Method and apparatus for scaning objects and generating image information

A method for directly scanning an object and generating image information about the object, said method comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) controlling said radiation beam to cause it to conduct a scanning operation on an object positioned in an image field, said scanning operation including a plurality of line scanning paths, said object containing variable scannable information including contrasting changes in image content, whereby said radiation beam is variably reflected during at lest part of its scanning movement.
• c) detecting variations in the reflected energy of said radiation beam as it scans the variable scannable information on said object in said image field, and generating electrical detection signals which are modulated in accordance with said variations in the reflected energy of those portions of said image field defined by said variable scannable information on said object scanned by said beam in its travel along said scanning paths,
• d) electronically processing said electrical detection signals and generating and storing in memory electrical control signals,
• e) computer analyzing said electrical control signals and generating and storing in memory coded electrical signals defining at least a portion of the variable scannable information on said object detected during the scanning movement of said beam along at least one of said scanning paths, and
• f) employing said coded electrical signals to control the operation of an indicating means to cause it to indicate a characteristic about the variable scannable information detected by said beam.

An apparatus for scanning an object and generating image information about the object, comprising:

• a) radiation means for generating a radiation beam,
• b) radiation control means for controlling said radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths intersecting an object positioned in an image field, said object containing a predetermined image area having variable scannable information, whereby light energy is variably reflected during at least part of the scanning movement of said beam,
• c) detection means for detecting variations in the reflected light energy of said beam as it scans said object is said image field, and for generating electrical detection signals which are modulated in accordance with said variations in the reflected light energy from at least the portions of said image field including said predetermined image area,
• d) processing means for electronically processing said electrical detection signals and generating electrical control signals,
• e) computer means for analyzing said electrical control signals and for generating and storing in memory coded electrical signals defining at least a portion of the variable scannable information detected during at least one of said scanning paths intersecting said predetermined image area, and
• f) control means for employing said coded electrical signals to control the operation of an indicating means to cause it to indicate the detected variable scannable information in said predetermined image area, said variable scannable information in said predetermined area of said object including contrasting changes in light reflectivity.

An apparatus for directly scanning an object and generating image information about the object, said method comprising:

• a) radiation means for generating a radiation beam,
• b) scanning control means for controlling said radiation beam to cause it to conduct a scanning operation comprising a plurality of lien scanning paths, said object containing scannable information including contrasting changes in image content, whereby said radiation beam is variably reflected during at least part of its scanning movement,
• c) detection means for detecting variations in the reflected energy of said radiation beam as it scans the scannable information on said object in said image field, and for generating electrical detection signals which are modulated in accordance with said variations in the reflected energy of those portions of said image field defined by said scannable information on said object scanned by said beam as it travels along said scanning paths,
• d) process means for electronically processing said electrical detection signals and generating electrical control signals,
• e) computer means for storing in memory and computer analyzing said electrical control signals and for generating coded electrical signals defining at least a portion of the scannable information detected during the scanning movement of said beam along at least one of said scanning paths, and
• f) indication control means for employing said coded electrical signals to control the operation of an indicating means to cause it to indicate a characteristic about the variable scannable information detected by said beam.

A method for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, said method comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks, the marks being located along a scanning path of said image area,
• c) causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner whereby said beam will interact and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks,
• d) sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks with radiation detection means,
• e) generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation,
• f) computer processing said varying signal and generating digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam,
• g) recording said digital electrical signals in memory means,
• h) reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means,
• i) computer analyzing said digital electrical signals and generating further electrical signals,
• j) employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam, and
• k) wherein said beam is an electronic beam is deflection controlled to scan a select image present to an optical input of a camera.

An apparatus for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about said object, said apparatus comprising:

• a) first means for generating a radiation beam,
• b) second means for directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing areas of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity,
• c) third means for automatically deflecting said radiation beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said areas of different reflectivity by controllably varying the scanning axis of said beam,
• d) fourth means including a photoelectric detection means for receiving he varying reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said area of different reflectivity as said beam travels said select path,
• e) fifth means for generating a variable electrical signal on the output of said photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) sixth means for receiving said variable electrical signals and processing same to generate a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) seventh means including a computer for receiving, storing and automatically analyzing said series of digital electrical signals generated by said sixth means and for generating coded electrical signal in response thereto,
• h) eighth means for utilizing said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein said first means includes means for deflection controlling said beam.

An apparatus for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about said object, said apparatus comprising:

• a) first means for generating a radiation beam,
• b) second means for directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing areas of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity,
• c) third means for automatically deflecting said radiation beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said areas of different reflectivity by controllably varying the scanning axis of said beam,
• d) fourth means including a photoelectric detection means for receiving the varying reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said areas of different reflectivity as said beam travels said select path,
• e) fifth means for generating a variable electrical signal on the output of said photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) sixth means for receiving said variable electrical signals and processing same to generate a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) seventh means including a computer for receiving, storing and automatically analyzing said series of digital electrical signals generated by said sixth means and for generating coded electrical signals in response thereto,
• h) eighth means for using said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein said eighth means includes a display screen for visually displaying said information.

A method for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, said method comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks, the marks being located along a scanning path of said image area,
• c) causing said radiation beam to san said image area in a manner whereby said beam will intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks,
• d) sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks with radiation detection means,
• e) generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation,
• f) computer processing said varying signal and generating digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam,
• g) recording said digital electrical signals in memory means,
• h) reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means,
• i) computer analyzing said digital electrical signals and generating further electrical signals,
• j) employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam, and
• k) wherein said different radiation reflecting marks include contrasting changes of relatively high and low reflecting characteristics.

A method for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, said method comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks, the marks being located along a scanning path of said image area,
• c) causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner whereby said beam will intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks,
• d) sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks with radiation detection means,
• e) generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation,
• f) computer processing said varying signal and generating digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam,
• g) recording said digital electrical signals in memory means,
• h) reproducing sad digital electrical signals from said memory means,
• i) computer analyzing said digital electrical signals and generating further electrical signals,
• j) employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam, and
• k) wherein said different radiation reflecting marks comprise a plurality of marks forming relatively contrasting high and low reflecting areas, and wherein said radiation beam is deflected in a manner so as to scan said plurality of marks in a single scan across said specific area.

A method for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, said method comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a specific image area having a production marking thereon, said production marking containing different radiation reflecting marks including contrasting changes from relative high to relatively low radiation reflectivity,
• c) causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner whereby said beam will intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks,
• d) sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks with radiation detection means,
• e) generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation,
• f) computer processing said varying signal and generating digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said production marking on said specific image area scanned by said beam,
• g) recording said digital electrical signals in memory means,
• h) reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means,
• i) computer analyzing said digital electrical signals and generating further electrical signals, and
• j) employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the production marking of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam.

An apparatus for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about said object, said apparatus comprising:

• a) first means for generating a radiation beam,
• b) second means for directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing areas of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity in said select first location,
• c) third means for varying the scanning axis of said radiation beam by automatically deflecting said beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said area of different reflectivity,
• d) fourth means including a photoelectric detection means for receiving the reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said areas of different reflectivity as said beams travels said select path,
• e) fifth means for generating a variable electrical signal on the output of said photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) sixth means for receiving said variable electrical signals and processing same to generate a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) seventh means including a computer for receiving, storing and automatically analyzing said series of digital electrical signals generated by said sixth means and for generating coded electrical signals in response thereto,
• h) eighth means for utilizing said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein the select first location in the image includes a production marking having different radiation reflecting marks forming contrasting changes from relatively high to relatively low reflectivity.

A method for inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising area of different radiation reflectively;
• c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determined when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the electrical signals corresponding to the radiation detected as the radiation beam scanned the production marking;
• and
• g) wherein the step of controlling the radiation beam includes controllably operating a deflection control means for directing said beam at said object.

