Abstract: A wafer basket station includes a semiconductor wafer basket containing therein a number of semiconductor wafers and an elevating device which raises and lowers the wafer basket to bring a desired wafer in its taken out height. A wafer detecting device is formed with a transmission type optical sensor disposed inclined so that the optical axis thereof passes a center of a semiconductor wafer at the desired height, but not to pass adjacent wafers of the semiconductor wafer.The elevating device of the wafer basket has an elevator which supports wafers to be worked and treated and is guided and driven vertically with respect to a base frame of the device. The elevator is provided with an opaque body. A photocoupler support plate is guided to move vertically and supported with respect to the base frame of the device. A spring means is energized in the departing direction away from the photocoupler support plate against the base frame.

Abstract: A document imprinting device for imprinting on documents such as checks comprises a frame, a document feeding mechanism mounted on the frame for sequentially feeding documents, a conveying mechanism for conveying a document from the document feeding mechanism along a document conveyance path, an imprinting mechanism for imprinting the documents conveyed along the document conveyance path, and a sensing mechanism positioned along the document conveyance path for sensing the position of the documents and for triggering the imprinting mechanism such that the document is imprinted at a desired location on the document.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the positioning of thick slabs (2) to be introduced into a furnace, particularly into a walking-beam furnace, the positioning being effected with the aid of optical devices (5, 9, 10) and electronic devices (11, 12). By this method, at each lateral region opposite the furnace mouth (3), onto the upper surface of a slab (2) and at the region of its end faces (102, 102'), there are projected at least two blades of light (6, 7, 8) of a given length, which are normal to the direction of entrance and advance into the furnace and parallel to each other, the ends of which are perfectly aligned on a straight line which is parallel to the direction of entrance and advance into the furnace, the blades (6, 7, 8) producing parallel lines of light (106, 107, 108) on the surface of the slab (2), the lines being interrupted at the end edges (102, 102') of the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus, which detects a position of a transported sheet for controlling the printing position on the sheet, cyclically detecting whether the sheet arrives at a prescribed point or not, and generating a detecting signal when the arrival of the sheet is consecutively detected.

Abstract: Particles are conveyed in a stream in a direction transverse to the width of the stream. Windows view individual width zones of the stream and optical fibres are associated with the windows to convey light passing through a window to a light detector. The windows are rapidly opened and closed and a processor is provided to determine which window passed light detected by the detector and accordingly which width zone of the stream the light emanated from. The windows preferably incorporate liquid crystal shutters which can be switched rapidly between light-transmitting and opaque states corresponding to open and closed states of the windows.

Abstract: A trigger switch for use in coin operated devices and particularly in telephone paystations consisting of a plurality of parallel channels each including one or more openings through which a light beam passes. Deposit of coins in the appropriate channels blocks one or more light beams passing through the openings causing detection of the light blockage by associated light detectors to operate to give an indication of the quantity and value of coins deposited through the coin channels. A common trigger mechanism is also included and operates in response to deposit of any coins through the trigger switch, to provide operation of an associated coin relay.

Abstract: A sheet detection apparatus is provided which determines the presence or absence of a sheet on a sheet feed path as well as the type of sheet. The apparatus utilizes a light source to direct a predetermined amount of light to a sensor by reflecting off a sheet on the feed path or a reflector in the absence of any such sheet on the path. The presence or absence of the sheet is determined by comparing the output value of the sensor with predetermined reference values.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for use in an inspection system is comprised of an array of light emitting diodes. A specimen is brought into the viewing area, and a current pulse is provided to the diodes of the array to selectively flash all or a portion of the diodes of the array. Reflected light from the specimen is sensed and a digitized image is generated therefrom. An illumination level of the digitized image is adjustable, in whole or in part, by varying the effective lighting intensity of one or more of the diodes of the array during a flash period. The digitized image of the specimen is compared to data indicative of acceptability of the specimen, and acceptance or rejection of the specimen is decided on a basis of a comparison therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for counting primarily printed copy being advanced along a path in an overlapping manner is arranged to direct two beams of infra-red radiation on to a predetermined region in the path of advancement of the copy. The two beams are distinguishable and are directed from positions respectively upstream and downstream of said region. Two detectors are disposed above said region, to receive radiation from two distincts areas respectively, both within said region, but spaced in the direction of the path of advancement of the copy. Suitable processing of the detector outputs, to determine the gradients of the said areas, allows the generation of a count signal as the leading edge of an object passes through said region.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium in a printer includes a photo-electric sensor, a reference determining device, a memory, and a judging device. The photo-electric sensor is disposed adjacent to a predetermined position in a feeding path of the printer. In a reference setting mode, the reference determining device determines a reference based on an output signal generated by the photo-electric sensor. The determined reference is stored in the memory. In a printing mode, the judging device compares the output signal of the photo-electric sensor with the reference, and judges whether or not the recording medium is present at the predetermined position.

Abstract: For the checking of cigarettes for their correct formation in terms of a sufficient tobacco content, electrooptical test processes have been employed for a relatively long time. The use of these processes has hitherto made it necessary to employ high-performance sensitive sensors in order to obtain definite test results. The new process and the corresponding apparatus are intended to make it possible to check cigarettes by the reflection process, especially in a cigarette conveyor (cigarette turret), in which accurate results can be obtained in short test times by means of a simple test device. By means of a special arrangement of the electrooptical sensors for the checking of the cigarettes in test units moved relative to the cigarettes to be checked, it is possible for the cigarettes to be checked for a correct tobacco content, by contactless sensing, either during stationary phases or during rotational movement of the cigarette conveyor (cigarette turret).

Abstract: A light irradiation control device for use in an image recording apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the image recording apparatus uses an intermediate sheet on which a mask image is formed at a laser printer. The mask image is introduced into the apparatus and is in surface contact with a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium. The light transmission factor of the intermediate sheet is detected by a detection means, and a signal indicative of the factor is sent to a control unit. The control unit control amount of light irradiation against the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium through the intermediate sheet. In another embodiment, a light transmitted through an original is directly applied onto the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium. The amount of light irradiated onto the original is controlled by detecting a thickness of the original and irradiating a controlled amount of light responsive to the detection.

Abstract: A cigarette ends tester includes a conveyor for conveying cigarettes sideways past a source of light arranged to direct light substantially axially into the ends of successive cigarettes in such a way that the paper wrapper around the end of each cigarette is illuminated if there is insufficient tobacco in the end, and a detecting device for monitoring the consequent external illumination of the end of the cigarette. The test signal for each cigarette is evaluated against a reference signal derived from satisfactory cigarettes tested previously during a predetermined time interval, thus compensating for variable factors affecting the test signal, such as ageing or dirt on the light emitting or detecting devices.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus which is particularly suited to the processing and extraction of contents from cumbersome envelopes and mail pouches incorporates a planar transport path which is sufficiently wide and appropriately oriented to receive relatively large or otherwise awkward envelopes, irrespective of their characteristics and the weight of their contents, for unimpeded transport through the apparatus without subjecting the envelopes to bending or other such distortions.

Abstract: Packaging machines for cigarettes are conventionally equipped with a (cigarette) magazine (11) which receives a stock of cigarettes (10). The lower region of the magazine (11) consists of a plurality of magazine shafts (12) which are divided off from one another by means of shaft walls (13). The cigarettes (10) are extracted at the lower ends of the magazine shafts (12) in groups each corresponding to the content of a cigarette pack, by being pushed out axially. In order to check the cigarettes for defective construction, especially for any gaps (16) in the tobacco in the region of the ends of the cigarettes (10), optoelectrical sensors, especially receivers (17, 18; 30, 31), are arranged in the shaft walls of appropriate thickness. These sensors are directed towards the side of the cigarettes (10) transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of these.

Abstract: An intelligent pallet is disclosed for use in assembly lines or conveyance lines of products. The pallet is essentially comprised of a memory unit including a cell and a photoelectric voltage converter, and a light emitter disposed remote from the memory unit. The converter allows a light energy charged from the emitter to change into an electric energy thereby effecting data processing. The cell is used solely for data storage, ensuring prolonged service life with least cell replacement.

Abstract: The height of an object is determined by projecting a beam of light there across to form a light stripe. A camera views the object obliquely, and forms an image of the light stripe. As a result of the oblique view, the light stripe is imaged as a series of bright vertical lines on a horizontally-scanned image. Each horizontal line scan crosses the light stripe at a particular horizontal position, representative of the height of the object at that point on the image. The projection and imaging optics cause the light stripe to be several pixels wide, so that the height is not exactly known. A logic circuit finds the pixel with the greatest intensity and stores its position and value, and the values of its neighboring pixels. At the end of each line scan, the sum of the stored intensities is formed, together with a weighted sum, so that a ratio may be formed which represents the center position.

Abstract: Documents such as checks, food stamps or the like are successively advanced along a path between a transversely spaced pair of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a correspondingly spaced pair of photodiodes to generate signals for counting and misfeed detection. Various error detectors detect sheet misfeed by integrating signals derived from one or more sheet sensors and comparing the integrated signal with reference signals that vary with the drive speed. A doubles detector generates a signal indicating a double feed if the integral of an analog optical density while below a predetermined threshold lies beyond a predetermined limit. A potentiometer permits adjustment of the threshold optical density at which the integrator becomes operative. An LED coupled to the output of a spare amplifier on the chain note board permits detection of the momentary presence of an output signal from a particular error detector.

Abstract: For testing cigarettes, a test head confronts end faces of the cigarettes. Light beams emitted by a light transmitter are transmitted through those cigarettes having a tobacco deficiency. The transmitted light exits from sides of the defective cigarettes and is received by a transversely arranged receiver responsive to light transmitted through the cigarette paper.

Abstract: A joint inspection apparatus comprises a light irradiating device for irradiating light to a tape joint at which two tape edge portions are joined together, and a light receiving device for receiving the light irradiated by the light irradiating device to the tape joint and passing through the tape joint or reflected by the tape joint. A judgment device is provided for judging the presence or absence of an overlap of the two tape edge portions one upon the other at the tape joint on the basis of information on the optical amount of the light received by the light receiving device in the vicinity of the tape joint.

Abstract: A machine for franking short labels or long labels cut from a continuous tape is characterized in that it includes a first pair of detector cells (20-21) for positioning the tape relative to a cutter (6) for obtaining a short length of label, and a second pair of detector cells (22-23) for positioning the tape relative to the cutter for obtaining a long length of label, and for presenting the label, be it short or long, beneath the print drum (3), said second pair of detector cells being mounted offset from the drum and from the tape path and being controlled by a shutter tab (42) which is fixed to a pivoting lever (25) having a tooth or feeler (39) which is retracted by the tape or a label arriving beneath the drum.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a tape splice for defects in which the splice region between two sheets is irradiated with a light beam, the tapes are longitudinally conveyed relative to the light beam, a one-dimensional light detector means receives the portion of the light beam transmitted or reflected by a linear region of the sheets inclined at a prescribed angle to the transverse direction of the sheets, and the presence/absence of a splice defect is discriminated from change or lack of change in the quantity of light received by the light detector means; and an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A label dispenser for automatically applying butt cut labels from a dispensing roll onto workpieces positioned on a conveyor system. A web with adhered edge to edge labels in coiled form is rotatably supported above the conveyor and caused to unwind by pinch rollers. Unwound portions of t he web are caused to wrap around a circumferential portion of a roller, thereby accentuating gaps created by the cut lines. A sensor detects the accentuated cut line between adjacent labels and generates an electrical signal responsive to times when a cut is detected. The signal controls the operation of the drive roller such that a single label is applied to an article on the conveyor system.

Abstract: Device and method for detecting the contour or shape of one or more articles by projecting multiple light beams on a different portions of an atricle, and measuring the level of light reflected from the article. The amount of light reflected indicates the distance of the light emitter/detector from the article. Readings from multiple light emitter/detector pairs provide an indication of the contour of the object. The readings may be processed to provide an indication of the number and size of articles passing by the sensors. The device may be placed over a conveyor carrying objects to be counted and/or sized.

Abstract: A joint inspection apparatus comprises a light irradiating device for irradiating light to a tape joint at which two tape edge portions are joined together, and a light receiving device for receiving the light irradiated by the light irradiating device to the tape joint and passing through the tape joint or reflected by the tape joint. A judgment device is provided for judging the size of a gap between the two tape edge portions at the tape joint on the basis of information on the optical amount of the light received by the light receiving device in the vicinity of the tape joint.

Abstract: A defect detection system is especially applicable to string type potatoes for removing the black spots and includes removing or sorting out potatoes with black spots. It includes a pair of line scanning cameras focused on opposite sides of a vertical on a common line, spaced above the conveyor belt to the height of the potato. Such opposite sight lines provide for effective sensing of leading or trailing edges of the potato. To provide for effective cutting, the cutting blade units have offset blades to allow overlap and a spacing so that areas of uncertainty created by the two cameras are eliminated. To minimize down-time of the system, the vision, light, power and punch modules are separately removable. Moreover, they are located on a cantilevered base above the moving belt. This cantilevering in conjunction with pivoted supports allows for a seamless belt and easy removal of that belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring letter closing devices in mail handling machines in mail handling lines includes transport rollers receiving envelopes. A holding-down device is downstream of the transport rollers in envelope transport direction. A plow plate is downstream of the holding-down device. A deflector is disposed between the holding-down defice and the plow plate. A closing device is downstream of the plow plate. A relection light gate is disposed underneath the plow plate. The plow plate has a reflecting surface forming part of the reflection light gate.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of products in related seats and any irregularities in the base section of the products. The device includes a row of radiation emitters and a row of receivers. A belt with transverse rows of seats each containing products is moved between the emitters and receivers. The receivers detect any radiation which passes through the seats unshadowed by the products. Since the base section of whole and unbroken products should completely shadow the receivers, any break or missing portion of the base section is detected when radiation reaches the receiver. Cone-shaped conveyors are provided to convey radiation to the receivers so as to reduce the required size of the receivers.

Abstract: A method for testing components of transparent material for surface irregularities and occlusions, comprising the steps of dot-scanning the component by moving a light ray completely therethrough; detecting the light which represents flaws in at least the front and back surfaces of the component by receivers located on one side of the component; generating fault signals based on the light detected in the detecting step; digitizing the fault signals which are generated in the generating step; feeding the digitized signal to a mapped memory; and analyzing the signal by: (a) feeding the digitized signal to a number of sector counters via a preselectable number of thresholds; (b) evaluating the sector counters on-line according to preselected criterion regarding the number, location and gray tone distribution of the digitized fault signals; and (c) evaluating the signals in the mapped memory in a computer if the fulfillment of the criterion for evaluation of the sector counters cannot be sufficiently assured.

Abstract: A document sensor comprises a source of infrared light directed toward a document and a photocell for reacting to the light as it is reflected from the document. A clock drives the light source to send cyclically recurring light pulses toward the document. The clock source also enables a detector each time that the document light source is switched on. After a predetermined number of successive reflected light pulses have been picked up, a document present signal is given.

Abstract: An optical device for discriminating threaded workpiece by the handedness by their screw thread profiles. The device presents a pair of light beams which pass generally tangent to the workpiece at angularly displaced positions. The light beams are inclined to follow the helix direction of a given handedness of a workpiece. Upon axial advancement of a workpiece through the device, a chopped output from the photodetectors indicates that the handedness of the threads matches the inclination of the light beams. The oppositely threaded workpiece, however, provides a generally constant DC output. With appropriate signal processing electronics, an automatic system for discriminating workpieces by thread handedness is provided.

Abstract: A mailing machine system, including a mailing machine base and a feeder module secured to the base for conveying envelopes toward a postage meter secured to the base. The feeder module includes a horizontal feed deck and a vertical registration wall adjacent the feed deck and forming a right angle therewith. The system also includes an automatic override circuit for turning the mailing machine system on and off at particular times depending upon the presence or absence of an envelope on the feed deck, and a sensing device having an emitting element and a receiving element. One of the elements is situated in the feed deck and the other of the elements is situated in the registration wall. The sensing device is operatively connected to the on-off circuit, wherein the detection by the sensing device of the presence of an envelope causes the mailing machine system to be turned on and the lack of detection by the sensing device for a predetermined period of times causes the mailing machine system to be turned off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting appearance of articles while they are transported on a conveyor by reflecting images of four different side surfaces of the article being by means of a plurality of reflecting means arranged above and at both sides of a conveying path on the conveyor to transmit the four images onto a sensor surface of a sensor camera, reflecting an image of a top surface of the article onto the sensor surface of the sensor camera in the array with the four images, and scanning and photographing the images of five different surfaces of the article formed on the sensor surface of the sensor camera by the sensor camera at every preset amount of movement of the article synchronized with the conveyor, and processing the photographed images so as to measure and inspect the form, size and surface conditions of the article by using only one sensor camera at the same time.

Abstract: The quality control device disclosed is designed to detect the correct shape of packets, especially crush type packs of cigarettes, and comprises transducers, excited by proximity of a sheet of tin foil, and photoelectric cells which check that the side folds of the wrapping are properly stuck down; both types of component are structured such as to transmit an error signal to circuits triggering operation of a knockout power source used to eject any defective packets.

Abstract: In a method and a device for assortment of objects a broadbanded light is emitted from a light source, which light is reflected via a rotary mirror against the objects falling freely immediately after they have left a conveyor belt. The reflected light is led via the other part of the same surface of the rotary mirror to an optical unit and is reflected against a double detector dividing the light flow into two wide ranges about 1 .mu.m. The detector signals are compared to one another and after processing the resulting signal is caused to actuate means separating the objects mechanically.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recognizing the positions, adjustable in a specific number of steps, of at least two code marks, relative to a fixed third code mark the code marks are moved relative to a read station including a specific number of code readers. The code readers are connected to a multiplexer system controlled by an address counter which interrogates the code readers sequentially and emits the results serially. The multiplexer system output is connected with a buffer memory unit to store and deliver the particular results. The output of the buffer memory unit is connected to the input of a priority encoder, the output of which is fed the binary code address of the sequentially highest input indicative of the presence of a code mark at the code readers. The priority encoder outputs are fed to two end buffer memories of which the inputs are in parallel.

Abstract: A conveyor arm apparatus unloads one by one a plurality of wafers which are stored in a holding chamber such that a surface of one wafer faces a back surface of another wafer at a predetermined distance. Two beams parallel to a semiconductor wafer mounting surface of a conveyor arm are projected into the holding chamber and the two beams passing through a gap between adjacent wafers are detected. Thus, the relative position of the conveyor arm and the wafers in the holding chamber can be confirmed.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprises conveyor belts for conveying a plurality of supplied sheets one by one and optical detecting units for optically detecting sheets conveyed in the convey belts, and performs predetermined processing while the sheets are being conveyed by the conveyor belts. The apparatus further comprises cleaning pads, provided in the apparatus, for cleaning the optical detecting units and cleaning actuating units, provided in the apparatus, for actuating the cleaning pads to clean the optical detecting units.

Abstract: The edges of address elements such as address labels and window apertures located on a mailpiece, are detected by utilizing illumination from first and second alternating "on" and "off" light sources which illuminate the address elements at an acute angle. In the case of label detection, the edge closest to the on illuminating source generates a high contrast image, while the edge furthest from the "on" illuminating source is shadowed. In the case of illumination of an aperture, the opposite is true. That is, the light reflected from the edge which is furthest from illuminating source is high contrast, while edge closest to the illuminating source has a lower contrast. When the images generated due to edge illumination by the left and right light sources are subtracted from each other, the edges are further enhanced due to the fact that the remaining portions of the images cancel each other out.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric control arrangement intended for use with object detecting systems, which include, inter alia, a light source (2) intended for transmitting light beams in a direction in which an object (3) to be detected can be expected to appear, at least one receiver unit (4, 5) for receiving light beams reflected by a detected object, and electrical and/or electronic devices for evaluating and detecting the presence of the object in response to variations that occur in the received reflected light beams as a result of relative movement between the object (3) to be detected and light beams (2a) transmitted by the light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical monitoring of the surface of rod-shaped smoking articles and/or filter rods for the tobacco industry comprises a conveying means transporting the rods perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction and a high-pressure lamp which serves as light source and which is connected via an optical fibre cable to a sensor block; the optical fibre cable is divided amongst at least two cross-section transformers with strip-shaped light exit regions whose light rays are directed via a further optical system from above and below respectively onto the line-shaped region of the surface of the rod. In addition the sensor block contains a row of photoelectric transducers which simultaneously the line-shaped surface region in the longitudinal direction of the rod and thereby pick up the light reflected at the surface of the rod.

Abstract: A photoelectric system for controlling storage units arranged in a row and movable along the row to form passageways between adjacent storage units. Each storage unit includes a motor for moving the storage unit in respnose to manual and automatic electric control signals. Light-operated transmitters and receivers are located on each side of each storage unit so that the transmitters and receivers of the storage units interact with each other to control movements of the storage units in a preselected manner. Mirrors are also located on each side of each storage unit so as to provide a reflective signal path between a transmitter and receiver located on an adjacent storage unit. The reflective path is completed when the storage units are spaced a preselected distance from one another. Logic circuitry for the control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two photoelectric switches on a path for coating stripping processing of a wire detect passages of an exposed core portion and a residual coating portion of a wire end respectively in a non-contact manner, to derive passage signals corresponding to the times of the passages. These passage signals are compared in length with each other, whereby a decision of effective stripping is made when the difference therebetween is larger than a prescribed value while a decision of defective stripping is made when the difference is smaller than the prescribed value.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus uses a card-like recording medium having an area for information recording and a blank area, the area for information recording having a reflectivity different from that of the blank area. The apparatus includes a head unit for performing at least one of recording and reproduction, an autotracking servo, a stepping motor and the like cooperating to cause the card to reciprocate relative to the head unit, and an abnormal state detect circuit for detecting whether the card is inserted in the apparatus in a normal state. The abnormal state detect circuit includes a photosensing unit consisting of a light-emitting element for emitting light rays onto the card and a light-receiving element for receiving the light rays from the card.

Abstract: A system for identifying articles in accordance with light transmission through the article includes a light sensor which provides a signal indicative of the light transmission. A circuit responds to the signal and provides an output in accordance with the transmission levels. The output is provided to a control to identify the article and to adjust the illumination level to the article.

Abstract: A method of detecting the feeding of doubles in a high speed document counter is disclosed. Also, a method of detecting the feeding of a chain of documents as a batch of documents are fed through a feed path is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the alignment of leads along the perimeter of an integrated circuit surface mount device (SMD). The device is placed so that a first lead is within the path of a beam of light emitted from a light source. The light source is moved around the perimeter of the device so that the beam of light contacts all of the leads of the device. The angle of reflection of the beam of light off of each of the leads is detected. From this angle, the alignment of the leads is determined by first calculating a seating plane and then calculating the variation of each lead from the seating plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting substantially cylindrical articles comprises a rotatable elevator cylinder having a circumferential series of compartments for the articles on the inside surface of the cylindrical wall thereof. Means are provided for sensing the presence of an article in each compartment when passing a predetermined position in the rotational path of the compartments, and for sensing the arrival of each compartment to said position, as well as means for making one count in dependence on the sensing of an article in said position.

Abstract: The presence of protruding filaments in a woven endless belt for the transport of tobacco or filter material in a machine of the tobacco processing industry is detected by one or more optoelectronic detectors. Signals which are generated by such detectors are evaluated to transmit a defect signal only when the detectors generate signals which were in fact initiated by protruding filaments rather than by projecting particles of tobacco or filter material, and when the number of such signals per length of the belt reaches a preselected value which warrants the generation of a defect signal.

Abstract: An optical inspection system for articles moved by a conveyor, in which photo-electric transducers of one or more cameras are directed onto a transverse viewing area to detect light variations in individual articles. A threshold system permits correction for light signals in relation to the angular distance between the article being observed and the camera optical axis. A two-step inspection involves first detecting anomalous light levels, and subsequently detecting the size of each defect.