×

Bar code reader to read different bar code formats

  • US 5,051,567 A
  • Filed: 06/13/1989
  • Issued: 09/24/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a bar code reader for reading bar codes having dark and light bar shaped elements of different densities, wherein some bar code formats have bars of different widths than those of other bar code formats, which includes a detector assembly that detects light incident thereon, optic means for forming an image of a portion of a bar code lying at a particular position onto said detector assembly and where the image moves relative to the detector assembly, and a detector circuit for indicating the presence of different bar code elements, the improvement wherein:

  • said detector assembly defines a plurality of photocell devices each having a photosensitive region of predetermined area, each photocell device generating an electrical signal of a magnitude dependent upon the amount of light incident on its photosensitive region;

    switch means for connecting a selected one, but not other, of said photocell devices to said detector circuit, which optimizes reading of a particular bar code format, during the entire reading of at least one bar code having a plurality of said elements;

    said photocell devices having photosensitive regions of different areas, and said optic means being constructed to form an image of said bar code portion onto all of said photocell devices during said relative movement.

View all claims
  • 9 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×