System for the display and scanning of the contents of a counter equipped with counting wheels
US4685138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1984 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S283/901
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a system for optical display and photo-electric scanning of the contents of a counter equipped with counting wheels, and wherein each counting wheel includes a plurality of numeral members visually distinguishable from the periphery thereof, a coded optical marking member is associated with each numeral member of a respective counting wheel. The coded optical marking member includes at least one optical surface element, and the optical marking members of the counting wheels extend along respective rows, and may be scanned by a light ray moving along a corresponding row. The improvement includes one of the members being superimposed at least in part onto another of the members in a corresponding row, and being partially light-transmitting, while each optical surface element is light-reflective, so that the numeral members are visible upon being illuminated with diffuse light, but wherein a light ray directed onto a respective optical surface element is reflected therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.