US4005286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact illumination system with light absorbing and reflecting walls
Assignee: Atos IT Solutions and Services Inc
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Filing: 1976-08-11
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1996-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for uniformly illuminating a field of information is provided for optical readers having a scanning device loosely constrained in movement. Lamps are symmetrically located about the optical axis of a sensor and enclosed within a four-sided illuminator. The sides of the illuminator converge at one end to a port having dimensions defined by the field to be viewed. A plate between the lamps and the sensor partially closes the second end of the illuminator, with an aperture therein symmetrical to the optical axis of the sensor. Internal wall portions of the illuminator adjacent to the reflecting plate are of a high diffuse reflectance, while portions adjacent to the port are of a low diffuse reflectance.
Inventors
- 👤 Hubert D. Faulkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10742; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A data field illuminator for uniformally brightening a data field viewed by a photo sensor array in an optical character recognition system comprising; an enclosure having side walls converging from an enclosure plate to a first aperture, said enclosure plate enclosing one end of said enclosure and having a second aperture therein for the passage of light to said photo sensor array reflected from a data field in registration with said first aperture, a light absorbing inner surface on two of said side walls extending from the first aperture toward the closure plate to a boundary line located intermediate the first aperture in said closure plate, and a light reflecting surface extending from the boundary line to said closure plate, a light reflecting surface on two other of said side walls and a light source supported by said closure plate for illumination of the data field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A data field illuminator for uniformally brightening a data field viewed by a photo sensor array in an optical character recognition system comprising; an enclosure having side walls converging from an enclosure plate to a first aperture, said enclosure plate enclosing one end of said enclosure and having a second aperture therein for the passage of light to said photo sensor array reflected from a data field in registration with said first aperture, a light absorbing inner surface on two of said side walls extending from the first aperture toward the closure plate to a boundary line located intermediate the first aperture in said closure plate, and a light reflecting surface extending from the boundary line to said closure plate, a light reflecting surface on two other of said side walls and a light source supported by said closure plate for illumination of the data field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said light absorbing inner surface encompass said first aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said light reflecting inner surfaces are of a high diffuse reflectance material coating applied to said walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said light absorbing inner surfaces are of a low diffuse reflectance material coating applied to said walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosure has four walls oriented at two different slopes, and wherein said first aperture is rectangular in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said enclosure is rectangular in shape and wherein the light absorbing inner surface is a low diffuse reflectance material and the light reflecting surface is a high diffuse reflectance material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said light source includes two lamps seated within third and fourth apertures in said closure plate with the filaments of said two lamps in the interior of said enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said light reflecting inner surface is formed from a high diffuse reflectance material, and said light absorbing inner surface is formed from a low diffuse reflectance material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
An illuminator for uniformly brightening a data field viewed by a photosensor array, which comprises: four quadrilateral walls symmetrical to the optical axis of said array and joined so as to form a small first aperture remote from said array and diverging to an open end intermediate to said array and said first aperture, with the internal surface of each of said walls having a high diffuse reflectance area extending from the open end toward said first aperture and the internal surface of at least two of said walls having a low diffuse reflectance area extending from the first aperture to the high diffuse reflectance area; A reflecting plate enclosing the open end and joined to said four walls, said plate having a second aperture aligned with said first aperture; and a plurality of lamps supported in said plate symmetrical to said second aperture, and directed away from said array and toward said first aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
An illuminator for uniformly brightening a data field viewed by a photosensor array, which comprises: four quadrilateral walls symmetrical to the optical axis of said array and joined so as to form a small first aperture remote from said array and diverging to an open end intermediate to said array and said first aperture, with the internal surface of each of said walls having a high diffuse reflectance area extending from the open end toward said first aperture and the internal surface of at least two of said walls having a low diffuse reflectance area extending from the first aperture to the high diffuse reflectance area; A reflecting plate enclosing the open end and joined to said four walls, said plate having a second aperture aligned with said first aperture; and a plurality of lamps supported in said plate symmetrical to said second aperture, and directed away from said array and toward said first aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said high diffuse reflectance area is adjacent said reflecting plate, and said low diffuse reflectance area is adjacent said first aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and second apertures are elongate rectangles, and said lamps are located adjacent opposite ends of said second aperture.
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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) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |