US3639728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Material container sorting apparatus and method
Assignee: Scan Systems Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-17
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for sorting, routing and otherwise categorizing material containers, such as luggage, freight, cargo and the like, comprising conveyor means upon which to place the material containers, labels adapted to be secured to the material containers and having alphanumeric code information thereon, electro-optical conversion means positioned adjacent the conveyor means, photoelectric means positioned adjacent the conveyor means and the electro-optical conversion means for conditioning a programmed logic system for operation. The electro-optical conversion means is adapted to read the alphanumeric code to produce an output signal to be fed to the programmed logic system which is in turn connected to and adapted to activate electromechanical equipment means to sort, route, weigh, tabulate, or otherwise categorize the individual material containers placed on the conveyor means.
Inventors
- 👤 Fredric E Helfand
- 👤 Marvin B Baer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10861; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/48; B65G47/49; B65G47/493
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for sorting material containers into various categories comprising conveyor means for transporting said material containers, alphanumeric code means, electro-optical converter means, means connected to the output of said electro-optical converter means and responsive thereto to produce a command signal, output means connected to said responsive means, and means for applying said alphanumeric code means to said material containers, said electro-optical converter means being operative to read said alphanumeric code means as the material containers are transported by said conveyor means, and said output means being operative upon the application of said command signal thereto to effect the sorting of said material containers into various categories.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for sorting material containers into various categories comprising conveyor means for transporting said material containers, alphanumeric code means, electro-optical converter means, means connected to the output of said electro-optical converter means and responsive thereto to produce a command signal, output means connected to said responsive means, and means for applying said alphanumeric code means to said material containers, said electro-optical converter means being operative to read said alphanumeric code means as the material containers are transported by said conveyor means, and said output means being operative upon the application of said command signal thereto to effect the sorting of said material containers into various categories.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sorting of the material containers into various categories is predeterminately defined by said response means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said alphanumeric code means comprises a label applicable to the containers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said responsive means includes a computer means, said computer means being operative to produce said command signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said computer means is programmed to predetermine said various categories, and said alphanumeric code is definite of at least one of said categories.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said response means comprises first computer means, and second computer means, said first computer means being operative to receive said electro-optical converter output, and said second computer means being connected to the output of said first computer means and being operative to produce said directive command signal in response to an output signal from said first computer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said output means include diverter means, said diverter means being operative in response to said command signal to selectively divert said material containers from said conveyor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, including at least one branch conveyor means, said diverter means being selectively operable in dependence upon said directive command signal to divert selective ones of said material containers form said conveyor means to said branch conveyor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electro-optical converter means comprises a modified vidicon camera, and an analog to digital converter, said vidicon camera output being connected to said analog to digital converter, thereby resulting in a digital output from said electro-optical converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electro-optical converter means comprises a vidicon camera, and a stop action shutter in front of said camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said electro-optical means comprises a vidicon camera, and an autolight control circuit for permitting operation of said camera over a wide range of illumination and contrast levels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said response means comprises first computer means, and second computer means, and means for transmitting said digital electro-optical converter means output to said first computer means, said second computer means being connected to the output oF said first computer means and being operative to produce said command signal in response to an output signal from said first computer means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said first computer means is of the character recognition and discrimination type, and said second computer means is of the sorting code and directive command signal generation type and being programmed to direct the sorting into said various categories.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of sorting material containers into various categories comprising the steps of transporting said material containers along a conveyor means, applying a label carrying an alphanumeric code to said material containers, said code corresponding to at least one of said various categories, conveying said coded material containers before an electro-optical converter to read said coded information and transform the same into an electrical signal representative thereof, transmitting said electrical signal to a signal responsive means to produce a command signal in response thereto, and transmitting said command signal to output means which are effective upon reception of said command signal to effect the sorting of said material containers into said various categories.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of sorting material containers into various categories comprising the steps of transporting said material containers along a conveyor means, applying a label carrying an alphanumeric code to said material containers, said code corresponding to at least one of said various categories, conveying said coded material containers before an electro-optical converter to read said coded information and transform the same into an electrical signal representative thereof, transmitting said electrical signal to a signal responsive means to produce a command signal in response thereto, and transmitting said command signal to output means which are effective upon reception of said command signal to effect the sorting of said material containers into said various categories.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of sorting material containers in accordance with claim 14 including the step of programming a computer means to correlate said code on said material container with that of its corresponding category and to produce a command signal to said output means to effect the sorting of said material container into said corresponding category.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |