US3870865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for optical reading of recorded data
Assignee: Recognition Equipment Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A data processing method and apparatus for reading data that is recorded on a document or other record medium in the form of a plurality of lines of indicia which may be either reflective marks (e.g., printed or handwritten) or perforations. A self scanning linear array of photoelectric sensors (e.g., photodiodes), having at least two sensors within each center-to center spaced of adjacent indicia, scans the document as it is moved past the array. The linear array of photoelectric sensors is oriented transversely across the lines on indicia, and light is directed onto the indicia so that the sensors generate electrical signals representing the indicia as they are moved past the array. A single linear array may be used to sense both reflective marks and perforations by directing light onto both sides of the document. A system is provided for separating electrical signals representing reflective marks from signals representing perforations in the output from the single array of photodiodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward M Schneiderhan
- 👤 John E Jones
- 👤 Henry P Briggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; B41J2002/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A data processing method comprising the steps of recording data on a record medium with the data being represented by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, providing a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, and moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia while direcTing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A data processing method comprising the steps of recording data on a record medium with the data being represented by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, providing a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, and moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia while direcTing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
A data processing method comprising the steps of recording data on a record medium with the data being represented by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, providing a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, and moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia while direcTing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
A data processing method comprising the steps of recording data on a record medium with the data being represented by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, providing a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, and moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia while direcTing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A data processing method as set forth in claim 1 which includes the steps of directing light onto both sides of said record medium so that a single photodiode array located on one side of the record medium generates electrical signals of a first magnitude representing reflective optical marks on the record medium and of a second magnitude representing perforations in the record medium, and separating the signals representing reflective optical marks from the signals representing perforations by discriminating between the signals of said first and second magnitudes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
Data processing apparatus for reading data represented on a record medium by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, said apparatus comprising the combination of a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, means for moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia, and means for directing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
Data processing apparatus for reading data represented on a record medium by a plurality of lines of indicia of different types and having a plurality of different center-to-center spacings, said indicia being selected from the group consisting of reflective optical marks on the record medium and perforations in the record medium, said apparatus comprising the combination of a self scanning photodiode array in the form of an integrated circuit with at least two photodiodes located within each center-to-center space of adjacent indicia having the smallest center-to-center spacing of all the indicia to be read so that all of the different types of indicia with different spacings are read by the single self scanning photodiode array, means for moving the record medium relatively past said photodiode array with the array extending transversely across the lines of said indicia, and means for directing light onto said indicia to generate electrical signals representing said indicia in response to movement of said indicia relatively past said self scanning photodiode array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
Data processing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes means for directing light onto both sides of said record medium so that a single self scanning array of photodiodes located on one side of the record medium generates electrical signals of a first magnitude representing reflective optical marks on the record medium and of a second magnitude representing perforations in the record medium, and discriminating means responsive to the different magnitudes of said electrical signals for separating the signals representing reflective optical marks from the signals representing perforations.
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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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |