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US4281765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Article-detect signal separating network
Assignee: Satake USA Inc
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Filing: 1979-08-09
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 1999-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A network for separating an article-detect signal into a number of parts corresponding to the number of articles randomly disposed in next-abutting relationship is characterized by a circuit arrangement adapted to sample and hold a predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude of a characteristic signal representative of each article, a comparator for comparing the instantaneous value of the characteristic signal with the predetermined peak and for generating an enabling signal when the instantaneous characteristic signal falls below the predetermined percentage, and a timer responsive to the enabling signal to interrupt the article-detect signal for a predetermined time interval after a predetermined time delay.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Brazell
- 👤 Joseph A. Villanueva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:49
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; B07C5/3422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In a sorting apparatus having: (a) means for generating an electrical characteristic signal representative of light reflected from articles randomly disposed across a viewing zone; and (b) a comparator for comparing the characteristic signal with a predetermined reference level and for generating an article-detect signal representative of the presence of an article within the viewing zone so long as the magnitude of the characteristic signal exceeds the magnitude of the reference level; the improvement comprising: means for separating article-detect signals when two articles are next-abutting one with the other such that a comparison of the magnitude of each characteristic signal of each article exceeds the magnitude of the reference level, said separating means comprising: a network for sampling and holding a predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude of the characteristic signal for each of the abutting articles; a comparator for comparing the magnitude of the instantaneous characteristic signal for each article with the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude thereof and for generating an enabling signal when the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude; and, a timing arrangement responsive to the enabling signal for interrupting the article-detect signal for a predetermined time interval after a predetermined time delay.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a sorting apparatus having: (a) means for generating an electrical characteristic signal representative of light reflected from articles randomly disposed across a viewing zone; and (b) a comparator for comparing the characteristic signal with a predetermined reference level and for generating an article-detect signal representative of the presence of an article within the viewing zone so long as the magnitude of the characteristic signal exceeds the magnitude of the reference level; the improvement comprising: means for separating article-detect signals when two articles are next-abutting one with the other such that a comparison of the magnitude of each characteristic signal of each article exceeds the magnitude of the reference level, said separating means comprising: a network for sampling and holding a predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude of the characteristic signal for each of the abutting articles; a comparator for comparing the magnitude of the instantaneous characteristic signal for each article with the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude thereof and for generating an enabling signal when the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude; and, a timing arrangement responsive to the enabling signal for interrupting the article-detect signal for a predetermined time interval after a predetermined time delay.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time delay is measured from the time that the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sample and hold network comprises: a capacitor adapted to charge to a voltage level functionally related to the peak magnitude of the characteristic signal; a diode adapted to maintain the peak voltage level on the capacitor; and means for applying a predetermined percentage of the peak voltage stored on the capacitor to the comparator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for applying the predetermined percentage of the peak voltage stored on the capacitor comprises a variable resistor connected in parallel across the capacitor, the variable resistor including a wiper arm connected to the comparator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the predetermined time delay is measured from the time that the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the predetermined percentage p of the peak voltage stored on the capacitor applied to the comparator lies within the range defined by the relationship 0%<p%<100%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the timing arrangement includes a first and a second monostable multivibrator device, the first device being responsive to the enabling signal to generate a pulse of a duration substantially equal to the predetermined time delay, the second device being triggered at the end of the pulse generated by the first device, the second device being adapted to generate a pulse of a predetermined duration during the presence of which the article-detect signal is interrupted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the sample and hold network further comprises a switch responsive to the termination of the pulse from the first device to discharge the capacitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for applying the predetermined percentage of the peak voltage stored on the capacitor comprises a variable resistor connected in parallel across the capacitor, the variable resistor including a wiper arm connected to the comparator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the predetermined time delay is measured from the time that the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the timing arrangement includes a first and a second monostable multivibrator device, the first device being responsive to the enabling signal to generate a pulse of a duration substantially equal to the predetermined time delay, the second device being triggered at the end of the pulse generated by the first device, the second device being adapted to generate a pulse of a predetermined duration during the presence of which the article-detect signal is interrupted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for applying the predetermined percentage of the peak voltage stored on the capacitor comprises a variable resistor connected in parallel across the capacitor, the variable resistor including a wiper arm connected to the comparator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 11 wherein the predetermined time delay is measured from the time that the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sample and hold network further comprises a switch responsive to the termination of the pulse from the first device to discharge the capacitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting apparatus of claim 14 wherein the predetermined time delay is measured from the time that the magnitude of the instantaneous signal falls below the predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude.
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) | 1984-08-03 | 1985-02-02 | 1985-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-02-02 | 1989-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-03 | 1993-02-02 | 1993-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |