CA1061907A - Code scanning system - Google Patents
Code scanning systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1061907A CA1061907A CA262,011A CA262011A CA1061907A CA 1061907 A CA1061907 A CA 1061907A CA 262011 A CA262011 A CA 262011A CA 1061907 A CA1061907 A CA 1061907A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- code
- detectors
- coupled
- gate
- strip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
CODE SCANNING SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The specification discloses a binary code reading system in which a code strip is formed of spaced retro-reflective segments in a reglet and which are selectively blocked by runners to define a binary code. Detectors spaced at intervals corresponding to adjacent segments read the code strip as it passes the detectors which are coupled to an OR gate for developing clock pulses directly from the code strip for each segment being read. One of the detectors is coupled to a storage device having a clock input terminal coupled to the output of the OR gate through a multivibrator for synchronizing the entry of the code into the storage device. The sorted code, read from the code strip on a moving article can be utilized in a conveyor system, for example, for sorting of the article.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The specification discloses a binary code reading system in which a code strip is formed of spaced retro-reflective segments in a reglet and which are selectively blocked by runners to define a binary code. Detectors spaced at intervals corresponding to adjacent segments read the code strip as it passes the detectors which are coupled to an OR gate for developing clock pulses directly from the code strip for each segment being read. One of the detectors is coupled to a storage device having a clock input terminal coupled to the output of the OR gate through a multivibrator for synchronizing the entry of the code into the storage device. The sorted code, read from the code strip on a moving article can be utilized in a conveyor system, for example, for sorting of the article.
Description
. _ The present lnvantion relates to the optical scanning of a code in series on a reglet and made up of retro-reflected elements at regular intervals. Sliding runners on the reglet each conceal a retro-reflecting mark and by their position indicate the code.
When reading the article code on a tote for transferring articles along a conveyor, the code typically passes a stationary code reader such that tbe elements making up each code bit occur in time sequence or serial sequence. In order to read the entire code accurately, typically storage means, such as a shift register, are provided which sequentially receives each code bit and stores the bit until the entire code is read and stcred~
Once this is done, the computer interface or whatever control utilizing the code reads the entire code out in parallel form (iOe. each bit simultaneously).
In order to shift each code bit serially into a storage device such as the shift register, it is necessary that a clock pulse be employed which has the effect of ; permitting each bit to be read and stored. There e~ist two generally known ways to generate clock pulses which of course, must be in precise timed relationship to the code and, therefore, must in some way be related to the code strip carried by the tote. The first manner is to utilize a pulse generator driven by the conveyor which can be utilized since the speed at which the code on the tote passes the detectors is directly related to the con-veyor speed. Another method which does not rely on con-veyor speed information is to place a separate clock strip on the coded area on the tote. This, of course, requires , 3~'~
l an additional detector and assoclated circuitry, plus additional coding elements~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the invention refers ItO a procedure of scanning coding positions of a binary co~e strip by reading the distribution in the spacing oE the code po-sitions and also obtaining a timing signal used for clocking the serially read code into a memory. The scanning system includes at least two detectors spaced from one another a distance to simultaneously read adjacent code elements and lying in a plane parallel to the directLon of movement of the code strip~
The invention can especially be applLed, but not exclusively, to the optical reading of coded reglets carried by moving bodies to be handled for effectively identifying the aforesaid moving bodies.
Other characteristics and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following descrip-~
tion and by reference to the attached drawings in which:
~` 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Pigure l is a diagram representing a scanning device according to one form of the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram of another form of the scanning device of the invention~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
:; , In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, a code strip includes a plurality of reflective elements R and r mounted to a reglet B{in turn positioned on an article. Runners A slidably mounted within the reglet can be moved to selectively block elements R to deflne a predetermined binary code. The runners A cannot hide 1 the extreme retro-reflective selections r of the reglet B, nor two consecutive retro_reflective selections R (hence two consecutive code positions~ since blocking studs P
prevent the passage of the runners to obstruct the ele-ments r.
The scanning device used for reacling the code strip includes two spaced reflex photoelectric cells C.
These cells have their output coupled to the inputs of an OR gate OU through filter circuits F. One of the cells C
has its output coupled to the input of a memory circuit D
which in the preferred embodiment consists cf a~-shlt register. The output of the OR gate is coupled to a mono-stable multivibrator M havin& its output coupled to a ; clock input terminal of the shift register D. In the form of the invention seen in Fig.-2, the scanning device includes three reflex photoelectric cells C, and the runners A are able to hide any retro-reflective selections R.
The cells C in both embodlments have their optical axes parallel to the code strip and are spaced from each other by the sam~ distance separating two successive retro-re1ective elements R and their beams normally cut the coded surface of the reglet. In some em-bodiments, the cell spacing can be different than that of the code element as long as their field of view is di-rected at successi~e code elements for sinultaneously reading of two or more code elements.
In both embodiments when a reglet passes in ~ front of the scanning device (or vice versa), at least - 30 one cell is always found in front of the unhidden retro-reflected code element. Thus, a clock pulse indicating l the reading of a new code element is always developed by the OR gate and applied to the shift register D (or its equivalsnt, programed in case of direct entrance on a computer). The code displayed on the reglet will thus be entered in the aforesaid register at the end of the passage of the reglet) so that one is able to use as a self-timer the signal from the OR gate. The multivibrator M delays the clock pulse slightly and narrows it somewhat so that the shift register will read the code eleme~t only during a brief interval near the center of the occurrence o~an output pulse from the cell coupled to the input of the register D.
The control function and the outputing of the code entered into the shift register D takes place when a control cell C indicates the end of the passage of the moving body on which is fixed the coded reglet. `The output of cell C, in either embodiment, can be applied to a peripheral utili~ation device such as a diverter control of a sorting conveyor or the like.
The concern of the coded scanning device of the ; invention rests in the fact that the device is arranged so it can reliabLy read all the possible codes of the reglet with a limited number of readers at the lowest cost since the electrical circuits are themselves very simple.
It is to be clearly understood that this inven-tion has been described and represented only as a preferred example of the invention and that various modiflcations to the preferred embodiment can be made. Thus for example, the code elements and sensors need not be opticalO Also the detectors could be moved with the code elements sta-tionaryO These and o~her modifications to the preferred 1 embodiments will, however, fall within the scope and spirit o the invention as deined by the appendqd claims.
.
~:
When reading the article code on a tote for transferring articles along a conveyor, the code typically passes a stationary code reader such that tbe elements making up each code bit occur in time sequence or serial sequence. In order to read the entire code accurately, typically storage means, such as a shift register, are provided which sequentially receives each code bit and stores the bit until the entire code is read and stcred~
Once this is done, the computer interface or whatever control utilizing the code reads the entire code out in parallel form (iOe. each bit simultaneously).
In order to shift each code bit serially into a storage device such as the shift register, it is necessary that a clock pulse be employed which has the effect of ; permitting each bit to be read and stored. There e~ist two generally known ways to generate clock pulses which of course, must be in precise timed relationship to the code and, therefore, must in some way be related to the code strip carried by the tote. The first manner is to utilize a pulse generator driven by the conveyor which can be utilized since the speed at which the code on the tote passes the detectors is directly related to the con-veyor speed. Another method which does not rely on con-veyor speed information is to place a separate clock strip on the coded area on the tote. This, of course, requires , 3~'~
l an additional detector and assoclated circuitry, plus additional coding elements~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the invention refers ItO a procedure of scanning coding positions of a binary co~e strip by reading the distribution in the spacing oE the code po-sitions and also obtaining a timing signal used for clocking the serially read code into a memory. The scanning system includes at least two detectors spaced from one another a distance to simultaneously read adjacent code elements and lying in a plane parallel to the directLon of movement of the code strip~
The invention can especially be applLed, but not exclusively, to the optical reading of coded reglets carried by moving bodies to be handled for effectively identifying the aforesaid moving bodies.
Other characteristics and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following descrip-~
tion and by reference to the attached drawings in which:
~` 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Pigure l is a diagram representing a scanning device according to one form of the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram of another form of the scanning device of the invention~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
:; , In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, a code strip includes a plurality of reflective elements R and r mounted to a reglet B{in turn positioned on an article. Runners A slidably mounted within the reglet can be moved to selectively block elements R to deflne a predetermined binary code. The runners A cannot hide 1 the extreme retro-reflective selections r of the reglet B, nor two consecutive retro_reflective selections R (hence two consecutive code positions~ since blocking studs P
prevent the passage of the runners to obstruct the ele-ments r.
The scanning device used for reacling the code strip includes two spaced reflex photoelectric cells C.
These cells have their output coupled to the inputs of an OR gate OU through filter circuits F. One of the cells C
has its output coupled to the input of a memory circuit D
which in the preferred embodiment consists cf a~-shlt register. The output of the OR gate is coupled to a mono-stable multivibrator M havin& its output coupled to a ; clock input terminal of the shift register D. In the form of the invention seen in Fig.-2, the scanning device includes three reflex photoelectric cells C, and the runners A are able to hide any retro-reflective selections R.
The cells C in both embodlments have their optical axes parallel to the code strip and are spaced from each other by the sam~ distance separating two successive retro-re1ective elements R and their beams normally cut the coded surface of the reglet. In some em-bodiments, the cell spacing can be different than that of the code element as long as their field of view is di-rected at successi~e code elements for sinultaneously reading of two or more code elements.
In both embodiments when a reglet passes in ~ front of the scanning device (or vice versa), at least - 30 one cell is always found in front of the unhidden retro-reflected code element. Thus, a clock pulse indicating l the reading of a new code element is always developed by the OR gate and applied to the shift register D (or its equivalsnt, programed in case of direct entrance on a computer). The code displayed on the reglet will thus be entered in the aforesaid register at the end of the passage of the reglet) so that one is able to use as a self-timer the signal from the OR gate. The multivibrator M delays the clock pulse slightly and narrows it somewhat so that the shift register will read the code eleme~t only during a brief interval near the center of the occurrence o~an output pulse from the cell coupled to the input of the register D.
The control function and the outputing of the code entered into the shift register D takes place when a control cell C indicates the end of the passage of the moving body on which is fixed the coded reglet. `The output of cell C, in either embodiment, can be applied to a peripheral utili~ation device such as a diverter control of a sorting conveyor or the like.
The concern of the coded scanning device of the ; invention rests in the fact that the device is arranged so it can reliabLy read all the possible codes of the reglet with a limited number of readers at the lowest cost since the electrical circuits are themselves very simple.
It is to be clearly understood that this inven-tion has been described and represented only as a preferred example of the invention and that various modiflcations to the preferred embodiment can be made. Thus for example, the code elements and sensors need not be opticalO Also the detectors could be moved with the code elements sta-tionaryO These and o~her modifications to the preferred 1 embodiments will, however, fall within the scope and spirit o the invention as deined by the appendqd claims.
.
~:
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.
A code scanning system comprising:
a code strip including a plurality of spaced code elements arranged in a row and selectively obstructed to define a code, a plurality of detectors positioned in a row aligned to permit scanning of said code strip when said code strip and said detectors are moved relative to one another said detectors spaced such that adjacent detectors are simultaneously aligned with adjacent code elements for detecting said code elements, logic circuit means coupled to said detectors for providing a timing signal in response to the detection of a code element, and circuit means coupled to one of said detectors and to said logic circuit for receiving signals therefrom representative of a code encoded in said code strip.
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said code strip further comprises a reglet having a row of code elements spaced at regular intervals thereon and at least one slide member slidably positioned in said reglet for selective obstructing a code element for encoding said code strip.
The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said code strip includes a plurality of slide members, a number n of which can be positioned adjacent one another to obstruct n adjacent code elements and wherein said system includes n + 1 adjacent detectors such that an unobstructed code element will be detected for each position of a code element to generate a timing signal by said logic circuit.
The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said code elements comprise reflective members and wherein said detectors include a light detector for detecting light reflected by a reflective code element.
The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said logic circuit means includes an OR gate having a plurality of input terminals each of which is coupled to one of said detectors such that said OR gate provides an output signal at an output terminal when any one of said detectors detects a code element.
The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said circuit means comprises a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors, and a clock pulse input terminal coupled to the output of said OR gate.
The system as defined in claim 6 and further including a delay circuit coupled between said output terminal of said OR gate and said clock pulse input ter-minal of said shift register.
A system for the sequential scanning and reading of a binary encoded code strip having a plurality of binary code elements of a first or second type comprising:
a plurality of detectors, the number of which exceed the number of successive binary bits of a first type on the code strip by one said detector positioned to successively scan each element;
an OR gate having a plurality of input terminals with each one of said input terminals coupled to a unique one of said detectors; and a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors, and a clock input ter-minal coupled to the output of said OR gate permitting the sequential entry of the detected code into said shift register.
The system as defined in claim 8 and further including a monostable multivibrator coupled between said OR gate and said clock input terminal of said shift register to delay the application of a clock pulse to said shift register.
