Patent US3360162A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4575625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integral hand-held laser scanner
Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1983-09-27
•
Granted: 1986-03-11
•
Expires: 2003-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A portable, hand-held laser scanner system located within a compact housing. The housing includes a laser tube power supply means therefor and computer means. The laser is operative when triggered by the user to produce a laser beam which exits the housing to scan a target, such as a bar code symbol, located adjacent thereto and to receive light directed from the target. The computer is arranged for decoding the reflected signal. Communication means are provided within said housing to provide data output signals. The computer is arranged to control and override the operation of the laser when the amount of laser light produced within a predetermined period of time reaches a predetermined threshold value and for enabling the laser to operate when the amount of laser energy produced is less than the predetermined threshold value within the predetermined period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl H. Knowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1016; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A portable, hand-held laser scanner comprising a housing, laser beam generation means, power supply means, user actuable means for initiating operation of said scanner and control and override means, said laser generation means, said power supply means and said control and override means being located within said housing, said laser generation means being arranged when operative to produce a laser beam which exits said housing for scanning across a target located adjacent said scanner, said scanner being arranged to receive light reflected off said target and for providing signals indicative thereof, said power supply means being arranged to energize said laser generation means, said actuable means being arranged for actuation by said user to cause said laser generation means to operate, said control and override means automatically precluding operation of said laser generation means when the amount of laser energy produced within a predetermined period of time reaches a predetermined threshold value and enabling said laser generation means to operate when the amount of laser energy produced is less then said predetermined threshold value within said predetermined period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A portable, hand-held laser scanner comprising a housing, laser beam generation means, power supply means, user actuable means for initiating operation of said scanner and control and override means, said laser generation means, said power supply means and said control and override means being located within said housing, said laser generation means being arranged when operative to produce a laser beam which exits said housing for scanning across a target located adjacent said scanner, said scanner being arranged to receive light reflected off said target and for providing signals indicative thereof, said power supply means being arranged to energize said laser generation means, said actuable means being arranged for actuation by said user to cause said laser generation means to operate, said control and override means automatically precluding operation of said laser generation means when the amount of laser energy produced within a predetermined period of time reaches a predetermined threshold value and enabling said laser generation means to operate when the amount of laser energy produced is less then said predetermined threshold value within said predetermined period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said control and override means continuously determines the amount of time available for said laser generation means to operate without exceeding said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said control and override means comprises computer means for counting the amount of time said laser generation means is operating and for also counting the amount of time said laser generation means is off.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said computer means comprises microprocessor based means arranged to count in one direction when said laser generation means is operating and in the opposite direction when said laser generation means is off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said computer means provides a disable signal when the count reaches a predetermined value, said disable signal serving to preclude operation of said laser generation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said computer means performs first and second counts, said first count being incremented when said laser generation means is operating and being decremented with the passage of time, said second count being decremented when said laser generation means is operating and being incremented with the passage of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said computer means produces a signal for disabling said laser from operating when said first count reaches a first value and said second count reaches a second value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said target comprises a bar code symbol and wherein said scanner is arranged to decode said symbol and to provide a signal indicative of said decoded symbol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 1 additionally including means located within said housing for causing said laser beam to sweep across a field in which said target is located, said scanner also including means located within said housing for determining if said beam is sweeping when said laser generation means is operative and for disabling said laser generation means if said beam is not sweeping across said field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said beam sweep determining means comprises highly reflective means located within said housing in said sweep field for providing a signal each time said beam sweeps across said field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said housing also includes means for providing signals to the user to indicate various operating conditions of said scanner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a hand-grip portion and wherein said laser beam is directed away from said housing under said hand-grip portion to sweep across a field located therebelow and in which said target is located.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said housing includes rotating reflective means for causing said beam to sweep across said field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said laser generation means comprises a laser tube and wherein said device additionally comprises an optical bench assembly integrally mounted on said laser tube and within said housing to maintain optical alignment of said laser beam irrespective of impact to the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 14 additionally comprising rotating reflective means for causing said beam to sweep across said field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said power supply means comprise a laser power supply and a low voltage power supply, each of said power supplies being of high frequency, switch mode-construction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said laser power supply is located within a grounded metal shield.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said laser includes a high voltage anode portion located within a grounded metal shield.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said housing is formed of a plastic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said laser generation means includes a laser tube having a high voltage anode portion located within a grounded metal shield.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said grounded metal shield includes electrical insulation between said anode and said shield.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 21 including ballast resistance means located within said shield.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |