Patent US5010247A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5010247A
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US
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Method of classifying objects according to shape
Assignee: Spandrel Establishment
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Filing: 1989-10-06
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2009-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Objects are dropped in succession through a viewing zone, where they are viewed in bright field illumination by three viewers along mutually orthogonal axes, using radiation of different wave-lengths (or viewing in rapid succession). The viewers sense the presented area. The presented areas are compared in a microprocessor in order to obtain a rough determination of the shape of the object. The presented areas can, for example, be summated to obtain a rough determination of the size of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin P. Smith
- 👤 Colin D. Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:29
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to shape, comprising: passing the objects in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with at least three viewers which view along angularly spaced axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and comparing said signals from each respective viewer to make a rough determination of the shape of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to shape, comprising: passing the objects in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with at least three viewers which view along angularly spaced axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and comparing said signals from each respective viewer to make a rough determination of the shape of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein there are three said axes, in mutual orthogonal arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the respective radiation is projected towards the viewer, and is interrupted in part by the object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said radiation is near infra-red.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein cross-talk between the areas sensed by the viewers is substantially prevented by using radiation of a different wave-length for each viewer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein cross-talk between the areas sensed by the viewers is substantially prevented by viewing with each viewer in succession.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a rough determination of the size of the object is also made.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to size, comprising: passing the objects in free flight in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with three viewers which view along mutually orthogonal axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and selecting said signal representing the largest presented area of said respective presented areas sensed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to size, comprising: passing the objects in free flight in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with three viewers which view along mutually orthogonal axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and selecting said signal representing the largest presented area of said respective presented areas sensed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to size, comprising: passing the objects in free flight in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with three viewers which view along mutually orthogonal axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and selecting said signal representing the smallest presented area of said respective presented areas sensed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a rough classification of objects according to size, comprising: passing the objects in free flight in succession through a viewing zone; in the viewing zone, viewing each object with three viewers which view along mutually orthogonal axes and thereby sensing respective areas presented to said viewers whereby said viewers give signals representative of said respective presented areas; and selecting said signal representing the smallest presented area of said respective presented areas sensed.
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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) | 1994-04-22 | 1994-10-22 | 1995-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-22 | 1998-10-22 | 1999-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-22 | 2002-10-22 | 2003-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |