System and method for controlling a conveyor system configuration to accommodate different size substrates
US6688458B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/041
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rail position control system is provided that controls a conveyor system configuration to accommodate a plurality of differently sized substrates in an apparatus. The rail position control system includes at least one camera, which is mounted on a mounting surface located in close proximity to the conveyor system. The rail position control system further includes a computer system that is operatively coupled to the camera and to a motor. The motor is further coupled to at least one rail of the conveyor system. The camera is operative to view and provide a plurality of images of a conveyor lane width value to the computer system. The conveyor lane width value represents a space located between at least one pair of rails of the conveyor system. The computer system responds by processing the plurality of images of the conveyor lane width value to generate a rail position adjustment value, which is communicated, via control signals, to the motor to actuate the motor to move the at least one rail a distance representing the rail position adjustment value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.