Automatic tester for a plurality of discrete electrical components supplied in a repetitive predetermined sequence

Claim 2

Apparatus for checking the electrical characteristics of a plurality of discrete electronic components, which are supplied on a supply conveyor in a repetitive predetermined sequence, comprising: a reference sequence of sample components arranged on an endless reference conveyor like in kind to the supply conveyor in an order which corresponds to said predetermined sequence: means for accepting said supplied components and said reference components and for advancing said supplied and reference components through an inspection station; and means for comparing the electrical characteristics of a supplied component with those of a corresponding reference component as said components are advanced through said inspection station for providing an output indication whenever a selected difference between the electrical characteristics of said supplied and reference components are detected during comparison.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing an output indication includes apparatus for prohibiting further comparisons when said selected difference is detected.

Claim 4

Apparatus for checking the electrical characteristics of a plurality of discrete electronic components supplied on a supply conveyor in a repetitive predetermined sequence, comprising: a reference sequence of sample components arranged on an endless reference conveyor like in kind to said supply conveyor in an order which corresponds to said predetermined sequence: means for accepting said supply conveyor and said reference conveyor and for advancing each in discrete steps through an inspection station, such that a pair of components consisting of a supplied component and a corresponding like reference component is presented to said inspection station for each step; and means for comparing the electrical characteristics of each of said pairs as they are advanced through said inspection station for providing an output indication whenever a selected difference between the electrical characteristics of a supplied and reference component is detected during comparison.

Claim 5

Apparatus for checking the electrical characteristics of a plurality of discrete electronic components supplied on a supply conveyor in a repetitive predetermined sequence, comprising: a reference sequence of sample components arranged on an endless reference conveyor like in kind to said supply conveyor in an order which corresponds to said predetermined sequence: means for accepting said supply conveyor and said reference conveyor and for advancing each in discrete steps through an inspection station, such that a pair of components consisting of a supplied component and a corresponding like reference component is presented to said inspection station for each step; and means for comparing the electrical characteristics of each of said pairs as they are advanced through said inspection station for providing an output indication whenever a selected difference between the electrical characteristics of a supplied and reference component is detected during comparison.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said endless reference conveyor consists of a portion of said supply conveyor having a single predetermined sequence of supplied components thereon, said portion being formed into a closed loop such that each component on said reference conveyor corresponds to like components in the predetermined sequence on said supply conveyor.

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said accepting means includes a stepping mechanism adapted to synchronously advance both said reference conveyor and said supply conveyor.

Claim 8

Apparatus for checking the electrical characteristics of a plurality of discrete electronic components supplied on a supply conveyor in a repetitive predetermined sequence, comprising: a reference sequence of components consisting of a portion of said supplied conveyor having a single predetermined sequence of components thereon, said portion being formed into a closed loop reference conveyor such that each component on said reference conveyor corresponds to a like component in the predetermined sequence on said supplied conveyor: means, including a stepping motor, for accepting said supplied conveyor and for synchronously advancing each in discrete steps through an inspection station, such that a pair of components consisting of a supplied component and a like reference component is presented to said inspection station for each step; circuit means for comparing the electrical characteristics of each of said pairs as they are advanced through said inspection station and for providing an output indication whenever a selected difference between the electrical characteristics of a supplied and a reference component is detected during comparison; and means, responsive to said output indication, for stopping said motor thereby prohibiting further comparison upon detection of said selected difference.

Claim 9

Apparatus for checking the electrical characteristics of a plurality of discrete electronic components supplied on a supply conveyor in a repetitive predetermined sequence, comprising: a reference sequence of components consisting of a portion of said supplied conveyor having a single predetermined sequence of components thereon, said portion being formed into a closed loop reference conveyor such that each component on said reference conveyor corresponds to a like component in the predetermined sequence on said supplied conveyor: means, including a stepping motor, for accepting said supplied conveyor and for synchronously advancing each in discrete steps through an inspection station, such that a pair of components consisting of a supplied component and a like reference component is presented to said inspection station for each step; circuit means for comparing the electrical characteristics of each of said pairs as they are advanced through said inspection station and for providing an output indication whenever a selected difference between the electrical characteristics of a supplied and a reference component is detected during comparison; and means, responsive to said output indication, for stopping said motor thereby prohibiting further comparison upon detection of said selected difference.