US6501547B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held produce recognition system and produce data collector
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
•
Filing: 2000-02-18
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2020-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held produce data collector which captures wavelength information from a produce item. The produce data collector includes a light emitter for illuminating a produce item, collecting optics for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light, a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light, control circuitry, and a hand-held housing containing the light emitter, the collecting optics, the photosensor, and the control circuitry. The control circuitry may store reference wavelength information and compare the captured wavelength information to the reference wavelength information to identify the produce item.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Spencer
- 👤 Donald A. Collins, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/42; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/502; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/251; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10732; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/17; G01J3/02; G01J3/0272; G01N21/27; G01N21/274; G06V20/00; G06V20/60; G06V20/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A portable data collector comprising: a light emitter for illuminating a produce item; collecting optics for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light; control circuitry; and a hand-held housing containing the light emitter, the collecting optics, the photosensor, and the control circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A portable data collector comprising: a light emitter for illuminating a produce item; collecting optics for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light; control circuitry; and a hand-held housing containing the light emitter, the collecting optics, the photosensor, and the control circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter comprises a number of light emitting diodes which together produce substantially white light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter comprises: a light source external to the housing; and an optical cable which routes light from the light source into the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the collecting optics comprises a spectrometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises: an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog electrical signals from the photodetector into digital wavelength information; a memory for storing reference wavelength information; and a processor for comparing the digital wavelength information to the reference wavelength information to identify the produce item.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a trigger for initiating operation of the light source and collection of the wavelength information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a power supply for providing power to the control circuitry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data collector as recited in claim 7 , wherein the power supply comprises a battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , further comprising communication circuitry for receiving reference wavelength information from a computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The data collector as recited in claim 9 , wherein the communication circuitry comprises wireless RF communication circuitry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data collector as recited in claim 9 , wherein the communication circuitry also sends the wavelength information to the computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data collector as recited in claim 9 , wherein the communication circuitry also sends produce item identification information to the computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a display for displaying produce item identification information by the control circuitry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data collector as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor for initiating capture of wavelength information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
A portable data collector comprising: a light emitter for illuminating a produce item; a spectrometer for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light and for producing corresponding analog electrical signals; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog electrical signals into digital wavelength information; a memory for storing the digital wavelength information; a processor; and a hand-held housing containing the spectrometer, the photosensor, the analog-to-digital converter, the memory, and the processor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A portable data collector comprising: a light emitter for illuminating a produce item; a spectrometer for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light and for producing corresponding analog electrical signals; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog electrical signals into digital wavelength information; a memory for storing the digital wavelength information; a processor; and a hand-held housing containing the spectrometer, the photosensor, the analog-to-digital converter, the memory, and the processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable data collector as recited in claim 15 , further comprising a trigger switch for initiating collection of the digital wavelength information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The portable data collector as recited in claim 15 , further comprising a battery in the housing for providing power.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable data collector as recited in claim 15 , further comprising a communication circuit for exchanging information with a computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable data collector as recited in claim 15 , further comprising an ambient light sensor for initiating collection of the digital wavelength information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The portable data collector as recited in claim 15 , further comprising: a display controlled by the processor; wherein the processor compares the digital wavelength information to reference wavelength information to identify the produce item and display produce identification information.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of collecting produce data comprising the steps of: providing a hand-held housing; illuminating a produce item through an aperture in the housing; collecting light reflected from the produce item; separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; generating electrical signals for the wavelength portions of light; and converting the electrical signals to digital wavelength information.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of collecting produce data comprising the steps of: providing a hand-held housing; illuminating a produce item through an aperture in the housing; collecting light reflected from the produce item; separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light; generating electrical signals for the wavelength portions of light; and converting the electrical signals to digital wavelength information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: generating the electrical signals in response to actuation of a trigger in the housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising the step of: providing power for generating the electrical signals by a battery.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: sensing a drop in ambient light below a predetermined threshold; and generating the electrical signals in response to the drop in ambient light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising the step of: sending the digital wavelength information to a computer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: receiving reference digital wavelength information from a computer; and comparing the digital wavelength information to the reference digital wavelength information to identify a produce item.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 26 , further comprising the step of: displaying identification information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 26 , further comprising the step of: sending the identification information to the computer.
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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) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |