Method and apparatus for reading and writing indicia such as bar codes using a scanned laser beam
First Claim
1. A system for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the system comprising;
- a light source for producing a light beam;
reading means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium so as to scan along a scan direction first alphanumeric characters disposed on a first portion of said paper medium, detecting at least a porlion of a light of variable intensity reflected off the first characters, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity, and writing means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium in a pattern on a second portion of said medium so as to write second characters on said paper medium, wherein said paper medium has a light and/or heat sensitive surface coating on said second portion of said paper medium so as to form alphanumeric characters when said light beam is directed thereto.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for reading and writing indicia on a medium including a light source for producing a light beam; a reading element for directing the light beam at the medium so as to scan indicia disposed on a first portion of said medium, detecting at least a portion of the light of variable intensity reflected off the indicia, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity; and a writing element for directing the light beam at the medium in a pattern on a second portion of the medium so as record information on the medium. The light beam is preferably a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser, and a mirror is used to scan the beam both for reading and writing.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the system comprising;
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a light source for producing a light beam;
reading means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium so as to scan along a scan direction first alphanumeric characters disposed on a first portion of said paper medium, detecting at least a porlion of a light of variable intensity reflected off the first characters, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity, and writing means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium in a pattern on a second portion of said medium so as to write second characters on said paper medium, wherein said paper medium has a light and/or heat sensitive surface coating on said second portion of said paper medium so as to form alphanumeric characters when said light beam is directed thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the system comprising
a light source for producing a light beam; -
reading means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium so as to scan along a scan direction first alphanumeric characters disposed on a first portion of said paper medium, detecting at least a portion of a light of variable intensity reflected off the first characters, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity;
writing means coupled to said light source for directing said light beam at said paper medium in a pattern on a second portion of said medium so as to write second characters on said paper medium, and means for processing said electrical signal to detect an indicia pattern representing a control indicia so as to change said system from a reading mode to a writing mode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a light source for emitting a light beam;
(b) an optical component disposed in the path of said beam for directing the light be am along an optical path toward a target on the paper medium located in a vicinity of a reference plane lying generally normal to the optical path so as to scan in a scan direction spatially adjacent portions of said reference plane 10 thereby scan first alphanumeric characters;
(c) control means for operating said light source in a writing mode so as to direct light to portions of said target where second alphanumeric characters are to be written; and
(d) sensor means disposed in a path of light reflected off the target and operative in a reading mode for detecting a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off the first alphanumeric characters on the target, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity, wherein said paper medium has a light and/or heat sensitive surface coating on said second portion of said paper medium so as to form alphanumeric characters when said light beam is directed thereto. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the method comprising:
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producing a light beam;
directing said light beam at said paper medium so as to illuminate a first portion of said paper medium, detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off first alphanumeric characters, and generating an electrical signal indicative of a detected light intensity; and
directing said light beam at said paper medium in a pattern on a second portion of said medium so as to record second alphanumeric characters on said paper medium, wherein said paper medium has a light and/or heat sensitive surface coating on said second portion of said paper medium so as to form alphanumeric characters when said light beam is directed thereto. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for reading and writing alphanumeric characters of a size readable by the unaided human eye and located on a paper medium, the method comprising:
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producing a light beam;
directing said light beam at said paper medium so as to illuminate a first portion of said papa medium, detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off first alphanumeric characters, and generating an electrical signal indicative of a detected light intensitydirecting said light beam at said paper medium in a pattern on a second portion of said medium so as to record second alphanumeric characters on said paper medium, and processing said electrical signal to detect an indicia pattern representing a control indicia so as to change said system from a reading mode to a writing mode. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification