Camera system for scanning a moving surface

A method for inspecting a moving web of product during manufacturing using a stationary linear array charge coupled device (CCD) camera, comprising;

• a) exposing said linear array to light reflected from a surface of a linear segment of said web during an exposure time interval and creating scan lines each with video signals corresponding to said surface of said linear segment, wherein each said scan line includes non-useful or dead (i.e. dark) video data signals;
• b) generating information signals related to said product, wherein said information signals are created external to said camera during said exposure time interval;
• c) transmitting both said video data signals and said information signals along at least one optical fiber to a computer processing unit during an exposure time interval, wherein said information signals are multiplexed into said non-useful or dead (i.e., dark) video data signals to create a sequential stream of data for transmission to said computer processing unit;
• and,
• d) processing said video data signals and said information signals to evaluate the condition of said product.

An apparatus for inspecting a product, comprising:

• means for scanning a surface of said product and creating scan lines each with video data signals corresponding to said surface, wherein each said scan line includes non-useful or dead (i.e., dark) video data signals;
• means for generating information signals related to said product, wherein said information signals are created external to said means for scanning;
• means for transmitting both said video data signals and said information signals along at least one optical fiber, wherein said information signals are multiplexed into said non-useful or dead (i.e., dark) video data signals to create a sequential stream of data for transmission to said computer processing unit;
• and
• a computer processing unit to receive said video and information signals and operatively arranged to process said video data signals and said information signals to evaluate the condition of said product.

An apparatus for inspecting a product during manufacturing using a stationary linear array charge coupled device (CCD) camera, comprising;

• a) a stationary linear array charge coupled device (CCD) camera having a linear array operatively arranged to be exposed to light reflected from a surface of a linear segment of said web during an exposure time interval and including means for creating scan lines each with video signals corresponding to said surface of said linear segment, wherein each said scan line includes non-useful or dead (i.e., dark) video data signals;
• b) means for generating information signals related to said product, wherein said information signals are created external to said camera during said exposure time interval;
• c) means for transmitting both said video data signals and said information signals along at least one optical fiber during an exposure time interval, wherein said information signals are multiplexed into said non-useful or dead (i.e., dark) video data signals to create a sequential stream of data for transmission to said computer processing unit;
• and,
• d) a computer processing unit operatively arranged to receive said video and information signals and to process said signals to evaluate the condition of said product.