Importance

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Abstract

An automation control apparatus for determining whether there is an article within a target area, and, if so, whether the article meets certain predefined acceptability criteria. The control apparatus emits a beam of acoustic energy into the target area and receives back the reflected signal from the area. The received signal is then amplified to account for normal attenuation, and the amplified signal is tested to determine whether its transit time or amplitude indicates the presence of an object within the specified area. If an article is present, waveform analysis is performed on the amplified signal to determine the signature of the article, so that the signature may be compared with predetermined acceptable values. If an object is present and the object meets the acceptability criteria to be classified as a desired article, then a positive indication is provided. Conversely, a negative indication is made if an acceptable article is not present. The described apparatus may be used as one of a plurality of individual automation control components in a coincidence control apparatus involving a plurality of articles, wherein a coincidence detection unit determines whether the output signals of the respective control components occur in a preselected timed relationship to each other, as may be required. If coincidence is not achieved, warning signals are provided to other automated machines, as to sorting machines.

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First Claim