The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 1991
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1990
Clarence A Smith, Kennebunk, ME (US);
Roger H Doherty, Portland, ME (US);
Raymond A Roberts, Saco, ME (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A machine provides automated counting of integrated circuit (IC) parts packed in a shipping tube which may be, for example, an opaque shipping rail for translation of the rail along the track. An elongate support or track receives and holds a shipping rail. A first rail sensor positioned adjacent to the track senses the presence of a rail on the support track and generates a start count signal. A second rail sensor positioned along the track generates a stop count signal after the scanning of the rail by the sensors is completed. An IC parts sensor provided by an inductive proximity sensor is positioned adjacent to the track between the first and second rail sensors and senses the presence of IC parts contained in the shipping rail. A roller drive translates the shipping rail and the sensors relative to each other for scanning of the rail by the sensors. The parts sensor generates parts counting signals from the start count signal to the stop count signal. A computer processor processes the parts counting signals, calculates the number of IC parts in a rail, and accumulates and displays the count of rails and parts.