Patent US5640001A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5640001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hand-held instant bar code reader having automatic focus control for operation over a range of distances
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1994-03-17
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Granted: 1997-06-17
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Expires: 2014-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held bar code reader includes one or more photosensor arrays which provide a plurality of image sensor portions arranged for receiving images of a bar code through a plurality of selectively usable paths of 5 different focal lengths which are defined by a passive optical system. A distance measuring system controls the sensor portion which is used to control the focal length. In one embodiment, the bar code image is projected to a plurality of receiving mirror surfaces, thence to a plurality of additional mirror surfaces and thence through lens barrels to mirrors which project the 10 images to photosensor arrays. In another, the bar code image is projected to a plurality of receiving mirror surfaces, thence to an additional mirror surface, and thence through a single lens barrel to a mirror which projects the images to a photosensor array.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvin D. Danielson
- 👤 Dennis A. Durbin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/24; H01Q3/245; G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10574; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10613; G06K7/10633; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10732; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851; G06K7/10881; G06K7/109; G06K7/1098; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1011; G06K2207/1013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In a bar code reader system, a hand-held bar code reader positionable by hand at varying distances from a bar code to be read and operable for reading bar codes at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) bar code sensor means for generating an output signal in accordance with a bar code image incident thereon; (b) distance measurement means for automated reading of distances of a bar code from the hand-held bar code reader over a certain measurement range which exceeds said certain operative range for reading of bar codes; (c) reading distance adaptation means for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of a bar code at varying distances therefrom with the said operative range by causing an image of the bar code to be substantially focused at the image sensor means; (d) enabling means for enabling a bar code reading operation, and control means coupled with said enabling means and said distance measuring means and operative in response to enabling of a bar code reading operation by said enabling means and in response to reading by said distance measurement means of distances within said operative range for automatically controlling the reading distance adaptation means during movement of the reader relative to a bar code within said operative range to tend to establish and maintain a focused bar code image at the image sensor means; and (e) said reading distance adaptation means including optical path means providing a plurality of selectable paths to said image sensor means of different effective focal lengths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a bar code reader system, a hand-held bar code reader positionable by hand at varying distances from a bar code to be read and operable for reading bar codes at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) bar code sensor means for generating an output signal in accordance with a bar code image incident thereon; (b) distance measurement means for automated reading of distances of a bar code from the hand-held bar code reader over a certain measurement range which exceeds said certain operative range for reading of bar codes; (c) reading distance adaptation means for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of a bar code at varying distances therefrom with the said operative range by causing an image of the bar code to be substantially focused at the image sensor means; (d) enabling means for enabling a bar code reading operation, and control means coupled with said enabling means and said distance measuring means and operative in response to enabling of a bar code reading operation by said enabling means and in response to reading by said distance measurement means of distances within said operative range for automatically controlling the reading distance adaptation means during movement of the reader relative to a bar code within said operative range to tend to establish and maintain a focused bar code image at the image sensor means; and (e) said reading distance adaptation means including optical path means providing a plurality of selectable paths to said image sensor means of different effective focal lengths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, wherein said image sensor means includes at least one photosensitive array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 2, wherein said at least one photosensitive array is a CCD.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 2, wherein said image sensor means monitors the reflected light from an information set to be read during a reading operation, and wherein integration is terminated once an optimum sample of the reflected light image has been received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, wherein said reading distance adaption means includes at least one of label guide indicator means and reading distance sensor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 5, wherein said reading distance adaption means includes at least one lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 6, wherein said at least one lens focuses the reflected light image of an information set to be read on said image sensor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 7, wherein said at least one lens reflects said reflected light image of an information set to be read on said image sensor over a range which exceeds said certain operative range for reading of information sets and focuses said reflected light image of an information set to be read on said image sensor within said operative range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 8, wherein said reading distance adaption means includes indicator means for indicating to an operator when said system is within said operative range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, wherein said reading distance adaption means includes at least one marker beam directed into the field of view of the reflected light image sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 10, wherein said at least one marker beam is at least two marker beams and said marker beams extend from opposite ends of the information set image sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, wherein said at least one lens has through the lens beam optics such that the spots produced by said marker beams delineate the field of view and the desired position of an information set to be read.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, further comprising a flashable illuminator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 13, wherein a capacitor discharge energizes said flashable illuminator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 14, wherein the capacitor discharge current is interrupted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 15, wherein said capacitor charge is monitored.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 1, wherein said image sensor means is an adaptive image sensor system capable of enabling a succession of readings of a given information set with reflected light from respective different segments of said information set so as to read information sets residing on curved substrates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 17, wherein said adaptive image sensor system includes means for simultaneously reading code segments at different focal lengths within a depth of field.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 18, wherein said simultaneous reading means reads at least two code segments within a single integration time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a hand-held bar code reader positionable by hand at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable in a stationary position relative to an information set positioned at a distance from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating at least one output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon, and a reading distance adapter for adapting the reader to reading an information set at varying distances therefrom by causing an image of the information set to be substantially focused at the image sensor, said reading distance adapter including an optical path generator for providing a plurality of selectively usable paths; and (b) a path use controller for selecting the corresponding one of said selectively usable paths which provides the focal length most closely approximating the effective optical distance to an information set to be read.