Patent US2421560A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3995166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical scan pattern generator for code reading systems
Assignee: INSTAREAD Corp A FL CORP
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Filing: 1975-04-16
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1995-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A reader-scanner system using a laser as a source of a narrow beam of light and having optical means for directing the light beam from the laser to a scan target area with the optical means generating a pattern comprising a series of intersecting diagonal and horizontal lines relative to the path of objects which pass through the scan target area, with sequential scan pattern sets in the scan target area displaced in the direction of oncoming objects from the previous scan pattern set, with each of the lines defining each scan pattern set approaching the scan target area from a different direction and wherein the optical path of the incoming scan lines is shared by the reflected light as it travels to the system's optical detector.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Hobart
- 👤 Wayne S. Mefferd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for generating a multiple-line scan pattern in a reader-scanner system comprising: a. a laser for projecting a narrow beam of light; b. a scan target area through which pass objects to be scanned; c. means for detecting changes in the level of laser light reflected from objects passing through said scan target area; and d. optical means for directing said laser beam to said scan target area as a set of n intersecting line segments forming one complete scan pattern spanning the entire scan target area and including means for projecting subsequent complete sets of n-line scan patterns at a different orientation in said scan target area from the previous n-line pattern in a direction toward oncoming objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for generating a multiple-line scan pattern in a reader-scanner system comprising: a. a laser for projecting a narrow beam of light; b. a scan target area through which pass objects to be scanned; c. means for detecting changes in the level of laser light reflected from objects passing through said scan target area; and d. optical means for directing said laser beam to said scan target area as a set of n intersecting line segments forming one complete scan pattern spanning the entire scan target area and including means for projecting subsequent complete sets of n-line scan patterns at a different orientation in said scan target area from the previous n-line pattern in a direction toward oncoming objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each n-line scan pattern comprises a series of intersecting diagonal and horizontal lines relative to the path of objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each n-line scan pattern comprises a series of intersecting diagonal and substantially horizontal lines relative to the path of objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said optical means includes means for directing each line of each n-line scan patern from a different point in space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said optical means provides an optical path common to both light directed to said scan target area as well as light reflected therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 including means for reducing the power per unit/solid angle at said scan target area by angularly moving said pattern in at least one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for projecting a multiple-line scan pattern in a reader-scanner system comprising: a. a laser for projecting a narrow beam of light; b. a scan target area through which pass objects to be scanned; c. means for detecting changes in the level of laser light reflected from objects in said scan target area; and d. optical means for directing said laser beam to said scan target area as a series of intersecting diagonal and substantially horizontal lines relative to the path of the objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for projecting a multiple-line scan pattern in a reader-scanner system comprising: a. a laser for projecting a narrow beam of light; b. a scan target area through which pass objects to be scanned; c. means for detecting changes in the level of laser light reflected from objects in said scan target area; and d. optical means for directing said laser beam to said scan target area as a series of intersecting diagonal and substantially horizontal lines relative to the path of the objects passing through said scan target area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said optical means comprises: a. a rotating n-sided reflector; b. means for directing the laser beam to impinge upon said rotating reflector; c. means for segmentizing each sweep of the light beam which defines an arc plane as it is reflected from sequential sides of said rotating n-sided reflector comprising m stationary reflectors located in said arc plane, and wherein each stationary reflector is at a different angular orientation therein whereby reflections from each of said m reflectors are directed out of said arc plane at a different angle thereto, and d. additional optical means for intercepting each of said line segments reflected from said arc plane and redirecting the same to another plane in space, whereby some of said line segments comprise intercepting diagonal lines in said latter plane, and others comprise substantially horizontal lines.
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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) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |