Apparatus and method for detecting and marking indicia on articles
US6236009A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C3/18
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for detecting indicia on articles. The indicia act to identify a group of articles, having a common characteristic. The articles may be address panels used in mass mailings. Particular address panels, representing the beginning or end of a zip code or a postal delivery route, are pre-marked with one or more special indicia. The apparatus includes a scanning station, a computerized system controller, and a marking station. The scanning station includes a video camera, a video analyzer, a camera controller, and a video monitor. The video camera is programmable by using the camera controller and the video monitor, to scan only a predetermined operative scanning area of each article. The video analyzer assess each pixel within the scanning area and adds up the total number of pixels having a desired characteristic. If the pixel count satisfies predetermined criteria correlating to the presence of an indicia, the article is electronically tagged by the system controller. Then, the article is inserted into a container. In response to an electronic marking signal from the system controller, the container is physically marked at the marking station, for subsequent…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.