US3920959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opto-electronic sensing rod for the manual scanning of graphic information
Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
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Filing: 1974-04-22
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A sensing rod adapted to transmit light and receive reflected light and including circuitry adapted to detect variations in the intensity of the reflected light. A light transmitting and receiving tip is mounted on the sensing rod for axial movement relative thereto. Light conducting elements are provided for conducting the light detected from the axially movable tip to the aforementioned circuitry. The tip is resiliently urged into its outer projecting position from the front end of the sensing rod and is resiliently maintained in this position by a spring force which is adapted to yield when an external force is applied to the tip to permit the tip to move inside the sensing rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Norbert Wefers
- 👤 Uwe Unglaube
- 👤 Joachim Schwarzkopf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod for the manual scanning of graphic information having a tip mounted in a sensing rod shaft and adapted to emit light and to receive light which is reflected from an information carrier, said tip being coupled through light conducting elements to a light source and a photo-electronic structural element, said opto-electronic sensing rod further having a plate bar which has a signal-preparing circuit mounted thereon, comprising the improvement wherein said tip, said light conducting elements and a carrier means for said light source and said photo-electronic structural element form a system which is movable relative to said plate bar through an application of a force onto said tip in said sensing rod shaft, resilient means for holding said system in a limiting position so that said tip projects from a front opening in said sensing rod shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod for the manual scanning of graphic information having a tip mounted in a sensing rod shaft and adapted to emit light and to receive light which is reflected from an information carrier, said tip being coupled through light conducting elements to a light source and a photo-electronic structural element, said opto-electronic sensing rod further having a plate bar which has a signal-preparing circuit mounted thereon, comprising the improvement wherein said tip, said light conducting elements and a carrier means for said light source and said photo-electronic structural element form a system which is movable relative to said plate bar through an application of a force onto said tip in said sensing rod shaft, resilient means for holding said system in a limiting position so that said tip projects from a front opening in said sensing rod shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 1, wherein said movable system includes a transparent, movable member having said tip thereon and a movable pipe which abuts said member and contains two conducting fibers, said pipe being fixedly connected to said carrier means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 2, wherein said movable member is an image conductor centered in a metal sleeve, said metal sleeve being centered in a cap forming a front part of the sensing rod and wherein said movable pipe is guided in a centering pipe secured in said sensing rod shaft and projects into said cap, said cap having an internal thread and said centering pipe having an external thread engaging said internal thread for securing said cap to said centering pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 3, wherein said resilient means comprises a helical spring surrounding said movable pipe and positioned between the front end of said centering pipe and said movable pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 3, wherein said light conductors arranged in said movable pipe at the end facing said transparent member terminate in a ground and polished front surface of a connecting element which closes off said movable pipe and wherein said metal sleeve has an end bore therein which receives said connecting element and centers same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claiM 1, wherein said carrier means comprises a piston member supported for movement in said sensing rod shaft and carries two housings for said light source and said photo-electronic structural element, said piston member and said movable pipe being of a one piece construction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 6, wherein said light source and said photo-electronic structural element are connected to said plate bar through flexible, wirelike connecting lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An opto-electronic sensing rod according to claim 1, wherein said limiting position of said system is fixed by a stop on the inner wall of said sensing rod shaft, said stop extending into the zone of movement of said carrier means.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |