Patent US4721860A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4721860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser scanner for bar code reader
Assignee: SKAN-A-MATIC CORP A CORP OF NEW YORK
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Filing: 1986-09-23
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Granted: 1988-01-26
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Expires: 2006-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A laser scanner wherein an elliptical laser light beam is directed to the target (a bar code symbol) so as to increase the signal to noise ratio of the laser light received by the photodetector. The use of laser light in the shape of an ellipse, instead of the prior spherical shaped laser light, where the long axis of the elliptical laser light is aligned with the bars of the code being read reduces the distortion of the optical signals received by the photodetector. Thus the signal to noise ratio is maximized so as to enable the resolution of fine, dense bar codes.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale Troendle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10702
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
Scanning apparatus for reading bar code comprising a source of laser light, a series of optical lenses for converting the laser light into the shape of an ellipse as the laser light is directed to a bar code, a photodetector, and a laser light receiving system, whereby the signal to noise ratio of the light received by the photodetector is maximized, and distortions caused by printing errors in the focal plane are reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
Scanning apparatus for reading bar code comprising a source of laser light, a series of optical lenses for converting the laser light into the shape of an ellipse as the laser light is directed to a bar code, a photodetector, and a laser light receiving system, whereby the signal to noise ratio of the light received by the photodetector is maximized, and distortions caused by printing errors in the focal plane are reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical lenses include a plano convex, and a cylinder lens for converting the laser light into the shape of an ellipse as the laser light is directed to the bar code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the source of the laser light is a laser tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the source of the laser light is a helium neon laser tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the source of the laser light is a helium cadium laser tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the source of the laser light is a argon laser tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the laser light in the shape of an ellipse is aligned with the long axis of the bars of the bar code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the laser light in the shape of an ellipse is aligned with the long axis of the bars of the bar code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the laser light in the shape of an ellipse is aligned with the long axis of the bars of the bar code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 1 including a beam expander.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 3 including a beam expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
Scanning apparatus according to claim 8 including a beam expander.
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) | 1991-01-25 | 1991-07-27 | 1992-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-25 | 1995-07-27 | 1996-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-25 | 1999-07-27 | 2000-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |