Abstract: A magnetic induction counting device includes: an inductive source having a permanent magnetic member disposed therein and a structure adapted to be worn on a worker's hand during material handling and counting operations; at least two sensing members made of Hall element for detecting the magnetic field of the inductive source and producing a voltage signal; a plurality of amplifiers respectively connected to the sensing members for receiving and amplifying the voltage signal of the sensing members; a sequential processor coupled with the amplifiers for outputting a pulse signal according to a sequential and unilateral condition of the voltage signal received from the amplifiers; and a counter functionally connected to the sequential processor for performing counting and displaying operations according to the pulse signal; thereby, during material handling and counting operations, automatic counting of the materials can be conveniently carried out in accordance with the movement of the worker's hand wearing

Abstract: A knitting counter for counting stitches or rows of stitches comprising: a counter casing having a flat bottom surface to be placed in substantially horizontal flat support surface and formed with a reception opening as well as with a window opening; an operating member having a touch portion projecting out through the reception opening as movably guided thereby and a pusher portion extending within the casing; a digital display device disposed at the window opening; and an electrical control circuit arranged within the casing and connected to the display device for controlling thereof; wherein the control circuit incorporates a self-openable count input switch which, when closed each time, functions to change a numerical indication of the display device one by one, the pusher portion is in permanent engagement with the count input switch, and the counter casing has such a shape as to be prevented from toppling down upon a normal push on the touch portion.

Abstract: A counting device for fish, especially smolt, comprising a pipe that is open at both ends and is adapted for being secured at one end to a vessel containing a quantity of fish to be counted. To the pipe devices are connected for generating a water flow in the pipe, the water flow having a higher velocity at the outer portion of the pipe in a direction towards the outlet of the pipe that at the portion closed to the vessel. At the outlet of the pipe a device known per se for detecting each individual fish is provided.

Abstract: A device is provided for counting moving objects, such as eggs lying on a moving conveyor belt. This device comprises a lever which can be moved by the moving objects, a signalling element for generating a detectable signal as a response to a movement of the lever, and a coupling and resetting mechanism for transmitting the movement of the lever to the signalling element and for automatically resetting both the lever and the signalling element during a decrease in the size of the portion of a moving object which is in contact with the lever, after a preceding increase thereof and the associated generation of a signal. The coupling and resetting mechanism comprises an essentially cylindrical drum which is rotatable about a shaft and which is provided with a projecting part extending essentially in a radial direction for operating the signalling element. A cord is looped round the drum.

Abstract: A receptacle counting system includes an ultrasonic sound wave transducer for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle whose contact level is to be sensed. There is a rim detector, responsive to the reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the location of the rim of the receptacle and a receptacle detector, responsive to the rim detector, for indicating when a receptacle is present. One or more counters, responsive to the receptacle detector, are provided for monitoring the number of receptacles presented to the system.

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: An apparatus is provided to rapidly and automatically scan the UPC, or bar code, from a series of containers and maintain tallies of the brands and types of containers processed. The containers are fed in end-to-end orientation onto the upper end of the trough between an inclined pair of parallel rollers. Both rollers are rotated in the same direction, causing each container to spin as it slides down the length of the rollers. The inclination of the rollers causes the containers to accelerate, increasing the spacing between containers as they reach the lower end of the rollers. A number of scanners are positioned above the lower end of the rollers to read the UPC from each container.

Abstract: A method and system for forecasting bank traffic and teller utilization and for scheduling work assignments for bank personnel based on the forecasts includes data gathering apparatus and steps and data processing apparatus and steps.

Abstract: A device for counting objects in a stacked relationship which includes a bifurcated optical cable, a light source for directing light through the bundle at the stack and a sensor for generating a signal proportional to the light reflected by the stack. The signal is digitized and fed to a digital counter. Various displays connected to the counter indicate the count results.

Abstract: Method of counting particles of seed, fertilizer, and other materials employed in agriculture acoustically. The particles to be counted are conveyed against an impact plate in such a way as to start it oscillating, generating electric signals that are processed to determine the number of particles. In order to count the exact number of individual particles passing a test point with relatively high precision and by acoustical means, at least one definite oscillation amplitude that is characteristic of the impact of one particle is determined and stored and a comparable actual oscillation amplitude is determined as the particles strike against the impact plate, is compared with the stored oscillation amplitude, and, if it is shorter than the characteristic amplitude, one particle counted, or, if it is higher than the characteristic amplitude, the inference made that another particle has struck the plate.

Abstract: A sensor for counting articles, such as seeds, moving through a conduit includes an array of infrared LEDs generating a uniform diffuse beam of radiation which entirely illuminates a cross sectional volume of the conduit. The beam is detected by a planar photo diode which extends across the opposite side of the conduit. A pair of mirrors extend along opposite sides of the conduit between the array and the photo diodes. Slits narrow the beam and limit the amount of radiation which can impinge upon the photo diode. The signal from the photo diode is integrated by a signal processing unit so that the sensor can count a plurality of seeds in a group of seeds which simultaneously pass through the beam. The signal processing unit automatically compensates for changes in the steady state photo-diode output and for changes in seed size.

Abstract: A counting apparatus for counting objects, such as chicks, passed in succession over a conveyor belt through a light beam present between a light source and a photodetector, in which the photodetector produces a detection signal upon each passage of an object through the light beam, which detection signal is applied to a voltage-to-frequency converter for conversion into a frequency varying in accordance with the magnitude of the detection signal, and which detection signal is also applied to a pulse former for conversion into a count pulse whose width is indicative of the period of time required for an object to pass by; wherein the number of cycles of the frequency is counted in a data counter during the period of time that a count pulse is present, and the count pulse is applied to an object counter in response to the data counter having counted a given number of cycles.

Abstract: A disposable bag for returning refund bottles to a store is provided that consists of a body of thin flexible sheet material being wide and long enough to accommodate refund bottles of a two liter size which will fit into the proper size container for support and have a counting device built within the container to tally the amount of bottles deposited within.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting small articles such as pills comprises a helical inclined plane having a pill receiving portion at or adjacent its upper end, pill detector means downstream of said pill receiving portion, said detector means being connected to a counter for giving a visual display of the number of pills passing over said detector means and pill collecting means for collecting pills after passage down said inclined plane, whereby pills deposited on said pill receiving portion are propelled under gravity down said inclined plane, are separated into substantially single file, are counted by said detector and counter means, and are collected in said collecting means.

Abstract: A compact, unitary non-contacting counting device includes a housing with contains a photoelectric sensor adapted to monitor the passage of articles and emit responsive electrical signals and a totalizer for receiving such electrical signals or a related binary output change of state indication and maintaining a count. The housing is unitary and is sealed to resist undesired entry of foreign matter. The housing is preferably generally L-shaped having a first leg containing the photoelectric sensor which is adapted to emit and receive light in a first direction and a second leg which contains the totalizer which is adapted to display the count in the direction which may be opposed to or perpendicular to the second direction. Separate power supplies may be employed for the photoelectric sensor and the totalizer. Lenses or fiber optics may be employed to improve the efficiency of transmission of light from the source to the object or target and return of the light from the object or target.

Abstract: The empty can counter and limiter includes a contoured plastic housing having an aperture for receiving the cans. This housing is adapted to fit on top of an open top type container and is contoured to direct one can at a time through a counting aperture. The electrical circuitry for the can counter includes a photosensor located to sense the passage of a can which interrupts a light beam. The output from the photosensor passes through a low pass filter which integrates the signal and provides it to a NAND gate. The output of the NAND gate drives the clock input of a divider flip flop which is connected to the clock input of an 8-bit counter. When a desired count is reached, the output of the counter activates an alarm which may be turned off by a reset switch. The reset switch will not operate to reset the counter until a predetermined count is registered.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting articles traveling in a random pattern along a predetermined path in a selected direction comprising an article counting stage which is positioned along the predetermined path, a source positioned relative to the article counting stage for producing in a scan pattern a plurality of pulsed, spaced parallel beams of radiation such that each article is adapted to independently intercept at least two beams of radiation and to produce therefrom at least two pulses of radiation, each of said beams being directed along a scan path into the article counting stage wherein selected beams of radiation are adapted to be intercepted by a selected portion of the article passing through the article counting stage, a radiation pulse receiver for receiving the at least two pulses of radiation intercepted by and the article and which produces therefrom output signals in a time spatial sequence representing the radiation level of the at least two received pulses of radiation exceeding a threshold level wi

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for counting the passengers moving into and out of a common carrier vehicle such as a motor bus. Three ultrasonic ranging stations are provided to determine the presence and absence of passengers at three successive positions at the bus entrance. The three positions may correspond respectively to three steps through the entrance. Sequence logic circuitry is included for analyzing the sequence of detection of passengers at the three different ranging stations to establish a count of the number of passengers entering or leaving.

Abstract: A cash accounting system including a cash register for recording various transactions of money, a counting machine electrically connected with the cash register and operable to count the money used during each of the transactions, a printing member, and a totaling member for totaling according to denomination count data given by the counting machine.

Abstract: A monitor is provided for a field planting machine having a plurality of planting units and a plurality of seed sensors respectively associated with the planting units for producing seed signals in response to the dispensing of seeds thereby. The monitor comprises a plurality of sensor circuits coupled in series circuit, one of the sensor circuits being coupled intermediate each of the sensors and a common signal line. These sensor circuits and the associated sensors are sequentially selectable for causing a first condition on the common signal line in response to production of seed signals at or above a predetermined rate and a second condition on the common signal line in response to the non-production of seed signals at or above the predetermined rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for counting articles. The apparatus comprises a sensor which is adapted to generate a signal characteristic of a tag attached to each article; and means for counting the number of signals, thereby providing a numerical count of the number of articles. The invention is especially adapted to counting articles of cloth such as garments or bedlinens which are routinely and repeatedly laundered or dry-cleaned at the same cleaning establishment.

Abstract: An electro-optical counter or detecting apparatus for detecting passage of items therepast. A light emitter projects a constantly pulsed beam of light onto the path of the items and light sensors sense the optical energy reflected from such items. One sensor controls the light emitter to so regulate the amount of light emitted by each pulse that the amount of optical energy reflected by the items does not vary as a function of the reflectivity of the surfaces of such items and does not exceed a predetermined level. Another light sensor senses changes in optical energy beyond such predetermined level and thus senses only the passage of an edge of each item past the pulses light beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving, counting and compensating for aluminum can bodies is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for differentiating between aluminum and steel cans, means for storing accumulated can bodies and output means by which the customer is paid for the aluminum cans fed into the apparatus.

Abstract: Integrated circuits contained in a rail are passed through cylindrical electrodes. Two electrodes are connected to an oscillator to transmit out of phase fields. A receiving electrode's output has the residual oscillator frequency component removed by a nulling network and summation device, whose output is fed to a band pass amplifier and balanced demodulator, which receives a phase shifted input from the oscillator. Demodulator output components at and above the oscillator frequency are removed by a low pass filter. A demodulator output above the reference voltage triggers a counter.

Abstract: A tag suitable for attachment to an animal includes a programmed microprocessor which monitors the activity of the animal. Activity is measured by counting the closures of a mercury switch, and when the current activity exceeds a reference activity by a preset amount, a light emitting diode is energized. Four light emitting diodes are provided to indicate four separate levels of activity.

Abstract: A compensation circuit for gamma-radiation detectors in which the pulses are sorted into different channels based on their amplitude. Pulse dividers are provided in the lower energy channels reducing the pulse count in these channels by an amount which is a function of the average energy of pulses received by that channel. The adjusted pulse count rates in each channel are then added to give a signal proportional to the dose rate independent of the radiation energy.

Abstract: A customer queue control system for an establishment having a plurality of customer service stations utilizes a main queue and a plurality of local queues, and includes a detector to detect the presence of a customer at the head of the main queue, keys at each service station to signify the status of that station, a voice message device to direct a customer at the head of the main queue to a local queue selected to provide the probable minimum waiting time, and a data processing system for controlling the voice message device in accordance with the presence of a customer in the main queue, the number of customers in each local queue, the status of each local queue, and the probable service delay time per customer in each local queue.

Abstract: Counter for pills, including an inclined tray and a photoelectric counter serving a digital readout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting indeterminately spaced articles traveling in a continuous stream. Successive individual lead articles of the stream are diverted from their direction of movement in an oblique direction. A sensor located beneath the stream at the point of oblique movement detects the sequential presence and absence of articles which information is accumulated to obtain a count. For counting rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, the method may be embodied in a drum having a helical groove to move the rods, the drum being located above a reflective scanning sensor head.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting conveyor-transported articles, such as newspapers. The apparatus employes a laser which projects a beam to create reflections from such articles, which reflections are imaged onto a linear photodetector array. The array is scanned recurrently to detect the presence and location of such an image, and related, successive output signals from the array are fed to a data-processing circuit which confirms the occurrence of each passing article. Such confirmation is based on the pre-known manner in which the successive leading-edge profiles of passing articles cause multiple output signals of a certain character to be produced by the array.