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:
Sep. 25, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2003
Shinsuke Suhara, Kariya, JP;
Seigo Kodama, Ama-gun, JP;
Shinsuke Suhara, Kariya, JP;
Seigo Kodama, Ama-gun, JP;
Fuji Machine MFG. Co., Ltd., Chiryu, JP;
Abstract
The invention improves supply of an electronic circuit components by a component tape. When a number of the components remaining in each feeder becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, an operator is informed of a fact that another component tape can be connected to a currently used component tape. In response to the informed fact, the operator connects the currently used component tape as a preceding component tape to the above-described another component tape as a following tape such that a trailing end portion of the preceding component tape and a leading end portion of the following component tape are connected through a connecting tape. A connecting portion of the two connected component tapes is detected by a connecting-portion detecting device in S, and a two-dimensional code printed on the connecting tape is recognized by an ID decoder in S. Sis then implemented to determine whether each data element of the two-dimensional code corresponds to the corresponding data element of a bar code of the preceding component tape or not. If a positive decision is obtained in S, the component supply is continued. If a negative decision is obtained in S, the component supply is suspended. It is also possible to use, in place of the two-dimensional code and bar code, an information medium piece to and from which the information is writable and readable by means of a light such as laser light, or an information communication storage chip equipped with a communication portion.