Method and apparatus for monitoring the processing of articles
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the processing of a group of articles having different properties, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining information about the differing properties of the group;
using this information to provide a main visual model of the property distribution within the group; and
providing a first subsidiary visual model relating to the processing of a first sub-group of articles from within the group which comprises a band width spanning a desired range of properties, the provision of the first subsidiary model causing a modified form of the main visual model to appear, related to the remaining articles of the group after removal of the articles forming the first sub-group.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring the processing of a group of articles having different properties, for example differing weights and/or quality grades. The method includes the steps of obtaining information about the differing properties of the group, using this information to provide a main visual model of the property distribution within the group, and providing a first subsidiary visual model relating to the processing of a first sub-group of articles from within the group, the provision of the first subsidiary model causing a modified form of the main visual model to appear, related to the remaining articles of the group after removal of the articles forming the first sub-group. The method is particularly effective for use in monitoring the processing of poultry carcasses being conveyed in succession along a path, for sorting by weight and grade of carcass. The method may be used in advance of processing, to run a test as to what might happen during processing according to different parameters, and it can also be used during actual processing, to monitor what is actually happening, against a target time, numbers and maximum processing capacities.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the processing of a group of articles having different properties, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining information about the differing properties of the group;
using this information to provide a main visual model of the property distribution within the group; and
providing a first subsidiary visual model relating to the processing of a first sub-group of articles from within the group which comprises a band width spanning a desired range of properties, the provision of the first subsidiary model causing a modified form of the main visual model to appear, related to the remaining articles of the group after removal of the articles forming the first sub-group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for monitoring the processing of a group of articles having differing properties, said apparatus comprising:
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means for obtaining information about differing properties of the group;
means for using this information to provide a main visual model of the property distribution within the group; and
means for providing a first subsidiary visual model relating to the processing of a first sub-group of articles from within the group which comprises a band width spanning a desired range of properties, a provision of the first subsidiary model causing a modified form of the main visual model to appear, related to the remaining articles of the group after removal of the articles forming the first sub-group. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification