US5010242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for variable speed scanning of bar codes
Assignee: Mars Inc
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Filing: 1989-05-08
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2009-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are provided for scanning an optically readable code such as a bar code at a variable scanning velocity. Such variable velocity scanning has the effect of normalizing the density of code elements to be scanned thereby eliminating the need for the scanner operator during the course of bar code decoding to vary the distance between the scanner and the optical code for a predetermined range of code element densities.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis J. Frontino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; G06K7/10871; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for variable speed scanning of an optically readable code, comprising: means for generating a light beam; means for deflecting said light beam across an optically readable code target, said code reflecting at least a portion of said light beam back toward said apparatus; means operatively connected to said deflecting means for automatically controlling the rate at which said light beam is deflected across said object so that the optically readable code is first scanned at a first scan velocity and then is scanned a second time at a second scan velocity; and means for processing said reflected portion of said light beam to decode the optically readable code target.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for variable speed scanning of an optically readable code, comprising: means for generating a light beam; means for deflecting said light beam across an optically readable code target, said code reflecting at least a portion of said light beam back toward said apparatus; means operatively connected to said deflecting means for automatically controlling the rate at which said light beam is deflected across said object so that the optically readable code is first scanned at a first scan velocity and then is scanned a second time at a second scan velocity; and means for processing said reflected portion of said light beam to decode the optically readable code target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light beam generating means comprises a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for deflecting said light beam comprises at least one reflective surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least one reflective surface is connected to a shaft rotatably driven by said means for controlling the rate at which said light beam is deflected, said means for controlling the rate comprising motor means connected to said shaft and a motor drive control means for varying the speed of the motor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said motor means comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said motor means comprises a D.C. motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said shaft rotates at a plurality of different rotation rates arranged in a prescribed sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said motor means is driven by a monotonically changing voltage signal from the motor drive control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optically readable code comprises a bar code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rate varying means comprises motor means driven by a monotonically changing voltage signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light deflecting means comprises a rotatably driven polygon having a plurality of light reflecting faces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least two of said plurality of reflective faces lie in different planes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
A compact, portable scanning device for decoding an optical code, comprising: light generating means comprising a laser for generating a light beam; reflecting means having at least one reflective surface for reflecting said light beam toward an optical code to be decoded; motor means for rotatably driving said reflecting means; control means for automatically varying the rate at which said motor means rotates said reflecting means so that said reflecting means is rotated at a first angular velocity during a fist scan and at a second angular velocity during a second scan; and processing means for processing at least a portion of said light beam reflected by said optical code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
A compact, portable scanning device for decoding an optical code, comprising: light generating means comprising a laser for generating a light beam; reflecting means having at least one reflective surface for reflecting said light beam toward an optical code to be decoded; motor means for rotatably driving said reflecting means; control means for automatically varying the rate at which said motor means rotates said reflecting means so that said reflecting means is rotated at a first angular velocity during a fist scan and at a second angular velocity during a second scan; and processing means for processing at least a portion of said light beam reflected by said optical code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said motor means comprises a stepper motor operable in a galvanometer mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said control means emits a monotonically changing voltage signal for driving said motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said reflecting means comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces, at least two of which lie in different planes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said motor means comprises a shaft coupled to said reflecting means, said shaft being rotatably drivable at least two different rotation rates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said processing means is operatively connected to said control means to provide feedback control over the rate of shaft rotation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said motor means comprises a D.C. motor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A scanning device according to claim 18, wherein said control means effects signal input to said motor means for rotatably driving said reflecting means so as to normalize said different code element densities.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for scanning an optically readable code comprising the following steps: (a) generating a light beam and directing said light beam toward a reflective surface; (b) rotating said reflective surface at a first angular velocity to deflect said light beam across the code elements of the bar code; (c) sensing a portion of said deflected light beam that is reflected by said code elements; (d) rotating said reflective surface at a second angular velocity different from said first angular velocity to deflect said light beam again across said code elements; (e) sensing a portion of said deflected light beam deflected at said second angular velocity that is reflected by said code elements; and (f) evaluating said sensed portions of said deflected light beam to provide an indication of data associated with the optically readable code.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for scanning an optically readable code comprising the following steps: (a) generating a light beam and directing said light beam toward a reflective surface; (b) rotating said reflective surface at a first angular velocity to deflect said light beam across the code elements of the bar code; (c) sensing a portion of said deflected light beam that is reflected by said code elements; (d) rotating said reflective surface at a second angular velocity different from said first angular velocity to deflect said light beam again across said code elements; (e) sensing a portion of said deflected light beam deflected at said second angular velocity that is reflected by said code elements; and (f) evaluating said sensed portions of said deflected light beam to provide an indication of data associated with the optically readable code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein rotation of said reflective surface is effected by motor means, further comprising the step of driving said motor means with a monotonically changing drive signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein said light beam is generated by a laser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein said reflective surface comprises a generally flat mirror mounted to a shaft rotatably driven by a monotonically changing drive signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein said reflective surface comprises a polygon having a plurality of generally flat, reflective surfaces, said polygon being coupled to a rotatably driven shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein at least two of said reflecting surfaces lie in different planes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of utilizing said sensed portions of said deflected light beam to provide feedback control over the rate at which said reflective surface is subsequently rotated.
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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) | 1994-04-22 | 1994-10-22 | 1995-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-22 | 1998-10-22 | 1999-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-22 | 2002-10-22 | 2003-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |