Patent US6381150B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4434360A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical sensing device for reading bar code or the like

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1983-09-15
•
Granted: 1984-02-28
•
Expires: 2003-09-15
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A single optical fiber is placed at or near the nadir of the curvilinear section of the optical surface of a light emitting device. The LED element illuminates the bar code characters on the surface of the object being read, and the reflected light is transmitted up the optical fiber to a sensory means or the like. The elements are encased in an optical plastic medium for strength and durability, and resistance to environmental extremes.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alan H. Woosley
  • 👤 Billy R. Masten

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10762

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
An optical sensing device for reading data codes, comprising: a light source affixed within a transparent or translucent package; a single strand of optical fiber material having a diameter substantially equal to the minimum width of the bars contained in the desired bar code, wherein said package comprises a solid plastic body having a flat end and a rounded end, and wherein said fiber optic strand extends through at least a portion of said body such that one end of said strand is flush with and imbedded in said rounded end of said body to receive light reflected from said codes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 101 words
An optical sensing device for reading data codes, comprising: a light source affixed within a transparent or translucent package; a single strand of optical fiber material having a diameter substantially equal to the minimum width of the bars contained in the desired bar code, wherein said package comprises a solid plastic body having a flat end and a rounded end, and wherein said fiber optic strand extends through at least a portion of said body such that one end of said strand is flush with and imbedded in said rounded end of said body to receive light reflected from said codes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical sensing device as in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a light-emitting diode device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical sensing device as in claim 2 wherein said light-emitting diode device emits energy in the infrared wave length spectrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical sensing device as in claim 2 wherein said light emitting-diode device emits energy in the visible light wave length spectrum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical sensing device as in claim 1 wherein said single optical fiber has a diameter no greater than 0.005".

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3920959A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-02-27 1987-08-29 1988-02-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-02-27 1991-08-29 1992-02-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-02-27 1995-08-29 1996-02-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag