US5148008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mark reading device with cyclicly varying power
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1991-11-12
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2011-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A mark reading device that reads marks such as a bar code, or the like on a remote surface. A laser beam is outputted, deflected through a scan angle and the reflected energy is read at a detector. This energy is processed and converted to a usable format for input into a computer, cash register, or any type of data collection device. The present invention improves depth of field and readability by varying the output energy of the laser after each successive scan, thus providing a range of energy levels at the detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinya Takenaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A mark device comprising: a laser oscillating unit outputting a laser beam; deflecting means for cyclicly deflecting said laser beam through a predetermined scan angle to an abject surface; receiving means for reading said laser beam upon reflection from said object surface; scan detecting means for outputting a scan termination signal after each of said cyclical defections of said laser beam by said deflecting means; and controller means for varying output energy of said laser beam in response to said scan termination signal, said controller means varying said output energy by a step in response to each of said scan termination signals, said output energy, emitted between receipt of any two consecutive scan termination signals by said controller means, having a constant magnitude independent of an amount of laser beam energy reflected from said object surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A mark device comprising: a laser oscillating unit outputting a laser beam; deflecting means for cyclicly deflecting said laser beam through a predetermined scan angle to an abject surface; receiving means for reading said laser beam upon reflection from said object surface; scan detecting means for outputting a scan termination signal after each of said cyclical defections of said laser beam by said deflecting means; and controller means for varying output energy of said laser beam in response to said scan termination signal, said controller means varying said output energy by a step in response to each of said scan termination signals, said output energy, emitted between receipt of any two consecutive scan termination signals by said controller means, having a constant magnitude independent of an amount of laser beam energy reflected from said object surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A mark reading device as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said steps corresponds to an energy level lower than a typically set laser output energy level; at least one of said steps corresponds to an energy level equal to said typically set laser output energy level; and at least one of said steps corresponds to an energy level higher than said typically set laser output energy level.
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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) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |