Method and apparatus for dispensing items

US8972049B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Data Detection Technologies Ltd. · IL

Inventors

• ARI TIDHAR · Kiryat Ono, IL
• ISRAEL SHNEIDERMAN · Jerusalem, IL
• NACHSHON KAHANA · Jerusalem, IL
• AMICHAI ADAM · Yoqneam Illit, IL
• ARYEH TEITELBAUM · Jerusalem, IL
• Oded Davidovitch · Nes Ziona, IL
• Yossi Shomer · Gdera, IL
• Yuval Lichi · Afula, IL
• Zvi Weinberger · Jerusalem, IL
• IGOR FAIB · Jerusalem, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 24, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 24, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/10016
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for rapidly and accurately dispensing a predetermined number of discrete items, the method comprising: operating a conveyor to transport multiple items towards an imaging device, wherein the items are arranged in a single layer and at least some of the items are transported in parallel; operating the imaging device to continuously capture images of an area immediately below an end of the conveyor, so that items falling off the conveyor are recorded in the images while in trajectory; processing the images in real time, to continuously determine the number of falling items; stopping the conveyor before the number of falling items has reached the predetermined number, while continuing to determine the number of falling items until items cease to fall off the conveyor innertially; and automatically dispensing an additional amount of items, to complete the predetermined number of items.