Banner Engineering Corporation

Paul D Bratton

Dennis John Smith

Eric Karl Lindmark

Neal Andrew Schumacher

Wade David Oberpriller

Jeff Bromen

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.

Image-based jam detection

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

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Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Paul D Bratton