US4031358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical code readers
Assignee: Plessey Handel und Investments AG
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Filing: 1975-07-01
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1995-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A probe for scanning optically encoded data in the form of elongate bars comprises a resiliently mounted tip which in use is scanned across the data to be read and which is retractable under pressure into the body of the pen.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Robert Thorniley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A probe for scanning optically encoded data comprising a generally tubular housing including a light source, a reading head fitting slidably within the tubular housing, a plurality of optical fibres forming a light guide means wherein the optical fibres are positioned and arranged to bias by reason of their natural springiness the said reading head so that its tip is constrained normally to project from the said housing, and an optical detector arranged within the tubular housing, said light source and said optical detector being optically coupled via said optical fibres to said tip of said reading head so that light is transmitted from said light source via said fibres to illuminate data scanned and so that light reflected from data thus illuminated is returned from said tip of said reading head along another of said fibres to be received at said optical detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A probe for scanning optically encoded data comprising a generally tubular housing including a light source, a reading head fitting slidably within the tubular housing, a plurality of optical fibres forming a light guide means wherein the optical fibres are positioned and arranged to bias by reason of their natural springiness the said reading head so that its tip is constrained normally to project from the said housing, and an optical detector arranged within the tubular housing, said light source and said optical detector being optically coupled via said optical fibres to said tip of said reading head so that light is transmitted from said light source via said fibres to illuminate data scanned and so that light reflected from data thus illuminated is returned from said tip of said reading head along another of said fibres to be received at said optical detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubular housing is formed in at least two parts which are adapted to screw together and which enclose therein a module carrying electronic circuitry for processing data scanned by the probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A probe as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tubular housing includes a switch button which projects through the wall of the housing to co-operate with switch means within the housing whereby depression of the button externally of the housing actuates the switch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |