Counting bar-shaped products based upon acquired images
AssigneePrimetals Technologies Germany GmbH
InventorsRuth Kirkwood Azmat, Christopher Ceccarini, Ritesh Manoria
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Abstract
A conveyor element (2) of a conveyor device conveys bar-shaped products (1) orthogonal to a longitudinal direction (x) of the bar-shaped products (1) oriented in a conveying direction (y). A trigger device (3) provides a trigger signal (S) each time the conveyor element (2) has travelled a predetermined interval. Based upon the respective trigger signal (S), an image (B) is acquired by a camera (4). The image (B) shows front ends of the products (1) in a respective section of the conveyor element (2) corresponding at least to the predetermined interval. Based upon the acquired images (B), the number of bar-shaped products (1) conveyed by the conveyor element (2) is determined.
Claims17
A method of operation for a conveyor device for conveying bar-shaped products, wherein the bar shaped products have a longitudinal direction;
- the method comprising:
- conveying the bar-shaped products by a conveyor element of the conveyor device in a conveying direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the bar-shaped products;
- providing a respective trigger signal by a trigger device each time the conveyor element has travelled a predetermined interval;
- acquiring an image by a camera based upon the respective trigger signal, the acquired image showing front ends of the products seen in a respective section of the conveyor element corresponding at least to the predetermined interval;
- and
- determining the number of bar-shaped products conveyed by the conveyor element based upon the acquired images.
A conveyor device for conveying bar-shaped products, wherein the bar-shaped products have a longitudinal direction;
- the conveyor device comprising:
- a conveyor element configured and operable for conveying the bar-shaped products in a conveying direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the bar-shaped products;
- a trigger device configured and operable for providing a respective trigger signal each time the conveyor element has travelled a predetermined interval;
- a camera acquiring an image, based upon the respective trigger signal, showing front ends of the products in a section of the conveyor element corresponding at least to the predetermined interval;
- and
- a processing device located and configured for determining the number of bar-shaped products conveyed by the conveyor element, based upon the acquired images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.