Patent US3777169A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and means for detecting foreign particles in liquid filled containers
Assignee: Newfrey LLC
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Filing: 1972-01-26
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A liquid filled transparent container is spun momentarily and successive video frames are then taken by a camera while the liquid swirls in the stationary container. One or more of these video frames can be stored in memory in digitized form. Two or more digitized video frames are then compared electronically, by ''''subtracting'''' one from the other, to generate a reject signal when the ''''difference'''' exceeds some preset number of digitized pulses. The threshold voltage for the video frame being generated can be altered by reference to a stored video frame in order to increase the sensitivity of that frame at discrete points corresponding to voltages exceeding the threshold voltage in the stored frame and desensitized at all other points to reduce the likelihood of spurious signals.
Inventors
- 👤 W Walter
- 👤 R Mesnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90; G01N21/9018; G01N21/9027; G01N21/8851; G01N21/93; G01N33/00; G01N33/0078; G01N33/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles comprising the steps of a. spinning the container to cause the liquid contents to swirl therein, b. stopping the container while the liquid contents continue to swirl, c. generating a first video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera, d. providing timed digital voltage pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said first video voltage pattern which exceed a predetermined threshold voltage, e. storing said timed pulses for subsequent recall from a memory device, f. generating a succeeding video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera at a later instant of time, g. altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is decreased slightly at the location corresponding to each peak portion of said first video voltage pattern, h. digitizing said succeeding video voltage pattern to provide a voltage trace with pulses corresponding to peak portions, i. synchronizing said first and succeeding digitized video voltage patterns, j. comparing said first and succeeding digitized voltage patterns by electronically comparing one to the other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles comprising the steps of a. spinning the container to cause the liquid contents to swirl therein, b. stopping the container while the liquid contents continue to swirl, c. generating a first video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera, d. providing timed digital voltage pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said first video voltage pattern which exceed a predetermined threshold voltage, e. storing said timed pulses for subsequent recall from a memory device, f. generating a succeeding video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera at a later instant of time, g. altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is decreased slightly at the location corresponding to each peak portion of said first video voltage pattern, h. digitizing said succeeding video voltage pattern to provide a voltage trace with pulses corresponding to peak portions, i. synchronizing said first and succeeding digitized video voltage patterns, j. comparing said first and succeeding digitized voltage patterns by electronically comparing one to the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding video voltage pattern comprises utilizing the stored digitized voltage pattern for generating negative going pulses corresponding in clock locations to said digital voltage pulses.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles, comprising means for momentarily spinning a container so that its contents swirl therein at an inspection station, video camera means for scanning the stationary container and its swirling contents to generate a first video voltage pattern, quantizer means for processing said video patterns to provide digital voltage traces with timed pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said video voltage patterns exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage, memory means for storing at least one of said digital voltage traces, means for altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding video voltage pattern so that the threshold voltage is decreased slightly at the location corresponding to each peak portion of said first video voltage pattern, clock means for driving said video camera means in timed relation with said memory means, and comparator means for electronically comparing said digital voltage traces.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles, comprising means for momentarily spinning a container so that its contents swirl therein at an inspection station, video camera means for scanning the stationary container and its swirling contents to generate a first video voltage pattern, quantizer means for processing said video patterns to provide digital voltage traces with timed pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said video voltage patterns exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage, memory means for storing at least one of said digital voltage traces, means for altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding video voltage pattern so that the threshold voltage is decreased slightly at the location corresponding to each peak portion of said first video voltage pattern, clock means for driving said video camera means in timed relation with said memory means, and comparator means for electronically comparing said digital voltage traces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said means for altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding video voltage pattern comprises means for generating negative going pulses corresponding in clock locations to said timed pulses of said digitized one video voltage pattern, said negative going pulses reducing said preset threshold voltage at said clock locations of at least one succeeding video voltage pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles comprising the steps of a. spinning the container to cause the liquid contents to swirl therein, b. stopping the container while the liquid contents continue to swirl, c. generating a first video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera, d. providing timed digital voltage pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said first video voltage pattern which exceed a predetermined threshold voltage, e. storing said timed pulses for subsequent recall from a memory device, f. generating a succeeding video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera at a later instant of time, g. altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is increased slightly, h. digitizing said succeeding video voltage pattern to provide a voltage trace with pulses corresponding to peak portions, i. synchronizing said first and succeeding digitized video voltage patterns, j. comparing said first and succeeding digitized voltage patterns by electronically comparing one to the other.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles comprising the steps of a. spinning the container to cause the liquid contents to swirl therein, b. stopping the container while the liquid contents continue to swirl, c. generating a first video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera, d. providing timed digital voltage pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said first video voltage pattern which exceed a predetermined threshold voltage, e. storing said timed pulses for subsequent recall from a memory device, f. generating a succeeding video voltage pattern as a result of scanning the container and contents with a video camera at a later instant of time, g. altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is increased slightly, h. digitizing said succeeding video voltage pattern to provide a voltage trace with pulses corresponding to peak portions, i. synchronizing said first and succeeding digitized video voltage patterns, j. comparing said first and succeeding digitized voltage patterns by electronically comparing one to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding voltage pattern further comprises increasing said threshold voltage except at those clock locations corresponding to those digital pulses which have been stored from said first voltage pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding voltage pattern further comprises increasing said threshold voltage at all locations other than said negative going pulses.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles, comprising means for momentarily spinning a container so that its contents swirl therein at an inspection station, video camera means for scanning the stationary container and its swirling contents to generate a first video voltage pattern, quantizer means for processing said video patterns to provide digital voltage traces with timed pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said video voltage patterns exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage, memory means for storing at least one of said digital voltage traces, means for altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding video voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is increased slightly, clock means for driving said video camera means in timed relation with said memory means, and comparator means for Electronically comparing said digital voltage traces.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for inspecting transparent liquid filled containers for foreign particles, comprising means for momentarily spinning a container so that its contents swirl therein at an inspection station, video camera means for scanning the stationary container and its swirling contents to generate a first video voltage pattern, quantizer means for processing said video patterns to provide digital voltage traces with timed pulses corresponding to any peak portions of said video voltage patterns exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage, memory means for storing at least one of said digital voltage traces, means for altering said threshold voltage during a succeeding video voltage pattern so that said threshold voltage is increased slightly, clock means for driving said video camera means in timed relation with said memory means, and comparator means for Electronically comparing said digital voltage traces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said means for altering said threshold voltage during said succeeding video voltage pattern further comprises means for generating negative going pulses to decrease said threshold voltage at clock locations in said succeeding voltage pattern corresponding to said timed pulses of said digitized one video voltage pattern, said negative going pulses serving to reduce said increased threshold voltage to a value slightly lower than that of said preset threshold voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said means for altering said threshold voltage (V) during said succeeding video voltage pattern comprises increasing said voltage slightly (to V + Delta V) except during said negative going pulses wherein said voltage is decreased (to V - Delta V) to provide three threshold voltage levels which permit the overall sensitivity of the system to be automatically selectively sensitized and desensitized.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |