US4232216A
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Method and device for reading coded information in the form of intervals of predetermined sizes
Assignee: Compagnie Internationale pour l'Informatique CII-Honeywell Bull SA
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Filing: 1978-12-12
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Granted: 1980-11-04
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Expires: 1998-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for reading an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive elements on a data carrier, and corresponding methods of recognizing an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a first pulsed signal. The device includes first and second element detectors arranged for motion relative to the elements on the data carrier, which detectors generate responses to the elements. The element detectors are spaced from each other by a distance e such that the responses to each element generated by said second element detector have a time delay e corresponding to the physical distance e with respect to the responses generated by said first element detector. The device further includes means for comparing the response of said first and second element detectors to produce an output signal representing the item of information. The distance e is selected and the comparison is such that a first interval a is identified when the beginning of a response by said second element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector, and a second interval b is identified when the end of a response by said first element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Helle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/224; G06V30/2247; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0166; G06K7/08; G06K7/082; G06K7/083; G06K7/084; G06K7/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of recognizing an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a first pulsed signal, said method comprising: generating a second pulsed signal the pulses of which are delayed with respect to corresponding pulses of the first pulsed signal by a delay interval e; and comparing the first and second pulsed signals to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the delay interval being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a is identified when a leading edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal and a second interval b is identified when a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of recognizing an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a first pulsed signal, said method comprising: generating a second pulsed signal the pulses of which are delayed with respect to corresponding pulses of the first pulsed signal by a delay interval e; and comparing the first and second pulsed signals to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the delay interval being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a is identified when a leading edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal and a second interval b is identified when a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a third interval c is identified during the step of comparing when neither a leading nor a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein: the pulses of the first and second signals have a minimum predetermined length l; and wherein the delay interval e satisfies the dual inequality b-l<e<a+l, where a-b+2l>0.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein: the pulses of the first and second signals have a minimum predetermined length l; and wherein the delay interval e satisfies the dual inequality b-l<e<a+l, where a-b+2l>0.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of recognizing an item of information defined by a first plurality m of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a primary pulsed signal, said method comprising: generating a second plurality n of separate pulsed signals the pulses of which are differently delayed with respect to corresponding pulses of the primary pulsed signal by delay intevals e; comparing the pulsed signals of the second plurality n to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the delay interval e between a first and second signal of the second plurality being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a of the first plurality m is identified when a leading edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal, a second interval b of the first plurality m is identified when a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal, and an interval of the first plurality m which is different from the first and second intervals a and b is identified when neither a leading nor a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of recognizing an item of information defined by a first plurality m of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a primary pulsed signal, said method comprising: generating a second plurality n of separate pulsed signals the pulses of which are differently delayed with respect to corresponding pulses of the primary pulsed signal by delay intevals e; comparing the pulsed signals of the second plurality n to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the delay interval e between a first and second signal of the second plurality being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a of the first plurality m is identified when a leading edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal, a second interval b of the first plurality m is identified when a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal, and an interval of the first plurality m which is different from the first and second intervals a and b is identified when neither a leading nor a trailing edge of a pulse of the second signal occurs during a pulse of the first signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein one of the pulsed signals of the second plurality n has a delay e of zero with respect to the primary pulsed signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein: the pulses of the first and second signals have a minimum predetermined length l; and wherein the delay interval e satisfies the dual inequality b-l<e<a+l, wherein a-b+2l>0.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the minimum number n of separate pulsed signals is determined by the equation n=m-p/2 where p is the number of intervals which, in pairs, satisfy the inequality a-b+2l>0.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for reading an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive elements on a data carrier, said device comprising: first and second element detectors arranged for motion relative to the elements on the data carrier, generating responses to the elements, and spaced from each other by a distance e such that the responses to each element generated by said second element detector have a delay corresponding to the distance e with respect to the responses generated by said first element detector; and means for comparing the responses of said first and second element detectors to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the distance e being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a is identified when the beginning of a response by said second element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector, and a second interval b is identified when the end of a response by said first element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for reading an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive elements on a data carrier, said device comprising: first and second element detectors arranged for motion relative to the elements on the data carrier, generating responses to the elements, and spaced from each other by a distance e such that the responses to each element generated by said second element detector have a delay corresponding to the distance e with respect to the responses generated by said first element detector; and means for comparing the responses of said first and second element detectors to produce an output signal representing the item of information, the distance e being selected and the comparison being such that a first interval a is identified when the beginning of a response by said second element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector, and a second interval b is identified when the end of a response by said first element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A reading device according to claim 9, wherein a third interval c is identified by said comparing means when neither the beginning nor the end of a response by said second element detector occurs during a response by said first element detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A reading device according to claim 9, wherein: the second interval b is greater than the first interval a; wherein the responses generated by said element detectors have a minimum predetermined size l relative to the intervals a and b; and wherein the distance e satisfies the dual inequality b-l<e<a+l, where a-b+2l>0.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A reading device according to claim 10, wherein: the second interval b is greater than the first interval a; wherein the responses generated by said element detectors have a minimum predetermined size l relative to the intervals a and b; and wherein the distance e satisfies the dual inequality b-l<e<a+l, where a-b+2l>0.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reading device according to claim 9, wherein said element detectors are magneto-resistive transducers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reading device according to claim 10, wherein said element detectors are magneto-resistive transducers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reading device according to claim 11, wherein said element detectors are magneto-resistive transducers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reading device according to claim 10, which is adapted for reading CMC 7 characters.
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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) | 1983-11-04 | 1984-05-05 | 1984-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-04 | 1988-05-05 | 1988-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-04 | 1992-05-05 | 1992-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |