US3906202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data retrieval and error detection method and apparatus designed for use in a width-modulated bar-code scanning apparatus
Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
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Filing: 1974-03-01
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Sudden changes in the rate at which a bar code is manually scanned are detected by circuitry which compares the time required to scan adjoining fixed-width characters of the bar code. This circuitry sums the time required to scan each individual bar and space element of every character in the bar code. The circuitry thereby generates a series of numbers proportional to the widths of the characters which comprise the bar code. Adjacent numbers in this series are then compared to determine if there has been a sudden, unacceptable change in the speed at which the bar code is scanned. If adjacent numbers differ in size by an unacceptable amount, an error indication is given out.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
In a bar code scanning apparatus for scanning width modulated bar code characters each of which comprises a series of bars and spaces and including a manually-positionable scanning stylus, the improvement which comprises means for decoding the elements of a bar code character which is scanned by said stylus, and means for providing an error indication when the velocity with which said stylus scans one of said characters changes by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a bar code scanning apparatus for scanning width modulated bar code characters each of which comprises a series of bars and spaces and including a manually-positionable scanning stylus, the improvement which comprises means for decoding the elements of a bar code character which is scanned by said stylus, and means for providing an error indication when the velocity with which said stylus scans one of said characters changes by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for scanning a width-modulated bar code comprising: means including a manually-positionable stylus for generating a signal whose fluctuations with respect to time correspond to the fluctuations of said bar code with respect to distance; means for generating a number proportional to the time which elapses while a predetermined number of said signal fluctuations take place; means for storing numbers generated by said means for generating; comparison means for comparing the relative magnitude of successive pairs of numbers presented by said means for generating to said means for storing; and means for giving an error indication whenever successive pairs of said numbers differ from one another by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for scanning a width-modulated bar code comprising: means including a manually-positionable stylus for generating a signal whose fluctuations with respect to time correspond to the fluctuations of said bar code with respect to distance; means for generating a number proportional to the time which elapses while a predetermined number of said signal fluctuations take place; means for storing numbers generated by said means for generating; comparison means for comparing the relative magnitude of successive pairs of numbers presented by said means for generating to said means for storing; and means for giving an error indication whenever successive pairs of said numbers differ from one another by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus in accordance with claiM 2 wherein said bar code comprises a plurality of fixed-width characters each including two or more bars, and wherein said means for generating is arranged to measure the time required to scan that number of signal fluctuations which normally occurs during the scanning of a fixed-width character.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 which includes a source of fixed-frequency pulses, a counter arranged to count said pulses, means for resetting said counter when said signal fluctuates, and means for analyzing the count values generated by said counter in deciphering the bar code; and wherein said means for generating comprises a storage register and an arithmetic unit interconnected to said counter to form a summer which sums the count values presented by said counter during the scanning of a character.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of detecting a change in the rate at which a bar code is scanned by a manually-positionable stylus, said bar code comprising a plurality of fixed-width characters each comprising a plurality of variable-width segments, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the time it takes said stylus to scan each of a pair of adjacent fixed-width characters; comparing the measured time it took the stylus to scan one of the characters to the measured time it took the stylus to scan the other character; and giving an error indication if the two measured times disagree with one another by a predetermined, substantial enough amount to indicate that an unacceptably rapid change in the manual scanning rate has taken place.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of detecting a change in the rate at which a bar code is scanned by a manually-positionable stylus, said bar code comprising a plurality of fixed-width characters each comprising a plurality of variable-width segments, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the time it takes said stylus to scan each of a pair of adjacent fixed-width characters; comparing the measured time it took the stylus to scan one of the characters to the measured time it took the stylus to scan the other character; and giving an error indication if the two measured times disagree with one another by a predetermined, substantial enough amount to indicate that an unacceptably rapid change in the manual scanning rate has taken place.
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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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |