US3907197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and methods of reading information contained in coded form on information carrier
Assignee: Erwin Sick GmbH Optik Elektronik
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Filing: 1974-08-02
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for reading information provided in the form of a code on an information carrier, the apparatus including means for generating a rotating light beam which is refracted by a prism through a window onto an information carrier to sweep the code thereon, light reflected from the code being thereafter detected and interpreted by suitable means. The employment of the prism reduces the dimensions of the area swept by the light beam by deflecting portions of the light beam through the window which without the prism would need to be at least as wide as the diameter of a circle swept by the light beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Poschl
- 👤 Johann Plockl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:47
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: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the apparatus comprising means for providing a beam of light moving in a circular path; elongate prism means positioned so that the beam of light is incident thereon and refracted thereby; means defining an elongate window extending parallel to the prism and through which the light beam refracted by the prism can pass to scan a code on an information carrier moved crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the window; the code being scanned by means of circular arcs the double radius of which is exceeding the width of the window and is also exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read; means for unidirectionally moving the circular path in the general longitudinal direction of the prism after or while each circle is completed; means for converting light reflected from the code into electrical signals, and means arranged to interpret the electrical signals according to the scanned code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for reading information presented in the form of a code of optically-contrasting regions on an information carrier, the apparatus comprising means for providing a beam of light moving in a circular path; elongate prism means positioned so that the beam of light is incident thereon and refracted thereby; means defining an elongate window extending parallel to the prism and through which the light beam refracted by the prism can pass to scan a code on an information carrier moved crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the window; the code being scanned by means of circular arcs the double radius of which is exceeding the width of the window and is also exceeding the length of the code in the direction in which it is to be read; means for unidirectionally moving the circular path in the general longitudinal direction of the prism after or while each circle is completed; means for converting light reflected from the code into electrical signals, and means arranged to interpret the electrical signals according to the scanned code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the width of the prism is at least equal to the diameter of the circle described in the plane of the incident surface of the prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one surface of the prism is planar across its entire width and is normal to the axis about which the light beam describes the circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a light source which is at least approximately monochromatic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the light source is provided by a laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for providing said beam of light Moving in a circular path includes a 90* prism which is rotatable about an axis normal to its base, a beam of light incident thereon being internally reflected and directed towards said means for unidirectionally moving the circular path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for unidirectionally moving the circular path comprises a mirror which is movable about an axis normal to the axis of rotation of said 90* prism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the prism has a face provided by a plurality of surfaces or facets, adjacent ones of which intersect along lines parallel to the length of the prism.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
196 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: rotating a beam of light projected onto an incident surface of an elongate prism to describe a circle in the plane of the incident surface; unidirectionally moving the position of the circle after or during each circular sweep through a distance which is less than the width of the regions providing the code, the width being measured transversely to the direction in which the code is to be read, whilst the information carrier moves transversely to the direction of movement of the circle at a speed which is slow in relation to the circular speed of the light beam; directing the beam of light, refracted by the prism through an elongate window to scan the code on the information carrier the window extending parallel to the prism and having a width less than that of said circle; converting the light reflected from the code into electrical signals in a photo-electric transducer; and applying output signals of the transducer to processing means arranged to interpret the output signals for reading said information.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
196 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: rotating a beam of light projected onto an incident surface of an elongate prism to describe a circle in the plane of the incident surface; unidirectionally moving the position of the circle after or during each circular sweep through a distance which is less than the width of the regions providing the code, the width being measured transversely to the direction in which the code is to be read, whilst the information carrier moves transversely to the direction of movement of the circle at a speed which is slow in relation to the circular speed of the light beam; directing the beam of light, refracted by the prism through an elongate window to scan the code on the information carrier the window extending parallel to the prism and having a width less than that of said circle; converting the light reflected from the code into electrical signals in a photo-electric transducer; and applying output signals of the transducer to processing means arranged to interpret the output signals for reading said information.
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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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |