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:
May. 17, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1991
John L Ditman, Buckeystown, MD (US);
David J Holmes, III, Annapolis, MD (US);
Batching Systems, Inc., Owings, MD (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for counting irregularly-shaped articles. A pair of light sources are provided at a sensing plane through which articles to be counted pass. Each of the light sources emits a light beam that is at an angle to the other light beam, such as an angle of about 90.degree.. Corresponding light sensors are positioned opposite the respective light sources to receive the light signals as the articles pass through the sensing plane. A time division multiplex circuit is provided to alternately operate the light sources, and the outputs from the respective light detectors are summed to provide a unitary signal that is provided to a counter to maintain a count of the number of articles passing through the sensing plane. The system provides combined output signals that are substantially independent of the orientation of the article at the sensing plane.