Patent · US Active

Automated position locator for a height sensor in a dispensing system

US8944001B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
4References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 2013
Grant dateFeb 3, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and methods of determining a position of a height sensor in a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispenser, height sensor, camera, and a calibration device configured to receive a signal from the height sensor. The calibration device may include an optical sensor that generates an alignment signal in response to receiving light from the height sensor and/or a fiducial that causes the height sensor to generate the alignment signal in response to a detected height change. The alignment signal is used to automatically determine the position at which the height sensor is aligned with the calibration device. The position of the height sensor relative to a camera is determined by aligning the camera with the calibration device and recording its position. The recorded coordinates of the camera are compared to the coordinates of the height sensor when the height sensor is automatically aligned with the calibration device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.