A method for inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determined when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• and
• g) wherein the production marking includes areas of contrasting reflectivity.

A method for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking having areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• e) generating and storing in memory electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans along the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• and
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining the production marking.

A method for scanning an object to inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a plurality of radiation beams at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking defined by areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths across at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths across the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defined by at least a portion of the electrical signals derived in detecting the radiation reflected as the radiation beam scanned the production marking;
• g) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory so as to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) generating and storing in memory information signals defining the information obtained about the object;
• and
• i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object.

A method of scanning markings on an object comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam with a scanning device;
• b) causing relative movement between said scanning device and said object to cause said radiation beam to scan in a lineal path across the markings on said object, the markings being characterized by areas of different reflectivity comprised of a plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions superimposed on a background and having a light reflectivity which contrasts with said background;
• c) photoelectrically detecting reflections from the radiation beam as it is caused to scan said background and said plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions for generating a varying electrical signal having inflections occurring therein corresponding to the areas of different light reflectivity of said markings;
• d) digitizing said varying electrical signal to generate a digital signal corresponding thereto;
• e) computer analyzing said digital signal and generating coded information signals;
• f) storing said coded information signals in memory;
• g) using said coded information signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to at least one of the images scanned in said image field;
• and
• h) wherein the step of computer analyzing said digital signals includes the step of determining the spacings between said discrete space-apart image portions.

A method of scanning markings on an object comprising:

• a) generating a radiation beam with a scanning device;
• b) causing relative movement between said scanning device and said object to cause said radiation beam to scan in a lineal path across the markings on said object, the markings characterized by areas of different reflectivity comprised of a plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions superimposed on a background and having a light reflectivity which contrasts with said background;
• c) photoelectrically detecting reflections from the radiation beam as it is caused to scan said background and said plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions for generating a varying electrical signal having inflections occurring therein corresponding to the areas of different light reflectivity of said markings;
• d) digitizing said varying electrical signal to generate a digital signal corresponding thereto;
• e) computer analyzing said digital signal and generating coded information signals;
• f) storing said coded information signals in memory;
• g) using said coded information signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to at least one of the images scanned in said image field;
• and
• h) wherein the step of computer analyzing said digital signals includes the step of detecting the size of said discrete spaced-apart image portions.

An apparatus for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, comprising:

• a) radiation generating means for generating and directing a radiation beam at an object, said object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks located along a scanning path of said image area;
• b) radiation control means for causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner to intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks;
• c) detection means for sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks;
• d) signal means for generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation;
• e) process means for receiving and processing said varying signal to generate digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam;
• f) memory means for storing said digital electrical signals;
• g) means for reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means;
• h) said process means including means for analyzing sad digital electrical signals and for generating further electrical signals;
• i) indicating means for employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam;
• and
• j) wherein said radiation beam comprises an electronic beam generated by controlling the operation of a cathode ray tube, and wherein said radiation control means includes is operable to deflection control said beam to scan a select image presented to an optical input of a camera.

A method for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about said object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing area of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity,
• c) automatically deflecting said radiation beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said areas of different reflectivity by controllably varying the scanning axis of said beam,
• d) providing photoelectric detection means for receiving the varying reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said areas of different reflectivity as said beam travels said select path,
• e) generating a variable electrical signal on the output of sad photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) receiving and processing said variable electrical signals and generating a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) receiving, storing and automatically processing said series of digital electrical signals and generating coded electrical signals in response thereto,
• h) utilizing said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein the step of generating a radiation beam includes operating a deflection control means for directing said beam at said image.

