US3900718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for counting pills and the like
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a means for counting small articles, in which the items are not constrained to pass in single file through a count-sensing element, but instead may be permitted to pass in crowds and bunches, yet it provides an exact numerical count to a high degree of certainty. The system is based on the a priori information that the measured property, area, weight, etc. for each item is the same. A continuous measurement is made of mass flow rate, amount of light obscured, etc. The output of the measuring transducer is integrated and represented by an electric charge held in a capacitor. The capacitor is periodically discharged by increments of charge, the number of which is counted by a digital counter. Adjustments are provided so that on the average the number of such increments is a fixed multiple (such as 16) of the number of items. Then the small remaining error is eliminated by resetting the integrator whenever a gap is observed in the flow of articles since a gap must represent the passage of an exact integral number of items.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H Seward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/101; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for counting parts presented in groups separated by gaps, said parts generally characterized by contributing substantially equally to the integral of a transducer''s response thereto, said apparatus comprising: transducing means for detecting said parts and having a response, first means for forming an integral, connected to said transducing means to operate said response, second means for dividing said formed integral by a number of equal fractional measures, including means for varying said measures such that on the average an integral number n of said measures are required to form a quotient of one with a single parts''s contribution to said formed integral, the integer n being selected to be even, third means for counting said measures and accumulating both the number of odd multiples of half said integer (n/2) and a fractional remainder, fourth means for detecting said gaps, said fourth means having an output signal; and fifth means responsive to said fourth means for clearing said third means of said remainder upon the detection of a gap and after said measures have been counted by said third means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for counting parts presented in groups separated by gaps, said parts generally characterized by contributing substantially equally to the integral of a transducer''s response thereto, said apparatus comprising: transducing means for detecting said parts and having a response, first means for forming an integral, connected to said transducing means to operate said response, second means for dividing said formed integral by a number of equal fractional measures, including means for varying said measures such that on the average an integral number n of said measures are required to form a quotient of one with a single parts''s contribution to said formed integral, the integer n being selected to be even, third means for counting said measures and accumulating both the number of odd multiples of half said integer (n/2) and a fractional remainder, fourth means for detecting said gaps, said fourth means having an output signal; and fifth means responsive to said fourth means for clearing said third means of said remainder upon the detection of a gap and after said measures have been counted by said third means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for counting articles presented in groups separated by gaps, said articles generally characterized by substantial equality in some measureable property whereby each said article contributes substantially equally to the integral of a transducer''s response thereto, said apparatus comprising; transducing means for detecting said articles and having a response to said property thereof, an integrator for forming an integral connected to said means to operate on said response, decrementing means for diminishing said formed integral by successively taking away equal fractional measures such that on the average substantially an integral number n of said measures diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said articles, a counter comprising fractional counting means for accumulating said number n and an integer counting means, said fractional counting means being adapted to increment said integer counting means to the next higher integer upon the decrementing of the next said number n of said measures, and means responsive to each of said gaps for clearing said fractional counting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for counting articles presented in groups separated by gaps, said articles generally characterized by substantial equality in some measureable property whereby each said article contributes substantially equally to the integral of a transducer''s response thereto, said apparatus comprising; transducing means for detecting said articles and having a response to said property thereof, an integrator for forming an integral connected to said means to operate on said response, decrementing means for diminishing said formed integral by successively taking away equal fractional measures such that on the average substantially an integral number n of said measures diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said articles, a counter comprising fractional counting means for accumulating said number n and an integer counting means, said fractional counting means being adapted to increment said integer counting means to the next higher integer upon the decrementing of the next said number n of said measures, and means responsive to each of said gaps for clearing said fractional counting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said number n is an even integer,and said fractional counting means comprises a binary counter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said integer counting means is a digital electronic counter, and said fractional counter increments said electronic counter whenever the number of said measures taken away is an odd multiple of half of said integral number n.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said transducer comprises a photocell, a lamp, a lens, and a mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined bY claim 2 in further combination with means for drift compensation comprising means for feeding back to said integrator a signal proportional to the number of counts cleared from said fractional counting means during said gaps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 in further combination with means for drift compensation comprising means for feeding back to said integrator a signal proportional to the number of counts cleared frm said fractional counting means driving said gaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
220 words
Apparatus for counting parts presented in groups separated by gaps, said parts generally characterized by contributing sugstantially equally to the time integral of the output response of a photo-electric circiut, said apparatus comprising: a photo-electric circuit for detecting said parts and having an electrical output response, first means receiving said output response and for forming an integral of it over time, second means for detecting when said integral of said response differs by a threshold level from a reference level of said integral, a source of electrical pulses substantially equal in their contributions with calibrating means for adjusting the value thereof so that on the average substantially an even integral number n of said pulses diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said parts, third means responsive to said second means for subtracting said pulsed from said integral to bring said integral across said threshold level, fourth means for counting said pusles required to carry said integral across said threshold level and accumulating both the of odd multiples of half said integer (n/2) and a fractional remainder, fifth means for detecting said gaps, and sixth means responsive to said second and fifth means for clearing said fractional remainder upon the detection of a gap concurrent with the reduction of said integral below said threshold value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
220 words
Apparatus for counting parts presented in groups separated by gaps, said parts generally characterized by contributing sugstantially equally to the time integral of the output response of a photo-electric circiut, said apparatus comprising: a photo-electric circuit for detecting said parts and having an electrical output response, first means receiving said output response and for forming an integral of it over time, second means for detecting when said integral of said response differs by a threshold level from a reference level of said integral, a source of electrical pulses substantially equal in their contributions with calibrating means for adjusting the value thereof so that on the average substantially an even integral number n of said pulses diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said parts, third means responsive to said second means for subtracting said pulsed from said integral to bring said integral across said threshold level, fourth means for counting said pusles required to carry said integral across said threshold level and accumulating both the of odd multiples of half said integer (n/2) and a fractional remainder, fifth means for detecting said gaps, and sixth means responsive to said second and fifth means for clearing said fractional remainder upon the detection of a gap concurrent with the reduction of said integral below said threshold value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set fotth in claim 8 wherein said pulses are of uniform voltage and width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pulses are uniformly spaced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pulses are uniformly spaced and of constant current amplitude and duration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second means has an output signal Ei having a first binary state when said integral exceeds said threshold level, and a second binary state when said integral falls below said threshold level, said fifth means has an output signal Es having a first binary sate when no gap is detected, and a second binary state when a gap is detected, said fractional remainder is accumulated in a binary counter the stages of which in number equal the logarithm to the base two of said integer n, and wherein said multiples are accumulated in a second counter, said binary counter incrementing said second counter by a unit on the count of half of said integer n, said source of pulses comprises a clock generator and switching means coupled to a voltage source to connect said voltage source to said first means upon coincidence of said clock pulses and said output Ei having said first binary state, and comprising also seventh means for clearing said binary counter upon the coincidence of said second binary states of said second and fifth means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for counting articles presented in groups separated by gaps, said articles generally characterized by substantial uniformity in some measurable property, comprising the steps of: causing said articles to move through a defined measurement field athwart their path at a predetermined speed, obtaining from an appropriate transducer, a continuous response proportional to the total of said property within said field, forming the time integral of said response, decrementing said formed integral by successively taking away equal fractional measures, whenever said integral attains a significaNt threshold value to diminish it below said value, said measures being of a size such that on the average substantially an integral number n of said measures diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said articles, counting said measures until a gap occurs in the flow of articles indicated by the complete absence of articles in said field and accumulating said count, dividing the number of thus accumulated counts by said integer n to obtain an integral quotient and a remainder, adjusting said integrating step in proportion to the amount of drift which is a measure of system error, rounding-off the quotient to obtain the best count, clearing any residue of said integral and the remainder, and resuming the integration and counting with a fresh start after each gap until the count is complete.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for counting articles presented in groups separated by gaps, said articles generally characterized by substantial uniformity in some measurable property, comprising the steps of: causing said articles to move through a defined measurement field athwart their path at a predetermined speed, obtaining from an appropriate transducer, a continuous response proportional to the total of said property within said field, forming the time integral of said response, decrementing said formed integral by successively taking away equal fractional measures, whenever said integral attains a significaNt threshold value to diminish it below said value, said measures being of a size such that on the average substantially an integral number n of said measures diminish said integral by the amount of the contribution of each of said articles, counting said measures until a gap occurs in the flow of articles indicated by the complete absence of articles in said field and accumulating said count, dividing the number of thus accumulated counts by said integer n to obtain an integral quotient and a remainder, adjusting said integrating step in proportion to the amount of drift which is a measure of system error, rounding-off the quotient to obtain the best count, clearing any residue of said integral and the remainder, and resuming the integration and counting with a fresh start after each gap until the count is complete.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |