Apparatus and method for monitoring hand propinquity to plural adjacent item locations
US7268692B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2209/04
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus for monitoring hand propinquity to plural adjacent item locations arranged in a generally two-dimensional array including an illuminator, disposed adjacent a first edge of the two-dimensional array and generating radiation which illuminates a generally planar imaginary curtain disposed in front of the plural adjacent item locations, at least one detector, disposed adjacent the first edge of the array and sensing the radiation reflected from a hand traversing the imaginary curtain generally at any location on the curtain and location determination circuitry responsive to at least one output of the at least one detector for associating a sensed position of the hand with respect to one of the plural adjacent item locations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.