US5945656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for stand-alone scanning and audio generation from printed material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-05-27
•
Granted: 1999-08-31
•
Expires: 2017-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained, hand-held, portable code reading and processing system within an elongated tubular housing forms a wand that transduces coded data into selected speech or music. A simple-to-use reading and processing system can be used as part of a learning and activity game. In one form, a scanning guide is hingedly attached to a book. When the guide is folded over a page of the book, a path is created across the coded data to enable children and others to easily scan the coded data with the hand-held wand. A contact switch at or near the scanning end of the system is actuated by the scanning guide to activate the code reading and processing system. An energy-saving power shutdown feature turns off the code reading and processing system when no coded data are scanned in a given time period. The contact switch and the automatic power shutdown system act in concert as a safety system to prevent small children from staring at the light source for prolonged periods of time. Audio data may be provided in the form of a removable memory cartridge, to allow use of the system in a variety of applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome H. Lemelson
- 👤 Dennis M. Intravia
- 👤 John H. Hiett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising: (a) an elongated, substantially tubular housing; (b) a code scanner-reader supported by the housing and having an output for signals identifying selected sounds; (c) a synthesizer supported by the housing, electrically coupled to the output of the code scanner-reader, and comprising: (i) a memory holding a multitude of sets of data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; and (ii) a processor coupled to the memory and structured to select from the memory the set of data that corresponds to the signals on the output of the code scanner-reader; (d) an audio output supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the synthesizer; (f) a power source supported by the housing and coupled to the code scanner-reader and the synthesizer; and (g) a contact switch located on the surface of the housing and structured to activate the code scanner-reader when the housing is gripped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising: (a) an elongated, substantially tubular housing; (b) a code scanner-reader supported by the housing and having an output for signals identifying selected sounds; (c) a synthesizer supported by the housing, electrically coupled to the output of the code scanner-reader, and comprising: (i) a memory holding a multitude of sets of data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; and (ii) a processor coupled to the memory and structured to select from the memory the set of data that corresponds to the signals on the output of the code scanner-reader; (d) an audio output supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the synthesizer; (f) a power source supported by the housing and coupled to the code scanner-reader and the synthesizer; and (g) a contact switch located on the surface of the housing and structured to activate the code scanner-reader when the housing is gripped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable cartridge supported by the housing, and wherein the cartridge comprises the memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the removable cartridge further comprises the processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a guide positioned across the coded data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the guide is attached to a book.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the guide is hingedly attached to the book.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an automatic power shutdown system structured to turn off the code scanner-reader when no coded data have been scanned in a given time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially tubular housing has a substantially triangular cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the selected sound is a sound of speech.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the sound of speech is at least one phoneme.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an electronic display affixed to the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the code scanner-reader device includes an electro-optical code scanner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the electro-optical code scanner comprises a bar code scanner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the electro-optical code scanner comprises an optical character recognition system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the audio output comprises an audio jack.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the audio output comprises a speaker.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the synthesizer comprises an integrated memory and processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the contact switch is a membrane switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
194 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising: (a) an elongated substantially tubular housing; (b) a code scanner-reader supported by the housing and having an output for signals identifying selected sounds; (c) a synthesizer supported by the housing, electrically coupled to the output of the code scanner-reader, and comprising: (i) a memory holding a multitude of sets of data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; and (ii) a processor coupled to the memory and structured to select from the memory the set of data that corresponds to the signals on the output of the code scanner-reader; (d) an audio output supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the synthesizer: (f) a power source supported by the housing and coupled to the code scanner-reader and the synthesizer; (g) a contact switch supported by the housing; and (h) a guide attached to a book and positioned across coded data in the book; (i) wherein the contact switch and the guide are configured to interact with one another to activate the code scanner-reader when the contact switch contacts the surface guide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
194 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising: (a) an elongated substantially tubular housing; (b) a code scanner-reader supported by the housing and having an output for signals identifying selected sounds; (c) a synthesizer supported by the housing, electrically coupled to the output of the code scanner-reader, and comprising: (i) a memory holding a multitude of sets of data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; and (ii) a processor coupled to the memory and structured to select from the memory the set of data that corresponds to the signals on the output of the code scanner-reader; (d) an audio output supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the synthesizer: (f) a power source supported by the housing and coupled to the code scanner-reader and the synthesizer; (g) a contact switch supported by the housing; and (h) a guide attached to a book and positioned across coded data in the book; (i) wherein the contact switch and the guide are configured to interact with one another to activate the code scanner-reader when the contact switch contacts the surface guide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 20 further comprising a removable cartridge supported by the housing, and wherein the cartridge comprises the memory.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the removable cartridge further comprises the processor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the guide is hingedly attached to the book.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 20 further comprising an automatic power shutdown system structured to turn off the code scanner-reader when no coded data have been scanned in a-given time period.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the substantially tubular housing has a substantially triangular cross-section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the selected sound is a sound of speech.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the sound of speech is at least one phoneme.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 8 further comprising an electronic display affixed to the housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the code scanner-reader device includes an electro-optical code scanner.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 29 wherein the electro-optical code scanner comprises a bar code scanner.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 29 wherein the electro-optical code scanner comprises an optical character recognition system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the audio output comprises an audio jack.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the audio output comprises a speaker.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the synthesizer comprises an integrated memory and processor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising the following elements, all supported by an elongated, substantially tubular housing: (a) means for scanning and reading coded data and producing therefrom digital signals identifying the scanned, coded data; (b) means for transducing the digital signals into selected sounds comprising: (i) means for storing a multitude of sets of audio data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; (ii) means for selecting a set of audio data corresponding to the digital signals produced by said means for scanning and reading coded data; and (iii) means for converting the selected set of audio data to audible form; and (c) means for automatically activating the system when the scanning and reading means is placed in a predetermined position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-contained, hand-held system for reading coded data and transducing the coded data to selected sounds, the system comprising the following elements, all supported by an elongated, substantially tubular housing: (a) means for scanning and reading coded data and producing therefrom digital signals identifying the scanned, coded data; (b) means for transducing the digital signals into selected sounds comprising: (i) means for storing a multitude of sets of audio data, each set corresponding to at least one different selected sound; (ii) means for selecting a set of audio data corresponding to the digital signals produced by said means for scanning and reading coded data; and (iii) means for converting the selected set of audio data to audible form; and (c) means for automatically activating the system when the scanning and reading means is placed in a predetermined position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 36 further comprising means for deactivating the system when the system has not scanned coded data in a predetermined period of time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 37 further comprising means for guiding the scanning and reading means.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for reading scannable indicia and transducing the indicia into selected sounds, the method comprising: (a) activating an elongated, substantially tubular, hand-held code scanner-reader containing a memory by gripping a surface of the scanner-reader; (b) using the scanner-reader to scan printed indicia and produce code signals that identify the printed indicia; (c) using the code signals to read from memory a selected one of a multitude of sets of data prestored in the memory, each set identifying a distinct sound pattern; and (d) converting the selected set of data read from the memory into audible sounds corresponding to the sound pattern identified by the selected set of data.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for reading scannable indicia and transducing the indicia into selected sounds, the method comprising: (a) activating an elongated, substantially tubular, hand-held code scanner-reader containing a memory by gripping a surface of the scanner-reader; (b) using the scanner-reader to scan printed indicia and produce code signals that identify the printed indicia; (c) using the code signals to read from memory a selected one of a multitude of sets of data prestored in the memory, each set identifying a distinct sound pattern; and (d) converting the selected set of data read from the memory into audible sounds corresponding to the sound pattern identified by the selected set of data.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein the memory is provided as part of a removable cartridge.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 40 further comprising selecting a removable cartridge that is appropriate for the printed indicia.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein the printed indicia comprise printed characters of a first language and the audible sounds comprise sounds of speech of a second language that is different from the first language.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising providing a guide, positioning the guide across the coded data, and scanning the printed indicia by following the guide with the code scanner-reader.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 further comprising automatically deactivating the hand-held scanner-reader when no indicia have been scanned in a given time period.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for reading scannable indicia and transducing the indicia into selected sounds, the method comprising: (a) providing a guide: (b) positioning the guide across printed indicia; (c) activating an elongated substantially tubular, hand-held code scanner-reader containing a memory by pressing a switch, located on the hand-held scanner-reader, against the guide; (d) scanning the printed indicia by causing the code scanner-reader to follow the guide and thereby to produce code signals that identify the printed indicia: (e) using the code signals to read from memory a selected one of a multitude of sets of data prestored in the memory, each set identifying a distinct sound pattern; and (f) converting the selected set of data read from the memory into audible sounds corresponding to the sound pattern identified by the selected set of data.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for reading scannable indicia and transducing the indicia into selected sounds, the method comprising: (a) providing a guide: (b) positioning the guide across printed indicia; (c) activating an elongated substantially tubular, hand-held code scanner-reader containing a memory by pressing a switch, located on the hand-held scanner-reader, against the guide; (d) scanning the printed indicia by causing the code scanner-reader to follow the guide and thereby to produce code signals that identify the printed indicia: (e) using the code signals to read from memory a selected one of a multitude of sets of data prestored in the memory, each set identifying a distinct sound pattern; and (f) converting the selected set of data read from the memory into audible sounds corresponding to the sound pattern identified by the selected set of data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 45 wherein the memory is provided as part of a removable cartridge.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 46 further comprising selecting a removable cartridge that is appropriate for the printed indicia.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 45 wherein the printed indicia comprise printed characters of a first language and the audible sounds comprise sounds of speech of a second language that is different from the first language.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising automatically deactivating the hand-held scanner-reader when no indicia have been scanned in a given time period.
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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) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |