Metal detector apparatus, system, and method
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a sensor-enabled dose form through a metal detector in a predetermined orientation relative to the metal detector;
generating a detection signal by the metal detector in response to receiving the sensor-enabled dose form through the metal detector;
comparing the detection signal to a predetermined threshold; and
determining the presence of a metal contaminant in the sensor-enabled dose form based on the comparison of the detection signal and the predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for detecting a metal contaminant in a sensor-enabled dose form. According to the method, a sensor-enabled dose form is oriented in a predetermined orientation. The sensor-enabled dose form is received through an aperture of a metal detector. A detection signal is generated by the metal detector in response to receiving the sensor-enabled dose form through the aperture of the metal detector. The detection signal is compared to a predetermined threshold. The presence of a metal contaminant in the sensor-enabled dose form is determined based on the comparison of the detection signal and the predetermined threshold. In another method, the sensor-enabled dose form is first oriented in a first orientation and then in a second orientation. The apparatus includes a guide, a metal detector, and a comparator circuit. The system further includes a controller to reject contaminated sensor-enabled dose forms.
961 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a sensor-enabled dose form through a metal detector in a predetermined orientation relative to the metal detector; generating a detection signal by the metal detector in response to receiving the sensor-enabled dose form through the metal detector; comparing the detection signal to a predetermined threshold; and determining the presence of a metal contaminant in the sensor-enabled dose form based on the comparison of the detection signal and the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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a guide to position a sensor-enabled dose form in a predetermined orientation; a metal detector configured to receive an oriented sensor-enabled dose form therethrough in the predetermined orientation, the metal detector configured to generate a detection signal when the sensor-enabled dose form passes through the metal detector; and a comparator circuit configured to compare the detection signal to a predetermined threshold to determine whether a metal contaminant is present in the sensor-enabled dose form. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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an apparatus for detecting a metal contaminant in a sensor-enabled dose form, the apparatus comprising; a guide to position a sensor-enabled dose form in a predetermined orientation; a metal detector configured to receive the sensor-enabled dose form therethrough in the predetermined orientation, the metal detector configured to generate a detection signal when the sensor-enabled dose form passes through the metal detector; and a comparator circuit configured to compare the detection signal to a predetermined threshold to determine when a metal contaminant is present in the sensor-enabled dose form; and a controller coupled to the comparator circuit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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receiving a sensor-enabled dose form in a first predetermined orientation through a metal detector; generating a first detection signal by the metal detector in response to the sensor-enabled dose form passing through the metal detector in the first predetermined orientation; receiving the sensor-enabled dose form in a second predetermined orientation through the metal detector; generating a second detection signal by the metal detector in response to the sensor-enabled dose form passing through the metal detector in the second predetermined orientation; comparing the first and second detection signals; and determining when a metal contaminant is present in the sensor-enabled dose form based on the difference between the first and second detection signals relative to a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification