Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include an industrial control system that uses a daisy chain communication network to couple point-to-point sensors (P2P sensors) for communication of data between respective P2P sensors and a controller. Each P2P sensor may couple to the daisy chain communication network via accessing circuitry. The accessing circuitry may include switching circuitry and flip-flop circuitry to control when each P2P sensors may communicate with the controller via the daisy chain communication network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing device and to a method for testing circuit boards, in particular un-equipped or partially-equipped circuit boards. The testing device is a flying probe with a shuttle or two sub-shuttles, which can displace a circuit board to be tested to a test area in an alternating manner. In addition, the sub-shuttles can be used for commonly holding a large circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones comprises one or more measurement locations, a conveyor comprising a plurality of discrete compartments for containing the gemstones, a delivery device configured to deliver individual gemstones from the batch of gemstones to individual compartments of the conveyor and a controller configured to synchronise a speed of the conveyor with an operation of the one or more measurement locations such that the measurements of the gemstones can be correlated with a location of the gemstones in their associated compartments. A method of sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image inspection device which inspects the inspection target by images includes: an imaging part, which images the inspection target; a changing part, which makes the location of the inspection target with respect to the imaging part periodically and relatively change; and a control part, which makes the imaging part image the inspection target so as to acquire a plurality of images having different imaging conditions at a plurality of timings which is periodically repeated due to the relative changes and at which the inspection target is in a predefined location with respect to the imaging part.

Abstract: A food article defect removal apparatus includes a manifold that defines one or more chambers for holding pressurized fluid. First channels extend from a first side of the manifold into fluid communication with the chambers. Second channels extend from the first side of the manifold to a second side of the manifold. Valves selectively connect corresponding first channels and second channels together to dispense the pressurized fluid from the manifold. The manifold can have an exterior wall that at least partially defines a first chamber and a second chamber, with an interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The interior wall can define the second channels. The valves can be included with a valve assembly, which includes a driver operably coupled with the valves. The valves can be pluggably coupled with the driver.

Abstract: A test fixture automatically placing an electronic device for testing includes a carrying module for holding the electronic device, a cover board module for supporting the carrying module, and a test module. The cover board module has an inductor for sensing the placement on the carrying module of the electronic device. The test module includes a driving member, a test plug connected to the driving member, a detector electronically connected to test plug, and an adapter movably positioned on the carrying module. The adapter includes a patch plug and a socket. When the inductor signals that the electronic device is on the carrying module, the test plug is driven into the socket of the adapter, and the patch plug of the adapter is further driven into the electronic device, to begin the testing procedure. A testing device having the test fixture is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum belt has perforations between belt edges. Some perforations in the vacuum belt are arranged in a pattern. The vacuum belt is positioned adjacent the media supply in a location to move sheets of the print media from the media supply. A light sensor is positioned in a location to detect light passing through the vacuum belt. The light sensor detects a portion of the vacuum belt as limited by an aperture area of the vacuum belt, and the pattern of perforations, and the size and location of the aperture area of the vacuum belt causes the signal output by the light sensor to be constant when the sheets are outside the aperture area of the vacuum belt.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection. The container inspection system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.

Abstract: An object detection method includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector on a first side of an inspection zone, a reflective background on a second side of the inspection zone and a controller operably connected to the emitter and the detector to measure/determine a first time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter, to the reflective background, and return to the detector, and to measure/determine a second time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter of electromagnetic radiation to objects of interest passing through the inspection zone along an unsupported path of travel and to be reflected to the electromagnetic radiation detector, and any determined time of travel which varies from the first time of travel is evidence there is an object within the inspection zone and between the emitter and the reflective background.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine has a determination unit that includes a three-dimensional color distribution data creation section that creates data on wavelength components of R light, G light, and B light from granules in a three-dimensional color space, a Mahalanobis distance interface creation section that partitions the data into a conforming granule cluster area and a nonconforming granule cluster area, a Euclidean distance interface creation section that determines a position of center of gravity of the conforming granule cluster area and a position of center of gravity of the nonconforming granule cluster area to set an interface that allows the positions of center of gravity to lie at a longest distance from each other, a two-dimensional data conversion section that converts into two-dimensional color distribution data by using a line of intersection between the interfaces, and a threshold setting section.

Abstract: A method on a computer for facilitating identification of a cigar is provided. The server is configured for: storing cigar records and user records, reading an image of a particular cigar from the user, and calculating a number of cigar bands in the image, a cigar band location for each cigar band and a separate cigar band image for each cigar band in the image. Next, data calculated above from the image of the particular cigar is compared to the data in the cigar records, so as to find a match between data of the particular cigar and data in a matching cigar record, and reading the cigar brand from the matching cigar record, so as to identify a cigar brand of the particular cigar.

Abstract: A system for detecting oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream is provided.

Abstract: Elevator for caps, comprising a closed-loop conveyor belt including a plurality of projections extending from an outer face of the conveyor belt, and an inspection and selection system, comprising: at least one camera arranged to visually inspect the caps while they move along an ascending branch of the conveyor belt, and an ejection device which ejects noncompliant caps from the elevator according to information provided by said at least one camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting surfaces of spheres such steel balls, on which sequentiality of cleaning and screening steps is attained without danger of rusting, and inspection accuracy and efficiency are enhanced, comprises a cleaning device for cleaning the spheres on a rotary disc with rotating brushes, a mechanism for inspecting and screening the cleaned spheres in oil in terms of non-defective and defective, and a removal device for removing both spheres separately. The mechanism includes a driving roller revolving and carrying thereon each sphere, a set of control rollers making tangential contact with the sphere thrusted along the outer circumference of the driving roller, a sensor for inspecting the surface of sphere while imparting a twist toward the sensor to the sphere by rotations of the driving roller and control rollers, and an oil tank holding therein the elements above.

Abstract: An off-line micro device processing system is provided having a longitudinally extending feeder/processing/buffer system for providing processed micro devices to a pick point. A portable robotic system has a longitudinally extending robotic system body extending parallel to the longitudinally extending feeder/processing/buffer system and a transverse support on the robotic system body transversely positioned relative to the longitudinally extending robotic system body. A pick and place mechanism on the transverse support picks micro devices from the input, transversely moves the micro devices, and places the micro devices on the output system for receiving and storing processed micro devices.

Abstract: Plain or filter cigarettes are tested at a first station by two or more testing devices each of which monitors the cigarettes for the presence or absence of a particular defect. The testing devices generate defect signals which are delayed by shift registers so as to ensure that the delayed defect signals are transmitted to a segregating mechanism which removes defective cigarettes from a path that is common to the satisfactory and defective cigarettes and delivers defective cigarettes to selected receptacles which are installed at a second station and each of which gathers only cigarettes exhibiting a particular defect. Actuation of a switch entails the removal of a selected number of samples from the common path for satisfactory and defective cigarettes, and such samples are gathered in an additional receptacle at the second station.

Abstract: In a machine having automatic article transport individual identical articles are conveyed along a conveyor path (21) past various processing stations. A clock (12) is associated with the conveyor path. Furthermore, a characteristic detection apparatus (13) is provided which delivers information corresponding to the characteristics of the articles (16) which are moving past to a characteristic shift register (11), which is pulsed by the clock (1). An article sorting apparatus (14) is arranged spaced from the characteristic detection apparatus and is controlled by the associated storage (11') of the characteristic shift register. A further presence shift register (15) is arranged parallel to the characteristic shift register (11) and the information contained in the presence shift register (15) is compared with the output of a presence detection apparatus (17) and can be used to stop the machine in the event that a deviation is detected.

Abstract: An automatic article sorting apparatus sorts out articles by their sizes. The apparatus includes a conveyor mechanism for conveying the articles, and an image pickup unit for producing images of the articles as they are conveyed by the conveyor mechanism. An image memory stores the images of the articles one frame at a time, and a sorting device masks an unnecessary portion of the image of an article. The size of the article is derived from the number of pixels in the unmasked portion of the image of the article, and the size of the article is compared with a preset range of grades to produce selection information. A sorting apparatus sorts out the article in accordance with the selection information.

Abstract: Objects to be inspected are transferred successively in one direction on a conveyor and irradiated by a light source and photosensed by a single optical image sensor only, such as a video camera. The optical image sensor is so arranged that it simultaneously photosenses a plurality of the successively transferred inspected objects, and the conveyor is so constructed that during the period in which the objects pass through the visual field of the optical image sensor, the objects are rotated so that their entire round inspected surfaces are all respectively photosensed by the optical image sensor.

Abstract: An automated system and method for transporting and sorting various types of articles, such as parcels and sacks of mail. The system is comprised of a primary conveyor track and a plurality of secondary conveyor tracks which intersect the primary conveyor track at selected locations therealong. Each secondary track has associated therewith a diverter mechanism for diverting selected articles from the primary track to a corresponding secondary track, depending upon the final destinations of the articles. The diverter mechanism includes a diverter arm, which pivots across the primary track to divert selected articles to the corresponding secondary track. The deflecting surface of the diverter arm includes a motor-driven belt, the bottom edge of which is positioned within 1/4 inch of the surface of the track so that articles of irregular shape, such as sacks of mail, do not become trapped between the bottom edge of the diverter arm and the track.

Abstract: In a machine having automatic article transport individual identical articles are conveyed along a conveyor path (21) past various processing stations. A clock (12) is associated with the conveyor path. Furthermore, a characteristic detection apparatus (13) is provided which delivers information corresponding to the characteristics of the articles (16) which are moving past to a characteristic shift register (11), which is pulsed by the clock (1). An article sorting apparatus (14) is arranged spaced from the characteristic detection apparatus and is controlled by the associated storage (11') of the characteristic shift register. A further presence shift register (15) is arranged parallel to the characteristic shift register (11) and the information contained in the presence shift register (15) is compared with the output of a presence detection apparatus (17) and can be used to stop the machine in the event that a deviation is detected (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device by which a defective product is removed from a path through which products are continually fed. The device has a feeder feeding products, a sensor detecting defective products, and a remover taking the defective products from the path. The sensor outputs a signal denoting a defect in either the trailing half of a first product or the leading half of an adjacent second product. The remover has a function for obtaining the number which is a quotient obtained by dividing the distance between the sensor and the remover by the length of a normal product. The remover takes out the defective and the adjacent product when the number of products passing the remover is equal to the quotient obtained by the above calculation.

Abstract: Selected or successive cigarettes of a series of cigarettes which are conveyed in a making and/or processing machine are acted upon by ejecting, perforating and/or other cigarette influencing instrumentalities during travel along a selected section of their path. A pulse generating system transmits a series of timing pulses during each interval of advancement of a cigarette along a unit section of the path, and a selected timing pulse of the series of pulses is used to apply a control signal to the influencing instrumentality while the cigarette to be influenced is located in a predetermined position with respect to such instrumentality. An additional timing pulse of the same series is used to terminate the application of the control signal. The pulses which are used for application and/or termination of application of control signals can be changed in response to changing speed of the prime mover of the machine or machines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a control method, and a shift register for carrying out the control method, for use with an intermittently moving mechanism designed to automatically perform various inspections and operations with respect to a product, wherein the inspection result signals and/or operation instruction signals are placed in correspondence to a plurality of successively fed products, and wherein exterior instruction signals may be entered at suitable times, and wherein a plurality of different inspection result signals and/or operation instruction signals may be issued by a single device. These inspection result signals and operation instruction signals may or may not be shifted to other inspection and operation positions to thereby use the mechanism in a variety of modes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting packets of thin sheet articles such as securities, bank notes and the like which are bound in a stack by a band. A series of modular units are provided in which the band and the stack are mechanically separated, each sheet of the stack is conveyed independent of the band, each sheet is tested and directed to a target location dependent upon the results of the test. The transport of sheets having predetermined characteristics is coordinated with the transport of the band.

Abstract: Objects on a delivery conveyor are detected by a photo-detector connected to a multi-bit shift register which is clocked by a pulse generator connected to the delivery conveyor. A NOR gate is connected between two outputs of the shift register and the shift register resets to erase information relating to undersized objects. Another circuit having NAND gates connected to a series of shift register outputs and to a counter connected to the pulse generator determines the presence of objects over a base size. A comparator connected to the counter provides a signal to a microprocessor, connected to the shift register resets, to erase information relating to an oversize object. Another section connected to the intermediate output of the shift register detects the location and length of gaps between adjacent objects. This section provides information to the microprocessor which through its connections to the shift register erases information relating to the leading object if the gap is too small.

Abstract: A conveyor moves a series of cartridges containing undeveloped film and sender-identified mailers in correlated side-by-side relation from a loading station past a cartridge sensing station, a dual labeling station, and a plurality of discharge stations. Information sensed from each cartridge is stored in a memory and later controls the off-loading of the correlated cartridges and mailers at an appropriate one of the discharge stations from which the cartridges go their separate ways for film processing. Prior to off-loading, the side-by-side cartridge and mailer receive separate labels preprinted with correlating indicia enabling the developed film and the mailer to be correctly reunited for return to the sender.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus and method comprise a viewing area, a removal area, and a conveyor for passing a thin bed of indiscriminately mixed items first through the viewing area and then through the removal area. Radiant energy, which includes bands of two mutually different wavelengths that are reflected in a predetermined relationship by some of the items and in other than that relationship by the other items in the mixture, is flooded into the viewing area as an integrated spread throughout the area from preferably special light fixtures producing both visible light and infrared radiation.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting excessive particulate matter in serially presented liquid filled vials. Vials are advanced by an in-feed star wheel, a rotating vial deck and an out-feed star wheel having the same number of vial locations and vial orbit speed. Along the vial deck orbit, each vial is successively clamped to a rotatable puck, spun momentarily to swirl the liquid therein, inspected for particulate content, and unclamped. Further rotating decks carry circumferentially arranged television cameras and light sources, respectively. Each camera looks radially inward, axially through an orbiting periscope and then radially outward to inspect a vial. Light from each light source passes radially inward and then axially to bottom light its vial. A separation unit enhances the camera video portion corresponding to swirling particles in the vial.

