a light spot travelling along a circle of a diameter exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read, the position of the scanning circle in the reading plane after each circular sweep being unidirectionally shifted a distance which is less than the width of the regions providing the code measured across the direction in which the code is to be read, whilst the information carrier traverses the reading plane across the direction of shift of the scanning circle at a speed which is slow in relation to the speed of the light spot; converting the light reflected from the code into electrical signals in a photo-electric transducer; and applying the output signals of the transducer to a discriminating processing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically contrasting regions are provided by light and dark regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the light spot scans a code comprising at least one row of spaced bars which provide darker regions than the background on which they are provided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein, for reading a code consisting of at least two parallel rows of code regions, several light spots are arranged to travel in the reading plane in concentric circles which are radially spaced in accordance with the width of the code regions measured across the direction in which the code is to be read, the scanning circles being jointly shifted in the reading plane after each circular sweep.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the number of light spots equals the number of rows in the code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the number of light spots exceeds the number of rows in the code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the number of light spots is less than the number of rows in the code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the several light spots are arranged to travel in different concentric circles and are spaced at angular intervals that are sufficiently large to ensure that the arc lengths between the light spots exceed the maximum length of the code in the reading direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the code includes information indicating the direction in which the code should be read, and, according to this additional information, the processing system reads only the results of the scan in the longitudinal direction of the row or rows of the code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one row of the code includes information indicating the hand from which the at least one row is to be read, and the processing system stores the results of the longitudinal scan of the at least one row of the code and then by reference to the directional information computes from which end to read the code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the apparatus comprising a light source; means whereby a light spot formed by a beam of light from the light source can be moved so that in a reading plane in which the code is presented the light spot describes a circular path of a diameter exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read; means for unidirectionally shifting the circular path of the light spot after each circle is completed; means for traversing the information carrier past the path of the light spot; means for converting light reflected from the code, when the carrier traverses the path of the light spot into electrical signals, and discriminating means arranged to inteRpret the electrical signals according to the scanned code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the apparatus comprising a light source; means whereby a light spot formed by a beam of light from the light source can be moved so that in a reading plane in which the code is presented the light spot describes a circular path of a diameter exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read; means for unidirectionally shifting the circular path of the light spot after each circle is completed; means for traversing the information carrier past the path of the light spot; means for converting light reflected from the code, when the carrier traverses the path of the light spot into electrical signals, and discriminating means arranged to inteRpret the electrical signals according to the scanned code.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |