Pulsed wireless directional object counter
US7448548B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C9/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A directional object counter uses two or more light sources to generate pulses of light, which travel on two light paths across a passageway. Light from both sources illuminates two sensors, after the light has traversed the passageway, and a processor connected to the sensors determines, based on the pulsed nature of the sources, which source(s) is/are illuminating which sensor(s), and counts movement of objects through the light paths in an identified direction. The pulsed nature of the light permits low-power operation of the directional object counter with a battery. Furthermore, the independence of the pulse discrimination from the pulse generation, enables the light sources and light sensors to be positioned on opposite sides of a passageway without wiring connecting them across the passageway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.