US5288985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instant portable bar code reader
Assignee: First National Bank of Chicago
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Filing: 1992-08-31
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2012-08-31
Abstract
Abstract In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch, or even less. Preferably the light source is of an electronically triggerable instant response type and is located substantially within the reader head portion. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected by reflected light gathering means in a folded return path to a photodetector. The reflected light gathering means and the photodetector are mounted on a single printed circuit board. The reflected bar code image is decoded by a battery powered programmed decoder located substantially within the handle portion.
Inventors
- 👤 George E. Chadima, Jr.
- 👤 Vadim Laser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10762; G06K7/10772; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
503 words
An improved bar code reader system having: (a) a hand-held bar code reader unit including a reader head portion with a frontally directed window means providing optical coupling of said reader unit with a bar code having a complete line of bar code information, said reader head portion having a top side which is upwardly directed during reading of a bar code with vertically disposed bars, and a handle portion extending from said reader head portion providing for hand-held support of said reader unit; (b) manually actuatable trigger means for initiating a bar code reading operation; (c) said hand-held bar code reader unit being of configuration such that during said bar code reading operation an operator manually grasping said handle portion moves said reader unit by means of said handle portion to place said reader unit in reading relationship with said bar code and to direct said window means towards said bar code information such that said bar code is located in front of said reader unit; (d) said reader head portion having a battery powered automatic bar code reader system therein including a light source energizable for producing light energy to be directed outwardly through said window means, and being operable to effectively illuminate said bar code over a substantial range of distances; (e) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system being operable in an automatic bar code reading operation while said reader unit is stationary as a whole, to receive reflected light energy through said window means from said bar code after said light energy has been directed outwardly through said window means to generate from said reflected light energy a useful bar code signal corresponding to a complete line of bar code information; (f) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system comprising a photodetector operable to supply an effective output in response to said reflected light energy from said bar code at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said reader unit; and (g) signal processing circuit means connected with said photodetector means amplifying and digitizing the output therefrom so as to provide a useful bar code signal corresponding to a complete line of bar code information of a bar code located frontally of the reader unit at any of said substantial range of distances therefrom; (h) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system further comprising reflected light gathering means interposed in a reflected light path for said reflected light energy between said window means and said photodetector and operative with respect to bar codes at any of said substantial range of distances for concentrating reflected light energy from such bar codes at said photodetector for effective detection thereof; and (i) a single printed circuit board having said signal processing circuit means thereon and having said photodetector fixedly secured therewith, said reflected light gathering means being mechanically connected with said single printed circuit board such that said photodetector is maintained in optical alignment with said reflected light gathering means along said reflected light path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
503 words
An improved bar code reader system having: (a) a hand-held bar code reader unit including a reader head portion with a frontally directed window means providing optical coupling of said reader unit with a bar code having a complete line of bar code information, said reader head portion having a top side which is upwardly directed during reading of a bar code with vertically disposed bars, and a handle portion extending from said reader head portion providing for hand-held support of said reader unit; (b) manually actuatable trigger means for initiating a bar code reading operation; (c) said hand-held bar code reader unit being of configuration such that during said bar code reading operation an operator manually grasping said handle portion moves said reader unit by means of said handle portion to place said reader unit in reading relationship with said bar code and to direct said window means towards said bar code information such that said bar code is located in front of said reader unit; (d) said reader head portion having a battery powered automatic bar code reader system therein including a light source energizable for producing light energy to be directed outwardly through said window means, and being operable to effectively illuminate said bar code over a substantial range of distances; (e) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system being operable in an automatic bar code reading operation while said reader unit is stationary as a whole, to receive reflected light energy through said window means from said bar code after said light energy has been directed outwardly through said window means to generate from said reflected light energy a useful bar code signal corresponding to a complete line of bar code information; (f) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system comprising a photodetector operable to supply an effective output in response to said reflected light energy from said bar code at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said reader unit; and (g) signal processing circuit means connected with said photodetector