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US6142375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for the optical detection of multiple items on a platform
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1998-04-10
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2018-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting the presence of multiple items includes a platform upon which one or more items may be placed and a detector positioned with respect to the platform to receive an image of a profile of the one or more items on the platform. The detector is configured and arranged to generate a signal corresponding to the profile. The signal indicates whether multiple items are on the platform. The detector may be, for example, a moving point detector, a linear detector, or a two-dimensional array detector. This apparatus can be used in conjunction with an inventory control device, such as an automated library check-out device, to prevent the unauthorized removal of inventory items.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony M. Belka
- 👤 Thomas J. Brace
- 👤 Ronald D. Jesme
- 👤 John E. Nelson
- 👤 Samuel H. Tao
- 👤 Peter J. Zarembo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0004; G06T7/0008; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10004; G06T2207/10008; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for detecting the presence of multiple items on a stationary platform, the apparatus comprising: (a) a light source for illuminating a one-dimensional edge profile of items on the platform; (b) a detector spaced from the light source and positioned with respect to the platform to receive a two-dimensional image of the edge profile; and (c) a signal generator for providing a signal corresponding to the two-dimensional edge profile, wherein signal deviations that exceed a predetermined value are indicative of multiple items on the platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for detecting the presence of multiple items on a stationary platform, the apparatus comprising: (a) a light source for illuminating a one-dimensional edge profile of items on the platform; (b) a detector spaced from the light source and positioned with respect to the platform to receive a two-dimensional image of the edge profile; and (c) a signal generator for providing a signal corresponding to the two-dimensional edge profile, wherein signal deviations that exceed a predetermined value are indicative of multiple items on the platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the platform is formed on the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a two-dimensional light sensitive semiconductor array, the light source and the detector being positioned so that light from the light source is redirected by items on the platform toward the detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor operatively coupled to the detector for evaluating the signal from the detector to indicate whether multiple items are on the platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises an array of optical detection elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detector comprises a CCD array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the CCD array comprises a one-dimensional linear CCD array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the CCD array comprises a two-dimensional CCD array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detector comprises a CMOS array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the CMOS array comprises a one-dimensional linear CMOS array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the CMOS array comprises a two-dimensional CMOS array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises at least one infrared light receiver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one infrared light emitter for illuminating the one or more items with infrared light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a motor and a holder for at least one infrared light emitter and the at least one infrared light receiver, the holder operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the motor moves the holder along a path so that the infrared light emitter and infrared light receiver illuminate and obtain, respectively, the profile of items on the platform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an alarm which is triggered in the presence of multiple items on the platform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a scanner positioned to read an item identification code on an item placed on the platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an inventory control deactivation device to deactivate an inventory control marker on an item placed on the platform if the scanner verifies the existence of the item identification code on the inventory item and there is only one item on the platform.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a plurality of rows and columns of detector elements, each detector element generating an individual signal and wherein the signal generator combines the signals from the detector elements to create a composite signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the signal generator combines the signals from the detection elements by determining a highest signal value among all of the detection elements of each row or column of detector elements and uses the highest signal value for each row or column to form the composite signal.
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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) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |