EP 0743616 A3 19980114 - Apparatus and method for counting sheets
Title (en)
Apparatus and method for counting sheets
Title (de)
Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Zählen von Blättern
Title (fr)
Appareil et méthode de comptage de feuilles
Publication
Application
Priority
US 44114995 A 19950515
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP0743616A2] An apparatus and method for counting sheets of thin media is provided by illuminating with an LED array 24 the edge 5 of a plurality of sheets 8. A linear CCD array camera 20 receives the reflected light from the sheets 8, and generates a signal waveform responsive to variations in the reflected light corresponding to the sheets. A digitizer then converts the signal into a digital signal waveform for storage in a video buffer 36. The stored signal waveform is thereafter processed along one dimension of said edge using a digital signal processor 34 for locating the positions of the sheets in the waveform, and then counting the sheets. Preferably, the linear CCD array camera 20 provides a one-dimensional image of the edge 5, however a two-dimensional CCD array may be used with additional signal processing to translate its two-dimensional signal into a one-dimensional signal. The apparatus further can locate in the signal waveform rigid portions called stiffener boards 9 which border the plurality of sheets 8 or lie at intervals between the sheets. The processing in this apparatus is automatically adaptive to sheets of different media type, edge conditions, and the presence or absence of stiffener boards 9. The apparatus can be used for counting sheets comprising a pack 10, or the rotational convolutions 74 of media on a roll 70. <IMAGE>
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
CPC (source: EP)
G06M 1/101 (2013.01); G06M 9/00 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [PX] EP 0676718 A1 19951011 - LEROUX GILLES SA [FR]
- [XY] WO 8904021 A1 19890505 - WOODWARD WILLIAM HENRY [GB]
- [X] WO 9110972 A1 19910725 - WESTLING BJOERN MAGNUS [SE], et al
- [PXPY] US 5428557 A 19950627 - HARBAUGH MARK M [US], et al
- [X] EP 0466313 A2 19920115 - DE LA RUE SYST [GB]
- [X] EP 0371881 A2 19900606 - MECCANIZZA POSTALE E AUTOMAZI [IT]
- [A] US 4771443 A 19880913 - MOHAN WILLIAM L [US], et al
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE FR GB NL
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 0743616 A2 19961120; EP 0743616 A3 19980114; JP H08315102 A 19961129
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 96420158 A 19960506; JP 12056196 A 19960515