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a hand-held bar code reader positionable by hand at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable in a stationary position relative to an information set positioned at a distance from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating at least one output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon, and a reading distance adapter for adapting the reader to reading an information set at varying distances therefrom by causing an image of the information set to be substantially focused at the image sensor, said reading distance adapter including an optical path generator for providing a plurality of selectively usable paths; and (b) a path use controller for selecting the corresponding one of said selectively usable paths which provides the focal length most closely approximating the effective optical distance to an information set to be read.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 20, said optical path generator including at least two lenses through which separate ones of said plurality of selectively usable paths extend.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 20, said optical path generator including a lens through which common portions of a plurality of said paths extend.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 20, wherein said plurality of optically readable information set image sensor means is a photosensitive array.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 23, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 23, wherein said photosensitive array has a pixel size of not less than seven (7) microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
196 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable in a stationary position relative to an information set positioned at a distance from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) an optically readable information set sensor for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon, and a reading distance adapter for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of an information set at varying distances therefrom by causing an image of the information set to be substantially focused at the image sensor, said image sensor including a plurality of portions and said reading distance adapter including a passive optical path generator providing a plurality of selectively usable paths to said plurality of portions of said image sensor of different effective focal lengths; and (b) path use control means for effecting use of the portion of said image sensor and the corresponding one of said selectively usable paths which provides the focal length most closely approximating the effective optical distance to an information set to be read.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
196 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable in a stationary position relative to an information set positioned at a distance from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) an optically readable information set sensor for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon, and a reading distance adapter for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of an information set at varying distances therefrom by causing an image of the information set to be substantially focused at the image sensor, said image sensor including a plurality of portions and said reading distance adapter including a passive optical path generator providing a plurality of selectively usable paths to said plurality of portions of said image sensor of different effective focal lengths; and (b) path use control means for effecting use of the portion of said image sensor and the corresponding one of said selectively usable paths which provides the focal length most closely approximating the effective optical distance to an information set to be read.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 26, wherein said sensor is a photosensitive array.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 26, wherein said array has a pixel size not less than seven (7) microns.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable for reading information sets at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon; (b) a reading distance adapter for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of an information set at varying distances therefrom; (c) a computer for enabling an information set reading operation; (d) a controller operable by said computer for controlling the operation of said reading distance adapter such that optically readable information sets may be read by said reader over a range of distances from said reader; and (e) said controller being automatically operable to repeatedly actuate said reading distance adaption means as the reader is moved toward an optically readable information set.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable for reading information sets at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon; (b) a reading distance adapter for automatically adapting the reader to the reading of an information set at varying distances therefrom; (c) a computer for enabling an information set reading operation; (d) a controller operable by said computer for controlling the operation of said reading distance adapter such that optically readable information sets may be read by said reader over a range of distances from said reader; and (e) said controller being automatically operable to repeatedly actuate said reading distance adaption means as the reader is moved toward an optically readable information set.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 29, wherein said plurality of optically readable information set image sensor means is a photosensitive array.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 30, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 30, wherein said photosensitive array has a pixel size of not less than seven (7) microns.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable for reading information sets at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon; (b) a computer for enabling an information set reading operation; and (c) a memory associated with said computer for storing at least a portion of the output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation and said memory in association with said computer for assembling a first portion of an output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation with a second portion of the output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an optically readable information set reader system, a user supported information set reader positionable by a user at varying distances from an information set to be read and operable for reading information sets at distances from said reader within a certain operative range, said reader comprising: (a) a plurality of optically readable information set sensors for generating an output signal in accordance with an information set image incident thereon; (b) a computer for enabling an information set reading operation; and (c) a memory associated with said computer for storing at least a portion of the output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation and said memory in association with said computer for assembling a first portion of an output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation with a second portion of the output signal generated by said sensor during a reading operation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 33, further comprising a reading distance adapter for adapting the reader to read optically readable information sets over a range of distances from said reader.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 34, further comprising a controller operable by said computer for controlling the operation of said reading distance adapter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optically readable information set reader system of claim 35, wherein said controller being automatically operable to repeatedly actuate said reading distance adaption means as the reader is moved toward an optically readable information set.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 33 wherein said plurality of optically readable information set image sensor means is a photosensitive array.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 37, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 37, wherein said photosensitive army has a pixel size of not less than seven (7) microns.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 33, wherein said sensors provide said memory associated with said computer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 33, wherein said array further comprises a shutter whereby image blurring caused by user movement is reduced.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 33, further comprising flash illumination means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 33, further comprising marker beams for targeting an information set to be read.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 43, wherein said marker beams at least partially illuminate an optically readable information set to be read.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the optically readable information set reader system as defined in claim 43, wherein said reader has a range of at least three (3) inches.
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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) | 2000-06-16 | 2000-12-16 | 2001-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-16 | 2004-12-16 | 2005-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-12-16 | 2009-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |