Method and apparatus for the recognition and counting of discrete objects
US5317645A · kind A · utility
69Cited by
16References
30Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06M11/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for counting discrete objects of various sizes and shapes as they travel through the apparatus in a disorderly flow. The apparatus includes a sensor array which comprises a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a linear fashion. The discrete objects are passed over the sensor array. By utilizing the sensor array as a means for obtaining information about the discrete objects, the apparatus samples the sensor array at predetermined time intervals, examines the various contours of the images produced through the sampling and based upon predetermined criteria determines whether an image represents one or more objects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.