US3673416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand held photo-optical reader for printed documents
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Alpex Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A reader which is designed to be held in the hand and to be scanned over a document for reading intelligence contained on the document in the form of printed code. The reader contains no moving parts and comprises essentially a housing with a reading aperture through which the printed matter is exposed, a photo electric cell array to sense the coded print, and a lens positioned so as to focus the printed information obtained through the aperture onto the photocell array; a light source whose direct light is shielded from the photocells is positioned contiguous to the aperture to shed light on the printed matter to be read.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Berler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A hand held reader for scanning a printed code by photo optical means comprising: a housing which substantially excludes extraneous light equipped with an opening or window at one end to be placed in direct contact with a coded document for viewing at any given moment at least one line of printed code of the document to be read; a light source in said housing contiguous to said window and positioned to provide direct illumination, through said window, for a line of printed code of a document over which the reader is placed as the reader is drawn over the document; a linear array of photoelectric detectors positioned at the opposite end of said reader housing from said window and in alignment to receive through said window and through a lens, a line of images from a document to be read; a lens, shielded from direct rays from said light source for focusing printed images onto said photoelectric detectors, situated between said window and said detectors; means to prevent rays from said light source from directly reflecting on said detectors; and means for electrically converting into intelligible information impulses received by the photoelectric detectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A hand held reader for scanning a printed code by photo optical means comprising: a housing which substantially excludes extraneous light equipped with an opening or window at one end to be placed in direct contact with a coded document for viewing at any given moment at least one line of printed code of the document to be read; a light source in said housing contiguous to said window and positioned to provide direct illumination, through said window, for a line of printed code of a document over which the reader is placed as the reader is drawn over the document; a linear array of photoelectric detectors positioned at the opposite end of said reader housing from said window and in alignment to receive through said window and through a lens, a line of images from a document to be read; a lens, shielded from direct rays from said light source for focusing printed images onto said photoelectric detectors, situated between said window and said detectors; means to prevent rays from said light source from directly reflecting on said detectors; and means for electrically converting into intelligible information impulses received by the photoelectric detectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The reader of claim 1 further characterized in the improvement comprising an L-shaped housing with a mirror disposed between said window and said photoelectric detectors to reflect, at an angle through said lens, images picked up through said window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reader of claim 1 which is provided with a handle attached to said reader at a convenient angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reader of claim 2 which is provided with a handle which comprises a closed loop and includes a base portion to retain the reader in positioned alignment on a flat surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reader of claim 1 in combination with a detachable retaining base which holds the reader in position to receive a document fed thereto for reading.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |