By Monitoring Of Webs Or Thread Patents (Class 356/429)
  • Patent number: 11882248
    Abstract: A reading device includes a carriage configured to move in a sub-scanning direction with reference to an object placed on a contact glass, an optical sensor attached to the carriage, the optical sensor being configured to scan the object placed on the contact glass to obtain an image of the object, and a reference scale used as a reference when a dimension of the object is computed based on the image obtained by the optical sensor. In the reading device, the reference scale extends in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction with reference to the object, and is disposed outside a range of image acquisition in which the optical sensor scans the object to obtain the image of the object as the carriage moves and inside a maximum movement range in which the carriage is movable and the optical sensor obtains the image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ishida, Shogo Nakamoto, Takuya Okamoto, Hiroki Hamashoji
  • Patent number: 11833560
    Abstract: A meandering control method for steel strip includes: an imaging step of imaging the surface of a traveling steel strip using a line sensor camera installed between adjacent rolling mills; a meandering amount calculation step of calculating the meandering amount of the steel strip by detecting the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the steel strip from a one-dimensional brightness distribution based on the captured image; and a leveling control arithmetic operation step of arithmetically operating a roll opening difference between the operation and drive sides of the rolling mill located on the immediately downstream side of the line sensor camera based on the calculated meandering amount. The imaging is performed in a period of 5 msec or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroto Goto, Tatsuhiro Sue, Hideto Yamaguchi, Yukio Takashima
  • Patent number: 11788970
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for detecting a target gas, which involve a configuration of a light source (120) and paper tape (110) such that light (112) emitted from the light source (120) can transmit through the paper tape (110). At least some of the portion of light (112) which transmits through a paper tape (110) can be detected with a detector (130). Detection of the light (112) can be used to determine presence or absence of low concentrations of the target gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Peter Tobias
  • Patent number: 11693328
    Abstract: The present invention provides a measurement apparatus for measuring a position of a first pattern and a position of a second pattern provided in a target object, the apparatus including an image capturing unit including a plurality of pixels which detect light from the first pattern and light from the second pattern, and configured to form an image capturing region used to capture the first pattern and the second pattern by the plurality of pixels, and a control unit configured to adjust the image capturing unit such that a relative ratio of an intensity of a detection signal of the first pattern generated based on an output from a first image capturing region and an intensity of a detection signal of the second pattern generated based on an output from a second image capturing region falls within an allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Wataru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11634292
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a guide member disposed to define a conveyance path, a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element configured to output a detection signal that changes in accordance with an amount of received light, a first light-passing portion disposed to define an optical path from the light-emitting element to the conveyance path, and a second light-passing portion disposed to define an optical path from the conveyance path to the light-receiving element. The light-receiving element is configured such that the detection signal changes in accordance with whether or not a sheet is present in the conveyance path. Reflectance of each of the first light-passing portion and the second light-passing portion to the light emitted from the light-emitting element is higher than reflectance of the guide member to the light emitted from the light-emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Emi Machii, Takafumi Suzuki, Seiji Obata, Koichi Sekimizu
  • Patent number: 11530911
    Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: an emission device configured to emit a scanning light, of which an optical axis parallelly moves, to an object; a light receiving element configured to perform photoelectric conversion with respect to the scanning light after passing over the object; a calculation device configured to calculate, from a voltage wave obtained from time change of an electrical signal that is output by the light receiving element, a distance corresponding to a time range from a first edge with respect to a voltage value where the scanning light is not interrupted by the object and a second edge with respect to a voltage value where the scanning light is interrupted by the object, when a part of the scanning light is interrupted by the object for the time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Imaizumi, Ichiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11493329
    Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: an emission device configured to emit a scanning light, of which an optical axis parallelly moves, to an object; a light receiving element configured to perform photoelectric conversion with respect to the scanning light after passing over the object; a calculation device configured to calculate, from a voltage wave obtained from time change of an electrical signal that is output by the light receiving element, a distance corresponding to a time range from a first edge with respect to a voltage value where the scanning light is not interrupted by the object and a second edge with respect to a voltage value where the scanning light is interrupted by the object, when a part of the scanning light is interrupted by the object for the time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Imaizumi, Ichiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11243175
    Abstract: A system may include illumination optics to direct an illumination beam to a sample at an off-axis angle, collection optics to collect scattered light from the sample, and a phase mask located at a first pupil plane to provide different phase shifts for light in two or more pupil regions of a collection area to reshape a point spread function of light scattered from one or more particles on a surface of the sample. The system may further include a polarization rotator located at a second pupil plane, where the polarization rotator provides a spatially-varying polarization rotation angle selected to rotate light scattered from the surface of the sample to a selected polarization angle, a polarizer to reject light polarized along the selected polarization angle, and a detector to generate a dark-field image of the sample based on light passed by the polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Jenn-Kuen Leong, Daniel Kavaldjiev, John Fielden
  • Patent number: 11164901
    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor including: a light polarizing unit configured to transmit light in a specific light polarization direction out of incident light; a pixel configured to generate an image signal corresponding to the light transmitted through the light polarizing unit; and a signal transfer unit formed simultaneously with the light polarizing unit and configured to transfer either of the image signal and a control signal that controls generation of the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Yuta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11097916
    Abstract: A sensor (10) is used for detecting at least one edge of at least one product web (1) running in a run direction (2). The sensor (10) has active elements (11), which are arranged adjacent to one another and are formed by transmitters (12) and receivers (13). In this case, the transmitters (12) can emit waves (14) which are received by the receivers (13). The product web (1) is provided for influencing the waves (14) in the radiation path between the transmitters (12) and receivers (13). In this case, a first (21, 31) and second (22, 32) of the active elements (11) are adjacent and have a mutual first spacing (41). The second (22, 32) and a third (23, 33) of the active elements (11) are also adjacent to one another and have a second spacing (42), which corresponds to at least 1.2 times the first spacing (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Texmag GmbH Vertriebsgesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11002676
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to color and appearance metric measurements and, in particular, developing instrumentation to enable self-consistent image appearance measurements within instruments of unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER ASSOCIATES LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Scardina, Tod L. Kerr, Matthew T. Falanga, Miguel A. Marcos
  • Patent number: 10996566
    Abstract: An appliance for moiré measurement of an object (12) includes a grating arrangement having a first grating (11) positioned upstream of the object and including test structures to be imaged, a second grating (14) positioned downstream of the object, and an evaluation unit having at least one detector evaluating moiré structures produced by superposing the two gratings in a detection plane situated downstream of the second grating. The object is an anamorphic imaging system, and the respective grating periods of the first grating and of the second grating are selected so that the grating period of the second grating corresponds to a common multiple or a common divisor of the respective periods of two test structure images of the test structures of the first grating produced by the imaging system in two different measurement positions. The two measurement positions differ in relative grating arrangement position and test object position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Samaniego
  • Patent number: 10690482
    Abstract: Device (100) for continually and automatically measuring geometrical and shaping parameters of a rope (8) comprising a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) parallel to each other and constrained in a removable way by means of spacer means (3) and anchoring means (4), at least two micrometers (5, 6) angularly unaligned one to the other and positioned between said first plate (1) and second plate (2), an encoder (7) anchored to the second plate (2), in contact with the rope (8) being the device (100) wherein said first plate (1) and second plate (2) comprise a shaped opening (9) for the passage of the rope (8) inside said shaped opening, so that the rope (8) centrally flows through the device (100) and the two micrometers (5, 6) carry out the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Redaelli Tecna S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Rossini, Giuliano Ambroset
  • Patent number: 10610419
    Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles which includes an absorbent pad in turn including one or more absorbent materials; the machine includes a line for feeding at least one continuous web of impermeable material and at least one unit for forming and applying a succession of absorbent pads along the continuous web of impermeable material and a device for detecting at least one between the weight, density profile (or weight profile) parameters of at least one of the absorbent materials defining the absorbent pad; the detecting device including at least one microwave resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10486199
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting is described, and which includes an arrangement for controllably and operably coupling to a controller, and then selectively energizing each of a background element; laser scanner; first and second electromagnetic radiation detectors; line scan imaging assembly; and selectively energizable radiators, so as to improve the detection of individual products and/or other objects of interest forming a product stream by increasing the contrast of the respective products or specific characteristics thereof, and/or objects of interest in a multiplicity of electrical signals which are received, and then processed by the controller, as the product stream passes through an inspection station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Justice, Johan Calcoen, Gerald R. Richert, Bert Dirix
  • Patent number: 10470674
    Abstract: Technologies for a fabric acoustic sensor are disclosed. The fabric acoustic sensor includes a conductive thread and a non-conductive thread, which form a diaphragm that vibrates in response to a sound wave. As a result of the vibration, the conductive thread stretches, and a resistance of the conductive thread varies. The change in resistance is measured by a compute device, and the compute device may determine the sound wave based on the change in resistance. In some embodiments, the fabric acoustic sensor may be used to monitor a heart rate, locate an object, and/or provide an input for noise cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cagri Tanriover, Cliodhna Ni Scanaill
  • Patent number: 10379547
    Abstract: A method for controlling a material flow rate from a metering system, includes determining, via a controller, a change in weight of material in a storage tank. The method further includes determining, via the controller, a swept area of an agricultural implement associated with the change in weight based at least in part on a width of the agricultural implement and a change in position of the agricultural implement. Further, the agricultural implement is configured to receive the material from the storage tank. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a calibration of the metering system based at least in part on the change in weight and the swept area. In addition, the method includes controlling, via the controller, a rotation rate of a meter roller of the metering system based at least in part on the calibration to control the material flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis George Thompson, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder
  • Patent number: 10375285
    Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate iteratively inspecting a high resolution image of a camera subassembly glass element, to determine whether dust is present, and cleaning of same. By examining the size, number, and location of the dust particles it can be determined whether the dust is likely to cause issues when the camera subassembly is integrated into a fully assembled document scanner. Other anomalies, contaminants, and defects which could affect camera image quality, such as scratches on the glass covering, can also be detected. Software may control the capturing of the high resolution images of the camera subassembly glass and can determine a fail state if the anomaly is above a predetermined threshold. The systems and method can be used as acceptance criteria of individual camera subassemblies from a manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Johnson, John Jamieson
  • Patent number: 10076919
    Abstract: A printer that incorporates a spectrometry device includes a spectroscope, a distance measurer, and a spectrometry unit. The spectroscope includes a wavelength-selective interference filter on which light from a position of measurement in a medium is incident. The distance measurer measures the distance between the position of measurement and the spectroscope, and the spectrometry unit performs spectrometry at the position of measurement by using the spectroscope and correct a measured value obtained by the spectrometry based on the measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsugio Gomi
  • Patent number: 10031068
    Abstract: A steel sheet inspection device includes: a magnetooptic element that is able to detect, as an optical property, a magnetic domain structure of a steel sheet to be inspected; a light source that irradiates the magnetooptic element with linearly polarized light; a detector that detects the linearly polarized light with a polarization plane rotated according to the magnetic domain structure of the steel sheet transferred to the magnetooptic element; and a drive mechanism that drives at least the magnetooptic element so as to contact and separate the steel sheet and the magnetooptic element with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Ito, Junichi Yotsuji, Shigehiro Takajo, Hiroi Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Hanazawa, Yasunari Koga
  • Patent number: 9965672
    Abstract: A method of providing active illumination during biometry that utilizes pulsed lighting synchronized to frame acquisition. Two distinct illumination modalities are provided: the first maximizes the quality of images captured by the imaging system, and the second minimizes the overall illumination perceived by the user in combination with the first. The two modalities are provided substantially simultaneously. The first modality always includes a set of pulses synchronized with frame acquisition. The second modality may be either a second set of pulses not synchronized with frame acquisition or constant background illumination. The two modalities may be generated by two separate sources of illumination or by the same single illumination source. Adding the second modality to the first reduces user discomfort and the chances of an epileptic response as compared to using the first modality alone. The two modalities may have different wavelengths, pulse durations, or intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Eyelock LLC
    Inventor: Keith J. Hanna
  • Patent number: 9884134
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to machines for manufacturing a flexible pouch that sterilizes the flexible pouch material, seals the fitment within the pouch, and inspects the fitment installation. A sterilization chamber in the machine a box having an oxygen supplied entry compartment, a hydrogen peroxide supplied center compartment, and an oxygen supplied exit compartment. To a secure the fitment within the flexible pouch, a seal bar including a center cavity disposed between a pair of sideways L-shaped portions is used. After the fitment is installed into the flexible pouch, it is inspected with a digital photograph analysis apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 9855004
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for measuring hair condition using a hair condition measuring device. Example devices and systems described herein may include a first clamp, a second clamp, a vibrator, a laser beam source, a photodetector and/or a processor. The first claim may be configured to clamp a first end of hair, and the second clamp may be configured to clamp a second end of the hair, so that the hair is stretched between the first clamp and the second clamp. The laser beam source may be configured to generate a laser beam toward the hair. The photodetector may be configured to detect at least part of the laser beam reflected by the hair and convert an intensity of the detected part of the laser beam to an electrical signal. The processor may be configured to measure condition of the hair based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Masaaki Mihara
  • Patent number: 9739662
    Abstract: A printer includes a spectroscope including a light source, an integrator optical system that irradiates a predetermined area of irradiation of a medium with illumination light from the light source, a spectroscopy device on which light from a measurement target is incident and in which a wavelength-selective interference filter is disposed, and a light receiver that receives light emitted from the spectroscopy device. The integrator optical system irradiates with the illumination light the area of irradiation that includes a reference area of measurement and is larger than the reference area of measurement by at least an allowable amount of change in the distance between the medium and the spectroscope or more, the reference area of measurement in which the distance between the medium and the spectroscope is equal to a reference distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 9719922
    Abstract: An optical system comprising: a light source; a photodetector; a first light-receiving system for causing the photodetector to receive first reflected light with a first angle of reflection from a surface; and a second light-receiving system for causing the photodetector to receive second reflected light with a second angle of reflection, different from the first angle of reflection, from the surface is provided. Here, a first light-receiving area of the photodetector with respect to light, of reflected light from the surface, via the first light-receiving system is spaced apart from a second light-receiving area of the photodetector with respect to light, of the reflected light from the surface, via the second light-receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Seki, Hiroyuki Yuki
  • Patent number: 9710203
    Abstract: An apparatus for defect detection in a printing system, comprising a sensor device for sensing a surface of a sheet and for generating data representing a height map of the sheet, and a processor device for processing the data from the sensor device, wherein the processor device is configured to analyze the height map to detect a presence of a deformation in the sheet. The processor device is further configured to, when a deformation is detected, to determine at least one property of the deformation, to classify the deformation with respect to a plurality of deformation classes by means of the at least one property of the deformation, and to determine a suitability of the sheet for printing based on the deformation class wherein the deformation has been classified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventor: Catharinus Van Acquoij
  • Patent number: 9519447
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optimizing the operating conditions for printing sheets, comprising the following steps: introducing a sheet into the printing system; treating the sheet by exposing the sheet to a physical operating condition of the printing system at a predetermined level; sensing a surface geometry of the exposed sheet to generate data representing a height map of the surface of the at least one exposed sheet for that predetermined level of that operating condition; and comparing the data to one another and/or a reference value to determine the suitable level of the least one physical operating condition. The invention further provides an apparatus optimizing the operating conditions for printing sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen P. J. Huijbers, Johannes P. J. C. Rooijakkers, Daisuke Kawaguchi, Hendricus F. M. Jeurissen, Catharinus Van Acquoij
  • Patent number: 9459206
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a solution that enables technicians or other technical professionals to obtain accurate gloss, haze and DOI values for a reflecting sample due to the surface conditions of the sample. The apparatus and method allow for the generation of a data model of the surface of a sample using a sensor array designed to detect the divergence of a collimated beam of light reflected off the surface of the sample. The same principle enables technical professionals to obtain accurate haze and clarity values for a transparent or translucent sample that is trans-illuminated by light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DATACOLOR HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Zhiling Xu
  • Patent number: 9347889
    Abstract: A CMOS optical detector includes a plurality of optical elements for a device for detecting parameters of moving yarn or another linear textile formation on textile machines by means of a perpendicular projection of yarn onto individual optical elements of a sensor with the aid of one source of radiation. The optical elements are arranged in two parallel rows perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn. Each optical element produces an output analog signal corresponding to the intensity of its irradiation. The individual optical elements of the first row are oriented to have their longer sides in the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn, whereas the optical elements of the second row are oriented to have their longer sides perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Rieter CZ s.r.o.
    Inventors: Pavel Kousalik, Miroslav Stusak, Ladislav Hajek
  • Patent number: 9333530
    Abstract: An arrangement for processing a paper web having a low surface area density not exceeding 70 g/m2, in particular a cigarette paper web, that may include in a conveyance direction: an input side, over which the paper web is fed into the arrangement; an output side, over which the paper web leaves the arrangement; a device downstream of the input side, in particular a printing unit, preferably a gravure printing unit, for applying a liquid printing medium to the paper web; a first drying station following the applying station in direction of conveyance, in particular hot-air drying, for drying the printing medium applied to the paper web; a device following the first drying in direction of conveyance for moistening the paper web and a second drying station following the moistening device in direction of conveyance, by which the moistened paper web is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: delfortgroup AG
    Inventor: Franz Burger
  • Patent number: 9212998
    Abstract: In a method for the spectral analysis of a metal coating layer deposited on the surface of a steel strip, the strip is moved along an arc of the outer surface of a rotating roller with a cylindrical wall guiding the strip by contact. An ablation laser beam is guided into an internal cavity of the cylindrical wall to be placed in optical incidence under a normal axis on the outer surface of the roller on a targeted contact point of the strip and the roller. The beam passes through the wall via a wall opening, which is transparent to the beam. A plasma spectral emission distribution from the laser ablation to the contact point is collected by optical feedback in the direction of the normal axis on the outer surface of the roller and through the opening in order to be guided towards a spectral measurement unit. The normal axis on the outer surface for the optical incidence and feedback is placed in synchronous rotation with the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Primetals Technologies SAS France
    Inventors: Jean Perret, Marc Michaut, Laurent Cloutot
  • Patent number: 9176072
    Abstract: A dark field inspection system that minimizes the speckle noise due to sample surface roughness can include a plurality of beam shaping paths for generating a composite, focused illumination line on a wafer. Each beam shaping path can illuminate the wafer at an oblique angle. The plurality of beam shaping paths can form a ring illumination. This ring illumination can reduce the speckle effect, thereby improving SNR. An objective lens can capture scattered light from the wafer and an imaging sensor can receive an output of the objective lens. Because the wafer illumination occurs at oblique angles, the objective lens can have a high NA, thereby improving optical resolution of the imaging sensor, and the resulting signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani, Scott Young, Kris Bhaskar
  • Patent number: 9036161
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an optical method of detecting the presence of pressure-sensitive labels, using the reflective properties of their edges. Labels that are removably attached to a liner are moved through a light beam that is directed across their direction of motion so the light impinges on the labels at a predetermined angle of incidence. The light remains in its plane of incidence when it reflects off all parts of the liner and labels except the labels' edges. Due to the angularity of the labels' edges, the light beam is deflected out of the plane of incidence upon reflection off the edges, thus enabling detection of the label edges by light reflected out of the plane of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory Jon Lyons
  • Publication number: 20150116715
    Abstract: A method and sensor are provided for monitoring the quality of yarn by an electronic cleaner of yarn by means of an optical detector having a sensor with one or two rows of individual optical elements that are rectangular-shaped and have analog outputs. Each of the optical elements has a photodiode and an amplifier of its output signal. The amplifier has a variable amplification, whose size is modified according to the required sensitivity of a respective optical element to light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Pavel Kousalik, Jiri Sloupensky
  • Patent number: 9019500
    Abstract: A system for differentiating between oil spots and non-oil spots in a wrapped article comprising a web and a wrapped material. The system includes a heat source that applies heat to a wrapped article for a predetermined amount of time when the wrapped article is placed in a sample area on a surface that is arranged at a predetermined distance away from a heating element of the heat source; and a light source that provides backlighting to the web of the wrapped article when the web has been separated from the wrapped material and placed on a viewing surface of the light source. A method for differentiating between oil spots and non-oil spots in wrapped articles and a field test kit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Narendra K. Meruva, Christopher B. McFarlane, Jennifer H. Smith
  • Patent number: 9007589
    Abstract: Dual mounting head scanners measure the thickness of flexible moving porous webs and employ an air clamp on the operative surface of the lower head to maintain the web in physical contact with a measurement surface. As the web is held firmly by the clamp, the vacuum level that is established is indicative of the porosity of the membrane. As compressed air is supplied to a vacuum generator at a given operational pressure, the rate of airflow through the web can be inferred from the vacuum pressure measurements. The rate of airflow through the membrane and therefore the porosity of the membrane are related to the vacuum level. It is not necessary to measure the airflow through the membrane. From the vacuum pressure measurements, the membrane's permeability can also be determined by correlation to empirical data. Thickness measurements are effected by optical triangulation and inductive proximity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kon Yew Hughes, Sebastien Tixier, Stuart James Heath
  • Publication number: 20150022813
    Abstract: A CMOS optical detector includes a plurality of optical elements for a device for detecting parameters of moving yarn or another linear textile formation on textile machines by means of a perpendicular projection of yarn onto individual optical elements of a sensor with the aid of one source of radiation. The optical elements are arranged in two parallel rows perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn. Each optical element produces an output analog signal corresponding to the intensity of its irradiation. The individual optical elements of the first row are oriented to have their longer sides in the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn, whereas the optical elements of the second row are oriented to have their longer sides perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Pavel Kousalik, Miroslav Stusak, Hajek Ladislav
  • Patent number: 8847185
    Abstract: Approaches for enhancing web position determination involve phase locking a web movement encoder signal to a sensed web fiducial signal. Fiducials disposed along a longitudinal axis of a substrate are sensed and corresponding sensor signals are generated. An estimated web position is provided by one or more encoder signals. The phase difference between the sensor signals and the encoder signals is calculated and the web position error is determined based on the phase difference. The web position error signal can be fed back to adjust the encoder signals which improves the accuracy of the web position determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Theis, Daniel H. Carlson, Brian K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8761656
    Abstract: An edge detecting device for detecting an edge of a moving recording medium includes a reflecting unit that includes a reflecting surface having reflectance higher than that of the recording medium, light sources that irradiate the recording medium and the reflecting surface of the reflecting unit with light, a light receiving unit that includes pixels of a photoelectric conversion element provided in a width direction of the recording medium and receives reflected light that has been emitted from the light sources and has been reflected by the recording medium and the reflecting surface of the reflecting unit on the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element, and a control unit that determines a region of the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element that make output higher than a previously set determination threshold value to be the edge of the recording medium on the light receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Saka
  • Patent number: 8718371
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for image-based measurement and inspection of pre-engineered structural components, such as building trusses and wall panels. A system can include: a light source; a camera; a first memory storage; a second memory storage; and a processing unit configured to (i) detect a characteristic of the structural component, (ii) compare the characteristic to a corresponding characteristic of at least one reference data, and (iii) indicate a result of the comparison. A method can include: causing a light source to illuminate a portion of the structural component, receiving a reflection of the light source from the illuminated portion of the structural component, and storing data corresponding to the intensity of the reflection; comparing the stored data to at least one reference data; and indicating a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Building Component Verification Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril Robert Thompson, Steven Corley
  • Patent number: 8712574
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8712570
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Kent, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8712573
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8619268
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an increase in thickness of a strip of material from a desired thickness. The apparatus may comprise a light source, a light detector, an indicator, a first fiber optic cable coupled with the light source, a second fiber optic cable coupled with the light detector, and a housing. The housing may comprise a material slot for passing the strip of material therethrough and fixing optical fibers of the first fiber optic cables to reflect light off of a first and second face of the strip of material into optical fibers of the second fiber optic cable. The amount of light detected by the light detector depends on the proximity of each of the faces of the strip of material to ends of the optical fibers. The thicker the strip of material, the less light received by the light detector, which may actuate the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Faber Sjogren
  • Patent number: 8610904
    Abstract: An inspecting apparatus inspects a tampon that includes a tampon main body that has a cord and an applicator that is cylindrical and that accommodates the tampon main body in such a manner that the cord is exposed from a rear end of the applicator. The inspecting apparatus includes a suction mechanism that extends the cord along a longitudinal direction of the tampon by sucking air, and a cord-length inspecting mechanism that inspects a length of the cord while the suction mechanism is sucking the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shinobu Seki, Hideki Onishi, Masashi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8593635
    Abstract: Web supports (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340) form a first web path (46, 48, 346, 348) in which a web is presented opposite to a camera (26, 326) and an alternative second web path (46, 48, 346, 348) in which the web (230) is overturned prior to being presented opposite to the camera (26, 326).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul C. Ray, Madhu Babu, Nadeem E. Khan, Raul A. Sumera, Robert W. Braun
  • Patent number: 8586956
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. One method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The data representative of the imprinted substrate is output by the contact image sensor as analog voltage signals. The method further comprises receiving the analog voltage signals from the contact image sensor at a sensor interface circuit and converting the analog voltage signals to digital signals using an analog-to-digital converter of the sensor interface circuit. The method further comprises processing the digital signals using the sensor interface circuit to produce corrected digital signals and storing data based on the corrected digital signals in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Pearson, Mark R. Hansen, Bradly S. Moersfelder, Patrick James Noffke, John C. Seymour
  • Patent number: 8553228
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a web inspection system using data from a calibrated point sensor, using a frequency spectra-based analysis. A sensor measures a web property of interest, which is then converted into the frequency domain, as is information from a web inspection system. A correlation model is then created to allow calibration of the web inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Justin W. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20130255096
    Abstract: A gas blowing cellulose pulp dryer is operative for drying a web of cellulose pulp using gas supplied from gas outlets of blow boxes of a first drying section. The cellulose pulp dryer has an inspection device with at least a first radiation sensor arranged to detect reflected radiation at the first drying section to detect at least one of a position of the web during operation of the dryer, and the occurrence of any residue of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ANDRITZ TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Kampris, Christer Olsson, Frank Jonsson, Arne Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8527212
    Abstract: Radiation scattering is one of the main contributors to the uncertainty of near infrared (NIR) measurements. Enhanced absorption-measurement accuracy for NIR sensors is achieved by using a combination of NIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight techniques to select photons that are the result of a given mean free path within a moving sample target. By measuring absorption as a function of path length or by windowing signals that are attributable to excessive scattering of NIR radiation within the sample, this technique affords the calculation of more accurate and more universal calibrations. The NIR sensor employs short or ultra-short laser pulses to create NIR that is directed to the moving sample and emerging radiation is detected over time. Windowing effectively truncates non-contributing measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kon Yew Hughes, Sebastien Tixier