Scope Data Incorporated

Scope Incorporated

Lazerdata Corporation

U-lite, Inc.

Larry A Nordstrom

Daniel J Szechy

James R Waldron

Luther R Winters, Jr

Daniel A Kenney

Fred A DeFilipps

Roy O Lipper

Robert P Fuller

This invention features a device and method for reading machine readable code, having a plurality of code elements, on an object. The device includes a scanning apparatus, a signal processor and a data processor. The scanning apparatus successively scans the code and outputs a signal representative of at least a portion of the code, for each successive scan of the code. The signal processor processes each of the signals outputted by the scanning apparatus and further provides signal identification data, including a width and position associated with each of the outputted signals, for each successive scan of the code. The data processor reconstructs the code from the signal identification data for each successive scan of the code, provided by the signal processor. The data processor reconstructs the code by both determining the position of a selected code element for a successive scan and by positionally aligning the selected code element with the corresponding element from a prior scan. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention can simultaneously read and decode a plurality of bar codes affixed to an item which approaches the scan line of the device at any orientation.

Scanning device for reconstructing a complete code from scanned segments

A d.c.-a.c. inverter circuit allows a standard type fluorescent lamp to be operated from a low-voltage source of d.c. power with a high degree of efficiency attributable in part to use of lamp current as base drive current for a power transistor controlling the energization of a transformer primary winding having two mutually connected secondary windings which apply voltages across the lamp through the power transistor. Additional efficiency is achieved by use of a second transistor under time delay control for supplying preheat current to the lamp and turn-on current to the power transistor only during the starting phase of lamp operation.

Fluorescent lamp circuit

A dispenser for a roll of paper, a deflectable paper guide and systems for indicating when a predetermined amount of paper is left on the roll and when the supply of paper is totally exhausted. The paper dispenser is mounted on a printer frame and includes first and second cylindrical rollers having large and small diameter sections which permit the roll of paper to be readily inserted in and removed from the dispenser assembly. The deflectable paper guide is positioned between the paper dispenser and a fixed paper guide and includes a bar oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll of paper and biaser which forms a loop in the paper guide. The low paper quantity indicating system includes an infra red transmitter and an infra red receiver which are positioned in axial alignment on opposite ends of the roll of paper. An indicating device indicates when a clear path is established between the transmitter and the receiver which is indicative of a predetermined amount of paper remaining on the roll. The paper out indicating system includes a groove which is formed in the printer device drive roller and an aperture in a fixed paper guide which is positioned adjacent to the drive roller. The aperture is aligned with the groove in the drive roller. A switch having a long, readily deflectable arm is positioned so that the arm can be deflected through the aperture.

Paper management system for a printing device

An electronic control circuit is designed for use with a high speed printer having a character generator which is coupled to a print head. The print head is laterally displaced along a print line by a stepper motor and forms characters from a plurality of columns of dots as the print head moves. The electronic control circuit includes an encoder which is coupled to the shaft of the stepper motor to generate count up pulses when the stepper motor displaces the print head in a first direction and count down pulses when the stepper motor displaces the print head in a second direction. The count up and count down pulses permit the control circuit to continuously define the present print head position. A random access memory receives printable characters during a load cycle and reads out printable characters to the character generator during a print cycle. A data formatting control is provided to format input data, to load the memory with the formatted data, to compute a desired print head position during each load cycle and to initiate the print mode at the end of each load mode. An up/down counter receives the count up and count down pulses and converts them into digital address signals for the memory and for the character generator to cause the print head to print selected characters at selected positions along the print line in response to displacements of the stepper motor. A motor control is provided to controllably accelerate and decelerate the print head during each print cycle.

Electronic control circuit for a high speed bidirectional printer

Printing apparatus including a multi-phase stepping motor having a shaft rotated thereby, and detecting means opto-electronically coupled to the shaft. A printing stylus is mechanically coupled with the shaft such that the shaft drives the stylus along a path. A control circuit coupled with the opto-electronic detecting means correlates signals to the stylus with the position of the shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Oviedo, FL, United States of America

Larry A Nordstrom