US 12,276,493 B2
Method and apparatus for characterizing objects using a light-emitting array
Peter W. Goodenough, Swanzey, NH (US); and Cameron Dee Dryden, West Roxbury, MA (US)
Assigned to Markem-Imaje Corporation, Keene, NH (US)
Filed by Markem-Imaje Corporation, Keene, NH (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/870,740.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/225,217, filed on Jul. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0033635 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G01B 11/25 (2006.01); G01B 11/02 (2006.01); F16P 3/14 (2006.01)
CPC G01B 11/2513 (2013.01) [G01B 11/028 (2013.01); G01B 11/2518 (2013.01); F16P 3/144 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a support frame arranged around a transport path comprising a product support;
a light-emitting array comprising a plurality of light sources arranged along the support frame, each light source of the plurality of light sources arranged along the support frame at a respective distance above the product support;
a detector array comprising a plurality of light detectors, wherein each detector of the plurality of light detectors is arranged on the support frame opposite the transport path from a light source of the plurality of light sources and at a respective distance above the product support; and
a data processing apparatus in data communication with the light-emitting array and the detector array and configured to perform operations comprising:
measuring a height of a product on the product support as the product passes through the support frame by at least determining a first detector of the plurality of light detectors that detects light from a first light source of the plurality of light sources during sequential light signal emissions by the plurality of light sources;
measuring edge locations of the product by at least determining second detectors of the plurality of light detectors that detect light from second light sources of the plurality of light sources during sequential light signal emissions by the second light sources, wherein the light-emitting array is a linear array, the detector array is a linear array, the sequential light signal emissions by the second light sources occur after the sequential light signal emissions by the plurality of light sources, and determining the second detectors comprises detecting an edge of the product using the sequential light signal emission by the second light sources, which are only those light sources of the plurality of light sources that are above or below the first light source of the plurality of light sources with respect to the product support, and wherein the second detectors are only those light detectors of the plurality of light detectors that are below or above the first detector;
verifying, from the measured height and edge locations of the product, that the product on the product support matches an expected product;
in response to determining that the product matches the expected product:
determining product information comprising i) a speed of the product, ii) a location of the product, iii) dimensions of the product, iv) a shape of the product, v) product vibration, vi) a product trigger, or vii) a combination thereof; and
providing the product information; and
in response to determining that the product does not match the expected product i) providing an alert, ii) stopping further motion of the product on the product support, iii) disabling hazardous energy, or iv) a combination thereof.