Importance

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Abstract

An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. The character scanning assembly is located on a separable support frame that includes a surface adapted to be slidably engaged by the face of the document being read. This support frame contains the viewing slot through which light is reflected from the document face. It also rigidly mounts an array of light-responsive sensors, and an intermediate reflective mirror surface and lenses for focusing of the reflected light onto the light-responsive sensors. Since the support frame mounts the entire optical path of the apparatus, these components can be prealigned prior to being fixedly mounted to a document guiding apparatus.

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First Claim