Abstract: A control apparatus for processing the electrical signals generated by an optical ratiometric color sorting scanner, said apparatus generating signals to cause the rejection of articles which differ in color and/or size from predetermined limits. In the scanner, two electrical signals are generated which are responsive to two different spectral regions or pass bands of the radiant energy reflected by the product being sorted. These signals are superimposed on a slowly varying signal responsive to the standing background light. The control circuitry processes the signals to delete the standing light signal and spurious noise signals and determines if the ratio between the signals is greater than or less than a predetermined value, or alternatively, determines when the ratio between the signals is not within a predetermined acceptable range and generates a delayed reject signal thereafter. Other circuits provide signals to a meter for displaying the present reject rate and particle feed rate.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus comprises a locating device for defining an array of selectable sites and for generating for each site (when selected) a signal or signals identifying that site, a conveyer for conveying objects to be sorted past the array of sites and, a separator for separating selected and unselected objects. The locating device includes a movable selector member for use by an operator to select objects as they pass the array of sites. Preferably the array of sites is defined by a matrix of sets of orthogonal coils for receiving electrical signals transmitted by the selector member, and preferably the conveying device conveys the objects to be sorted over the matrix of orthogonal coils. The separator is connected to an output of the locating device for actuating the separator in dependence upon site-identifying signals generated by the locating device.

Abstract: The invention relates to bottle feeding apparatus in which bottles in an upright position are moved continuously in a stream along a path, means being provided for deflecting the mouth of a bottle transversely of the direction of its forward movement to tilt the axis of the bottle, the neck of a deflected bottle being engaged by a plough positioned adjacent to and downstream of the deflecting means and shaped progressively to displace the body of the bottle sideways out of the stream of moving bottles. As a deflected bottle is moved sideways out of the stream it is guided by the plough into a deflection channel and its axis is restored to an upright position by its neck engaging with a rail at the opposite side of the deflection channel and by the squeezing action of adjacent bottles.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting items, such as peeled whole potatoes, which, in the absence of abnormalities, exhibit a substantially uniform light reflectivity, includes an illumination chamber through which the items to be sorted are passed successively as a stream. Light sensors are focused on a cross-sectional slice of the illumination chamber through which the items pass, each of these light sensors being focused on only a small portion of the slice. Electronic circuitry in conjunction with the light sensors counts the number of such sensors sensing abnormalities. If the number of sensors sensing abnormalities is greater than a predetermined minimum, a reject signal is produced. If desired, the circuitry may be arranged to also determine whether the number of sensors sensing abnormalities is greater than a predetermined percentage, for example, 50%, of the total number of sensors sensing the item, and thus produce a second reject signal if the abnromalities make up more than the predetermined percentage.

Abstract: An on-line detector for peach pits and peach pit fragments and the like remaining in peach halves following a pitting operation includes a sealed housing bordered on one side by an inclined view plate disposed between a feeding belt and a take-away belt. A peach half, pit cavity down, is passed by a viewing line above the view plate. Two different wavelengths of light are directed toward the viewing line and are reflected by a passing fruit section toward an array of light sensors. One of the wavelengths of light is controlled in on-off condition by a clock, being turned on during only a portion of each clock cycle. Output from each one in the array of light sensors is sampled during the portion of each clock cycle that the one wavelength is on, and differenced with the light sensor output from that sensor when the other wavelength only is on. Differencing occurs during each clock cycle and a difference output appears only in the presence of a pit or a pit fragment.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in sorting a succession of articles which are moving along a path, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of receiving devices arrangeable to move adjacent to the succession of articles travelling along the path, so that over at least a part of the path each article moves in unison with one of the receiving devices; means for transferring each article to a receiving device as it moves in unison with the article, and a plurality of delivery stations past which the receiving devices travel, each receiving device being operable to feed an article which it has received to any one of the delivery stations as the receiving device passes the delivery station.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for sorting objects, e.g. tomatoes, according to both size and color. A preferred embodiment can sort the objects into fourteen size/color categories and yet requires only two photodetectors. The objects travel on a conveyor belt past a sensing station having a light source to illuminate an object and a pair of phototransistors for receiving light reflected from the object in two different color bands, e.g. red and green. The phototransistors produce a pair of output electrical signals. An analog divider forms a ratio of the electrical signals and the peak value is stored and compared with preset limits to produce a color category signal. A size category signal is derived on the basis of the time duration of the signal produced by the summation of the phototransistors' signals.