Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for detection of overlapped objects moving along a defined path. A light radiation source directs a light beam toward the path. As an object moves into the light beam, reflected light is received by two light sensors. An edge of an overlapping object moving along the defined path substantially blocks the light reflected from the underlying object from being received by one light sensor. The edges of an overlapping object are detected when a there is a difference in the amount of reflected light received by the light sensors and there exists a substantial rate of change in the amount of reflected light (indicative of a true edge of an overlapping object as opposed to warps, wrinkles, creases, etc. on the surface of an object) received by either light sensor due to the substantial blockage of reflected light by the edge.

Abstract: A method for counting conveyed workpieces, such as on a variable speed conveyor belt, includes sensing interruptions via an object sensor such as an optical sensor with a light beam, and with a computer, applying a mathematical comparison between duration of interruptions to the light beam path and gaps that separate these interruptions. The comparison determines which interruptions are caused by the passage of conveyed workpieces and which interruptions are caused by the passage of other objects such as components of the conveyor belt. The method described involves the selection of a preset factor used in a ratio comparison between the duration of interruptions to the light beam and the gaps that separate these interruptions such that the computer is able to accurately count objects such as sheets of paper pulled by gripper bars and distinguishing between sheets of paper and gripper bars such that gripper bars and clips are not incorrectly counted as sheets of paper.

Abstract: A rotor (10) for use in a counter to count the number of sheets in a stack has a number of transfer grooves (13), leading generally helically from the upper surface (11) to the lower surface (12) of the rotor (10). Each groove (13) has a number of suction ports (15) communication through internal passageways in the disc to a source of low pressure, to draw the next sheet in a stack to be counted into the transfer groove. The rotor also defines a reject slot (32) and in a finger (23) overlying part of the rotor surface leading into the transfer groove (13), there are further ports (25), to which suction is applied in a timed relationship to rotor rotation. If the rotor should pick-up two overlying sheets, suction through the further ports (25) will separate the two sheets and the upper sheet will be rejected out of the reject slot (32) to be counted on the next count cycle, whilst the lower sheet continues into the transfer groove (13), to be counted normally.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for rapidly, accurately and inexpensively counting stacked objects, preferably by imaging, from below, a stack of flat objects which is standing on its side, preferably on its long side. The objects need not be identical in surface appearance or in configuration. The objects preferably may be of substantially any size or thickness and need not be less than some maximum size or within some narrow range of thicknesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting flat sheets of specularly reflective material juxtaposed in side by side relationship including a source of a parallel, collimated, beam of light adapted for movement to shine on a finite point across sides of a plurality of flat sheets at a shallow, acute angle of incidence relative to the sides of the flat sheets such that the beam of light is specularly reflected from the sides of the flat sheets except at one terminal edge of each side of the flat sheets where the beam of light is diffusely reflected, a sensor for sensing light diffusely reflected from the terminal edge of each of the flat sheets and generating an output signal in response to the intensity of the diffusely reflected light, and a microprocessor receiving the output signal from the sensor and generating a numerical count of the flat sheets over which the beam of light has been moved.

Abstract: A sheet counting apparatus includes a set of rotatably mounted suction spindles mounted for movement past a stack of sheets to be counted. A pump is connected to the spindles whereby a suction spindle passes the stack, a vacuum is supplied to the spindle so that the topmost sheet is deflected from its initial position. A monitoring system monitors the number of deflected sheets by monitoring the degree of vacuum within the suction spindle passing the stack. The monitoring system increments a count on each occasion when the monitored vacuum exceeds a predetermined threshold. The monitoring system terminates the count process when a predetermined period is exceeded without the vacuum exceeding the predetermined threshold, the predetermined period corresponding to the passage of at least two spindles past the stack of sheets, without the spindles deflecting a sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting and selectively voiding tickets. An input bin is provided wherein a stack of tickets are initially queued. Using a conveyor, each ticket is advanced from the input bin past a sensing device. The sensing device detects the presence of each ticket and produces a signal indicative of the passage of each ticket past the sensing device. This signal is conveyed to an electronic counting device that maintains a cumulative total count of the tickets. The apparatus may be set to continuously count any tickets placed in the input bin or set to stop after counting a predetermined number of tickets. The apparatus also includes a punch that is selectively controlled to enable the optional voiding of each ticket as it is counted.

Abstract: The counting station has a transporting section (2b), on which the banderoled packs of notes (P) are moved at certain intervals uniformally past the rotating counting disk (1a, 1a') of a note-counting device (1, 1') fixedly installed on this transporting section. Downstream of the transporting section (2b) there is a diverter (9) with two further transporting sections (2c, 2d), of which one receives packs of notes having the correct number of notes of value and the other receives packs of notes having the incorrect number of notes of value.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and verifying documents is provided with a digital control network. The digital control network coordinates the operations of counting and verifying documents. A transport mechanism moves documents along a guide path through the apparatus. Sensors are located along the guide path for determining optical and magnetic characteristics of the documents and producing signals relative thereto. The measured signals are sampled and digitized by an analog-to-digital converter under the control of a microprocessor. Multiple samples of the sensor signals are accumulated within memory as each document passes adjacent to the sensors. The accumulated values are compared with reference values in order to verify each document which passes adjacent to the sensors. Documents are counted after verification. Individual piece counts and monetary values of such piece counts are provided and counterfeit documents, such as passed for United States currency, can be detected.

Abstract: A method apparatus for determining the length of a roll of sheet material, including a side surface at which the edge of each of the plurality of layers of sheet material is exposed wherein the side surface of the roll of sheet material is exposed to a source of radiation and the radiation reflected from the edges of the roll is scanned in a radial direction to establish a first signal indicative of the reflected radiation and the number of edges of layers of sheet material. The length of the roll of sheet material is calculated using the sensed number of layers of sheet material in the roll. The method and apparatus are similarly adapted to determine the number of layers of sheet material in a stack of sheet material.

Abstract: A counter has a memory which stores at least three continuous numerical values and a controller which rewrites a lowest numerical value to a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to a largest numerical value within said continuous numerical values stored in the memory and discriminates whether or not said numerical values stored in the memory are continuous to judge a count error. When said numerical values stored in the memory are not continuous, the noncontinuous numerical value is corrected by adding 1 to the largest value of other continuous numerical values stored in said memory.

Abstract: An automatic banknote machine includes a selector for receiving rectangular sheets, in particular, banknotes, and for conveying them along for further processing. The selector comprises an input channel into which a bill is introduced, a conveying mechanism for conveying the bill along the input channel, the conveying mechanism including a device, e.g., a skewed roller, for pressing an edge of the bill against a lateral reference surface thereby aligning the bill in the input channel, and a mechanism for verifying the position of the bill as being pressed against the lateral reference surface once the bill has been brought completely into the input channel.

Abstract: An electronic copier includes an automatic document feeder for feeding original document sheets to be copied to an electronic image scanner or reader. During movement of the documents for reading, a count is generated of the number of original document sheets in a copy job. A check of the number of originals in the copy job may be requested and performed by a second feeding operation that occurs after the originals are scanned to increase productivity of the apparatus.

Abstract: A currency counter for counting currency notes withdrawn from a supply and advancing the notes one by one along a path past a density detector and a magnetic material detector to a stacker at a delivery location upon energization of a common drive motor in which an amplifier responsive to the density detector is automatically calibrated each time the counter starts and in which density and motor current signals are combined for doubles detection. The motor speed is adjusted for document length to provide a predetermined number of counts per minute. An adaptive counterfeit check is made. The motor is deenergized at the end of a batch count and momentarily reenergized to ensure that the last note of the batch is stacked.

Abstract: A sheet counting machine including a sheet depositing portion into which sheets are deposited, an endless belt for taking out sheets deposited in the sheet depositing portion one by one and feeding them to the inside, a counter for counting the number of sheets fed from the endless belt, a stacker for stacking sheets counted by the sheet counter, an operating portion operated by the operator and a display for displaying various kinds of information, the sheet counting machine further including a first lid member capable of being opened and closed and a second lid member capable of being opened and closed, the operating portion and the display being formed on an inner surface of the first lid member so that the operating portion and the display are not exposed to the outside when the first lid member is closed, the sheet depositing portion being formed so as to be located below the operating portion and the display when the first lid member is opened, the stacker being formed inside of the second lid member wh

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and recording the content, ownership, and/or bibliographic source of documents reproduced on a reprographic device, and more particularly for tracking the reproduction of specified information, especially copyrighted documents, is connected, preferably detachably, to any of various reprographic devices. The apparatus includes a digitizer for digitizing desired pages (such as those containing title and author information) output from a main portion of the reprographic device, a recording device and medium for storing said digitized pages, a counter for counting the number of reproductions made and optionally inferring the number of originals, a controller for controlling the operation of the apparatus and, optionally, a control panel for interacting with the operator of the reprographic device.

Abstract: To indicate a remaining portion of a photosensitive sheet roll of material a method and apparatus are provided. A rotation detector is secured to a rotation system rotatively supporting a photosensitive sheet roll. A measuring device measures the amount of rotation of the photosensitive sheet roll, detected by the rotation detector, within a predetermined time or during a period of one cycle of an image forming process. An indicating device indicates the remaining amount of the photosensitive sheet roll according to the rotation amount measured by the measuring device.

Abstract: A can end counting system which receives a stick of converted can ends, separates and counts the can ends, restacks and conveys a pre-determined number of can ends comprising an output stick to an end line packaging station. At least two counter-rotating screws, each having a separator knife positioned at the entrance end thereof, are provided with a continuous spiral groove cut into the periphery and coact with each other to separate the can ends, one by one, from an input stick and increasingly separate the can ends as they are carried toward the exit end of the device. A sensing device senses each of the can ends as they are carried toward the exit end of the device and sends a signal to a processing device which stores the total number of can ends included in a current output stick and controls a cut-off knife which separates and conveys the output stick toward an end line packaging station when a pre-determined number of can ends is attained.

Abstract: A sensor, especially for detecting misfeeds in a stream of sheets of paper, comprises a pair of sensing plates sensing changes in the capacitance between the plates, a first oscillator providing an output signal at a frequency representative of the capacitance, a second oscillator set to a reference frequency which is the same as or close to that frequency generated by the first oscillator when no object is between the sensing plates, gating means to produce an output representative of the frequency difference between the oscillator outputs, a low-pass filter, and a microprocessor which responds to changes in the difference frequency.

Abstract: A device for counting the number of very small projections on a surface of an object, which includes a casing therein housing a probe to be scanned in contact with the surface of the object having continuously occurring very small projections, a tip end portion of the probe being projected out of a forward end of the casing; a detecting unit including an acceleration sensor; a comparator for converting electric signals emitted from the detecting unit into pulse signals; a latching device provided with a delay circuit for latching the pulse signals received and maintaining its emitted signals for a certain length of time; and a display device for counting and displaying the output signals from the latching device.

Abstract: A conveying device is provided among an accommodating section for accommodating sheets of paper, a counting section for discriminating and counting the sheets of paper, and a port section through which the sheets of paper are put in and taken out of the apparatus, so as to deliver the sheets of paper to any of these components according to a transaction specified between discharge and deposit accepting transactions.

Abstract: A pressure spring for urging a document (10) against a reading head (22) in a document processing machine, comprises a resilient band (46) on band support arms (50) with different portions of the discontinuous resilient band (46) being selected to lie between the support arms (50). Manually operable means (80), (70) can be provided. In one embodiment, a motor (84) under the action of a controller (106), automatically advances the discontinuous band (46) whenever a service date or a pre-determined document count has been exceeded. Should the discontinuous resilient band (46) reach an extremity of travel, the controller (106) provides that the motor (84) returns the discontinuous resilient band (46) back to its start position.

Abstract: For counting printed products (D) conveyed in a scale flow, a contact element (K) is moved in the printed product conveying direction at a speed (v.sub.2) higher than the conveying speed (v.sub.1). Thus, the contact element (K) contacts the trailing edge (F.sub.k) of a printed product (D.sub.k) and on each contact a counting pulse is emitted and the contact element is subsequently returned to its starting position. This process is cyclically repeated correlated with the average time interval between two succeeding printed products (D.sub.k, D.sub.k-l).

Abstract: In a system for detecting and signaling the approximate size of a set, stack or job of document sheets, especially for a recirculating type automatic document feeder with a document set stacking and feeding tray for a copier or other document imaging system, in which an electromechanical set separator system provides rough initial stack height and therefore set size or document number estimation signals from the position of the set separator arm on the stack, and in which there is also a counter for counting the number of document sheets fed out from the tray; the advance estimation of the number of documents to be fed to be imaged is significantly improved by dynamically comparing the count of the number of document sheets fed out from the tray at and with the transition in the set size estimation signal from the set separator system.

Abstract: A card counter (10) prints card inventory information locally and communicates with a remote computer (43) for permanent storage and retrieval of inventory information. A microprocessor controller detects a counting error in response to the actual count failing to match a preset count, failing to match a precount information machine read from a machine readable precount label (130) attached to the cards (18), in the event of a phrase error from a pair of parallel scanning card sensor circuits (58, 59) or if the final counts of the two card sensor circuits (58, 59) do not match. In the event of detection of a counting error, an error indication is provided and entry of the count into an accumulator memory is inhibited. The present number is entered into memory by selectively entering an actual count into the preset memory. A pair of separate accumulators are provided for concurrently accumulating totals of two different groups of cards (18).

Abstract: A machine provides automated counting of integrated circuit (IC) parts packed in a shipping tube which may be, for example, an opaque shipping rail for translation of the rail along the track. An elongate support or track receives and holds a shipping rail. A first rail sensor positioned adjacent to the track senses the presence of a rail on the support track and generates a start count signal. A second rail sensor positioned along the track generates a stop count signal after the scanning of the rail by the sensors is completed. An IC parts sensor provided by an inductive proximity sensor is positioned adjacent to the track between the first and second rail sensors and senses the presence of IC parts contained in the shipping rail. A roller drive translates the shipping rail and the sensors relative to each other for scanning of the rail by the sensors. The parts sensor generates parts counting signals from the start count signal to the stop count signal.

Abstract: An instrument for counting the number of elements in a stack is moved over the side of the stack and an image of a portion (S) of the stack is formed on a linear photocell array(16). The photocell array is continually scanned and its electrical scan output signal is fed to a correlator which carries out an auto-correlation function while the instrument is initially stationary, and then a cross-correlation function as the instrument is moved, to furnish a time varying signal having a characteristic periodicity representing successive elements in the stack. The repeating cycles in this signal are counted to provide a count of the number of elements in the stack.

Abstract: Articles, moving along a delivery path, are counted by directing a stream of pressurized air toward one major surface of the passing articles, the direction of the air stream being transverse to the direction of travel. Sensors arranged about the air stream detect the acoustic signal which varies with changes in the profile of the passing articles, exemplified by signatures. The detected acoustic signal is divided into a plurality of frequency ranges which, in one preferred emboidment, are averaged to reduce the effect of noise which may be present in only limited ones of the frequency bands. The averaged signals are then compared against thresholds to determine the instantaneous state of the articles, exemplified by a signature stream, to generate count signals.

Abstract: The sheets of a stream of partially overlapping sheets are counted during transport past a generator of ultrasonic waves which is operated by a control unit at a frequency such that each sheet reflects a series of successive waves. The resulting echoes are directed toward two discrete signal generators which transmit signals to an evaluating circuit by way of the control unit. The signals denote the length of intervals of propagation of waves from the source to the respective signal generators, and the circuit processes such signals to furnish information denoting the number of sheets which are conveyed past the locus of impingement of waves upon the sheets.

Abstract: A card counter (10) prints card inventory information locally and communicates with a remote computer (43) for permanent storage and retrieval of inventory information. A microprocessor controller detects a counting error in response to the actual count failing to match a preset count, failing to match a precount information machine read from a machine readable precount label (130) attached to the cards (18), in the event of a phase error from a pair of parallel scanning card sensor circuits (58, 59) or if the final counts of the two card sensor circuits (58, 59) do not match. In the event of detection of a counting error, an error indication is provided and entry of the count into an accumulator memory is inhibited. The preset number is entered into memory by selectively entering an actual count into the preset memory. A pair of separate accumulators are provided for concurrently accumulating totals of two different groups of cards (18).

Abstract: An automated, optical-mechanical apparatus includes a laser, a series of lenses for focusing a measuring beam generated by the laser to a precise focal distance and dispersion angle, a lead screw for linearly translating the beam and a spindle for aligning the optical discs to be scanned and counted. The beam is focused to the edge of the stacked discs and propagates through the gaps between adjacent discs to an optical detectors where the beam is transformed to an electronic waveform, which is interpreted by a digital counting network. Counting accuracy is not dependent upon precise control of manufacturing variations in the thickness and weight of the discs.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing and counting objects on a moving conveyor. Objects are moved on the conveyor past a sensor having first and second legs pivotally mounted about a fixed axis above the conveyor. The second leg is offset from the first leg in the direction of conveyor movement. As an object encounters the first leg, it causes the first leg to rotate toward the second leg. A proximity detector includes a target mounted on the first leg and a sensing element mounted on the second leg. The proximity detector detects movement of the first leg relative to the second leg and generates a pulse, thereby counting the object, when the first leg assumes a predetermined position relative to the second leg.

Abstract: A cassette cash box for currency validators is presented. The cash box is received by the housing of a currency validator and retained thereby by only a mechanical locking interconnection. Received within the cash box is a counter which is optically coupled with a microprocessor in the currency validator housing. Each time a piece of currency is placed in the cash box, the optical coupler receives a signal which increments the counter. At any point in time, the count in the counter corresponds to the amount of currency maintained by the cash box. At regular service intervals, the cash box is removed and replaced with an empty one. The removed cash box is returned to an authorized service area where the count in the counter is compared with the amount of currency in the cash box. The counter is accessed and read by an application thereto of a special numeric code, known only to authorized personnel. In like manner, the counter is reset by the application of another specific secret code.

Abstract: A contact sensor apparatus counts associated sheet products as they pass over a generally planar surface. a vacuum source draws a bottom surface of a sheet product onto the planar surface. A contact member is selectively deflected through engagement with the sheet product and deflects upwardly at the passage of the trailing edge of the sheet product. The contact member is connected to a sheet of piezoelectric material that is distorted upon deflection of the contact member. This produces an electrical charge representative of passage of paper over the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum corrugation feeder stack height detection calibration system and method includes placing a single document in the document tray. Coupled to the stack height arm at the pivot point is a high resolution rotary encoder and dual beam sensor. The stack height arm is flipped up and then back down onto the document and pulses are counted. This difference in up and down pulses represents the "one sheet case." Software then stores this number in non-volatile memory and uses it to create a table of values for various document stack heights by adding constant values to the originally obtained "one sheet case" value.

Abstract: The apparatus has separating elements (1) which are fastened at regular intervals to a rotating endless V-belt (21) and which, at the counting station (34), individually separate the note to be counted and temporarily keep it in the counting position. The notes bundled to form a packet rest on edge on a packet holder (35 to 38) which is displaceable transversely relative to the direction of movement of the separating elements (1). The separating elements (1) have a suction face (2) which, during the straight run past the counting station (34), sucks up an upper edge strip of the note to be counted and is made curved in such a way that the edge strip at the same time experiences torsional deformation, thereby being lifted off from the remaining packet. As a result of the spring-back force intrinsic to the notes and counted to torsional deformation, separating errors are reliably prevented in this way.

Abstract: A method monitors the length of sheets, such as banknotes, passing a predetermined position. The length of a sheet is monitored at two laterally spaced locations, and the difference between the monitored lengths is compared. If the difference is small, this indicates that both monitored lengths are an accurate indication of the length of the sheet. An average of the two monitored lengths is determined and compared with at least one predetermined reference value to determine the acceptability of the sheet. If the average falls within a predetermined range, the sheet is acceptable.

Abstract: Diagnosis data for respective portions of an apparatus are collected from respective sensors provided on the apparatus at the respective portions thereof and stored in a memory for each of the respective portions. These diagnosis data are the amount of change with time and frequency of occurrence of abnormal operation. The amount of change with time is yielded from the number of treatments for a detection object of each sensor, while the frequency of occurrence of abnormal operations is provided as a ratio of the number of anbormal operations detected by the respective sensors to the number of treatments by the particular object or part involved. The resulting diagnosis data is compared with a predetermined reference value, and when the diagnosis data exceeds the reference value, a prediction alarm flag indicative of a prediction of necessary maintencance to prevent trouble from occuring is added to the diagnosis data and stored in the memory.

Abstract: An improved audible alarm system for a document counter having an internal oscillator for producing a binary coded output in response to count signals applied to the counter in response to sheets moving along a path in which the counter internal oscillator is coupled to an audible alarm in response to a misfeed.

Abstract: A banknote account and arrangement apparatus includes a supply portion for supplying a group of banknotes in the apparatus one after another, a discrimination circuit for discriminating denomination, face, fitness, authenticity, and the like of the supplied banknotes, temporary stackers in which the banknote is stacked in an account mode, closed cassettes coupled to the temporary stackers, open pockets in which the banknote is stacked in an arrangement mode, a RAM for collecting data of the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers, a CPU for verifying the collected data of the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers with known data of the bundle of the banknotes, pushers and shutters for, only when a verification result is correct, stacking the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers in the closed cassettes, and a display portion for displaying the collected data.

Abstract: A banknote account and arrangement apparatus includes a supply portion for supplying a bundle of banknotes in the apparatus one after another, a discrimination circuit for discriminating denomination, face, fitness, authenticity, and the like of the supplied banknotes, temporary stackers in which the banknote is stacked in an account mode, closed cassettes coupled to the temporary stackers, open pockets in which the banknote is stacked in an arrangement mode, a RAM for collecting data of the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers, a CPU for verifying the collected data of the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers with known data of the bundle of the banknotes, pushers and shutters for, only when a verification result is correct, stacking the banknote stacked in the temporary stackers in the closed cassettes, and a display portion for displaying the collected data. Sensors detect if the temporary stackers are full.

Abstract: According to the invention, each detecting element pair of a wafer detector is constituted by light-emitting and light-receiving elements of transmission-type and is arranged at a position corresponding to a fitting edge portion of one of a plurality of wafers. The number of detecting element pairs is equal to the number of wafers which can be stored in the wafer counter. Light emitted from a light-emitting element to a light-receiving element is kept substantially perpendicular to a surface of a wafer and is shielded when a wafer is engaged in a wafer counter. A change in the amount of light received by the light-receiving element is detected by a signal processor electrically connected to each of the detecting element pairs. The positions and number of a large number of wafers can be accurately and instantaneously detected with an extremely simple structure.

Abstract: Apparatus which carries out a method for monitoring the length of sheets (such as banknotes) passing a predetermined position includes two pairs of rollers 1, 2 defining respective nips 5, 6 through which a sheet passes. The passage of a sheet causes radial movement of portions 11 of the rollers 2 which is detected by detectors 12 mounted in a shaft 4. The passage of a sheet causes respective counters 15, 16 to be incremented at a relatively fast sheet. The length of the sheet is determined by monitoring the counter, counters 15 and 16, during the plurality of successive intervals. The leading edge of the sheet appears during the first of the successive intervals and the trailing edge of the sheet appears during the last of the successive intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheets is disclosed, which comprises a feeder for setting a mixture of different kinds of sheets, the set sheets being fed one by one for sorting, a judging circuit for judging the kind of sheet being transported through the body of the apparatus after having been fed from the feeder, and a sorting/stacking section for sorting and stacking sheets in specified quantities for specified kinds according to the result of judgement in the judging circuit. The apparatus has a plurality of sorting modes for different kinds of sorting and can specify specified quantities for each mode.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for counting the number of and half-wrapping banknotes and adapted to be capable of discriminating the banknotes of different nominal values, is disclosed. The apparatus is so constructed that a sensing or discriminating unit is provided in the transport route for the banknotes extracted by the separating drum for sensing or dicriminating the nominal values, authenticity and transport state of the notes, the banknotes after passing through the sensing and discriminating unit are transported by a changeover shutter plate in occasionally selected one of two preset directions, in such a manner that reject notes are accommodated in the reject note stacker and only the desired notes are accommodated in the stack unit for subsequent half-wrapping.

Abstract: Coding systems utilizing machine-readable coding are disclosed. The coding systems are extremely simple to use and preferred embodiments of the machine-readable coding require no external reference or reference code or starting point or orientation for reading or decoding. The number of usable codes for any given number of code elements (bits or digits) is maximized, or, conversely, a minimum number of code elements is required for a given application, thus allowing each code element to be of maximum size for a given coding area. Also, methods and apparatus for encoding objects, and for reading, decoding, processing and using the information obtained from such encoded objects are disclosed. The coding may be applied to objects such as casino chips, currency, automated production line components, consumer products, household items, zip coded objects, etc.

Abstract: A device for counting objects being transported by transport equipment includesa light projector for projecting a light beam onto the objects being transported,a light receptor for receiving the light beam reflected from the objects being transported and focusing the beam to a point, anda pulse generating means for generating pulses in accordance with the abrupt shift of the focused point of the reflected light beam caused by the ends of the objects being transported.The objects being transported are counted on the basis of the pulses generated by the pulse generating means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to the invention for determining respective deviations in the total number of signatures in each of a plurality of individual successive stacks from a given number of signatures having a ram for compressing the stacks of the signatures, a linear differential voltage transducer for measuring the relative heights of signature stacks by measuring distance that the ram travels, control apparatus comprised primarily of a programmable controller for processing the output of the transducer and optical detection means for monitoring the stack top for a sheet indicating that the stack has an odd count and disabling the control apparatus for indicating deviations in stack count. Additionally, a strapper which includes the apparatus for determining the count deviations adapted to monitor the position of a belt drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically counting stacked sheet-like materials having sheet-to-sheet brightness gradients alternating between positive and negative while simultaneously eliminating problems encountered when the sheet edge reflectance characteristics have combined lambertian and specular reflective natures. Rectification of a pitch matched sensor arrays data output combined with a selective disposition of the sensor and illumination optical components relative to the sheet edges to be counted based upon the maximum acceptance angle of the optical system yields the improved count data necessary to achieve accurate counting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting the exact number of electrical circuit components carried by a length of component dispensing tape is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses optical detectors to detect the transmission of light through tape index holes and component carrier compartment holes and variously to increment or inhibit operation of a counter accordingly. In one form of the invention, the circuitry is adapted to detect automatically whether the tape is optically transmissive or opaque and to modify the counting scheme accordingly.