US4845770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing embossed card
Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-11-18
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Granted: 1989-07-04
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Expires: 2007-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed. The apparatus performing the method by optically reading embossed characters and producing corresponding electrical signals. The produced corresponding electrical signals are then compared with characteristic data of a predetermined set of characters. From this comparison, identification of the embossed characters is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshinori Koshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, said apparatus comprising: a pair of light emitting diode arrays arranged to illuminate an embossed card alternately from two oblique directions opposite to each other; a light collector disposed between said pair of light emitting diode arrays for collecting the light reflected from said embossed card; means for receiving the collected light and converting said received light into two series of electrical signals; means for differentiating said two series of electrical signals to produce pattern data representing embossed characters; character data storage for storing characteristic data of a predetermined set of characters; and means responsive to said means for differentiating and said character data storage for identifying said embossed characters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, said apparatus comprising: a pair of light emitting diode arrays arranged to illuminate an embossed card alternately from two oblique directions opposite to each other; a light collector disposed between said pair of light emitting diode arrays for collecting the light reflected from said embossed card; means for receiving the collected light and converting said received light into two series of electrical signals; means for differentiating said two series of electrical signals to produce pattern data representing embossed characters; character data storage for storing characteristic data of a predetermined set of characters; and means responsive to said means for differentiating and said character data storage for identifying said embossed characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external device is a printer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external device is a display unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting codes representing said identified embossed characters to an external device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, said apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating an embossed card with a light from two oblique directions opposite to each other such that shadows are formed at the embossment; optical reading means for optically reading the shadows at the embossment and producing electrical signals; character data storage means for characteristic data of a predetermined set of characters; and identifying means, receiving the outputs from said optical reading means and said character data storage means, for determining the difference between the electrical signals representing the shadows due to the illumination from the two directions and for identifying said embossed characters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, said apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating an embossed card with a light from two oblique directions opposite to each other such that shadows are formed at the embossment; optical reading means for optically reading the shadows at the embossment and producing electrical signals; character data storage means for characteristic data of a predetermined set of characters; and identifying means, receiving the outputs from said optical reading means and said character data storage means, for determining the difference between the electrical signals representing the shadows due to the illumination from the two directions and for identifying said embossed characters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said optical reading means includes means for receiving the light from said embossed card and converting the light received into two series of electrical signals; and said identifying means includes a differentiating means for differentiating the two series of electrical signals to produce pattern data representing said embossed characters, and identifying said embossed characters on the basis of the result of a comparison of the differentiating with the data stored in said character data storage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said light source has a pair of light emitting diode arrays arranged to illuminate said embossed card from the two opposite directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a light collector disposed between said pair of light emitting diode array for collecting the light reflected from said embossed card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pair of light emitting diode arrays are arranged to illuminate said embossed card alternately; and said identifying means includes a differentiating means for differentiating the two series of electrical signals to produce pattern data representing said embossed characters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said optical reading means includes an image sensor for reading the shadows at the embossment; said identifying means includes a delay element for receiving the output of said image sensor and having a delay time corresponding to a scanning; and said differentiating means receives and determines the difference between the output of said image sensor and the output of said delay element to produce an absolute value determining element which represents the absolute value of the output of said differentiating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means for conveying said embossed card past said light source and said light receiving means, wherein the alternating illumination by said pair of light emitting diode arrays has a frequency sufficiently high as compared with the speed of the conveyance of said embossed card on said conveyor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a housing for accommodating said light source and said means for receiving said light, said housing having an opening for permitting insertion and ejection of said embossed card; and means for conveying said embossed card through said opening and past said light source and said light receiving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for conveying comprises a pair of rollers and a conveyor belt which runs on the rollers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for conveying moves said embossed card backward through said opening permitting return of said card to a holder after completing the reading of said embossed characters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for detecting the insertion of said embossed card through said opening.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, comprising the steps of: alternately illuminating from two opposite oblique directions of a front surface of the embossed card and collecting light reflected therefrom to form images due to illumination from two different directions; and differentiating the images to produce signals representing shadows by the edges of embossment.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of processing an embossed card on which embossed characters are formed, comprising the steps of: alternately illuminating from two opposite oblique directions of a front surface of the embossed card and collecting light reflected therefrom to form images due to illumination from two different directions; and differentiating the images to produce signals representing shadows by the edges of embossment.
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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) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |