US4282431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bar code scanner
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1979-10-18
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 1999-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A circular scan reader utilizes oscillating mirrors and associated optics to generate a circular scan pattern of laser light focused to a small spot. The angle of the scan emanating from a point just inside the reader through a window forms a conical shape which permits scanning inside a yarn tube without inserting any portion of the reader into the tube. When the scan passes over a bar coded label, the changes in reflection of light between the bars and spaces are detected by a photodetector mounted on the face of the window. These fluctuations in light which correspond in width to the bar and space width are converted to an electrical signal that is amplified, and decoded. A driver circuit for the oscillating mirrors controls the scan rate and scan pattern. The scan rate is modulated to cause a variation in the sweep depth in the tube thus providing an area scan. The area scan reduces the need for accurate label placement in the tube core.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Anthony, Jr.
- 👤 John J. Keegan, Jr.
- 👤 Jerald D. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for scanning light reflective bar-coded lables located on the internal surface of a tube and for providing coded signals, said apparatus comprising: a wide angle lens having an optic axis, said lens being proximate said tube, said optic axis and the longitudinal axis of said tube being substantially coincident; a field lens spaced from and coaxial with said wide angle lens; means for generating a slightly convergent beam of light at a location spaced from said tube and said optic axis and for directing the beam into a path substantially parallel to said optic axis; a first light beam deflector positioned in said path to receive the beam of light and deflect it away from said path toward said optic axis; a second light beam deflector centrally positioned on said optic axis to receive the light from the first light beam deflector and reflect it toward said field lens so that all the light is received by said field lens; means for substantially sinusoidally oscillating said first and second deflectors in a phase controlled relationship for mutually deflecting said beam along a second path which diverges from and rotates about said optic axis as it approaches said field lens; and a light detector positioned between said wide angle lens and said tube on the optic axis to receive light reflected from the bar-coded labels located on the internal surface of the tube and to provide coded signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for scanning light reflective bar-coded lables located on the internal surface of a tube and for providing coded signals, said apparatus comprising: a wide angle lens having an optic axis, said lens being proximate said tube, said optic axis and the longitudinal axis of said tube being substantially coincident; a field lens spaced from and coaxial with said wide angle lens; means for generating a slightly convergent beam of light at a location spaced from said tube and said optic axis and for directing the beam into a path substantially parallel to said optic axis; a first light beam deflector positioned in said path to receive the beam of light and deflect it away from said path toward said optic axis; a second light beam deflector centrally positioned on said optic axis to receive the light from the first light beam deflector and reflect it toward said field lens so that all the light is received by said field lens; means for substantially sinusoidally oscillating said first and second deflectors in a phase controlled relationship for mutually deflecting said beam along a second path which diverges from and rotates about said optic axis as it approaches said field lens; and a light detector positioned between said wide angle lens and said tube on the optic axis to receive light reflected from the bar-coded labels located on the internal surface of the tube and to provide coded signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said wide angle lens being a fish-eye lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for generating a slightly convergent beam of light comprising a laser tube and a converging lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a signal decoder coupled to said light detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4057784A
Cited
US4099051A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-03 | 1985-02-02 | 1985-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-02-02 | 1989-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-03 | 1993-02-02 | 1993-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |