One Dimensional Scan Patents (Class 235/461)
  • Patent number: 11754942
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a motor, a container detection sensor, and a controller. When a toner container is attached, the motor generates a driving force for rotating a toner conveying member in the toner container. The container detection sensor is arranged at a position where the container detection sensor comes into contact with an outer periphery of a cam connected to the toner conveying member when the toner container is attached. The controller distinguishes between at least three attachment states of the toner container based on a sensor signal of the container detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinichi Omoya
  • Patent number: 11252286
    Abstract: In the case where a voice control device can communicate with a printing apparatus and a display apparatus, a user is provided with visual presentations of notifications on the display apparatus where print processing instructions are provided to the printing apparatus based on user instructions issued to the voice control device by voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Okamoto, Takuho Taguchi, Ryohei Saito
  • Patent number: 11244707
    Abstract: An apparatus for tape library management. The apparatus includes a storage slot that includes a plurality of mirrors integrated into the storage slot for reading a barcode affixed to each of a plurality of tape cartridges stored in a tiered orientation within the storage slot. The apparatus further includes wherein each of the plurality of mirrors are located directly below the barcode affixed to each of the plurality of tape cartridges stored in the storage slot. The apparatus further includes wherein each of the plurality of mirrors projects a reflection of the barcode affixed to each of the plurality of tape cartridges outward towards a front side of the storage slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Abe, Kazuhiro Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 10979581
    Abstract: In the case where a voice control device can communicate with a printing apparatus and a display apparatus, a user is provided with visual presentations of notifications on the display apparatus where print processing instructions are provided to the printing apparatus based on user instructions issued to the voice control device by voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Okamoto, Takuho Taguchi, Ryohei Saito
  • Patent number: 10527967
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Williamson, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10527969
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes, by rotating a motor in a first rotational direction of the motor, rotating an input gear of a toner container in a first rotational direction of the input gear causing a toner agitator in a toner reservoir of the toner container to move for agitating toner in the toner reservoir. By rotating the motor in a second rotational direction of the motor, the input gear of the toner container rotates in a second rotational direction of the input gear causing an encoded member on the toner container to move. A sensor in the electrophotographic image forming device senses identifying information of the toner container encoded on the encoded member during movement of the encoded member and rotation of the input gear of the toner container in the second rotational direction of the input gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Williamson, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10457511
    Abstract: A rotating member includes a rotating-member body, identification information, and a holding member. The rotating-member body having a cylindrical or columnar shape has one end portion and an outer circumferential surface and is to be rotated. The identification information is provided at the one end portion on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating-member body. The holding member is provided at the one end portion of the rotating-member body, holds the rotating-member body, and has an inner circumferential surface in part of which a space not to be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating-member body is provided. The identification information is disposed in the space of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Sato, Jun Sawamura, Yoshiro Konishi, Yasuhiro Kato, Takayuki Ukawa, Masahiro Akatsuka, Yusuke Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10035617
    Abstract: A method for detecting sealing stickers on a packaging box includes placing a first packaging box onto a conveyor belt of a conveyor belt system at an inspection zone, the first packaging box having a first sealing sticker thereon that at least partially seals the first packaging box closed; and activating a first optical sensor to detect whether the first sealing sticker is located on a first side of the first packaging box while the packaging box is in the inspection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Shipp
  • Patent number: 8731301
    Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for display adaptation based on captured image feedback. Content that comprises a marker is displayed. An image of the content is captured by a mobile device. Whether the marker in the image is recognized is determined. The marker in the image is analyzed in response to a determination that the marker in the image is not recognized. The content is adjusted based on the analyzed marker. The adjusted content is displayed. The marker in the image is analyzed to determine at least one of a time and a location associated with capturing the image of the content in response to a determination that the marker in the image is recognized. Another content is displayed based on at least one of the time and the location determined by analyzing the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Serge J. L. Bushman, Michael A. Gailloux, Carl J. Persson, Thomas H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8464951
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring an exit window of a scanner using a plurality of imaging devices. The method includes capturing a first image through the exit window using a first imaging device, capturing a second image through the exit window using a second different imaging device, and detecting at least one of a plurality of features in both the first and second images. The method further includes matching the plurality of features detected in both the first and the second images, determining whether the at least one matched feature is present on the plane of the exit window, and monitoring a physical condition of the exit window based on the at least one feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Trajkovic, Jade Zhang
  • Patent number: 8351089
    Abstract: A system for capturing an image of an optical code located at a region of interest in a document, the system comprising: a support for supporting the document; a source of light arranged to illuminate the document; a mount for supporting an imaging device at a position spaced from the document; a trigger for activating the imaging device to capture an image of the region of interest; and a moving device for automatically moving the mount and operating the trigger in dependence upon at least one coordinate identifying the region of interest, the coordinate being contained in a label stored in document parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Christopher Hugh Williams
  • Publication number: 20120234905
    Abstract: The present invention provides A surface identification system comprising: at least one identification code pattern comprising a plurality of recesses, through holes and/or projections formed on an code area of a first surface, the identification code pattern being made to correspond to the first surface or a second surface; and a code reading apparatus for reading the identification code pattern, the code reading apparatus being capable of irradiating light rays towards the code area, receiving reflected light rays reflected from the code area to read out the identification code pattern according to an amount of the reflected light rays from each of the plurality of recesses, through holes and/or projections, and indicating a correspondence between the identification code pattern and the first surface or the second surface. The invention also relates to a surface identification method, an object having an identification code pattern and a code reading apparatus for reading the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Ping Cheung Michael LAU
  • Patent number: 7764977
    Abstract: A mobile device powered by a battery is provided having a guard member for preventing a memory card from being removed from the mobile device when a battery is inserted in the device. The battery is removably received in a battery compartment and the memory card is removably received in memory card. The memory card slot has an opening in the casing of the mobile device and the guard member is movable from a first position in which it at least partly blocks the opening to a second position in which the memory card can be removed from the memory card slot. The battery compartment for the battery is arranged such that when the battery is inserted, the guard member is moved to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pasi Kemppinen
  • Patent number: 7562822
    Abstract: A mark on a surface in sensed by a pen as the mark is made on the surface using the pen. The surface has printed thereon a pattern of markings that define a two-dimensional coordinate system. Stroke data associated with the mark is stored. The stroke data includes coordinates corresponding to a subset of the pattern of markings traversed by the mark. The stroke data is associated with a region of the surface. The stroke data is operated on according to an operation associated with the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schmidt, Michael Handelman, Elizabeth Young
  • Patent number: 7333224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing printed documents. The method includes receiving a print request, assigning an identifier to a print job associated with the print request, and sending the print job to a printer for printing. Once the printer completes printing the print job, the identifier is added to an unretrieved print job queue. When a printed document associated with the print job is retrieved, the identifier associated with the printed document is scanned, such as with a bar code reader. Once the identifier is scanned, a retrieval confirmation is sent to indicate that the printed document has been retrieved. The identifier is then removed from the unretrieved print queue. Notification messages are sent to a notification recipient while the identifier is in the unretrieved print queue. The notification message includes an email message, a pop-up window, a pager message, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Gallacher
  • Patent number: 6969000
    Abstract: An optical module apparatus equipped with a latch coupler includes a carrier movable on a guiding rod. The guiding rod is coupled with a turnable check member. When the optical module apparatus is on a flat and using position, the check member may pass through a check trough to enable the carrier to move freely and linearly and reciprocally. When the optical module apparatus is mounted in an inclined manner and moved away from the using position, the check member is subject to the gravity force and turns in parallel with the direction of the gravity force, and is latched on the check trough to restrict the moving range of the carrier. Thus the optical module apparatus may be prevented from moving by external forces during transportation and avoid being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6969003
    Abstract: Briefly stated, the operating depth of field for a bar code scanner, preferably a laser scanner, is increased by placing a cubic phase mask (CPM) in the scanning beam. The masked beam is then scanned and reflected off a bar code and received by a photodetector. The received signal is then processed to recover the original unperturbed representation of the bar code pattern. The processed signal has an increased depth of field over an unmasked scanner signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Welch Allyn Data Collection, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Charles M. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6851609
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a line sensor for reading an image of an original, a scanning optical system that has a light source and scans the original, a reference reflection member provided in such a position as to reflect a light emitted from the light source, a buffer memory for storing data of the image, an intermittent reading part interrupting and restarting scanning performed by the scanning optical system based on a residual storage capacity of the buffer memory, and a light amount variation correction part correcting a variation in an amount of light of the light source during an interruption of the scanning based on an amount of reflected light from the reference reflection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ando, Yukio Noguchi, Koichi Ichihara, Youji Mouri, Fumihiro Kitahara, Kazuhiko Nakaya, Shigefumi Soga, Hisatsugu Niki
  • Patent number: 6840444
    Abstract: A method that allows one to mark information with a pencil on a label equipped with a RFID type circuit, and have the marked information provided to the RFID circuit, or have the written information cause the RFID circuit to supply information regarding the returned goods. The marked entered information may be corrected by erasing the written information with a pencil eraser and writing new information on the paper with a pencil. Information may also be marked into a RFID circuit or have the marked information cause the RFID circuit to perform some function by utilizing a standard ink jet computer printer to print lines on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, by having the printed lines perform the function of wires. The aforementioned printed information may be modified by having an individual connect different printed wires by drawing a penciled line between the wires or by punching holes in the printed lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Pierce, Thomas J. Foth, Brian M. Romansky, Andrei Obrea, Anand Chhatpar
  • Patent number: 6805291
    Abstract: A method that allows one to mark information with a pencil on a material equipped with a RFID type circuit, and have the marked information stored in a RFID circuit that is a component of a personal identification system and/or a document identification system. The marked entered information may be corrected by erasing the written information with a pencil eraser and writing new information on paper with a pencil. Information may also be marked into a RFID circuit and have the marked information stored in the RFID circuit by utilizing a standard ink jet computer printer to print lines on paper equipped with a RFID type circuit, by having the printed lines perform the function of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Anand V. Chhatpar, Jeffrey D. Pierce, Brian M. Romansky, Thomas J. Foth, Andrei Obrea
  • Patent number: 6641042
    Abstract: A method is described for the identification and localization of objects, where at least one transponder provided on the respective object is excited to emit transponder data stored in the transponder which characterize the respective object and where the transponder data emitted are detected. The object is additionally scanned by at least one optical sensor. Furthermore, the object is identified and its location determined from a combination of optical data detected by the optical sensor and the transponder data identified. Furthermore, a corresponding apparatus for the performance of the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Pierenkemper, Reinhold Kilian, Jürgen Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 6572017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dataform reading module. At least one photosensor provides a plurality of different zones for image capture. A lens focuses a respective image representing a portion of a dataform taken along a target line onto a respective one of the plurality of different zones. At least two mirrors are configured to focus an image of adjacent and partially overlapping portions of the dataform taken along the target line onto the lens. An illuminating device illuminates the dataform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Stoner
  • Patent number: 6547139
    Abstract: The operating depth of field for a bar code scanner, preferably a laser scanner, is increased by placing a cubic phase mask (CPM) in the scanning beam. The masked beam is then scanned and reflected off a bar code and received by a photodetector. The received signal is then processed to recover the original unperturbed representation of the bar code pattern. The processed signal has an increased depth of field over an unmasked scanner signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Welch Allyn Data Collection, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Charles M. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6397015
    Abstract: An encoded device for a toner cartridge provides a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face. The preprogrammed indicia includes a start indicia positioned at about a 6:00 o'clock position and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from the 6:00 o'clock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
  • Patent number: 6295422
    Abstract: An encoded wheel for a toner cartridge including a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face, the preprogrammed indicia including a start indicia positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position, a stop indicia positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position, at least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia, and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from said 6:00 o'clock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
  • Patent number: 6169860
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a toner cartridge including a sump for carrying a supply of toner. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the sump, and the agitator has a first end and a second end. An encoded wheel is coupled to the first end of the agitator. The encoded wheel is structured and adapted to include a first preselected cartridge characteristic indicia having a first extent, a stop indicia having a second extent larger than the first extent and a start indicia having a third extent larger than the second extent. Each indicia may be in the form of a slot. Preferably, the start indicia is positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position. The stop indicia is positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position. At least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia is positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
  • Patent number: 6095420
    Abstract: A bar code reader decodes a bar code in different directions if the bar code contains special characters whose bar widths have been corrected. The bar code reader compares the decoded results in the different directions with each other, to improve the bar code reading reliability. If the decoded results agree with each other, the results are accepted, and if not, they are discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawai, Shinichi Sato, Motohiko Itoh, Mitsuo Watanabe, Isao Iwaguchi
  • Patent number: 6009285
    Abstract: Method is disclosed for determining characteristics of a toner cartridge. One aspect is directed to determining the characteristics associated with a quantity of toner in the cartridge, and thus, the method includes the steps directed to determining a home position of an encoded device relative to a code reader, determining a delay in rotational movement of the encoded device with respect to a rotational movement of a drive mechanism as an agitator moves through the toner, and translating the delay into an amount of toner remaining in the cartridge. Another aspect is directed to determining preselected cartridge characteristics from the encoded device, and thus, the method includes steps directed to rotating the encoded device, reading a coding of the encoded device, and decoding the coding to determine the preselected cartridge characteristic information represented by the coding. The method steps directed to these aspects of the method may be performed separately or in aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Steven Alan Curry, Christopher Dane Jones, Benjamin Keith Newman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
  • Patent number: 5995772
    Abstract: A cartridge for an electrophotographic machine having a sump for carrying an agitator rotatably mounted in the sump for engagement with a toner; an encoded device coupled to a first end of the agitator; and a torque sensitive coupling connected to a second end of the agitator which is connectable to a drive mechanism of the machine. The encoded device includes coding representing cartridge characteristic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
  • Patent number: 5634169
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge having an encoder wheel thereon for encoding EP supply cartridge characteristic information for an electrophotographic machine, the cartridge comprising, a sump for carrying an initial amount of toner. A shaft is mounted for rotation in said sump, and an agitator or paddle is mounted thereon in such a manner that when the shaft rotates, the paddle rotates into, through and out of engagement with toner carried by the sump. A single encoder wheel is mounted on the shaft, external of the sump, the encoder wheel positioned for proximate mating coaction with a coded wheel reader when the cartridge is mounted in position in the electrophotographic machine. A drive means, and a variable torque flexible coupling connects the drive means to the shaft to effect rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Barry, Steven A. Curry, Benjamin K. Newman, Gregory L. Ream, Earl D. Ward, II, Phillip B. Wright
  • Patent number: 5301243
    Abstract: A hand-held scanner is provided for reading characters from a string of characters recorded on a substrate. The scanner may be held like a pen and moved, in contact with the substrate, along the string of characters. Movement of the scanner is sensed by a sensor. An optical system views a small area of the substrate and an optical detector detects the relative intensity of light reflected from each of several points in the area of view. To facilitate tracking, a portion of the string of characters adjacent to the area of view is clearly visible to the user. The scanner includes memory for storing codes representing individual characters. The scanner may include a computer, connected by a cable, or may be self-contained and battery operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventors: Francis Olschafskie, Allan Chasanoff
  • Patent number: 4983818
    Abstract: A data acquisition laser scanner system. The system includes a laser scanner module and a data acquisition terminal. The data acquisition terminal comprises a housing, manual input means to input data therein, display means, and means for storing electrical signals. The module comprises a housing having a window, a source of laser light, a mechanism for sweeping the laser beam within the housing to produce a scan pattern comprising at least one line, a reflective beam folding system for projecting the pattern out of the window and onto an object, such as a bar code, and a system for receiving light reflected off the object to convert the reflected light into electrical output signals indicative thereof. The module also includes a connector for releasable securement to a mating connector forming a portion of the data acquisition terminal for mounting the module thereon and carrying the electrical output signals thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl H. Knowles
  • Patent number: 4982073
    Abstract: A security document such as a credit card or the like carries an automatically, machine-sensed material adapted to generate reproducible signals unique to such document. The material is arranged randomly along a line-like track and sensed by a scanning head having a transverse sensing slot of much greater length than the track width, whereby reproducibility of the scanning signals is assured. A system for testing the authenticity of such documents includes sensing means for detecting the material of the line-like track and converting it into a corresponding electric signal and a comparator means in which the electric signal is tested as to its identity relative to a signal generated in the same manner during the previous sensing. The electric signal is derived from a verification characteristic of the card which may intrinsic property of the card material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: GAO Gesellschaft fur Automation und Organisation mbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 4791280
    Abstract: A lock has means (15,16) for reading from a key (11) a binary encoded number. If the number read from the key is a predetermined number, the lock will store in a memory (19) a further number read from a further key applied immediately after withdrawal of the first key. The device will then recognize the second key, when applied subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Lowe and Fletcher Limited
    Inventors: John O'Connell, Alan Webster, Roy S. Jefferies, Hugh Trevor-Jones
  • Patent number: 4638171
    Abstract: The position of parallelepiped-shaped objects on a first receptacle is detected by means of a detection device using an optical reader operating on a position mark carrier which has two label portions intended to arise on different ones of two adjacent sides of the object, one of the sides being larger than the other. Each of the label portions has a respective identification mark so that not only does the label indicate the nature of the object, it also identifies which of the two adjacent faces of the object is being scanned by the optical reader. Furthermore, means are provided for measuring the distance of the optical reader from the scanned side of the object, by relying on angular deflection of a scanning beam at a given constant angular velocity and measurement of the time taken to scan the label portion which has a predetermined constant length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Max Gassmann
  • Patent number: 4625100
    Abstract: A watchman's tour recording system includes a portable housing containing a data reader for reading and recording data from tour stations and a printer for printing out recorded station data and entry time in alphanumeric form. The printer is located in a locked compartment and is accessible by supervisory personnel for periodic tour entry monitoring. Station keys carry coded identification as a linear array of apertures filled with alternative pellet materials which are transmissive or non-transmissive to infrared light but are visibly indistinguishable. Strobe holes are positioned in a parallel linear array for synchronizing data reading. During assembly, the pellets are mutually distinguishable by split and continuous rings which serve as energy directors during ultrasonic welding of the pellets into the key, and which are hidden from view in the assembled product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Lathem Time Recorder Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4162762
    Abstract: A data processing machine, especially ciphering equipment, comprising an input device for the entering of data to be processed. The input device comprises a perforated tape reader containing a scanner unit for scanning standardized teleprinter perforated tapes which possess a number of parallel information tracks formed by information perforations and a feed track formed by feed perforations. The information perforations have a different diameter than the feed perforations. The scanner unit or device is connected with a circuit which, based upon the signals received from the scanner device, determines which of the scanned tracks constitute the information tracks and which the feed track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Inventor: Peter Frutiger