# US 7,411,206 B2 · Method and system for detecting the position of an edge of a web > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,411,206 B2 - Document ID: US7411206B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/484,324 - Filed: 2006-07-11 - Published: 2007-02-08 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2003-02-05 - Assignees: Accuweb, Inc. - Inventors: Raymond A. Buisker; Andrew Kalnajs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411206B2 ## CPC - G01B 11/028: {by measuring lateral position of a boundary of the object (G01B11/022, G01B11/024, G01B11/04 take precedence)} - B65H 23/0216: {with an element utilising photoelectric effect} - G01N 21/8806: {Specially adapted optical and illumination features} - G01N 21/8903: {using a multiple detector array} - B65H 2553/412: in barrier arrangements, i.e. emitter facing a receptor element - B65H 2557/10: for signal transmission - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method and system for determining the lateral position of an edge of a web are disclosed. The system includes an array of light transmitting elements and a corresponding array of lenses and an array of light receiving elements and a corresponding array of lenses. The light transmitting elements are each paired with a light receiving element and the light transmitting elements each transmit a beam of light energy towards the corresponding receiving element. The beams of light can be occluded by a web passing between the transmitting elements and the receiving elements, thereby reducing the light received by the receiving elements. The receiving elements can generate a signal that is proportional to the amount of they receive, and a controller can be used to determine the lateral position of an edge of the web in response to the signals generated by the receivers. A compensation light beam can be employed to enable the controller to compensate for several factors that can affect measurement accuracy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use in detecting an edge of a web of material, the system comprising; a plurality of light sources being operative to transmit light, the plurality of light sources being arranged in two substantially parallel rows that are offset from one another so as to form a staggered pattern; a first plurality of lenses positioned such that each of the first plurality of lenses focuses light transmitted from one of the plurality of light sources; a second plurality of lenses positioned such that each of the second plurality of lenses is capable of receiving light focused by one of the first plurality of lenses; wherein the first plurality of lenses is spatially separated from the second plurality of lenses such that a gap is formed therebetween and such that only a portion of the web can pass through the gap; and a plurality of light receivers positioned such that each of the plurality of light receivers can receive light focused from one of the second plurality of lenses. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise light emitting diodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are operative to transmit light in the infrared light range. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are operative to transmit light at variable intensities. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are mounted on a single circuit board. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of light sources is operative to generate a compensation beam of light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of lenses comprise Fresnel lenses. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of lenses comprise Fresnel lenses. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise phototransistors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise photodiodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers are arranged in a staggered pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers are arranged in two substantially parallel rows. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers are mounted on a single circuit board. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a U-shaped housing having an upper arm and a lower arm, wherein the plurality of light transmitters are located in either the upper arm or the lower arm and the plurality of light receivers are located in the other arm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled with the plurality of light sources and the plurality of light receivers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is operative to sequentially activate the plurality of light sources and light receivers so that only a single light source and a single light receiver are active at a time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising a web guide coupled with the controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the controller detects the edge of the web in response to the light received by the plurality of light receivers. ### Claim 19 A system for use in detecting an edge of a web of material, the system comprising; a plurality of light sources that each transmits light along an axis, the plurality of light sources being arranged in two substantially parallel rows that are offset from one another so as to form a staggered pattern; a first plurality of lenses being positioned such that each of the first plurality of lenses is substantially on one of the axes; a second plurality of lenses positioned such that each of the second plurality of lenses is substantially on one of the axes; wherein the first plurality of lenses is spatially separated from the second plurality of lenses such that a gap is formed therebetween and such that only a portion of the web can pass through the gap; and a plurality of light receivers positioned such that each of the plurality of light receivers is substantially on one of the axes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise light emitting diodes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light sources are operative to transmit light in the infrared light range. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light sources are operative to transmit light at variable intensities. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light sources are mounted on a single circuit board. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein one of the plurality of light sources is operative to generate a compensation beam of light. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of lenses comprise Fresnel lenses. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the second plurality of lenses comprise Fresnel lenses. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise phototransistors. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise photodiodes. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light receivers are arranged in a staggered pattern. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light receivers are arranged in two substantially parallel rows. ### Claim 31 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light receivers are mounted on a single circuit board. ### Claim 32 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, further comprising a U-shaped housing having an upper arm and a lower arm, wherein the plurality of light transmitters are located in either the upper arm or the lower arm and the plurality of light receivers are located in the other arm. ### Claim 33 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, further comprising a controller coupled with the plurality of light sources and the plurality of light receivers. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is operative to sequentially activate the plurality of light sources and light receivers so that only a single light source and a single light receiver are active at a time. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The system of claim 33, further comprising a web guide coupled with the controller. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The system of claim 33, wherein the controller detects the edge of the web in response to the light received by the plurality of light receivers.