US6505778B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical reader with selectable processing characteristics for reading data in multiple formats
Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Inc
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Filing: 2000-09-08
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Granted: 2003-01-14
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Expires: 2020-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A multi-function optical reader comprises an photosensor, such as a charge-device (CCD), and signal conditioning and processing circuitry including separate channels for handling data in different formats. A bar code processing channel digitizes the scan signal according to light and dark features using a first-derivative technique, and an OMR processing channel uses an adaptive threshold to adapt to different light conditions and provide a boundary line for digitizing light and dark features of the target scan line. A feature measurement circuit measures the widths of the light and dark regions as derived by the separate processing channels, and provides the feature measurements to a decoding system or host terminal processor. The scan rate of the optical reader can be adjusted according to the data format to be read or the level of ambient light, to avoid saturation. The optical reader can provide multiple depth-of-field zones, both internal and external to an optical reader housing. The optical reader may provide for image capture and optical character recognition.
Inventors
- 👤 Brad R. Reddersen
- 👤 Edward C. Bremer
- 👤 Chay K. La
- 👤 Stephen P. Deloge
- 👤 Raymond J. Boyd
- 👤 Shane P. Cooper
- 👤 Ilya Zaverukha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/146; G06K7/1486; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An optical reader, comprising: a photosensitive detector, said photosensitive detector having an output signal; a signal processor connected to said photosensitive detector, said signal processor selectively conditioning said output signal according to different possible formats of data to be read; and a feature measurer connected to said signal processor; wherein said feature measurer outputs feature measurement data to a decoder configured to recognize data in any of said different possible formats.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical reader, comprising: a photosensitive detector, said photosensitive detector having an output signal; a signal processor connected to said photosensitive detector, said signal processor selectively conditioning said output signal according to different possible formats of data to be read; and a feature measurer connected to said signal processor; wherein said feature measurer outputs feature measurement data to a decoder configured to recognize data in any of said different possible formats.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , wherein said photosensitive detector comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , wherein said photosensitive detector comprises a linear array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , wherein said photosensitive detector comprises a two-dimensional array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , wherein said photosensitive detector comprises a CMOS sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , further comprising means for selecting a scan rate for said photosensitive detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , wherein said signal processor comprises a plurality of processing channels, said signal processing channels including at least a bar code processing channel and an OMR processing channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical reader of claim 7 , wherein said bar code processing channel comprises an edge detection circuit, and wherein said OMR processing channel comprises an adaptive thresholding circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , further comprising a volatile memory for storing image capture data directly from said photosensitive detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , further comprising a decoder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical reader of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to perform optical character recognition.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for reading data, comprising the steps of: receiving light on a photosensitive detector; outputting a signal from said photosensitive detector; conditioning the signal according to a data format selected from a plurality of data formats; and generating a data signal representing features according to the selected data format and outputting said data signal to a decoder configured to recognize data in any of said different possible formats.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for reading data, comprising the steps of: receiving light on a photosensitive detector; outputting a signal from said photosensitive detector; conditioning the signal according to a data format selected from a plurality of data formats; and generating a data signal representing features according to the selected data format and outputting said data signal to a decoder configured to recognize data in any of said different possible formats.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said plurality of data formats comprises at least a bar code data format and an OMR data format.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said step of conditioning the signal according to a data format selected from a plurality of data formats comprises, for said bar code data format, the step of detecting transitions between positive and negative peaks in the signal from said photosensitive detector, and, for OMR data format, the step of detecting crossings of a threshold signal adaptively derived from the signal output from said photosensitive detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for reading data, comprising: an optical data gathering system, said optical data gathering system comprising a photosensitive detector, a signal processor connected to said photosensitive detector, and an illumination source; and a controller connected to said optical data gathering system, said controller selecting operating characteristics of said optical data gathering system in response to optical conditions at different depth-of-field zones along an optical path of said photosensitive sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for reading data, comprising: an optical data gathering system, said optical data gathering system comprising a photosensitive detector, a signal processor connected to said photosensitive detector, and an illumination source; and a controller connected to said optical data gathering system, said controller selecting operating characteristics of said optical data gathering system in response to optical conditions at different depth-of-field zones along an optical path of said photosensitive sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
142 words
An optical reader, comprising: a housing having a receptacle adapted to receive paper documents to be optically scanned; an imaging system located within said housing, said imaging system comprising at least one lens and a photosensitive detector; a door connected to said housing; a mirror affixed to said door, said mirror positioned along an optical path of the photosensitive detector for optically scanning a back side of a paper document inserted in said receptacle; an imaging window located along said optical path and between said lens and said door; and an illumination source; wherein a plurality of depth-of-field zones are defined along said optical path, at least one of said depth-of-field zones corresponding to a target region external to said housing viewable when said door is in an open position and blocked from view when said door is in a closed position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
An optical reader, comprising: a housing having a receptacle adapted to receive paper documents to be optically scanned; an imaging system located within said housing, said imaging system comprising at least one lens and a photosensitive detector; a door connected to said housing; a mirror affixed to said door, said mirror positioned along an optical path of the photosensitive detector for optically scanning a back side of a paper document inserted in said receptacle; an imaging window located along said optical path and between said lens and said door; and an illumination source; wherein a plurality of depth-of-field zones are defined along said optical path, at least one of said depth-of-field zones corresponding to a target region external to said housing viewable when said door is in an open position and blocked from view when said door is in a closed position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical reader of claim 16 , wherein said paper documents comprise gaming tickets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical reader of claim 16 , wherein said photosensitive detector comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical reader of claim 16 , further comprising a processor programmed to detect optical markings and to recognize optical characters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The optical reader of claim 16 , further comprising: a signal processor connected to said photosensitive detector, said signal processor having a plurality of processing channels; a feature measurer connected to said signal processor; and a controller connected to said feature measurer, said controller selecting one of said processing channels of the signal processor for connection to said feature measurer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical reader of claim 20 , wherein said controller selects a scan rate for said photosensitive detector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical reader of claim 20 , further comprising a decoder connected to-said feature measurer.
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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) | 2006-01-13 | 2006-07-15 | 2007-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | 2011-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-13 | 2014-07-15 | 2015-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |