US5837987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held optically readable character set reader having automatic focus control for operating over a range of distances
Assignee: INERMEC IP CORP
•
Filing: 1996-11-19
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2016-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held optically readable information set reader having one or more photosensor arrays, at least one information set illuminator, and an information set image transfer system for projecting a readable image of an information set onto the one or more photosensor arrays.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven E. Koenck
- 👤 Jonathan R. White
- 👤 Phillip Miller
- 👤 George E. Hanson
- 👤 Arvin D. Danielson
- 👤 Dennis A. Durbin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10574; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; 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; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/06; H01Q19/062; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/24; H01Q3/245; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1011; G06K2207/1013; G06K2207/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A hand-held optical indicia reader operational at a plurality of distances from optical indicia to be read, said reader comprising: (a) an indicia sensor capable of outputting a signal in response to sensed optical indicia; (b) a distance measurement device to determine the distance of the optical indicia from said reader; and (c) an adjustment system to configure said reader to read the optical indicia at the distance determined by said distance measurement device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A hand-held optical indicia reader operational at a plurality of distances from optical indicia to be read, said reader comprising: (a) an indicia sensor capable of outputting a signal in response to sensed optical indicia; (b) a distance measurement device to determine the distance of the optical indicia from said reader; and (c) an adjustment system to configure said reader to read the optical indicia at the distance determined by said distance measurement device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 1, wherein said indicia sensor includes at least one photosensitive array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 2, wherein said at least one photosensitive array comprises a Charged Coupled Device ("CCD").
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 1, wherein said distance measurement device comprises pulse emitting and receiving apparatus adapted to emit a pulse along an axis substantially aligned with a central plane of said optical indicia reader and wherein the time of arrival of said pulse reflected from said optical indicia provides a measure of reading distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 4, wherein said pulse emitting and receiving apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer adapted to emit an ultrasonic pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 4, wherein said pulse emitting and receiving apparatus comprises an infrared distance measurement sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 1, wherein said adjustment system comprises an adjustable lens system responsive to said distance measurement device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 1, further comprising a marker beam projection apparatus adapted to project a marker beam to facilitate aiming of said optical indicia reader.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 1 further comprising a flashable illuminator for producing a reflected image of the optical indicia for reading by said indicia sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A hand-held optical indicia reader operational at a plurality of distances from optical indicia to be read, said reader comprising: (a) an indicia sensor capable of outputting a signal in response to sensed optical indicia; (b) a distance measurement device to determine the distance of the optical indicia from said reader; (c) an adjustment system to adjust said reader so that it is capable of reading optical indicia located at any of a plurality of distances from said reader; and (d) a controller to configure said adjustment system to read optical indicia located at the distance determined by said distance measurement device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A hand-held optical indicia reader operational at a plurality of distances from optical indicia to be read, said reader comprising: (a) an indicia sensor capable of outputting a signal in response to sensed optical indicia; (b) a distance measurement device to determine the distance of the optical indicia from said reader; (c) an adjustment system to adjust said reader so that it is capable of reading optical indicia located at any of a plurality of distances from said reader; and (d) a controller to configure said adjustment system to read optical indicia located at the distance determined by said distance measurement device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 10, wherein said indicia sensor includes at least one photosensitive array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 11, wherein said at least one photosensitive array comprises a Charged Coupled Device ("CCD").
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 10, wherein said distance measurement device comprises pulse emitting and receiving apparatus adapted to emit a pulse along an axis aligned with a central plane of said optical indicia reader and wherein a time of arrival of said pulse reflected from said optical indicia provides a measure of reading distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 13, wherein said pulse emitting and receiving apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer adapted to emit an ultrasonic pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 13, wherein said pulse emitting and receiving apparatus comprises an infrared distance measurement sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 10, wherein said adjustment system comprises an adjustable lens system responsive to said distance measurement device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 10, further comprising a marker beam projection apparatus adapted to project a marker beam to facilitate aiming of said optical indicia reader.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hand-held optical indicia reader of claim 10 further comprising a flashable illuminator for producing a reflected image of the optical indicia for reading by said indicia sensor.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for reading optical indicia located at any of a plurality of distances from a hand-held optical indicia reader having an indicia sensor, a distance measurement device and a reading system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the distance between the reader and the optical indicia to be read; (b) communicating the distance to a controller; (c) determining the appropriate operation of the reading system based on the distance communicated; and (d) operating the reading system to read the optical indicia located at the distance measured.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for reading optical indicia located at any of a plurality of distances from a hand-held optical indicia reader having an indicia sensor, a distance measurement device and a reading system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the distance between the reader and the optical indicia to be read; (b) communicating the distance to a controller; (c) determining the appropriate operation of the reading system based on the distance communicated; and (d) operating the reading system to read the optical indicia located at the distance measured.
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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) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |