Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the testing of a workpiece which is moved past a stationary camera in order to record a sequence of images, the images being subsequently superposed so that the movement of the workpiece is compensated for Low-noise images of the workpiece are thus obtained.

Abstract: A high contrast ratio sensor is provided by introducing a pair of photodetectors into the sensor circuitry. One of the detectors is a diffuse detector and the other is either a reflective or transmittance detector. The two photodetectors are connected in a manner to cause the diffuse detector output to subtract from the reflective (or transmissive) detector output. This subtraction of signals provides a high contrast ratio. In a first embodiment, a diffuse detector and a reflectance detector are located on the same side of the paper as the emitter light and in a second embodiment a diffuse detector and a transmittance detector are located on opposite sides of the paper to be sensed.

Abstract: Described is a counting apparatus for counting paper sheets settable when effecting a batch counting to a clear mode in which the count data obtained in the counting operation of each preceding batch of paper sheets are cleared for counting a new batch or to an add mode in which the count data for the current batch is added to the count data for the preceding batch or batches and the resulting sum of the count obtained until the current time is displayed.

Abstract: This invention describes a code system using a plurality of liquid crystal and other optical codes particularly suited to sorting conveyors. The codes are preferably (but not necessarily) of the binary type and form a set of indicia to accompany each article to be sorted. The code can be set and reset remotely either by a beam of light or by other non-mechanical means. Recognition of a particular code is detected by an optical detector.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mailing machine is provided which includes a housing having a slot into which an envelope may be inserted, a platen movably connected to said housing, a print head overhanging said platen, and structure for moving the platen into engagement with an envelope inserted into the slot for urging the envelope into imprinting engagement with the print head. In addition there is provided a computer, for controlling the platen moving means, and switching apparatus including a member movably connected to the housing and extending into said slot for movement by an envelope inserted into the slot. The switching apparatus includes an optical sensing device mounted within the housing and electrically connected to the computer. The sensing device is responsive to movement of the member for signalling the computer. And the computer is responsive to the signalling for causing the platen moving structure to move the platen.

Abstract: A collator has a common light-emitting element for emitting light to a photosensitive element for detecting an empty bin and to a photosensitive element for detecting a full bin; or a common photosensitive element for receiving light emitted from a light-emitting element for detection of an empty bin and from a light-emitting element for detection of a full bin. The collator allows correct detection of an empty bin and a full bin with fewer members and with simple construction. After detection of a full bin, some sheets already printed by a high-speed printer or the like can still be stacked in a space above the full bin level. Each bin also incorporates a bin inlet sensor to prevent erratic detection of a full bin or an empty bin when a sheet is in the process of being inserted in the bin through the inlet.

Abstract: A mail tracing apparatus contains only input and output mail article detectors at the beginning and end of a mail transport path, respectively. By comparing the "on" and "off" times of the detectors at either end of the path, it can be determined, for example, if an initially doubled item has been separated into distinct mail articles, or if a mail article has dropped out of the path during transport.In either event, an error code is generated in the event of a non sequitur, and the tracing of subsequent mail articles may proceed without error.

Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of a rectangular sheet (8), comprising feeding the sheet, e.g. by belts (2, 4), through a checking station (adjacent to II--II), the direction of feeding (6) being along the length or the width of the sheet; deflecting, e.g.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes which are grouped in the form of one or more rows on their way to the draping station or stations of a packing machine are transported sideways past a testing station between two testing units each of which has a discrete detector for each row of cigarettes in a group. Each detector has a source of light, a photoelectric transducer, and a bundle of fiber optics which convey light beams from the source against the respective end faces of cigarettes advancing between the two testing units and which convey reflected light to the respective transducer so that the latter generates signals denoting the characteristics, the presence or absence of cigarettes. Such signals are compared with a reference signal denoting the characteristics of satisfactory cigarettes, and the groups wherein one or more cigarettes have caused the generation of signals deviating excessively from the reference signal are expelled from the conveyor prior to reaching the first draping station of the packing machine.

Abstract: A device in which a light source and a light receiving element are disposed at one side of a sheet transportation path and a reflecting member is disposed at the other side of the sheet transportation path so that a light ray emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member and is caused to enter the light receiving element and any variation in the quantity of light entering the light receiving element is detected to thereby detect the presence of a sheet. The reflecting member is disposed such that the angle formed by the normal to the reflecting member with the surface of the sheet placed at the detection position is equal to or smaller than the critical angle at which total reflection is created on the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: In a sheet handling apparatus in which flimsy sheets are stacked on top of a stack thereof, particularly in a recirculating automatic document handler for a copier, there is disclosed an improved mis-stacking detection system comprising an optical sensing system defining a sheet interruptable optical sensing path extending transversely above the sheet stack in a position to be interrupted by variously mis-stacked non-planar sheets extending above the stack, which the optical sensing system is connected to a time delay system and a sheet mis-stacking indicator such that activation of the mis-stacking indicator is prevented for brief interruptions of the optical sensing path corresponding to normal sheet stacking, but is activated by an interruption of the optical sensing path which continues for a preset time period indicative of the presence of a mis-stacked sheet.

Abstract: In monitoring rod or wire rolling mills it is useful to determine whether the rolling and cooling trains are free of obstacles. To that end a light source and an optoelectric sensor are swivelled into the traveling line of the goods to be rolled and after measurement they are swivelled out of the traveling line. The measured data are supplied to a control unit to which also detectors (30, 31) for the traveling goods arranged in front of the supply end and/or behind the discharge end of the rolling train are connected.

Abstract: A screw inspection device of the invention has a screw transfer mechanism for transferring a screw through a predetermined transfer path, a sensor for performing predetermined measurements of the screw during transfer thereof, a timing signal transmitter for generating a timing signal every time the screw reaches the sensor, a comparator for generating an acceptance/non-acceptance signal representing the measurement results from the sensor every time the timing signal is received, a sorting signal generator for generating a sorting signal corresponding to the acceptance/non-acceptance signal when the corresponding screw reaches the end of the transfer path, and a sorter for classifying the screws into defective and nondefective screws.

Abstract: A vibratory power control having all of the electronics for feedback control of a vibratory parts feeder in a single unit with a fiber-optic cable for remote sensing of parts feeding and a single control adjusting both on delay and off delay of the feeder. A mode switch for selecting on delay, off delay, or dual delay; a sensor polarity switch, and a wired-OR sensor input are provided so that the improved electromagnetic noise immunity of the self-contained design is obtained with a coincident increase rather than decrease in system flexibility.

Abstract: A rotary light tester for continuously inspecting empty cans discriminates between good cans and defective ones by judging the amount of transit light entering the interior of the empty cans. The light seal circular plate and the freely-reciprocative slide pusher which rotates with the continuous rotating star wheel face each other sandwiching each can receiving seat therebetween. The nozzle opening of the tip of the slide pusher vacuously holds the bottom end of an uncoated or unprinted bright can received in the can receiving seat one by one when the can enters into the empty can supply station just after the trimming. Then, in the light detection station, the opening end of the can is inserted into a groove of the light seal circular plate having a black non-luster surface to further the reflection attenuation of outer entry light, a trap is disposed in the deepest portion thereof, and a conical introduction arrangement makes it easy to insert the opening end therein by advance pushing of the slide pusher.

Abstract: A snap-on unitary, one piece photo-optical item position sensor fabricated as a clothes-pin-like plastic member from a material which is substantially transparent to infra-red radiation obviating lenses. The sensor member is bifurcated at one end to form two parallel leg portions the outboard end of each one of which carries one element of the photo-optical sensing apparatus. The opposite end of the sensor member is rectangularly shaped and slotted on opposite parallel sides forming a polarized receptacle for a mating polarized plug as well as a handle for griping. Compression of the handle portion contacts the slotted end slightly while opening or spreading the two parallel leg portions enabling the sensor to be snapped over an orthogonally disposed item guide or track. Oppositely disposed parallel members on the lower portion of the track automatically position the sensor over the track.

Abstract: A laser beam, directed by mirrors at a conveyor belt with overlapping sheet products, is reflected against at least two measuring cells. Each paper edge passing the point of reflection is shown in the signals from the measuring cells, and by compositing the signals in various ways in a computer, disturbances due to varying amounts of color, thickness and form of the edges, folds etc. can be eliminated, producing a curve which exactly shows how many products have passed on the belt. Using a laser as a light source provides a parallely focusable, very powerful light beam, which makes it possible to count thin, tightly spaced and heavily colored products.

Abstract: Control for the operation of a mechanical handling and gauging system for nuclear fuel pellets. The pellets are inspected for diameters, lengths, surface flaws and weights in successive stations. The control includes, a computer for commanding the operation of the system and its electronics and for storing and processing the complex data derived at the required high rate. In measuring the diameter, the computer enables the measurement of a calibration pellet, stores that calibration data and computes and stores diameter-correction factors and their addresses along a pellet. To each diameter measurement a correction factor is applied at the appropriate address.The computer commands verification that all critical parts of the system and control are set for inspection and that each pellet is positioned for inspection. During each cycle of inspection, the measurement operation proceeds normally irrespective of whether or not a pellet is present in each station.

Abstract: A novel system and a method are provided for selecting and segregating used, deformable containers having a UPC designation imprinted thereon. The system is customer-operated, customer-controlled, and directly fed, respectively. The system preferably includes means for compacting and internally storing the containers after compacting.

Abstract: A combine harvester vehicle having threshing, separating and cleaning stages for cut crop material and a tailings return elevator for conveying tailings to one of the stages for recycling, is provided with a tailings monitor including a photodiode for transmitting a radiant energy beam across the path of tailings being conveyed in the elevator, an electrical circuit including a photodetector for deriving digital signals indicative of whether the beam is impinging on the photodetector or is being interrupted by the tailings, and an RC circuit which charges a capacitor through a resistance when the digital signal is present indicating that the beam is interrupted and discharges it when the opposite digital signal is present to thereby develop an average voltage across the capacitor which is an analog of the percentage of time that the beam is interrupted by the tailings being conveyed in the elevator and can be visually displayed on a voltmeter to the combine operator as a measure of tailings volume.

Abstract: A sensor circuit in a system for automatically coating objects with a coating material wherein the coating material is discharged onto objects moving in a path relative to a discharge station in response to a control signal. A sensor detects the presence of an object at a point along the path upstream of the discharge station and produces an object detection signal which is processed by the sensor circuit to produce a sensor signal. The sensor signal is used by a timing and driver circuit to provide a delayed control signal to the coating material discharge apparatus, after an appropriate delay, for a desired duration. The sensor circuit includes an integrator for integrating the object detection signal produced by the sensor and a trigger circuit coupled to the integrator for providing a substantially rectangular wave output derived from the integrated object detection signal.

Abstract: In a machine tool, a tool failure detection equipment in which chips or particles resulting from the machining of a work are collected and whether the tool is intact or broken is detected from the quantity of collected chips or particles. Chips or particles are sucked by a suction means and the quantity of collected chips or particles is detected by an optical detecting means. When the detected quantity is less than a predetermined value, the tool is detected as being broken.

Abstract: A photodetector device for photoelectrically detecting the presence of a moving body, comprising an operational amplifier receiving as a first input an electric signal which is in proportion to variations in the quantity of light, and a delay circuit for delaying the electric signal by a predetermined period of time and applying the electric signal to the operational amplifier as a reference input with respect to the first input. The information of the presence of a moving body is obtained as an output from the operational amplifier.

Abstract: Electrical connector testing apparatus for detecting obstructions in the connector contact terminal pin receptacle channels caused by defective receptacle blades (18, 19). A carriage (22) for retaining a connector (20) in an upright position is movable between upper and lower horizontal members (40, 41) of a detection frame (36) to position the contact receptacles (16, 17) row by row between corresponding pairs of light emitting diodes and phototransistors (45, 44) fitted respectively in the horizontal members (40, 41). Light beams generated by the diodes (45) pass unobstructed through properly fitted contact receptacles (16) and are interrupted by receptacles (17) having defective, bent blades. The phototransistors (44) detect the unobstructed light beams and transmit signals indicative of properly fitted receptacles (16) to control circuitry (65), which may conveniently comprise a microprocessor, which may then be programmed to initiate appropriate action for the identification of the defective connector.

Abstract: Packages include a bottom foil having spaced nests formed therein and a cover foil. At least the bottom foil is permeable to radiation so that it may be irradiated on one side with a source of radiation following a filling station during movement of the packages through a packaging machine. The intensity of the radiation allowed to pass through the bottom foil is measured by a radiation receiver having an active receiving surface which overlies the filler material and which surface is greater than the surface of the filler material facing it. The radiation through the bottom foil casts filled nests onto the receiving surface. The shadow of a nest inappropriately filled differs from a shadow of the nests appropriately filled with the filler material. An apparatus is triggered for sorting out an inappropriately filled nest by starting signals of a receiver whenever the amplitude thereof fails to reach a predetermined value.

Abstract: An overlapped document detector for a document handling apparatus comprises an air knife in the primary document path to separate overlapped documents and forward them along separate ones of two secondary paths. Optical detectors focused on each secondary path, detects documents to detect an overlapped condition. A vacuum is created to maintain the documents in their respective secondary paths for detection purposes.

Abstract: Conveyor system particularly suitable for the bulk transfer of cigarettes from one or more manufacturing machines to one or more packaging machines, and comprising at least one device for controlling the quantity of cigarettes at a determined position.The control device comprises a plurality of photoemitter elements disposed at different levels relative to the controlled position, which direct their rays through the controlled position to corresponding photosensitive elements. An electrical circuit controls drive means for the conveyor system by means of a voltage which in terms of absolute value and sign is a function of the number of photosensitive elements illuminated by the corresponding photoemitter elements.

Abstract: An automated part contour deburring apparatus has a deburring station which includes a pair of deburring brushes with a pair of gripping rollers disposed on either side of the brushes. The brushes and rollers in the respective pairs thereof are movably adjustable toward and away from each other simultaneously as they cooperate to transfer a part through the station. The adjustment to the positions of the brushes and rollers is determined through operation of stepping motors by a microprocessor-based controller. The contour profile of the part is sensed by banks of light emitters and detectors as the part is fed into the station. The controller repetitively reads the part contour profile and operates the motors to adjust the positions of the brushes and rollers so that they will accommodate the profile of the part as it moves through the station.

Abstract: A speed controlled conveyor system in which the motor driving an input conveyor is speed regulated to control the axial product pressure. This pressure is measured by the outward bowing of the column of articles as it moves along a downwardly curving chute connecting the conveyor and the loading device. A photocell arrangement measures the degree of displacement of the column and transmits a corrective electrical signal to a motor speed control device.

Abstract: A detector 10 used to sense the presence of control markings 20 on a moving web 12. The detector responds to abrupt changes in intensity of electromagnetic radiation rather than merely to absolute intensity values. Gradual changes in or a constant level of detected radiation or detector temperature do not change the magnitude of the abrupt changes in radiation intensity to which the detector responds. This capability allows the detector to distinguish between electromagnetic radiation emitted by wavelength-shifting control marks 20 and changes in web background and/or ambient radiation. A filter 38 is interposed between a photo diode 36 in the detector 10 and the web 12 to further enhance detector performance.

Abstract: A method for the continuous, quasi-static and contactless determination of the width of hot rolled products within a rolling mill train, preferably of hot wide band, via diode line cameras on which the two side edges of the illuminated rolling mill product are projected. The position of the illuminated edges of the rolling mill product is measured by alternating-current fed lamps in successive measuring cycles of 10 msec. Immediately following the exposure, the resulting electrical charge on the diodes within a measuring cycle in a period of 200 usec used, is scanned (sampled). Scanning is always at the maximum of intensity of illumination of the lamps. The electrical charge on the diodes for facing edges may be simultaneous, and the bright-dark transitions of the projected edges may be detected in the diode lines. The diodes darkened by the rolled product are counted in the diode lines above the two edges.

Abstract: A controller monitors and controls the operation of the document transporting portions of a document processor. It employs sensors which detect the passage of the trailing edges of documents and timers which measure the time taken for a document to pass successive sensors. Whenever this time period is too long, the controller determines that the document being timed has jammed and provides signals to stop the operation of sections of the system in an orderly fashion designed to minimize the effects of jamming.

Abstract: Electronic solid state circuitry incorporating the microprocessor for automatically controlling document handling apparatus. Sheets are advanced from a stack of sheets arranged in an infeed stacker and are moved one at a time at high speed through an examining location where sensors examine the sheets to determine their condition. The microprocessor periodically initiates an adjustment in the brightness level and gain control level of the lamps and sensor elements employed in the sensor array; tracks each sheet as it moves through the document handling apparatus; and evaluates the outputs developed by the sensors to determine the fitness of each sheet. A gating roller assembly, under control of the microprocessor, is operated to divert each sheet toward one of a plurality of output stackers according to the results of the evaluation performed by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An instrument for quantitative analysis using a matrix of radiation emitting diodes has means for assuring that a sample receives substantially uniform radiation from each diode. In the preferred embodiment a lens is used to direct the radiation beams to a focal plane where there is a matte surface diffuser backed with an aperture to provide relatively uniform radiant energy field through the aperture to a sample chamber. With this arrangement the same energy distribution contacts the test samples from each of the radiation sources.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of and apparatus for optically inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface flaws. The inspection system includes a prism and lens arrangement for scanning the surface of each pellet as the same is rotated. The resulting scan produces data indicative of the extent and shape of each flaw which is employed to generate a flaw quality index for each detected flaw. The flaw quality indexes from all flaws are summed and compared with an acceptable surface quality index. The result of the comparison is utilized to control the acceptance or rejection of the pellet.

Abstract: An inspection device for a continuous cigarette rod comprises a plurality of infra-red emitter-detector units circumferentially spaced around the path of a rod. The light from each unit is focussed onto and collected from a specific area of the rod. Two, or more, axially displaced arrays of units are each arranged to inspect areas of the rod which are staggered in relation to the areas inspected by the other array or arrays.Signals from the units are multiplexed and transmitted to processing circuitry. Instantaneous signals are compared with predetermined values derived for each optical unit as a proportion of the running average of the instantaneous signal. If the instantaneous signal falls below this predetermined value a warning device is operated and the cigarette is ejected.Known devices use expensive optical fibres requiring a close fit to the cigarette rod.

Abstract: To synchronize the belt of a conveyor, a scanner, a fluorescent lamp, and an LED display unit of an area meter, the main AC power supply of the area meter drives the conveyor belt through a synchronous motor and supplies the same frequency of power to a phase locked loop. The phase locked loop provides synchronous pulses of higher frequencies to the scanning system, fluorescent lamp and LED display unit to maintain synchronism. The resolution of the measuring system is optimized when changes are made in the size of the area that is scanned by adjusting: (1) the lens of the scanner; (2) the rate of readout of the pulses from the scanner; and (3) the decimal place of the display unit. Travel from side to side of the belt is avoided by individually adjusting the ends of the pulleys until the belt runs true and an idler which lifts both bottom and top run of the belt when an object moves under it prevents slippage of the belt with respect to the rollers and the bite of the conveyor is adjustable.

Abstract: The Token Sensing Photodetector Actuated Electronic Control and Timing Device (TSPAECTD) is a self contained unit which can control the activation and time of operation of any electrical appliance, device, machine or process to which it is connected. This control is effected by means of detecting the authenticity of a colored translucent object (token) inserted into the apparatus housing. The apparatus is electronically adjusted to detect only an object or token having a particular combination of size, shape, color, hue, reflectivity and light absorbancy. The TSPAECTD includes an improved photodetector circuit containing at least two monochromatic light sources and corresponding photodetectors aligned as pairs. Each pair is connected to a comparator integrated circuit containing four comparator subcircuits.

Abstract: A ticket metering and barrier module for a ticket processing machine includes a housing defining a metering passage that is dimensioned to a predetermined maximum ticket thickness and includes sensing apparatus for sensing predetermined minimum ticket width and length and a barrier gate selectively movable into and out of blocked positions for blocking the insertion of tickets into the passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of documents in a document pathway employing a light source and a light sensor positioned to function in cooperation with a drum. The drum employs a peripheral surface for support of documents as they are transported across a cylindrical surface which is recessed below the peripheral surface for reflecting light. The positions of the light source and the sensor are selected so that, when no document is present, light from the light source will be reflected from the recessed cylindrical surface onto the sensor enabling the sensor to provide an output indicating no document is present. When a document is present, light from the light source will be reflected from the surface of the document along a path which will substantially miss the sensor and not energize it, thereby enabling associated circuitry to determine that a document is present.

Abstract: A speed control system for a container processing line is disclosed. The container processing line has a container capper and a labeller for applying labels to capped containers, the speed control system providing improved line performance, smooth bottle handling and continuity in operation of the units. The speed control system synchronizes the labeller speed with the capper speed when a predetermined backlog of containers has accumulated upstream of the labeller.

Abstract: Workpiece identification apparatus for use in identifying to which of a number of predetermined types a workpiece belongs. The apparatus scans workpieces to be learnt and calculates a set of parameters of each workpiece. After scanning all the workpieces to be learnt, the apparatus selects a sub-set of the parameters such that the sub-set is unique for each learnt workpiece with an allowance for a selected number of parameters to be erroneously determined. The apparatus then scans workpieces to be identified and calculates an equivalent sub-set of parameters thereof and identifies the workpiece by comparing this sub-set with the learnt sub-sets.

Abstract: Inspection apparatus comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion, illuminating elements disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion, and a viewing arrangement disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property of said objects, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing arrangement.

Abstract: A device for inspecting the external appearance of solid medicine having a solid medicine supplying section, a first drum-shaped conveying section for conveying solid medicines supplied by the solid medicine supplying section, at equal intervals so that one surface of each piece of solid medicine is observed. A second drum-shaped conveying section receives the solid medicine from the first drum-shaped conveying section and conveys the solid medicine at equal intervals so that the opposite surface of each solid medicine is observed. First and second observing units are provided adjacent to said first and second drum-shaped conveying sections for observing both surfaces of each piece of solid medicine respectively. A third observing unit is employed for observing the thickness of each piece of solid medicine conveyed by the first and second drum-shaped conveying sections at least before the piece of solid medicine reaches the second observing unit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is shown for use as a controller for a track sensor used with document processors. The track sensor includes a light source and a light detector. The circuit monitors the signal from the light sensing portion of the sensor, comparing the signal with a standard value and providing a feedback signal to the light source to adjust the intensity of the light to compensate for the effects of aging, holes in a document, the accumulation of dirt on sensor lenses and the like. The circuit determines when the leading edge of a document arrives and when the trailing edges pass by. It includes elements which prevent false indications that the trailing edge has passed when holes go by the sensor.

Abstract: Potatoes carried on a roller table conveyor are presented in transverse rows at an inspection area illuminated by a lamp from a first direction and observed by a line imaging camera along a second direction arranged by a mirror to be approximately at right angles to the first direction. The camera scans repeatedly across each row and provides an output detection signal representing the reflected radiation. The camera observes a sharply illuminated boundary of the potatoes against a dark background a micro-computer processes the detection signal to provide an information signal representative of the length of a potato along the direction of its row. Size grading, for example, may be effected by directing potatoes along different routes by deflecting fingers controlled in dependence upon the information signal. An operator may observe potatoes in the inspection area by means of a television camera and monitor, and may indicate by a lightpen a potato to be rejected by the subsequent deflecting fingers.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets in a sealed container for diameter, flaws, length and weight. The apparatus includes, in an array, a pellet pick-up station, four pellet inspection stations and a pellet sorting station. The pellets are delivered one at a time to the pick-up station by a vibrating bowl through a vibrating linear conveyor. Grippers each associated with a successive pair of the stations are reciprocable together to pick up a pellet at the upstream station of each pair and to deposit the pellet at the corresponding downstream station. The gripper jaws are opened selectively depending on the state of the pellets at the stations and the particular cycle in which the apparatus is operating. Inspection for diameter, flaws and length is effected in each case by a laser beam projected on the pellets by a precise optical system while each pellet is rotated by rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting black band separator documents placed as markers between batches of documents. The apparatus is responsive to four measurements which enable it to determine when a black band document has passed. These measurements relate to changes in the intensity of light transmitted through the document, the length of a black band, length of the document, and the position of the black band on the document.

Abstract: A system for accurately controlling the horizontal and vertical alignment of a materials handling vehicle with storage locations of a materials storage system includes a target positioned at a predetermined location with respect to each storage location and a sensor positioned on the materials handling vehicle and including three detectors positioned in a triangular pattern and responsive to the alignment of the detectors with a target to provide control signals employed to control the positioning of the vehicle for the accurate horizontal and vertical alignment of the vehicle with storage locations of the system.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for sensing the presence of a seam in a moving strip of fabric being proccesed, the detection of a seam actuating a control circuit which modifies the fabric processing to accomodate the seam. An optical seam detector determines the rate of movement of the fabric, initiates a electronic counter producing a voltage inversely proportional to the rate of fabric movement. An electronic timer, also initiated by the sensing of the seam, receives and evaluates the velocity determined voltage and produces a timed actuation of the fabric processing apparatus corresponding to the seam arriving at the processing station. The disclosed circuit is capable of actuating two fabric processing stations sequentially arranged in the direction of fabric movement, and the circuitry resets itself upon initial seam detection.