Patent ID: 8085988
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for recognizing and determining a position of at least one teat cup of a teat cup magazine, comprising: a scanning head comprising a wave emitting source for emitting waves into a region which is expected to contain said at least one teat cup; a means operable to capture at least one image formed by said waves, a means operable to evaluate said at least one image so as to determine if said at least one image describes said at least one teat cup; and means operable to determine the position of said at least one teat cup if it is established that said at least one teat cup is described by said at least one image, wherein said scanning head is arranged to be moved to an initial position in a room, which said initial position is below and in front of said teat cup magazine; said scanning head is arranged to be moved in a coil like movement while carrying out a scanning procedure, wherein means are arranged for comparing images obtained during said scanning procedure with corresponding images obtained in previous moments during said scanning procedure until the position of said at least one teat cup has been established, or a predetermined time limit has elapsed during the scanning procedure.