US3643103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-conducting member for photoelectric code sensor
Assignee: DECISION DATA Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1970-03-16
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A light-conducting member for an apparatus which photoelectrically senses successive columns of coded dataindicating perforations in a punched tape. The light-conducting member is of a transparent material, located above the tape, and conducts light from a single elongated light bulb onto the tape. A phototransistor array is located beneath the tape and senses light passing through the perforations. The top surface of the light-conducting member receives the light from the bulb and contains a trough portion extending substantially parallel to the columns of perforations and elongated bulb. The bottom of the trough is concave and symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the columns. The bottom surface of the light-conducting member emits the light received on its top surface, is planar and located perpendicular to the plane about which the trough is symmetrical. The bottom surface is also elongated in a direction parallel to the columns to emit light to all the apertures in each column. Preferably, the light-conducting member has two planar side surfaces located in converging planes which intersect beneath the bottom surface. The insides of these side surfaces are adapted to reflect at least some of the light directed onto the top surface and direct such light onto the bottom surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin O Du Buis
- 👤 Carl Bayer Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K21/00; G06K21/04; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10841
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for sensing perforations arranged in a column in a perforated manner, the apparatus comprising: a. sensing means located beneath the perforated member and containing a plurality of photosensing elements, each said photosensing element being adapted to sense light passing through one of said perforations in said column; b. a light source located above said perforated member; and c. a light-conducting member of homogeneous material interposed between said light source and perforated member, said conducting member receiving light from the light source on its top surface and emitting at least part of said light from its bottom surface onto the perforated member, said bottom surface being elongated and located in a plane substantially parallel to said perforated member, at least a portion of said top surface forming a trough extending substantially parallel to said elongated bottom surface, the bottom of said trough being concave and symmetrical about a first plane substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface and extending across said trough.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for sensing perforations arranged in a column in a perforated manner, the apparatus comprising: a. sensing means located beneath the perforated member and containing a plurality of photosensing elements, each said photosensing element being adapted to sense light passing through one of said perforations in said column; b. a light source located above said perforated member; and c. a light-conducting member of homogeneous material interposed between said light source and perforated member, said conducting member receiving light from the light source on its top surface and emitting at least part of said light from its bottom surface onto the perforated member, said bottom surface being elongated and located in a plane substantially parallel to said perforated member, at least a portion of said top surface forming a trough extending substantially parallel to said elongated bottom surface, the bottom of said trough being concave and symmetrical about a first plane substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface and extending across said trough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a single elongated bulb extending substantially parallel to said trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said trough is symmetrical about a second plane extending along said trough, and substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said concave bottom of said trough is on a circular arc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said light-conducting member also has two essentially planar side surfaces extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said side surfaces being in converging planes which intersect beneath said bottom surface, the inside of said side surfaces being adapted to reflect at least some of said light passing through said top surface such that at least some of said light is directed onto said bottom surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for sensing perforations arranged in a column in a perforated member, the apparatus comprising: a. sensing means located beneath the perforated member and containing a plurality of photosensing elements, each said photosensing element being adapted to sense light passing through one of said perforations in said column; b. a light source located above said perforated member; and c. a light-conducting member, interposed between said light source and perforated member, said conducting member receiving light from the light source on its top surface and emitting at least part of said light from its bottom surface onto the perforated member, said bottom surface being elongated and located in a plane substantially parallel to said perforated member, at least a portion of said top surface forming a trough extending substantially parallel to said elongated bottom surface, said light-conducting member also having two essentially planar side surfaces extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said side surfaces being in converging planes which intersect beneath said bottom surface, the insides of said side surfaces being adapted to reflect at least some of said light passing through said top surface such that at least some of said light is directed onto said bottom surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for sensing perforations arranged in a column in a perforated member, the apparatus comprising: a. sensing means located beneath the perforated member and containing a plurality of photosensing elements, each said photosensing element being adapted to sense light passing through one of said perforations in said column; b. a light source located above said perforated member; and c. a light-conducting member, interposed between said light source and perforated member, said conducting member receiving light from the light source on its top surface and emitting at least part of said light from its bottom surface onto the perforated member, said bottom surface being elongated and located in a plane substantially parallel to said perforated member, at least a portion of said top surface forming a trough extending substantially parallel to said elongated bottom surface, said light-conducting member also having two essentially planar side surfaces extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said side surfaces being in converging planes which intersect beneath said bottom surface, the insides of said side surfaces being adapted to reflect at least some of said light passing through said top surface such that at least some of said light is directed onto said bottom surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the bottom of said trough is concave and symmetrical about a first plane substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface and extending across said trough, and wherein said side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to said first plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said light source comprises a single elongated bulb extending substantially parallel to said trough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said trough is symmetrical about a second plane extending along said trough and substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said concave bottom of said trough is on a circular arc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |