Patents by Inventor Takao Tawara

Takao Tawara has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6338432
    Abstract: An optical pattern reading apparatus includes a housing with a light projecting means located within the housing for projecting a line of light onto an optical pattern located external to the housing and wherein the line of light is cyclically swept across an optical pattern to be read. A reflecting mirror located in the housing, posteriorly of the light source is moved in synchronism with the line of light projected onto the optical pattern to receive a line of light reflected from the optical pattern and projecting its reflected light via a light receiving and condensing optics assembly onto a linear image sensor. The information present within an area can thus be sensed using a linear image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Opticon INC
    Inventors: Takao Tawara, Toshiei Kera
  • Patent number: 6234396
    Abstract: An optical reading apparatus includes means for moving a mirror in a back and forth motion such that the mirror scans the light reflected from an optical pattern and sequentially projects narrow segments of the reflected image onto a linear image sensor. The means for moving the mirror include a cantilever-like arm or plate having one end held stationary and the other end free to move. The mirror is connected to the end of the arm which is free to move. Selectively enabled driving means coupled to the arm causes it to vibrate and the mirror to sweep or scan across the reflected image of an optical pattern. As the mirror sweeps across the reflected image of the optical pattern it sequentially projects different segments of the optical pattern onto the linear image sensor until the entire optical pattern is projected onto the linear image sensor. The linear image sensor is operable at a high rate of speed and is sufficiently sensitive that it can sense numerous (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Opticon, Inc.
    Inventor: Takao Tawara
  • Patent number: 5959283
    Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for moving a mirror in a back and forth motion such that the mirror scans the light reflected from an optical pattern and sequentially projects narrow segments of the reflected image onto a linear image sensor. Moving the mirror includes means for mounting the mirror within a movable case which is mounted on a shaft to selectively cause the case to go back and forth in a seesaw-like fashion. As the case goes back and forth, it causes the mirror to sweep or scan across the reflected image of an optical pattern. As the mirror sweeps across the reflected image of the optical pattern it sequentially projects different segments of the optical pattern onto the linear image sensor until the entire optical pattern is projected onto the linear image sensor. The linear image sensor is operable at a high rate of speed and is sufficiently sensitive that it can sense numerous (e.g., 50, or more) segments of the reflected image during one sweep of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Opticon, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Tawara, Toshiei Kera
  • Patent number: 4841129
    Abstract: A scanning device for reading bar codes symbols comprising at least two moveable, preferably rotatably driven, reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, which direct a light source, preferably from a laser, in a scanning pattern towards the object to be scanned. At least one of said reflective surfaces having an associated lens means to modify the light beam associated with its reflective surface, and means adapted to move each of said reflective surfaces and the associated lens into a path adapted to intersect with said beam of light. Means are provided to direct the beam of light outside the scanning device as a sweep beam onto the bar code symbol to be read and optical means and sensing means are provided to collect the light reflected from the bar code symbol and generate data therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Opticon Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Tawara, Jun Akedo, Yoshiyuki Iwashita