Contour detecting and dimension measuring apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting the contours of an object, comprising:
- (a) a measuring station to and from which said object is moved;
(b) a plurality of light transmitting means at said station for providing a scan of an equal plurality of light rays;
(c) an equal plurality of light receiving means at said station each arranged to sequentially receive light from only a complementary one of said light transmitting means;
(d) each of said light transmitting and light receiving means having a predetermined physical dimension in a predetermined direction, said physical dimension restricting the minimum closeness between two light transmitting and light receiving means, respectively, to an edge-to-edge relationship;
(e) means for guiding said object through the paths of the light rays such that said light receiving means are prevented by said object from receiving light from those of the light rays that shine on one side of each of said contours;
(f) counter means for counting the number of said light receiving means which receive light from said complementary light transmitting means;
(g) said light transmitting means disposed in a predetermined configuration having a first and a second row of light transmitting means, the distance between the centers of two consecutive light transmitting means in each of the rows having a predetermined like value, the rows being arranged in parallel and staggered such that the center of each said light transmitting means in one of the rows is located at a predetermined distance from a point in said one row which point lies opposite to the center of a said light transmitting means in the other row, said predetermined distance being less than said predetermined value and less than said physical dimension;
(h) said light receiving means being disposed in a configuration corresponding to said predetermined configuration; and
(i) movable light source means being provided to sequentially activate a predetermined number of said light transmitting means alternately in each of said rows such that each of said rows emits a scan of light travelling in said predetermined direction, the scans of the different rows forming a composite scan wherein the distance between two consecutive light rays, as seen along said predetermined direction, is equal to said predetermined distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for detecting contours and measuring dimensions of an object employs a plurality of light transmitting means for transmitting a scan of an equal plurality of light rays, and also employs an equal plurality of light receiving means, each arranged to receive light from only a complementary one of the light transmitting means. The object is moved through the light rays such that the object prevents the light receiving means from receiving light shining on one side of the contours of the object. Counter means are employed for counting the number of light receiving means which receive light from corresponding light transmitting means. The light transmitting means and light receiving means are disposed in a configuration enabling a more sensitive detection of the contours yet avoiding the risk of "cross-talk" between adjacent light receivers.
44 Citations
7 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting the contours of an object, comprising:
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(a) a measuring station to and from which said object is moved; (b) a plurality of light transmitting means at said station for providing a scan of an equal plurality of light rays; (c) an equal plurality of light receiving means at said station each arranged to sequentially receive light from only a complementary one of said light transmitting means; (d) each of said light transmitting and light receiving means having a predetermined physical dimension in a predetermined direction, said physical dimension restricting the minimum closeness between two light transmitting and light receiving means, respectively, to an edge-to-edge relationship; (e) means for guiding said object through the paths of the light rays such that said light receiving means are prevented by said object from receiving light from those of the light rays that shine on one side of each of said contours; (f) counter means for counting the number of said light receiving means which receive light from said complementary light transmitting means; (g) said light transmitting means disposed in a predetermined configuration having a first and a second row of light transmitting means, the distance between the centers of two consecutive light transmitting means in each of the rows having a predetermined like value, the rows being arranged in parallel and staggered such that the center of each said light transmitting means in one of the rows is located at a predetermined distance from a point in said one row which point lies opposite to the center of a said light transmitting means in the other row, said predetermined distance being less than said predetermined value and less than said physical dimension; (h) said light receiving means being disposed in a configuration corresponding to said predetermined configuration; and (i) movable light source means being provided to sequentially activate a predetermined number of said light transmitting means alternately in each of said rows such that each of said rows emits a scan of light travelling in said predetermined direction, the scans of the different rows forming a composite scan wherein the distance between two consecutive light rays, as seen along said predetermined direction, is equal to said predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification