Patent ID: 6167106
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G06M

Abstract:
Apparatus for counting a progression of moving articles comprising:an ultrasonic transducer comprising a transmitter for directing a beam of ultrasonic energy angularly toward said progression of articles and a receiver for receiving ultrasonic energy reflected backwardly toward said transducer by said articles,timing means for measuring the round trip travel time of ultrasonic energy forwardly from said transmitter to said articles and reversely from said articles to said receiver,a computer connected to said timing means for detecting progressive changes in said round trip travel time corresponding to movement of an article through said beam and also detecting abrupt changes in said round trip travel time due to entry of new articles into said beam, said computer being configured for generating count adjustment signals upon occurrence of said abrupt changes happening after periods of said progressive changes, anda count indicator responsive to said count adjustment signals for registering a count of said articles.