A system for decoding bar coded labels upon different size containers

An apparatus for reading a coded label imprinted with first, and alternatively, second contrasting symbols wherein said first symbol includes a different quality of printing than said second symbol comprising,

• a. a container wherein said label is mounted upon one of its surfaces, and said label providing information pertinent to said container, said container being dimensioned into first and second size ranges wherein said first range is larger than said second range container;
• b. means for scanning said coded label with successive scan lines in a form of light beams;
• c. means for receiving reflective signals from said label which is representative of information contained thereon by certain of said scanned lines, and the amplitude of said signals being greater for said first size container than the amplitude of said second size;
• d. means coupled to and for adjusting said receiving means in a first mode based upon whether said first or second sized container is being scanned, and in an alternate second mode, continually providing an alternating threshold for adjusting said receiver means with each generated light beam;
• e. said adjusting means providing a bias signal for said receiving means based upon the strength of the reflected signal that is obtained from said scanned label positioned upon said first and second size containers in said first mode, or alternatively, providing bias signals based upon the alternating threshold level that is obtained in said second mode for scanning labels having different quality printing,
• f. means coupled to said receiving means for generating a pulse train representative of the information contained in said coded label and relative to the bias signal applied to said receiver means whereby a successful interpretation may be obtained from said scanned label when said apparatus is operated in either mode.

Apparatus for reading coded labels comprising,

• a. first and second containers wherein one said coded label is placed on each said container, and said labels including information pertinent to said respective containers,
• b. said first and second containers being characterized by different sizes wherein said first container is smaller than said second container;
• c. means for scanning said coded label with a beam of light along an optical path to produce at least a first, or alternatively, a second reflective signal which are representative of information contained thereon, said first reflective signal having a first magnitude, and said second reflective signal having a second magnitude which is less than said first magnitude;
• d. first and second optical means for respectively determining whether the label of said first or second container is being scanned and first means coupled to said optical means of producing first and second signals based upon said determination by said optical means;
• e. means for receiving said reflected signals from said scanned labels;
• f. second means coupled to and for adjusting said receiving means wherein said adjusting means is adapted to receive said first and second signals from said means, and said receiving means being adjusted to accommodate a reception of said first or, alternatively, said second magnitude signals;
• and
• g. adjustable lens means contiguous to said scanning means;
• h. third means coupled to said lens means and to said first means for adjusting said lens means defending on whether the coded label is located upon said first or alternatively, second container;
• i. whereby said apparatus may successfully read the information located upon said coded label of different size containers with a properly focused beam of light.

Apparatus for reading a coded label comprising,

• a. means for scanning said coded label with a beam of light along an optical path,
• b. first and second detector means for respectively sensing differently sized containers, and producing respective first and second signals wherein said first signal is representative of a first sized container, said second signal being representative of said second sized container,
• c. said first sized container being larger than said second sized container;
• d. means coupled to said first and second detector means for receiving said respective first and second signals, and said coupled means producing first, or alternatively, second signals representative of whether said first or second sized containers have been sensed by said detector means;
• e. lens means positioned along said optical path for adjusting the depth of field of said light means, and said adjusting means being adapted to receive said first and second signals emanating from said coupled means,
• f. whereby said lens means is adjusted by said first signal to provide a depth of field for successfully reading the coded label on said first container, and alternatively, said lens means being adjusted by said second signal to provide a depth of field for successfully reading the coded label on said second container.

An apparatus for reading a coded label comprising,

• a. a container wherein said label is mounted upon one of its surfaces, and said label containing information pertinent to said container;
• b. said coded label being imprinted variously with first contrasting, or alternatively second contrasting information marking wherein said first markings are more visible than said second markings;
• c. means scanning said differently contrasted labels with a repetitive beam of light along an optical path;
• d. means in proximity to said beam for detecting repetitive beams of light;
• e. first means coupled to said detecting means for generating a signal for every generated beam of light to form a series of pulses;
• f. means for receiving said pulse series wherein the pulse train causes toggled signals to be produced;
• g. means for receiving reflected signals from said scanned label that are representative of said information on said coded label;
• h. second means coupled to and for adjusting said receiving means wherein said adjusting means is adapted to receive said toggled signals which continually adjust said receiving means with each generated beam of light;
• i. means connected to said adjusted receiving means for producing a properly shaped and measured pulse train representative of said first, or alternatively, second contrasting coded labels;
• j. whereby said apparatus can accommodate said coded labels with both more visible or less visible markings.

An apparatus for reading bar coded labels comprising,

• a. first and second containers wherein one said coded label is placed on each container, and said labels including information pertinent to said respective containers,
• b. said containers being characterized by different sizes wherein said first container is smaller than said second container, and
• said labels being imprinted variously with first, or alternatively, second contrasting information markings wherein said first markings are more visible than said second markings;
• c. means for generating multiple beams of coherent light for scanning said coded labels and producing reflected signals which are representative of the information contained thereon;
• d. means positioned contiguously to said container for producing signals representative of whether said first or second container is being scanned;
• e. means for receiving said reflected signals from said scanned labels;
• f. means coupled to and for adjusting means based upon whether said first or second container is being scanned;
• g. means for proximity to said coherent light for producing a signal for every generated beam of light;
• h. means coupled to said proximity means for producing toggled signals via said produced signals;
• i. a second switch means through which said toggled signals are applied to the adjusting means for providing alternating threshold switching of said adjusting means;
• j. means connected to said receiving means for producing a properly shaped and measured pulse train representing the information on said coded labels;
• k. second means coupled to said proximity means for generating a signal for setting a threshold level of said adjusting means;
• l. whereby said threshold level is produced by said adjusting means to accommodate any deterioration of said means for generating said coherent light beams when said apparatus is operated in one mode by said first switch or in a second mode by said second switch, and said respective modes successfully interpreting information based upon whether different size containers are being scanned as well as coded label markings which are differently visible.