means amplifying and digitizing the output therefrom so as to provide a useful bar code signal corresponding to a complete line of bar code information of a bar code located frontally of the reader unit at any of said substantial range of distances therefrom; (h) said battery powered automatic bar code reader system further comprising reflected light gathering means interposed in a reflected light path for said reflected light energy between said window means and said photodetector and operative with respect to bar codes at any of said substantial range of distances for concentrating reflected light energy from such bar codes at said photodetector for effective detection thereof; and (i) a single printed circuit board having said signal processing circuit means thereon and having said photodetector fixedly secured therewith, said reflected light gathering means being mechanically connected with said single printed circuit board such that said photodetector is maintained in optical alignment with said reflected light gathering means along said reflected light path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
279 words
An improved bar code reader system of having: (a) a hand-held bar code reader unit including a reader head portion with a frontally directed window means providing optical coupling of said reader unit with a bar code having a complete line of bar code information, said reader head portion having a top side which is upwardly directed during reading of a bar code with vertically disposed bars, and a handle portion extending from said reader head portion providing for hand-held support of said reader unit; (b) manually actuatable trigger means for initiating a bar code reading operation; (c) such hand-held bar code reader unit being of configuration such that during said bar code reading operation an operator manually grasping said handle portion moves said reader unit by means of said handle portion to place said reader unit in reading relationship with said bar code and to direct said window means towards said bar code information such that said bar code is located in front of said reader unit; (d) said reader head portion having a battery powered automatic bar code reader system therein including; i) a light source energizable for producing light energy to be directed outwardly through said window means, and being operable to effectively illuminate said bar code over a substantial range of distances and to create a reflected optical signal therefrom; ii) reflecting means reflecting said optical signal to define a folded return path; iii) a photodetector responsive to said reflected optical signal for developing an electrical output signal representing said received optical signal; and (e) a single printed circuit board within said head portion for maintaining said photodetector and reflecting means in spaced optical alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
279 words
An improved bar code reader system of having: (a) a hand-held bar code reader unit including a reader head portion with a frontally directed window means providing optical coupling of said reader unit with a bar code having a complete line of bar code information, said reader head portion having a top side which is upwardly directed during reading of a bar code with vertically disposed bars, and a handle portion extending from said reader head portion providing for hand-held support of said reader unit; (b) manually actuatable trigger means for initiating a bar code reading operation; (c) such hand-held bar code reader unit being of configuration such that during said bar code reading operation an operator manually grasping said handle portion moves said reader unit by means of said handle portion to place said reader unit in reading relationship with said bar code and to direct said window means towards said bar code information such that said bar code is located in front of said reader unit; (d) said reader head portion having a battery powered automatic bar code reader system therein including; i) a light source energizable for producing light energy to be directed outwardly through said window means, and being operable to effectively illuminate said bar code over a substantial range of distances and to create a reflected optical signal therefrom; ii) reflecting means reflecting said optical signal to define a folded return path; iii) a photodetector responsive to said reflected optical signal for developing an electrical output signal representing said received optical signal; and (e) a single printed circuit board within said head portion for maintaining said photodetector and reflecting means in spaced optical alignment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improved bar code reader according to claim 2 and further comprising circuit means within said head portion fixedly mounted to said printed circuit board for processing the output of said photodetector to provide a squared digital signal indicative of said received optical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
341 words
A portable reader unit for reading information from a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like, and having a size and weight so as to be completely carried by a user during use and being of a configuration such that during a reading operation a user manually grasps and moves said reader unit into reading relationship with said data carrier, said portable reader unit comprising; (a) a frontally directed window providing optical coupling of said portable reader unit with a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like; (b) a manually actuatable trigger to initiate automatic reading operations; (c) a battery power source; (d) a light source energizable to produce light energy which is directed toward and reflected from said data carrier, and said light source being operable to effectively illuminate said data carrier over a substantial range of distances; (e) a photodetector operable to supply an electrical signal in response to said reflected light energy from said data carrier positioned at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said portable reader unit; (f) a signal processing circuit connected with said photodetector amplifying and digitizing said electrical signal therefrom so as to provide a useful output corresponding to the information carried by said data carrier located at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said portable reader unit; (g) reflected light gathering means interposed in a reflected light path for said reflected light energy between said window and said photodetector and operative with respect to said information carried by said data carrier at any of said substantial range of distances for concentrating reflected light energy from said data carrier at said photodetector for effective detection thereof; and (h) a single printed circuit board having said signal processing circuit thereon and having said photodetector fixedly secured therewith, said reflected light gathering means being mechanically connected with said single printed circuit board such that said photodetector is maintained in optical alignment with said reflected light gathering means along said reflected light path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