A system for the sequential reading of a binary encoded code strip adapted to be positioned on a movable ohject comprising the combination of:
a code strip including a reglet having a plurality of spaced code elements and at least two slide members slidably mounted within said reglet to obstruct two se-lected code elements for encoding said code strip with a predetermined binary code, a pair of detectors spaced a distance corre-sponding to the distance between code elements on said reglet for providing an output signal in response to the passing of a code element in alignment with said detectors, an OR gate having first and second inputs coupled to said pair of detectors and an output terminal, and a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors and a clock input ter-minal coupled to the output of said OR gate whereby as the code strip advances past said detectors, clock pulses are generated for each position of a code element for entry of the code into said shift register.
The system as applied in claim 10 and further including stop means preventing said at least two slide members from obstructing adjacent code elements.
The system as defined in claim 11 and further including a multivibrator coupled between said OR gate and said clock input terminal of said shift register.
The system as defined in claim 11 and further including filter means coupled between each of said de-tectors and the associated input of said OR gate.
A code scanning system comprising:
a code strip including a plurality of spaced code elements arranged in a row and selectively obstructed to define a code, a plurality of detectors positioned in a row aligned to permit scanning of said code strip when said code strip and said detectors are moved relative to one another said detectors spaced such that adjacent detectors are simultaneously aligned with adjacent code elements for detecting said code elements, logic circuit means coupled to said detectors for providing a timing signal in response to the detection of a code element, and circuit means coupled to one of said detectors and to said logic circuit for receiving signals therefrom representative of a code encoded in said code strip.
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said code strip further comprises a reglet having a row of code elements spaced at regular intervals thereon and at least one slide member slidably positioned in said reglet for selective obstructing a code element for encoding said code strip.
The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said code strip includes a plurality of slide members, a number n of which can be positioned adjacent one another to obstruct n adjacent code elements and wherein said system includes n + 1 adjacent detectors such that an unobstructed code element will be detected for each position of a code element to generate a timing signal by said logic circuit.
The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said code elements comprise reflective members and wherein said detectors include a light detector for detecting light reflected by a reflective code element.
The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said logic circuit means includes an OR gate having a plurality of input terminals each of which is coupled to one of said detectors such that said OR gate provides an output signal at an output terminal when any one of said detectors detects a code element.
The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said circuit means comprises a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors, and a clock pulse input terminal coupled to the output of said OR gate.
The system as defined in claim 6 and further including a delay circuit coupled between said output terminal of said OR gate and said clock pulse input ter-minal of said shift register.
A system for the sequential scanning and reading of a binary encoded code strip having a plurality of binary code elements of a first or second type comprising:
a plurality of detectors, the number of which exceed the number of successive binary bits of a first type on the code strip by one said detector positioned to successively scan each element;
an OR gate having a plurality of input terminals with each one of said input terminals coupled to a unique one of said detectors; and a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors, and a clock input ter-minal coupled to the output of said OR gate permitting the sequential entry of the detected code into said shift register.
The system as defined in claim 8 and further including a monostable multivibrator coupled between said OR gate and said clock input terminal of said shift register to delay the application of a clock pulse to said shift register.
A system for the sequential reading of a binary encoded code strip adapted to be positioned on a movable ohject comprising the combination of:
a code strip including a reglet having a plurality of spaced code elements and at least two slide members slidably mounted within said reglet to obstruct two se-lected code elements for encoding said code strip with a predetermined binary code, a pair of detectors spaced a distance corre-sponding to the distance between code elements on said reglet for providing an output signal in response to the passing of a code element in alignment with said detectors, an OR gate having first and second inputs coupled to said pair of detectors and an output terminal, and a shift register having a signal input terminal coupled to one of said detectors and a clock input ter-minal coupled to the output of said OR gate whereby as the code strip advances past said detectors, clock pulses are generated for each position of a code element for entry of the code into said shift register.
The system as applied in claim 10 and further including stop means preventing said at least two slide members from obstructing adjacent code elements.
The system as defined in claim 11 and further including a multivibrator coupled between said OR gate and said clock input terminal of said shift register.
The system as defined in claim 11 and further including filter means coupled between each of said de-tectors and the associated input of said OR gate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA262,011A CA1061907A (en) | 1976-09-24 | 1976-09-24 | Code scanning system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA262,011A CA1061907A (en) | 1976-09-24 | 1976-09-24 | Code scanning system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1061907A true CA1061907A (en) | 1979-09-04 |
Family
ID=4106931
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA262,011A Expired CA1061907A (en) | 1976-09-24 | 1976-09-24 | Code scanning system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1061907A (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-09-24 CA CA262,011A patent/CA1061907A/en not_active Expired
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