A method for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about said object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing areas of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity,
• c) automatically deflecting said radiation beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said areas of different reflectivity by controllably varying the scanning axis of said beam,
• d) providing photoelectric detection means for receiving the varying reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said areas of different reflectivity as said beam travels said select path,
• e) generating a variable electrical signal on the output of said photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) receiving and processing said variable electrical signals and generating a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) receiving, storing and automatically processing said series of digital electrical signals and generating coded electrical signals in response thereto,
• h) utilizing said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein said radiation beam is generated by controllably operating a cathode ray tube.

A method for scanning an object and generating intelligible information about sad object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a radiation beam,
• b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a select first location in an image field containing areas of different radiation reflectively, wherein said beam is caused to scan along a select path intersecting at least a portion of said areas of different reflectivity,
• c) automatically deflecting said radiation beam to cause it to scan along said select path intersecting said first location containing said areas of different reflectivity by controllably varying the scanning axis of said beam,
• d) providing photoelectric detection means for receiving the varying reflections of the radiation of said beam in scanning said areas of different reflectivity as said beam travels said select path,
• e) generating a variable electrical signal on the output of said photoelectric detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the radiant energy reflected from said object during scanning by said beam,
• f) receiving and processing said variable electrical signals and generating a series of digital electrical signals,
• g) receiving, storing and automatically processing said series of digital electrical signals and generating coded electrical signals in response thereto,
• h) utilizing said coded electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the select first location of said image scanned by said radiation beam and defined by said areas of different light reflectivity, and
• i) wherein said step of intelligibly indicating information includes visually displaying information defining at least a select portion of aid image on a display screen.

An apparatus for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, comprising:

• a) radiation means for generating and directing a radiation beam at an object, said object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks located along a scanning path of said image area;
• b) radiation control means for causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner to intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks;
• c) detection means for sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks;
• d) signal means for generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variation sin the intensity of the reflected radiation;
• e) process means for receiving and processing said varying signal to generate digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam;
• f) memory means for storing said digital electrical signals;
• g) means for reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means;
• h) said process means including means for analyzing said digital electrical signals and for generating further electrical signals;
• i) indicating means for employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting specific of said selected image area scanned by said radiation beam;
• and
• j) wherein said different radiation reflecting marks comprise areas of detectable contrasting light reflecting characteristics.

An apparatus for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, comprising:

• a) radiation generating means for generating and directing a radiation beam at an object, said object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks located along a scanning path of said image area;
• b) radiation control means for casing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner to intersect and be variable reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks;
• c) detection means for sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks;
• d) signal means for generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation;
• e) process means for receiving and processing said varying signal to generate digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam;
• f) memory means for storing said digital electrical signals;
• g) means for reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means;
• h) said process means including means for analyzing said digital electrical signals and for generating further electrical signals;
• i) indicating means for employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiating reflecting marks of said selected image area scanned by said radiation beam;
• and
• j) wherein said different radiation reflecting marks comprise multiple marks of contrasting high and low light reflectivity, and wherein said radiation control means includes means for deflecting said beam in a manner so as to scan said multiple marks in a single scan across said specific area.

An apparatus for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, comprising:

• a) radiation generating means for generating and directing a radiation beam at an object, said object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks located along a scanning path of said image area;
• b) radiation control means for causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner to intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks;
• c) detection means for sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks;
• d) signal means for generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation;
• e) process means for receiving and processing said varying signal to generate digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam;
• f) memory means for storing said digital electrical signals;
• g) means for reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means;
• h) said process means including means for analyzing said digital electrical signals and for generating further electrical signals;
• i) indicating means for employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam;
• and
• j) wherein said specific image area comprises a production marking having different radiation reflecting marks defining contrasting changes from relatively high to relatively low radiation reflectivity.

An apparatus for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising:

• a) radiation generating means for generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;
• b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) radiation control means coupled to the radiation generating means for controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• e) signal generating means coupled to the detection means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;
• f) computer means coupled to the signal generating means for processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) said computer means further including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object, and for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;
• and
• h) display means controlled by the computer means for intelligibly indicating the information obtained about the object.

An apparatus for scanning an object to locate and inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising:

• a) a scanning station including means for generating a plurality of radiation beams;
• b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) radiation control means for controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• e) signal generating means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• f) computer means for processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) said computer means including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory in order to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) said computer means further including means for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object,
• i) means for employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object, and
• j) wherein the production marking comprises areas of relatively contrasting radiation reflectivity.

An apparatus for scanning markings on an object comprising:

• a) radiation generating means for generating a radiation scanning beam;
• b) scanning control means for causing relative movement between said scanning device and said object to cause said radiation beam to scan in a linear path across the markings on said object, the markings being characterized by a plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions superimposed on a background and having a light reflectivity which contrasts which said background;
• c) detection means for photoelectrically detecting refections from the radiation beam as it is caused to scan said background and said plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions, and for generating a varying electrical signal which has inflections occurring therein corresponding to the areas of contrasting reflectivity of said markings;
• d) means for digitizing said varying electrical signal to generate a digital signal corresponding thereto;
• e) computer means for analyzing said digital signal and generating coded information signals;
• f) memory means for storing said coded information signals;
• g) indicating means for using said coded information signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to at least one of the images scanned in said image field;
• h) wherein said computer means includes means for determining the relative locations of said discrete space-apart image portions.

An apparatus for scanning markings on an object comprising:

• a) radiation means for generating a radiation scanning beam;
• b) scanning control means for causing relative movement between said scanning device and said object to cause said radiation beam to scan in a lineal path across the markings on said object, the markings being characterized by a plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions superimposed on a background and having a light reflectivity which contrast with said background;
• c) detection means for photoelectrically detecting reflections from the radiation beam as it is caused to scan said background and said plurality of discrete spaced-apart image portions, and for generating a varying electrical signal which has infections occurring therein corresponding to the areas of different reflectivity of said markings;
• d) means for digitizing said varying electrical signal to generate a digital signal corresponding thereto;
• e) computer means for analyzing said digital signal and generating coded information signals;
• f) memory means for storing said coded information signals;
• g) indicating means for using said coded information signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to at least one of the images scanned in said image field;
• h) wherein said computer means includes means for determining the size of said discrete spaced-apart image portions.

A method for scanning an object to identify and inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a plurality of radiation beams at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production making comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• e) generating electrical signal which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory in order to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;
• i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object;
• and
• j) wherein the step of generating the plurality of radiation beams is effected by controlling a plurality of cameras.

A method for scanning an object to identify and inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a plurality of radiation beams at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beams to case them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory in order to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;
• i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object;
• and
• e) wherein the step of generating the plurality of radiation beams includes generating the plurality of beams at different times.

A method for scanning an object to identify and inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a plurality of radiation beams at a scanning station;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;
• c) controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;
• d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with he level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths over the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory in order to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;
• i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object;
• and
• j) wherein the step of controlling the radiation means to cause them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object includes the step of causing each of said beams to scan a plurality of separate paths.

A method of locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a scanning station with at least one scanning device positioned thereat;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned a the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking having areas of different light reflectivity;
• c) controlling the scanning device to cause it to scan the surface of the object;
• d) detecting the level of light reflected from the surface of the object as the scanning device scans the surface of the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of reflected light detected from the surface of the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine if the scanning device has scanned the production marking, and if so, generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;
• g) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory in order to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;
• h) generating and storing in memory information signals defining the information obtained about the object;
• i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object.

A method of locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a scanning station with at least one scanning device positioned thereat;
• b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking having areas of different reflectivity;
• c) controlling the scanning device to cause it to scan the surface of the object;
• d) detecting the level of light reflected from the surface of the object as the scanning device scans the surface of the object;
• e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of reflected light detected form the surface of the object;
• f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine if the scanning device has scanned the production marking, and if so, generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the electrical signals corresponding to the reflected light detected as the scanning device scanned the production marking;
• and
• g) sounding an audible alarm if the production marking is not scanned.