# US 5,815,273 A · Device to determine the shape of pane-shaped objects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,815,273 A - Document ID: US5815273A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/736,013 - Filed: 1996-10-23 - Granted: 1998-09-29 - Earliest claimed: 1995-10-23 - Inventors: Peter Lisec - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5815273A ## CPC - E06B 3/67365: {Transporting or handling panes, spacer frames or units during assembly (E06B3/67304 - E06B3/67339 take precedence)} - G01B 11/245: using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers ({G01B11/2408 - G01B11/2425, } G01B11/255 take precedence) - G05B 19/4205: {in which a drawing is traced or scanned and corresponding data recorded} - E06B 2003/67395: {Non-planar units or of curvilinear outline, e.g. for vehicles} - G05B 2219/37061: Use matrix of optical sensors to detect form, edges of object - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A device for determining the shape of pane-shaped objects (1), particularly thermal window panes, has a support device which a pane-shaped object (1) abuts, optical sensors (7), a conveyor device (4, 5, 6) to move a pane-shaped object (1) and optical sensors (7) relative to one another, and a device for determining the travel path. There are multiple optical sensors (7) which are arranged in at least one row (3), where this row (3) is oriented parallel to the plane of pane-shaped object (1), as well as at an angle to the direction of travel (X). Optical sensors (7) which are arranged in one row (3) are reflected-light barriers. Light rays are reflected in the area of an object (1) (up to the edge of the object (9)) but not past to it, so that the Y-coordinate of a point on the object (9) is determined by the transition from reflection to non-reflection at sensor (7). ## Claims ### Claim 1 Device for determining a contour of a pane-shaped object comprising: a planar wall tilted relative to vertical and an adjacent generally horizontal base for supporting a side of the pane-shaped object having a planar surface parallel to said tilted wall; at least one row of plural optical sensors (7), means for moving pane-shaped object (1) and said optical sensors (7) relative to one another, a device (20) to determine a distance of relative movement of the pane-shaped object, wherein said row of optical sensors is oriented parallel to a plane of the pane-shaped object (1) and to said tilted wall, and not parallel to a direction of relative travel of the pane-shaped object and not parallel to said base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said row of optical sensors is oriented at right angles to the direction of travel of the pane-shaped object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said row of optical sensors is originated oblique to the direction of travel of the pane-shaped sensors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving is a conveyor device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein said device to determine a distance of relative movement is associated with said conveyor device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein sensors (7) are spread over the entire surface of a support device (2) which extends upward from said conveyor device (4), and along which pane-shaped objects (1) are moved. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein optical sensors (7) are spread evenly over said support device (2). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device to determine a distance of relative movement is a row (10) of optical sensors (7), which extends in the direction of travel of the pane-shaded object. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said optical sensors (7) are reflected-light barriers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis and storage unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device according to claim 10, further comprising a processing device for receiving data from said analysis and storage unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising at least two said rows of optical sensors that are parallel and staggered so that each of said sensors senses passage of a different portion of the edge of the planar object. ### Claim 13 A device for determining a contour of a pane-shaped object, comprising: plural rows of plural optical sensors; a conveyor for moving the pane-shaped object and said optical sensors relative to one another; and a device for determining a distance of relative movement of the pane-shaped object, wherein said rows of optical sensors are oriented parallel to a plane of the pane-shaped object and not parallel to a direction of relative travel of the pane-shaped object, and wherein the ones of said sensors that are arranged generally parallel to a direction of travel of the pane-shaped object form a line (10) of sensors (7) for determining the direction of travel of the pane-shaped object. ### Claim 14 A device for determining a contour of a planar object, comprising: a planar wall tilted relative to vertical and an adjacent generally horizontal base for supporting a side of a planar object having its planar surface parallel to said tilted wall; at least one row of optical sensors parallel to said tilted wall and not parallel to said base, each of said sensors for sensing passage of a portion of an edge of the planar object; means for moving the planar object relative to said row of optical sensors; and a movement sensor connected to said means for moving, for determining a distance of movement of the planar object relative to said row of optical sensors, whereby said row of optical sensors and said movement sensor determine a contour of the planar object. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, comprising at least two said rows of optical sensors that are parallel and staggered so that each of said sensors senses passage of a different portion of the edge of the planar object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein said movement sensor comprises a further row of optical sensors that are parallel to said base and perpendicular to said at least one row of optical sensors.