Patent US4636846A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4636846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical scanning apparatus for indicia imprinted about a cylindrical axis
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1985-11-06
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2005-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanner employed in a radioactive environment for reading indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article by means of an optical system including metallic reflective and mirror surfaces resistant to degradation and discoloration otherwise imparted to glass surfaces exposed to radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Villarreal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/147; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for optically scanning indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article comprising: a frame, a camera mounted on said frame, a light source for emitting a collimated light beam, a beam splitter mounted on said frame, means mounted on said frame for diffusing a portion of said light beam and reflecting a portion thereof onto said beam splitter, said beam splitter directing said light beam onto said cylindrical surface of said article for illuminating the indicia imprinted thereon, and means including a metallic mirror surface for reflecting an image from said imprinted cylindrical surface for transmission through said beam splitter to said camera.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for optically scanning indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article comprising: a frame, a camera mounted on said frame, a light source for emitting a collimated light beam, a beam splitter mounted on said frame, means mounted on said frame for diffusing a portion of said light beam and reflecting a portion thereof onto said beam splitter, said beam splitter directing said light beam onto said cylindrical surface of said article for illuminating the indicia imprinted thereon, and means including a metallic mirror surface for reflecting an image from said imprinted cylindrical surface for transmission through said beam splitter to said camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflecting means comprises a body member having at one end thereof a conically shaped recess defining a conical face, said metallic mirror surface formed on said face, said body member having a bore therethrough for receiving said article, said bore communicating with said recess to dispose an end portion of said article within said recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said body member is formed at the other end thereof with a tapered inlet communicating with the other end of said bore, said article inserted through said tapered inlet into a desired position within said bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bore is formed with an enlarged diameter portion defining a shoulder against which a portion of said article seats to locate said article in a desired position relative to said mirror surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said body is formed of metal, and said mirror surface is highly polished to provide a clear reflecting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diffusing means comprises a rotatable body, a plate attached to said body, said plate having a metallic mirror surface for diffusing and reflecting light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, including means for rotatably adjusting said body to position said mirror surface of said plate in a desired orientation relative to said light source and said beam splitter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for optically scanning indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article comprising: a frame, a camera mounted on said frame, a light source for emitting a collimated light beam, a beam splitter mounted on said frame, means mounted on said frame for diffusing a portion of said light beam and reflecting a portion thereof onto said beam splitter, said beam splitter transmitting said light beam onto said cylindrical surface of said article for illuminating the indicia imprinted thereon, and means including a metallic mirror surface for reflecting an image from said imprinted cylindrical surface onto said beam splitter for reflection to said camera.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for optically scanning indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article comprising: a frame, a camera mounted on said frame, a light source for emitting a collimated light beam, a beam splitter mounted on said frame, means mounted on said frame for diffusing a portion of said light beam and reflecting a portion thereof onto said beam splitter, said beam splitter transmitting said light beam onto said cylindrical surface of said article for illuminating the indicia imprinted thereon, and means including a metallic mirror surface for reflecting an image from said imprinted cylindrical surface onto said beam splitter for reflection to said camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said reflecting means comprises a body member having at one end thereof a conically shaped recess defining a conical face, said metallic mirror surface formed on said face, said body member having a bore therethrough for receiving said article, said bore communicating with said recess to dispose an end portion of said article within said recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said body member is formed at the other end thereof with a tapered inlet communicating with the other end of said bore, said article inserted through said tapered inlet into a desired position within said bore, said bore being formed with an enlarged diameter portion defining a shoulder against which a portion of said article seats to locate said article in a desired position relative to said mirror surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said diffusing means comprises a rotatable body, a plate attached to said body, said plate having a metallic mirror surface for diffusing and reflecting light, and means for rotatably adjusting said body to position said mirror surface of said plate in a desired orientation relative to said light source and said beam splitter.
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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) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |