DEVICE FOR CHANGING INDICIA INTO ELECTRICAL SIGNALS

• US 3,816,710 A
• Filed: 09/20/1971
• Issued: 06/11/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siegfried Eiben, Udo Hoffman
• Original Assignee: Siegfried Eiben, Udo Hoffman
• Inventors: Hoffman, Udo, Eiben, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Sloyan, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US05/182,083
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 235/61.7B,61.11C,61.11H 340/347D 179/1.41PE 310/8.3
• US Class Current: 235/444
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/042 controlling electric circuits

Abstract

A device is used for changing into electrical signals indicia applied to an information carrier in the shape of nonlevel markings, such as holes, notches and the like. The device is particularly characterized by a piezoelectric converter connected with feeling means which are resiliently pressed against the inscribed lengths of the information carrier, as well as a transporting device for shifting the information carrier relatively to the feeling means in the direction of the inscribed lengths.

Claims

1. A device for reading indicia consisting of holes, notches and other non-level markings upon a hollow cylindrical tube adapted to receive liquid samples, said device comprising a piezoelectric converter, for electrically reading said markings, feeling means connected with said piezoelectric converter and pressing resiliently against the marking paths of said tube, means for rotating said tube about its longitudinal axis relatively to said feeling means, and an information treatment device connected with said piezoelectric converter, said information carrier having a plurality of marking paths, the piezoelectric converter having a number of piezoelectric cells corresponding to that of the marking paths, said feeling means comprising a separate feeler for each marking path and a separate hammer connected with each feeler and striking a cell when the feeler is swung by a marking upon its marking path, a separate plate spring firmly connected with each feeler and hammer, and a holding device carrying said plate springs.