Production control by multiple branch bar-code readers

摘要

Equipment for the collection of bar-code data from a plurality of work stations in a central processing station comprises an optical scanner at each work station connected to the central station by means of an optical fiber; all optical fibers arriving from the work stations are assembled in a fiber-assembly bracket with their rear ends arranged in one or more parallel lines positioned opposite a lens system; and the lens system transfers the alternating light and dark signals issuing from each fiber end to the photo-sensitive end of a corresponding channel of a detector, preferably a charge-coupled device. The detector converts the received light signals into electrical analog signals and transfers these to the central processing unit, where they are converted into digital signals for processing and storing in memory means.