Patent US4890053A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4890053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for detecting a missing object in a set of objects
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-15
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Granted: 1989-12-26
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Expires: 2008-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A millimeter wave detector for detecting missing cigarette packs or other types of objects in a set of objects is provided. The detector uses millimeter wave radiation at about 90 GHz to resolve small features of the objects being scanned. The detector can detect defects or missing packs in configurations that would not be detected by previously known detectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph L. Banyasz
- 👤 Aubrey T. Burton
- 👤 Bernard C. LaRoy
- 👤 David A. Lowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:59
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for detecting the absence, from a set of objects, of at least one object in said set, said objects being less than fully transmissive of electromagnetic radiation in a given frequency range outside the optical frequency range and being at least partially reflective in said given frequency range, said objects being enclosed in a container that is substantially opaque in the optical frequency range but is at least partially transmissive in said given frequency range, said method comprising the steps of: generating a monochromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation in said given frequency range, said beam propagating in a propagation direction; shaping said beam to provide an effective shape and cross-sectional area predetermined for said set of objects; transporting said set of articles along a transport path normal to said propagation direction of said shaped beam, whereby said objects prevent transmission of at least some of said shaped beam; and detecting radiation transmitted through said set of objects.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for detecting the absence, from a set of objects, of at least one object in said set, said objects being less than fully transmissive of electromagnetic radiation in a given frequency range outside the optical frequency range and being at least partially reflective in said given frequency range, said objects being enclosed in a container that is substantially opaque in the optical frequency range but is at least partially transmissive in said given frequency range, said method comprising the steps of: generating a monochromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation in said given frequency range, said beam propagating in a propagation direction; shaping said beam to provide an effective shape and cross-sectional area predetermined for said set of objects; transporting said set of articles along a transport path normal to said propagation direction of said shaped beam, whereby said objects prevent transmission of at least some of said shaped beam; and detecting radiation transmitted through said set of objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said shaping step comprises passing said beam through an appropriate lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said shaping step comprises absorbing a first portion of said beam and allowing transmission of a limited portion of said beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing said detected radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said generating step comprises generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter wave frequency range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said generating step comprises generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of about 90 gigahertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said generating step comprises generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting at least some of the radiation reflected by said objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for detecting the absence, from a set of objects, of at least one object in said set, said objects being less than fully transmissive of electromagnetic radiation in a given frequency range outside the optical frequency range and being at least partially reflective in said given frequency range, said objects being enclosed in a container that is substantially opaque in the optical frequency range but is at least partially transmissive in said given frequency range, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a monochromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation in said given frequency range, said beam propagating in a propagating direction; means for shaping said beam to provide an effective shape and cross-sectional area predetermined for said set of objects; means for transporting said set of articles along a transport path normal to said propagation direction of said shaped beam, whereby said objects prevent transmission of at least some of said shaped beam; and means for detecting radiation transmitted through said set of objects.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for detecting the absence, from a set of objects, of at least one object in said set, said objects being less than fully transmissive of electromagnetic radiation in a given frequency range outside the optical frequency range and being at least partially reflective in said given frequency range, said objects being enclosed in a container that is substantially opaque in the optical frequency range but is at least partially transmissive in said given frequency range, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a monochromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation in said given frequency range, said beam propagating in a propagating direction; means for shaping said beam to provide an effective shape and cross-sectional area predetermined for said set of objects; means for transporting said set of articles along a transport path normal to said propagation direction of said shaped beam, whereby said objects prevent transmission of at least some of said shaped beam; and means for detecting radiation transmitted through said set of objects.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said shaping means comprises an appropriate lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said shaping means comprises means for absorbing a first portion of said beam and allowing transmission of a limited portion of said beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for analyzing said detected radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said generating means generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter wave frequency range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said generating means generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of about 90 gigahertz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said generating means generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for directing toward said detecting means at least some of the radiation reflected by said objects for detecting said reflected radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said generating means, said transport path and said detecting means are in a plane and said directing means s for directing toward said detecting means radiation reflected out of said plane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said directing means comprises at least one reflector of electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said generating means, said transport path and said detecting means are in a plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said detecting means is in line with said generating means in said propagation direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |