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US5359185A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Chromatic ranging method and apparatus for reading optically readable information over a substantial range of distances

Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1992-09-14
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2012-09-14
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Abstract

Abstract An improved method and apparatus for reading optical information over a substantial range of distances provides an optical string, disposed in a housing, for refracting images of optical information of varying wavelengths to different focal points along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined reading position. Adjacent the housing, and directed along the longitudinal axis of a housing opening and the optical string, is an illumination source for illuminating optical information with light. Also included is a reading sensor having a light receiving plane disposed at a predetermined reading position behind the optical string for converting an image of optical information into an electrical signal. A control system is also provided for determining and decoding the reflected light image formed by that wavelength of light received from the illumination source which produces the best focus on the light receiving plane of the reading sensor. Finally, an apparatus is also provided for producing a digital information set corresponding to the image of optical information focused by the optical string onto the receiving plane of the reading sensor.

Inventors

  • 👤 George E. Hanson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 21:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0241; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/26; G06F1/28; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10574; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10702; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10732; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10841; G06K7/10851; G06K7/10881; G06K7/12; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B2001/3894; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/18

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
An apparatus for focusing an image of optical information over a substantial range of distances, comprising: (a) a housing having an opening for facing optical information; (b) optical means, disposed in said housing, for refracting images of optical information of varying wavelengths to different focal points along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined reading position; (c) illumination means for sequentially illuminating optical information with light of different wavelengths; (d) reading sensor means, disposed at said predetermined reading position and having a light receiving plane, for converting an image of optical information into an electrical signal; (e) control means for determining and decoding the reflected light image formed by that wavelength of light from said illumination means which produces the best focus; and (f) means for producing a digital information set corresponding to the image of said optical information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 138 words
An apparatus for focusing an image of optical information over a substantial range of distances, comprising: (a) a housing having an opening for facing optical information; (b) optical means, disposed in said housing, for refracting images of optical information of varying wavelengths to different focal points along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined reading position; (c) illumination means for sequentially illuminating optical information with light of different wavelengths; (d) reading sensor means, disposed at said predetermined reading position and having a light receiving plane, for converting an image of optical information into an electrical signal; (e) control means for determining and decoding the reflected light image formed by that wavelength of light from said illumination means which produces the best focus; and (f) means for producing a digital information set corresponding to the image of said optical information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said optical means has an enhanced longitudinal axial chromatic aberration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said optical means includes at least one triplet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said optical means comprises at least seven lenses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said illumination means includes a plurality of pairs of light sources each pair capable of producing light of a discrete wavelength.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said light source pairs are light emitting diodes (LED's).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said light source pairs emit light having a wavelength ranging from 480 nm to 697 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading sensor includes a CCD sensor array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means includes a microprocessor with associate memory means for storing a processor instruction set.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4818886A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-10-24 1998-04-25 1998-10-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-10-24 2002-04-25 2002-10-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-10-24 2006-04-25 2006-10-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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