CORDLESS SCANNING PROBE

• US 3,826,900 A
• Filed: 10/13/1972
• Issued: 07/30/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edgar E. Moellering
• Original Assignee: Edgar E. Moellering
• Inventors: Moellering, Edgar E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cook, Daryl W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kilgore, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US05/297,353
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 340/149A,224,146.3Z 235/61.7B,61.11E,61.11D,61.11R,61.12N,61.9R 250/219DC
• US Class Current: 235/435
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/10 mechanically operated

Abstract

In the present invention an optical decoding system employs a hand-held, optical probe scanner, for optically reading coded information from labels affixed to pieces of merchandise. The optically read code is converted into electrical energy and transmitted by a radio transmitter located within the probe to a local receiver for processing. The processed signals are then used to control a registering business machine such as a sales register, accounting machine, or other such device.

Claims

1. In combination with a registering business machine:

a probe having a reading end adapted to be scribed across the coded data of a record marker which record marker is attached to a unit of merchandise;

illumination means for illuminating said coded data;

transducer means affixed to said probe for converting the reflection of said coded data into corresponding electrical signals as said probe is scribed across said coded data, said transducer means being comprised of, a first photodetector means responsive to certain portions of the coded data for providing an electrical signal each time the reading end of said probe is scribed across said coded data, a second photodetector means responsive to the remaining portions of the coded data for providing an electrical signal each time the reading end of said probe is scribed across said coded data;

modulation means for receiving the signals from said first and said second photodetector means and for providing modulating signals, corresponding to said received signals, said modulation means being comprised of, a first frequency modulated oscillator, the output frequency of which is proportional to the electrical signal from said first photodetector means, a second frequency modulated oscillator, the output frequency of which is proportional to the electrical signal from said second photodetector means;

means for combining the output frequency signals from said first and said second frequency modulated oscillators and for feeding said combined signals to said transmitter means;

transmitter means fOr transmitting radio waves proportional to said corresponding electrical signals; and

receiver means for receiving said transmitted signals and for providing said signals to said information utilizing device for registering therein.

2. An apparatus for detecting data from a record member bearing coded data comprising:

a probe having a reading end for scribing across the coded data;

means for applying radiation to said coded data;

transducer means affixed to said probe for transforming the radiation reflected from said coded data into corresponding electrical signals, as said probe is scribed across the coded data, said transducer means being comprised of, a first photodetector means responsive to certain portions of the coded data for providing an electrical signal each time the reading end of the probe is scribed across the coded data, a second photodetector means responsive to the remaining portions of the coded data for providing an electrical signal each time the reading end of the probe is scribed across the coded data;

modulation means for receiving the signals from said first and said second photodetector means and for providing modulating signals, corresponding to said received signals, said modulation means being comprised of, a first frequency modulated oscillator, the output frequency of which is proportional to the electrical signal from said first photodetector means, a second frequency modulated oscillator, the output frequency of which is proportional to the electrical signal from said second photodetector means;

means for combining the output frequency signals from said first and said second frequency modulated oscillators and for providing a combined signal;

transmitter means for receiving said combined signals and for transmitting radio waves distinctive of said combined signals;

receiver means for receiving said transmitted radio waves;

logic means for converting said received radio waves into digital signals;

processor means for converting said digital signals into decimal signals; and

video display means for converting said received radio waves into video signals indicative of said coded data.