341 words
A portable reader unit for reading information from a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like, and having a size and weight so as to be completely carried by a user during use and being of a configuration such that during a reading operation a user manually grasps and moves said reader unit into reading relationship with said data carrier, said portable reader unit comprising; (a) a frontally directed window providing optical coupling of said portable reader unit with a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like; (b) a manually actuatable trigger to initiate automatic reading operations; (c) a battery power source; (d) a light source energizable to produce light energy which is directed toward and reflected from said data carrier, and said light source being operable to effectively illuminate said data carrier over a substantial range of distances; (e) a photodetector operable to supply an electrical signal in response to said reflected light energy from said data carrier positioned at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said portable reader unit; (f) a signal processing circuit connected with said photodetector amplifying and digitizing said electrical signal therefrom so as to provide a useful output corresponding to the information carried by said data carrier located at any of said substantial range of distances in front of said portable reader unit; (g) reflected light gathering means interposed in a reflected light path for said reflected light energy between said window and said photodetector and operative with respect to said information carried by said data carrier at any of said substantial range of distances for concentrating reflected light energy from said data carrier at said photodetector for effective detection thereof; and (h) a single printed circuit board having said signal processing circuit thereon and having said photodetector fixedly secured therewith, said reflected light gathering means being mechanically connected with said single printed circuit board such that said photodetector is maintained in optical alignment with said reflected light gathering means along said reflected light path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
210 words
A portable reader unit for reading information from a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like, and having a size and weight so as to be completely carried by a user during use and being of a configuration such that during a reading operation a user manually grasps and moves said reader unit into reading relationship with said data carrier, said portable reader unit comprising: (a) a frontally directed window providing optical coupling of said portable reader unit with a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like; (b) a manually actuatable trigger to initiate automatic reading operations; (c) a battery power source; (d) a light source energizable to produce light energy which is directed toward and reflected from said data carrier, and said light source being operable to effectively illuminate said data carrier over a substantial range of distances; (e) a photodetector responsive to said reflected light energy from said data carrier for developing an electrical signal corresponding to the information carried by said data carrier; (f) reflecting means within said portable reader unit for reflecting said reflected light energy to define a folded return path; and (g) a single printed circuit board which maintains said photodetector and reflecting means in spaced optical alignment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
210 words
A portable reader unit for reading information from a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like, and having a size and weight so as to be completely carried by a user during use and being of a configuration such that during a reading operation a user manually grasps and moves said reader unit into reading relationship with said data carrier, said portable reader unit comprising: (a) a frontally directed window providing optical coupling of said portable reader unit with a data carrier that carries bar code indicia or the like; (b) a manually actuatable trigger to initiate automatic reading operations; (c) a battery power source; (d) a light source energizable to produce light energy which is directed toward and reflected from said data carrier, and said light source being operable to effectively illuminate said data carrier over a substantial range of distances; (e) a photodetector responsive to said reflected light energy from said data carrier for developing an electrical signal corresponding to the information carried by said data carrier; (f) reflecting means within said portable reader unit for reflecting said reflected light energy to define a folded return path; and (g) a single printed circuit board which maintains said photodetector and reflecting means in spaced optical alignment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The portable reader unit according to claim 5 and further comprising a circuit means fixedly mounted on said single printed circuit board within said portable reader unit for processing the electrical signal of said photodetector to provide a squared digital output indicative of said reflected light energy.
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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) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |