METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID ARTICLES
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing and detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system, the sensor system including a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector, the radiation detector being operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby, the method comprising:
- moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other; and
using a drive mechanism of the apparatus, passing the articles along a dispensing pathway of the apparatus such that the articles block radiation from the radiation emitter to the radiation detector as the articles pass along the dispensing pathway.
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Abstract
According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector. The radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby. The method includes moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other. According to some embodiments, the solid articles are solid pharmaceutical articles.
2 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing and detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system, the sensor system including a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector, the radiation detector being operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby, the method comprising:
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moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other; and using a drive mechanism of the apparatus, passing the articles along a dispensing pathway of the apparatus such that the articles block radiation from the radiation emitter to the radiation detector as the articles pass along the dispensing pathway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for dispensing and detecting solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a drive mechanism; and a sensor system including a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector; wherein the radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby; wherein the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector are mounted for movement relative to the other; and wherein the apparatus defines a dispensing pathway and the drive mechanism is operable to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway such that the articles block radiation from the radiation emitter to the radiation detector as the articles pass along the dispensing pathway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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14. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the sensor system by adjusting an energy level supply to the radiation emitter to generate a reference signal from the radiation detector at a level within a prescribed reference level range.
Specification