US4644143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Static bar code reader
Assignee: Veeco Integrated Automation Inc
•
Filing: 1984-12-13
•
Granted: 1987-02-17
•
Expires: 2004-12-13
Abstract
Abstract In a static optical bar code reader, a stationary bar code is disposed in operative relationship to a light sensitive charge coupled device. The photosites of the charge coupled device convert light from the contrasting segments of the bar code to an analog voltage. The analog output of the charge coupled device is applied to a circuit which converts it to a digital signal. The digital signal is transmitted to a suitably programmed microprocessor which preferably decodes the digital signal and recovers the information included in the bar code. The output of the microprocessor may be applied to a display, a host computer or some other utilization device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. McJohnson
- 👤 Adrian B. Currin
- 👤 Robert R. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/06; G06F7/10; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A static bar code reader for reading a stationary bar code affixed to a container used in an inventory system, comprising: a light sensitive charge coupled device which is affixed to a bin for receiving said container, said charge coupled device being stationarily disposed relative to the stationary bar code; means for imaging the contrasting segments of the stationary bar code on to the light sensitive elements of said charge coupled device; means for illuminating said stationary bar code; and circuit means for converting the output of said light sensitive elements to an electrical signal that is representative of the information included in the stationary bar code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A static bar code reader for reading a stationary bar code affixed to a container used in an inventory system, comprising: a light sensitive charge coupled device which is affixed to a bin for receiving said container, said charge coupled device being stationarily disposed relative to the stationary bar code; means for imaging the contrasting segments of the stationary bar code on to the light sensitive elements of said charge coupled device; means for illuminating said stationary bar code; and circuit means for converting the output of said light sensitive elements to an electrical signal that is representative of the information included in the stationary bar code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 1 wherein said imaging means includes means for holding said container stationary relative to said charge coupled device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 2 wherein said imaging means includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces and a lens assembly for imaging the bar code on to the charge coupled device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A static bar code reader according claim 3 wherein said imaging means includes a transparent surface disposed between said illuminating means and the bar code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 4 wherein said illuminating means includes a plurality of LED's.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 1 which further includes display means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication of the information contained in the bar code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes means for converting the output of said charged coupled device into a digital format.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 7 wherein said circuit means further includes microprocessor means for processing the digital output into a signal useful for application to utilization means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 8 wherein said utilization means includes display means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 8 wherein said utilization means includes a host computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 8 wherein said mean for converting the output of the charge coupled device into a digital format includes means for amplifying the output of the charge coupled device, integrating means responsive to said amplifying means for removing an offset bias from the amplified output, means responsive to said amplifying means for limiting the amplified output, and comparing means responsive to said limiting means for providing the output having a digital format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A static bar code reader according to claim 11 wherein the output of said comparing means is applied to a D type flip flop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
A static bar code reader for reading a stationary bar code affixed to a cassette box used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, comprising: a light sensitive charge coupled device affixed to a bin for receiving said cassette box, said charge coupled device being stationarily disposed relative to said stationary bar code; means for imaging the contrasting segments of said stationary bar code on said charge coupled device; means for illuminating said stationary bar code; and circuit means coupled to said charge coupled device for generating an output signal representative of the information included in said stationary bar code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
A static bar code reader for reading a stationary bar code affixed to a cassette box used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, comprising: a light sensitive charge coupled device affixed to a bin for receiving said cassette box, said charge coupled device being stationarily disposed relative to said stationary bar code; means for imaging the contrasting segments of said stationary bar code on said charge coupled device; means for illuminating said stationary bar code; and circuit means coupled to said charge coupled device for generating an output signal representative of the information included in said stationary bar code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 13; and further comprising microprocessor means for actuating said means for illuminating, for reading said output signal from said circuit means, and for processing said output signal to verify that said stationary bar code has been correctly interpreted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 14; and further comprising display means coupled to said microprocessor means for providing an indication of the information contained in said bar code.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15; wherein said imaging means includes optical means for focusing the light from said bar code onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 16; wherein said optical means includes mirror means for reflecting said light from said bar code; and lens means for focusing said light onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 17; wherein said imaging means further includes mounting means for mounting said mirror means so that said mirror means reflects said light from said bar code substantially transverse to the axis of said light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 18; wherein said means for illuminating includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, and means for positioning said light emitting diodes to illuminate said bar code.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 13; and further comprising housing means for containing said charge coupled device, said means for illuminating, and said circuit means, said housing means being compactly dimensioned to be disposed between said cassette box and said bin.
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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |