Method and device for detecting average liquid level in a bottle
AssigneeSuntory Limited
InventorsMichito Kurahashi, Hisao Tomikawa, Yuji Doi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for detecting a liquid level is monitored at mutually opposing sides of a liquid containing bottle. For monitoring the liquid level at each side of the bottle, a diffused light beam is irradiated toward the liquid surface from a level below the liquid surface. The light reflected at the liquid surface and the light refracted at the liquid surface are detected by a photo-receiving camera which is focused at a standard liquid level. An average value of the monitored liquid levels at both sides is taken as a liquid level indicative value. By employing the aforemention method, accurate detection of the liquid level becomes possible even when the liquid level is unstable.
Claims14
A method for detecting a liquid level in a bottle comprising the steps of:
- irradiating first light beam toward an area of liquid surface adjacent the peripheral bottle wall at a first side of the bottle from a position below said liquid surface and located at a second side of the bottle opposite to said first side;
- irradiating second light beam toward an area of liquid surface adjacent the peripheral bottle wall at said second side of the bottle from a position below said liquid surface and located at said first side of the bottle;
- receiving a first horizontally directed component of said first light beam reflected at the liquid surface and a second horizontally directed component of said first light beam refracted through said liquid, at said first side;
- producing a first light intensity indicative signal having higher values at signal positions corresponding to elevations, at which said first and second horizontally directed components of said first light beam are received;
- receiving a third horizontally directed component of said second light beam reflected at the liquid surface and a fourth horizontally directed component of said second light beam refracted through said liquid, at said second side;
- producing a second light intensity indicative signal having higher values at signal positions corresponding to elevations, at which said third and fourth horizontally directed components of said second light beam are received;
- processing said first and second intensity indicative signals for deriving average signal position to derive an average liquid level.
A device for detecting a liquid level in a bottle comprising:
- first means for irradiating first light beam toward an area of liquid surface adjacent the peripheral bottle wall at a first side of the bottle from a position below said liquid surface and located at a second side of the bottle opposite to said first side;
- second means for irradiating second light beam toward an area of liquid surface adjacent the peripheral bottle wall at said second side of the bottle from a position below said liquid surface and located at said first side of the bottle;
- third means for receiving a first horizontally directed component of said first light beam reflected at the liquid surface and a second horizontally directed component of said first light beam refracted through said liquid, at said first side;
- fourth means for producing a first light intensity indicative signal having higher values at signal positions corresponding to elevations, at which said first and second horizontally directed components of said first light beam are received;
- fifth means for receiving a third horizontally directed component of said second light beam reflected at the liquid surface and a fourth horizontally directed component of said second light beam refracted through said liquid, at said second side;
- sixth means for producing a second light intensity indicative signal having higher values at signal positions corresponding to elevations, at which said third and fourth horizontally directed components of said second light beam are received;
- and
- seventh means for processing said first and second intensity indicative signals for deriving average signal position to derive an average liquid level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.