Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1995-03-16
2001-05-22
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S462010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234395
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present application is particularly directed to improvements in the invention of our U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,425 issued Aug. 4, 1981. The disclosure of said patent is incorporated herein by reference, particularly for purposes of background information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in one important aspect, is directed to the provision of a particularly facile and effective hand held reader unit for the instantaneous reading of complete bar code patterns of curved or irregular configuration, and comprising an optical system which accomodates itself to a compact and rugged, yet lightweight construction capable of economical manufacture.
In another aspect, the invention provides a high speed bar code reader system and method which is capable of reading a complete bar code pattern as an entity for computer processing without requiring the reader unit to be moved during the read-in operation; such system and method being further optimized by the provision of a flash illuminator of special configuration for providing a particularly uniform obliquely directed light output over the full depth of the optical field of the reader lens system, and by the provision of a lens system which is adjusted in its spectral response and stop aperture characteristics so as to achieve a high resolution and accuracy over a sufficient depth of field to read high density bar patterns with marked curvature or surface irregularity.
It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide a portable instant bar code reader and method providing improved optical characteristics.
Another object resides in the provision of a bar code reader system and method exhibiting an improved flash type illuminator.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a portable instant bar code reader system and method wherein the optical and electronic construction are interrelated so as to provide for quick-repeat, more accurately focussed reading where an initial reading is ineffective because of marginal reading conditions or the like.
Still another object resides in the provision of a hand held bar code scanner having novel electronic, optical and structural features adapted to the implementation of the various objects set forth above.
Features of the invention include the provision of a reader unit with a wide field of view and substantial focal depth, which yet has a narrow hand grip configuration, and a compact optical system; an optical system which accomodates a single unitary circuit board configuration, a rigid lens mounting arrangement which furthers the achievement of a precise and reliable optical system with a dust and moisture proof enclosure and substantial impact resistance; and an optical system providing an optical field of extended depth coupled with an optimum focus at a selected close up position and electronics for signalling an inaccurate reading and automatically repeating the read operation if necessary as the operator adjusts the unit toward the optimum reading position until a valid reading is achieved.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood in greater detail from the drawings and the following description wherein reference numerals illustrate a preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3699312 (1972-10-01), Jones et al.
patent: 3826900 (1974-07-01), Moellering
patent: 3918028 (1975-11-01), Humphrey et al.
patent: 3978317 (1976-08-01), Yamaguchi et al.
patent: 3978318 (1976-08-01), Romeo et al.
patent: 3991299 (1976-11-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4061300 (1977-12-01), Carnahan et al.
patent: 4072859 (1978-02-01), McWaters
patent: 4088961 (1978-05-01), Gott
patent: 4096992 (1978-06-01), Nojiri et al.
patent: 4101072 (1978-07-01), Weaver et al.
patent: 4114030 (1978-09-01), Nojiri et al.
patent: 4115703 (1978-09-01), Dobras
patent: 4118687 (1978-10-01), McWaters et al.
patent: 4128298 (1978-12-01), McMillan
patent: 4140271 (1979-02-01), Nijiri et al.
patent: 4143809 (1979-03-01), Uebbing et al.
patent: 4158194 (1979-06-01), McWaters et al.
patent: 4210802 (1980-07-01), Sakai
patent: 4247908 (1981-01-01), Lockart et al.
patent: 4250526 (1981-02-01), Fuwa et al.
patent: 4251798 (1981-02-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4282425 (1981-08-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4355301 (1982-10-01), Isshiki et al.
patent: 4360798 (1982-11-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4369361 (1983-01-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4387297 (1983-06-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4408120 (1983-10-01), Hara et al.
patent: 4409470 (1983-10-01), Shepard et al.
patent: 4418277 (1983-11-01), Tremmel et al.
patent: 4460120 (1984-07-01), Shepard et al.
patent: 4496831 (1985-01-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4523235 (1985-06-01), Rajchman
patent: 4570057 (1986-02-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4593186 (1986-06-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4652750 (1987-03-01), Eastman et al.
patent: 4673805 (1987-06-01), Shepard et al.
patent: 4736095 (1988-04-01), Shepard et al.
patent: 4758717 (1988-07-01), Shepard et al.
patent: 4760248 (1988-07-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4766300 (1988-08-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4816660 (1989-03-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4818856 (1989-04-01), Matsushima et al.
patent: 4825057 (1989-04-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4835374 (1989-05-01), Swartz et al.
patent: 4841129 (1989-06-01), Tawara et al.
patent: 4894523 (1990-01-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 4897532 (1990-01-01), Swartz
patent: 5021642 (1991-06-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 5038024 (1991-08-01), Chadima, Jr. et al.
patent: 5130520 (1992-07-01), Shephard
patent: 50-35627 (1975-12-01), None
patent: 024543 (1979-02-01), None
patent: 120330 (1979-08-01), None
“Data Acquisition Through Portable Laser Scanners”, C. Harry Knowles, Code & Symbol Magazine, Apr. 1976.
“Code Reading Mechanical Scanning Gun”, (IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin), vol. 5, No. 5, 10/62, p. 78, Grubowski et al.
“High Performance Optical Sensing System For Reading Bar Code”, (IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin), vol. 17, No. 3, 8/74, p. 692), Burke.
Japan 024 543 Translation (02/79).
Japan Utility Model Kokai 120,330 Translation (Front Sheet and FIG. 4). (08/79).
Patent Abstracts of Japan 1977, p. 76E 105, the Abstract of JP 54 024 543 (07/77).
“Diverse Electronic Imaging Applications for CCD Line Image Sensors,” 1975 International Conference on the Application of Charge-Coupled Devices, pp. 181-187, J. Hunt and H. Sadowski, 1975.
Chadima, Jr. George E.
Laser Vadim
Intermec IP Corp.
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
Pitts Harold I.
LandOfFree
Instant portable bar code reader does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Instant portable bar code reader, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Instant portable bar code reader will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2471279