US3692980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counter for variable size and shape objects
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-25
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A counter for counting objects (like parcels) passing over a conveyor belt. A plurality of belt-type conveyors is used to spread the parcels and to deliver them to a sampling line which includes a plurality of photoelectric cells over which the parcels are moved by a conveyor belt. As the parcels pass over the cells, light directed at the cells is blocked by the parcels to provide a sampling pattern of blocked and unblocked cells. Logic circuits successively compare each periodic sampling pattern with prior sampling pattern according to a predetermined set of logic equations so as to detect the ''''lead edges'''' of the parcels and their ''''trail edges'''' as they pass over the sampling line. Each periodic sampling pattern is loaded into a Present Shift Register, from which it is transferred to a Past Shift Register to become the ''''prior sampling pattern'''', which is compared with the ''''current'''' sampling pattern present in the Present Shift Register. Counters are used to count the ''''Lead Edge Events'''' and the ''''Trail Edge Events'''' defined by the logic equations, and the larger of the two counts (if the counts are not equal) is selected as the more accurate count of the parcels on the conveyor. A parcel may cross the sampling line at any position thereon to be counted, and parcels in contacting juxtaposition may also be counted.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Getker
- 👤 Horace W Weeks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
302 words
A counter for counting objects having lead edges and trail edges comprising: a plurality of individual detector means to provide a sampling line; conveyor means for moving said objects towards said sampling line to form a plurality of sampling patterns in said detector means as said objects are moved over said sampling line; comparison means, including logic circuit means designed according to a predetermined set of logic equations, for successively comparing each said sampling patter with an immediately prior sampling pattern enabling said logic circuit means to detect the lead edges of said objects as defined by said equations as said lead edges pass over said sampling line; counting means including a lead edge counter for registering a count of said lead edges; said comparison means further including: a present shift register means for storing therein a sampling pattern received from said detector means at said sampling line; a past shift register means for storing therein a sampling pattern which is transferred thereto from said present shift register means so as to represent an immediately prior sampling pattern compared to the sampling pattern in said present shift register means; and clock means for producing transfer pulses, shift pulses, and sampling pulses; each said transfer pulse being effective to periodically transfer a said sampling pattern from said detector means to said present shift register means; each of said sampling pulses being used to periodically energize said logic circuit means to compare the sampling pattern in said past shift register means with the immediately prior sampling pattern in said present shift register means; and each said shift pulse being used to shift the sampling pattern in said present and past shift register means one bit position in the same direction, there being a fixed number of sampling and shift pulses between successive transfer pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
302 words
A counter for counting objects having lead edges and trail edges comprising: a plurality of individual detector means to provide a sampling line; conveyor means for moving said objects towards said sampling line to form a plurality of sampling patterns in said detector means as said objects are moved over said sampling line; comparison means, including logic circuit means designed according to a predetermined set of logic equations, for successively comparing each said sampling patter with an immediately prior sampling pattern enabling said logic circuit means to detect the lead edges of said objects as defined by said equations as said lead edges pass over said sampling line; counting means including a lead edge counter for registering a count of said lead edges; said comparison means further including: a present shift register means for storing therein a sampling pattern received from said detector means at said sampling line; a past shift register means for storing therein a sampling pattern which is transferred thereto from said present shift register means so as to represent an immediately prior sampling pattern compared to the sampling pattern in said present shift register means; and clock means for producing transfer pulses, shift pulses, and sampling pulses; each said transfer pulse being effective to periodically transfer a said sampling pattern from said detector means to said present shift register means; each of said sampling pulses being used to periodically energize said logic circuit means to compare the sampling pattern in said past shift register means with the immediately prior sampling pattern in said present shift register means; and each said shift pulse being used to shift the sampling pattern in said present and past shift register means one bit position in the same direction, there being a fixed number of sampling and shift pulses between successive transfer pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
The counter as claimed in claim 1 in which each said detector means is a photoelectric cell having a common energizing light located above said sampling line and directed towards said cells, said sampling pattern being made up of binary ones and binary zeros, with the binary zeros representing cells energized by said common light and the binary ones representing cells having the light thereto blocked by an object passing over said sampling line; said counter further including a continuous data counter means for counting said transfer pulses and for stopping said conveyor means after a fixed number of successive sampling patterns in which at least one binary one occurs in each of said fixed number of successive sampling patterns, thereby providing a check on an improperly operating counter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The counter as claimed in claim 1 in which said comparison means further includes a second logic circuit means designed according to a predetermined second set of logic equations, for successively comparing each said sampling pattern with an immediately prior sampling pattern enabling said second logic circuit means to detect the trail edges of said objects as defined by said second set of logic equations as said trail edges pass over said sampling line; and said counting means including a trail edge counter for registering a count of said trail edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The counter as claimed in claim 3 in which said counting means further includes: a buffer register means; and a select circuit means for comparing the counts in the lead edge counter and the trail edge counter and for selecting the greater of the counts as representative of the objects passing over the sampling line, and for transferring the greater of the counts to said buffer register means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The counter as claimed in claim 4 in which said counting means further includes: a mechanical counter; and A down counter means for receiving the count from said buffer register means and transferring it to said mechanical counter at a speed compatible therewith.
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) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |