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US5870203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Adaptive lighting control apparatus for illuminating a variable-speed web for inspection
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1996-03-15
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2016-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A lighting control apparatus for illuminating a moving variable-speed web for inspection with a camera is provided. The apparatus is comprised of a detecting device for detecting the positioning of the web; a lighting device, aligned with the camera, for emitting a light to illuminate the web; a calculating device for calculating the speed of the web; and a control device which controls the emission of light by the lighting device as a function of the speed of the web.
Inventors
- 👤 Chinchuan Chiu
- 👤 Wing Loom Chek
- 👤 Philip Paolella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/89; G01N21/8901; G01N21/8903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A lighting control apparatus for illuminating a moving variable-speed web for inspection with a first plurality of cameras and with a second plurality of cameras comprising: detecting means, coupled to said web, for detecting a plurality of positions of said web as said web moves and for generating a signal representing said positions; a first plurality of lighting means for emitting light to illuminate said web for inspection with said first plurality of cameras; a second plurality of lighting means for emitting light to illuminate said web for inspection with said second plurality of cameras; calculating means, coupled to said detecting means and responsive to said signal, for calculating a speed of said web; and control means, coupled to said calculating means and to the first and second pluralities of lighting means, for controlling said first plurality of lighting means to emit said light with an intensity that varies as an increasing function of said speed and for controlling said second plurality of lighting means to emit said light with an intensity that varies as another increasing function of said speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A lighting control apparatus for illuminating a moving variable-speed web for inspection with a first plurality of cameras and with a second plurality of cameras comprising: detecting means, coupled to said web, for detecting a plurality of positions of said web as said web moves and for generating a signal representing said positions; a first plurality of lighting means for emitting light to illuminate said web for inspection with said first plurality of cameras; a second plurality of lighting means for emitting light to illuminate said web for inspection with said second plurality of cameras; calculating means, coupled to said detecting means and responsive to said signal, for calculating a speed of said web; and control means, coupled to said calculating means and to the first and second pluralities of lighting means, for controlling said first plurality of lighting means to emit said light with an intensity that varies as an increasing function of said speed and for controlling said second plurality of lighting means to emit said light with an intensity that varies as another increasing function of said speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising drive means, coupled to said detecting means, for driving said web in a direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said drive means comprises a rotating motor and wherein said detecting means comprises encoder means for encoding rotation of said motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of lighting means and said second plurality of lighting means comprise a plurality of incandescent light sources.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein aid plurality of incandescent light sources comprise a plurality of halogen bulbs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of lighting means and said second plurality of lighting means comprise a plurality of fiber optic devices which emit said light from fiber optic cables.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said web includes a plurality of aperture grills having a plurality of ribbons and wherein said first plurality of lighting means are aligned such that said light is emitted parallel to said ribbons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second plurality of lighting means are aligned such that said light is emitted perpendicular to said ribbons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the increasing functions are continuous functions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the increasing functions are piecewise linear.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said first plurality of lighting means by varying a voltage supplied to each of said first plurality of lighting means such that the intensity of said light emitted by said first plurality of lighting means is an increasing function of said speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said second plurality of lighting means by varying a voltage supplied to each of said second plurality of lighting means such that the intensity of said light emitted by said second plurality of lighting means is an increasing function of said speed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls an intensity of the light emitted by said first plurality of lighting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls an intensity of the light emitted by said second plurality of lighting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising first regulating means, interposed between said web and said first plurality of lighting means, for controlling the light emitted by said first plurality of lighting means such that said light emitted by said first plurality of lighting means is adequate to illuminate said web for inspection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising second regulating means, interposed between said web and said second plurality of lighting means, for controlling the light emitted by said second plurality of lighting means such that said light emitted by said first plurality of lighting means is adequate to illuminate said web for inspection.
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) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |