Patent ID: 6683321
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
A portable counter for counting one or more articles arranged in a stack, each article including an outer edge, which is generally aligned with and spaced relative to the outer edges of the adjacently stacked articles so as to normally include a gap therebetween, the portable counter comprising:a housing sized to be hand carried, the housing having a handle, and a scan surface for facing toward and placing adjacent to a space, where the stack of one or more articles to be counted is located; a radiation source, including a laser diode, oriented so as to produce radiant energy which radiates in a direction toward any stack of articles positioned adjacent to the scan surface; a radiation detector spaced apart from and oriented toward the radiation source so as to selectively receive radiant energy from the radiation source and produce a corresponding output signal when the direct path between the radiation source and the radiation detector is unobstructed, wherein the direct path between the radiation source and the radiation detector crosses the space, where the stack of one or more articles to be counted is located; one or more motors coupled to the radiation source and the radiation detector for moving both the radiation source and radiation detector along the length of the scan surface and any stacked articles positioned adjacent thereto, wherein as the radiation source and the radiation detector move relative to the adjacent stack of articles the direct path between the radiation source and the radiation detector alternatively passes through the one or more articles and the gaps on either side of the one or more articles, the direct path being obstructed when the path passes through one of the one or more articles; and a processor coupled to receive the output signal of the radiation detector including a counting module for determining the number of articles intersected by the direct path between the radiation source and the radiation detector, as the radiation source and the radiation detector travel along the scan surface of the housing and the height of any stack of articles positioned adjacent thereto.