US4924088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for reading information marks
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-02-28
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Granted: 1990-05-08
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Expires: 2009-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for reading information marks comprising a strobe light activating or reflecting information marks manually placed on objects or wood products. A camera is used for reading the marks. One or more detectors are used to recognize marks and color. A central processing unit is used to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition. A photo-electric eye or a signal from a control device is used to time the strobe and detector. The information contained in the marks is fed directly to the control system and may be used to generate reports.
Inventors
- 👤 George Carman
- 👤 Joseph G. LaChapelle
- 👤 Mark Hiatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: at least one strobe light to activate or reflect marks on a product where said strobe light is on for a short time at high intensity such that the movement of the product does not affect the reading of the marks; at least one camera for reading marks; a means to time the strobe light such that an object is positioned under said strobe light and said camera; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to report the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: at least one strobe light to activate or reflect marks on a product where said strobe light is on for a short time at high intensity such that the movement of the product does not affect the reading of the marks; at least one camera for reading marks; a means to time the strobe light such that an object is positioned under said strobe light and said camera; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to report the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said means to time the strobe light is a photo-electric eye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said means to time the strobe light is a signal from a control device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said camera is an RGB color camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition is a central processing unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising means to transfer the recognized marks to reporting system devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a monitor for reviewing the marks as read by said camera.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: two strobe lights operating simultaneously to activate fluorescent marks on lumber where said strobe lights are on for a short time, such that the movement of the lumber does not affect the reading of the fluorescent marks; two cameras for reading fluorescent marks where one camera responds to red and orange fluorescents and the other camera responds to green and blue fluorescents; a means to time said strobe lights such that a piece of lumber is positioned under said strobe lights and said cameras; means to transfer the fluorescent marks as read by said camera to other devices; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to transfer the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: two strobe lights operating simultaneously to activate fluorescent marks on lumber where said strobe lights are on for a short time, such that the movement of the lumber does not affect the reading of the fluorescent marks; two cameras for reading fluorescent marks where one camera responds to red and orange fluorescents and the other camera responds to green and blue fluorescents; a means to time said strobe lights such that a piece of lumber is positioned under said strobe lights and said cameras; means to transfer the fluorescent marks as read by said camera to other devices; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to transfer the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 where said means to time the strobe light is a signal from a control device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 additionally comprising means to transfer the recognized marks to a reporting system device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 additionally comprising a monitor for reviewing the fluorescent marks as read by said camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 8 where said means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition comprises a central processing unit which compares a signal ratio from each camera to detect color, and uses one of the images for character recognition.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: at least one strobe light to fluoresce marks on wood where said strobe light is on for a short time at high intensity such that the movement of the wood does not affect the reading of the marks; at least one camera for reading fluorescent marks; a means to time the strobe light such that a piece of wood is positioned under said strobe light and said camera; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to transfer the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading information marks comprising: at least one strobe light to fluoresce marks on wood where said strobe light is on for a short time at high intensity such that the movement of the wood does not affect the reading of the marks; at least one camera for reading fluorescent marks; a means to time the strobe light such that a piece of wood is positioned under said strobe light and said camera; means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition; and means to transfer the solution to other control system devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 where said means to time the strobe light is a photo-electric eye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 where said means to time the strobe light is a signal from a control device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 where said camera is an RGB color camera.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 where said means to process, solve and interpret character and color recognition is a central processing unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising means to transfer the recognized marks to reporting system devices.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising: a monitor for reviewing the marks as read by said camera.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The strobe of claim 13 where said strobe produces the energy per area illuminated per stand off distance is a minimum of 25 joules per illuminated area in square meters per meters of stand off distance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera and strobe of claim 13 where said camera aperture is open for a maximum of 100 milliseconds and said strobe flashes a maximum of 1 millisecond.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The strobe of claim 13 where said strobe is a xenon flash lamp.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 16 where said RGB color camera detects color by means of separating colors into red, green and blue such that a signal ratio algorithm detects colors.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
45 words
The method for detecting and interpreting marks comprising the following steps: 1. Placing fluorescent marks on an object; 2. Flashing a strobe light on said marks; 3. Detecting said marks; 4. Processing, solving and interpreting said marks; and 5. Communicating said solution to other devices.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
45 words
The method for detecting and interpreting marks comprising the following steps: 1. Placing fluorescent marks on an object; 2. Flashing a strobe light on said marks; 3. Detecting said marks; 4. Processing, solving and interpreting said marks; and 5. Communicating said solution to other devices.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 where the color of said fluorescent marks is detected and interpreted.
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) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |