Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OBSTRUCTED FIELD-INDICIA-SENSING DEVICE
The present invention relates generally to
indicia-sensing apparatus for sensing the relative
position of reprinted indicia on a moving web of
material and, more particularly, to an indioia-sensing
device for detecting predetermined register indicia
on a moving film web having an obstructing field of
indicia positioned about the register indicia.
The use of composite material in packaging
applications has met with a growing acceptance in the
past few years because of high strength, low cost, and
other characteristics which melee it superior to con-
ventional paper board or cardboard in many applications.
A typical composite may have a thin layer of plastic
film adhered to a relatively thicker layer of paper
board material. A method of producing such a composite
material it described in US. Patent No 4,254,173 issued
Match 3, 1981, for COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR SECONDARY
CONTAINER PACKAGING of A. Dean Peer, Jr.
During high speed production of composite
material such as the type described in the Peer patent,
a continuously moving web of paper board material is
adhered to a continuously moving web of plastic film
material at a relatively high speed. During such high
speed laminating operations, the relatively thin plastic
web is subject to a number of conditions which may cause
it to shrink or expand prior to lamination with the paper
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rod web. Composite material used for packaging may
ha a repeating sex of graphic pruned on the plastic
em web; and, thus, it is ess2~tial to control the
stretch or relaxation in the plastic film web on order
to provide a composite material having graphics ox an
exalt, predetermined dimension. The method and apparatus
for controlling the longitudinal dimension of each
repeating set of graphic on a moving film web are
described in US. Patent No. 4,496,417, for CONTROL
10 STRETCH LAMINATING DEVICE of Hake, Fowled,
and Jensen.
As disclosed in the Hake I*, aye. US. Patent,
an essential part of a film-stretch-con~rol apparatus
it a monitoring device which monitors the passage of
certain fixed indicia on the film web which Are located
at a pxedeterm~ned position on each repeat length of the
film web. the indicia in the Hake et at. application
are tensed by high peed photo01~Gtric devices; and a
monitoring signal therefrom is prosody my a high speed
data processing device which also receive a signal
indicating the film web velocity and, from these two
bits of information, computes the distance between the
predetermined indicia. Tic information is subsequently
used to relatively stretch or syrinx the film prior to
lamination to thy paper board in order to provide a
compute material having graphic of a precise size and
repeat length. The indicia printed on the film web
described in awoke et at. move along a photoelectric
canner path which it otherwise free of indicia which
would disturb the light beam of the photoelectric skinnier
i.e., there ax no other Indira positioned on the web
a to interject a straight line drawn between any pair
of the length-indica~ing ~ndicia ox thy f lo web.
In many application wherein a jet ox graphic
occupies the err width of the film web, us an
unobstructed path for the photoelectric ~nsora cannot
be provided thou adding an additional width of material
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which must be subsequently trimmed off the composite
web a a significant increase in time and expense
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a
method and apparatus for detecting predetermined indicia
within an obstructed field of indicia on a moving film
web in order to monitor film web distortion or to
provide other data relating to the moving film web Such
apparatus might be used in a similar fashion in any
application wherein the recording or registering of
predetermined indicia on a moving web is desired and
wherein the predetermined indicia are positioned within
an obstructing field of indicia.
The present invention includes an indicia
detection apparatus for selectively detecting a predator-
mined register indicia on a moving web which is positioned within an encompassing field of indicia comprising code
indicia having a predetermined pattern and having a
specially fixed relationship on said web relative to
said register indicia; indicia sensing means for sensing
the special configuration of indicia lying along a
longitudinally extending, indicia sensing path comprising
at least one longitudinally extending, narrow width
sensing track and for generating a detection signal
indicative of the special orientation of indicia in said
longitudinally extending, indicia sensing path, data
processing means for receiving said indicia detection
signal and for comparing said signal with a predetermined
set of criteria for detecting a portion of said detection
signal corresponding to said coo indicia and for select-
in a portion of said detection signal for further processing base on the detection of said code indicia
and the special relationship of said code indicia to
said register indicia and for comparing said selected
; signal portion with a second set of criteria for detect-
US in a portion of said selected signal portion correspond-
in to said register indicia and registering the detection
of said register indicia.
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The present invention also includes a method
of detecting a predetermined register induce pattern
on a moving web which is positioned within an Encompass-
in yield of indicia, a portion of s id encompassing
field having a predetermined code indicia pattern
positioned in predetermined special relationship to
said register indicia pattern, comprising the steps of
continuously monitoring a longitudinally extending code
track on said web containing said predetermined code
Lo indicia pattern; comparing special relationships of
indicia detected on said code track during monitoring
with a predetermined model corresponding to said code
indicia pattern until said code pattern is detected;
selecting a short length portion of a longitudinally
extending register track on said web containing said
register indicia pattern, based upon the detection of
said code indicia pattern; monitoring said selected
portion of said longitudinally extending register path;
comparing special indicia patterns dejected on said
register path with a predetermined model corresponding
to said register indicia pattern until said register
indicia pattern is detected.
The present invention also includes a method
of detecting a predetermined register indicia pattern
on a moving web positioned within an encompassing field
of indicia, a portion of said encompassing field having
a predetermined code indicia pattern, comprising the
reps of continuously monitoring the passage of indicia
within a longitudinally extending cove path with a
: 3Q monitoring unit sensitive to all indicia in said code
path, said code path including said code indicia pattern;
comparing indicia patterns in said code path with a
: first set of predetermined criteria corresponding to said
code indicia pattern for detecting the passage of said
code indicia pattern; monitoring the passage ox ~ndicia
within a longitudinally extending register path for a
predetermined interval with a monitoring unit son itive
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to all indicia in said register path, said r sister path
including said register indicia pattern r said predator-
mined monitoring interval being initiated in response to
detecting the passage of said code indicia pattern;
comparing the indicia in said register path detected
during said predetermined interval with a second pro-
ruined set of criteria corresponding to said register
indicia for detecting the passage of said resister
indicia; and recording the passage of said register
indicia.
The present invention also includes a method
of detecting a predetermined register indicia pattern
on a moving web which is positioned within an encom-
passing field of indicia, a portion of said encompassing
field having a predetermined code indicia pattern,
comprising the steps of continuously comparing the
indicia in a first longitudinally extending path with
a first predetermined set of criteria corre~ondiny to
characteristics of said code indicia pattern and
generating a first signal indicating the passage of
each set of indicia meeting said first predetermined
set of criteria; continuously comparing the indicia
in a second Longitudinally extending path with a second
predetermined set of criteria cQrrespo~fl.~n~ tug
characteristics of said register indicia pattern and
generating a second signal indicating the passage ox
each set of indicia meeting said second predetermined
set of criteria; comparing said first signal with said
second signal for detecting the occurrence of a code
indicia pattern indication in said first signal and a
register indicia pattern indication in said second
signal within a predetermined interval; and registering
the passage of a register indicia pattern whenever said
comparison of signals indicates the occurrence of a
register indicia pattern and a sore indicia pattern
within said predetermined interval
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an indicia detection
apparatus being used to detect indicia on a moving
film web.
Fig. lo is an elevation view of a portion
of Fig 1.
Fig. 2 is another embodiment of an indicia
detection apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a detail of a portion of the moving
web shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is another embodiment of an indicia
detection apparatus.
Fig 5 is a flow chart of one method of
operating a detection apparatus for detecting predator-
mined indicia in an obstructed field.
Fig. 6 is a flow chart of another method of
operating a detection apparatus for detecting predator-
mined indicia in an obstructed field
Fig. 7 is a flow chart of another method of
operating a detection apparatus for detecting predator-
mined Indiana in an obstructed field
I One preferred embodiment of the invention,
which is presently the best mode contemplated, is
illustrated in Fig. 1. A moving film web 10 having
repeating sets ox graphics provided on associated repeat-
in length portions 11, 13 etc.- of the web comprises
25 a register indicia pattern positioned at the same
relative location within each repeat Length 11, 13 etc.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig r 1, the register
indicia pattern comprises a single, transversely, extend-
in mark 12 having a dimension measured longitudinally
ox the web of a predetermined value "a" which may be,
for example, one-eighth inch. Each repeat length also
has a code indicia pattern positioned at the same relative
location within each repeat length. In the embodiment
of Fig. 1, the code indicia pattern comprises a single,
transversely extending mark 14 having a predetermined,
longitudinally measured dimension "b" which may be, for
example, one-sixteenth inch. The register indicia
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pattern 12 and the code indicia pattern 14 within each
repeat length are separated by a predetermined, long-
twill Miss dip "c". the dusks I may be, for e~m~le,
one inch. Other indicia 18, such as, for example, dip
play graphic, quality control graphics and the like,
may also be provided in repeating or random positions
within each repeat length 11, 13, etc.
A first India tensing means, which in the
embodiment of Fig. 1 comprise a register photoelectric
0 6en60r 20 is positioned a a fixed location relative
to the moving film web whereat a relatively narrow
width track 22 that it scanned by the photoelectric
tenor 20 intersects a register indicia 12 on each
succeeding repeat length 11, 13 etc. a the film web
10 progress in the direction indicated (from left
to right on the sheet of drawling). A illustrated in
Fig. lay the register photoelectric sensor 20 may
comprise a conventional photoelectric sensor including
a light source 28 positioned below the moving film
web 10 or directing a narrow beam of light 29 through
the film web to a light sensor 30. the light sensor
30 generate a signal based upon thy presence or absence
of light from the light beam 29 which is periodically
obstructed by the printed indicia on the film web 10.
25 Thus, a ire based signal i& generated which, when
compared with a film velocity based signal, may be used
o determine the exact location and longitudinal
dimension of indicia pausing through the light beam,
i.e., indicia positioned along path 22. A film velocity
based signal may be generated by a conventional encoder
32 or "roto-pul~or" of the type de cried in the awoke
et at. US. Patent No. 4,496,417. me encoder 32 nay be mounted to
rollingly contact a roll 34 having a surface speed
equal to that of the film web 10. Both the encoder 32
Reed based signal and the time based signal from the
photoelectric senfiox 20, I are received and processed
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by processing means such a a conventional micro-
prosier 36 of the type de~cxibed in Hake et at.
US. Patent No. 4,496,417. It is an runt feature of
present invention that indicia other than the register
5 indiGia 12 may be prevent along path 22 without affect-
lung the accuracy or operation of the apparatus.
A second indicia sensing mean in he embody-
mint of Fig. 1 comprise a code photoelectric tenor
24 which may be of identical construction to the
register photoelectric 6en~0r 20 and which sense all
induce pro itioned along a longitudinally extending,
code tensing track 26 parallel to the register snowing
track 22. Code pho~ectric sensor 24 is positioned Jo
a to interject each code indicia pattern 14 on the
moving film web. Thus, the two photoelectric sensor
20, 24 comprise an Indira sensing jeans for sensing
the poshly characteristic ox indiGia lying within a
longitudinally extending, indicia awning path which,
in turn, compare the register sensing track 22 an
the code 6en~ing track 26.
On method of utilizing the apparatus shown
in Fig. 1 to cause exclusive registration of the passage
of register indicia patterns such as mark 12 it
illustrated in Fig. 5. Photoelectric tenor 20 continue
ouzel monitors the pudgy of all i~dicia along cod track 22 providing information regarding the longitudinal
dimension of each set of i.ndicia end and also the
longitudinal spacing between the sensed indicia in a
code-trac~c-indicia-detection signal. Photoelectric
30 sensor I simultaneously monitors the passage ox all
indicia along code track 26 and peeved information
regarding thy longitudinal dimension and spacing owe
thy induce in a code-track indicla~d~t~ction ~lgnal.
Next, each of the! two Indiana indioa~ing
35 Signal it compared with a prude Monet he oaf
model. They'll model my assent, with r~pec~ to the
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register track detection signal, of the criteria that
the indicia being examined must have a longitudinal
dimension falling within a predetermined value range,
erg., the criteria may be that the indicia must have
a dimension less than Lola and greater than aye.
With respect to the code-track-detection signal, the
criteria may be that the indicia must have a dimension
less than lob and greater than 0.9b. By providing
such tolerances mar irregularities which may be produced
by variations in mark printing conditions will not
effect the accuracy of the monitoring apparatus A
second set of signals is provided in response to each
of these comparisons of the first set of signals with
the respective mathematical models. The second set of
signals generated indicates the relative position of
indicia patterns conforming to the register indicia
model. in the case of one signal and to the code indicia
model in the case of the other signal. The second set
of signals, i.e., the two pattern detection signals,
is then compared. If a portion of the code-pattern-
detection signal indicating the occurrence of a code
pattern and a portion of the register-pattern~detection
signal indicating the occurrence of a register pattern
: both occur within a predetermined time span, i.e., in
physical terms, if the code mark 12 and the register
mark 14 are detected within a predetermined distance of
each other, the relative position of the detected-
register-indicia pattern is recorded, i.e., registered
for further processing.
Thus, it may be seen from the foregoing
example that three sets of criteria must be satisfied
before a mark detected by the photo sensor 20 is recorded
as a register indicia:
: I The mark must meet certain predetermined criteria
Jo 35 regarding its longitudinal positioning. tin the
preceding example, it must have a longitudinal
dimension within 10 percent of the value ox "a".)
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2. The mark must be within a predetermined
longitudinal distance from a detected code mark.
3. The code mark must have been found to meet
certain predetermined characteristics. (In the
preceding example, it must have a longitudinally
measured dimension within 10 percent of the
glue by
The probability of all three criteria being
met simultaneously in a random occurrence is extremely
low; and, thus the statistical probability of the
apparatus' recording only the proper register marks 12
is extremely high.
Referring now to Fig. 2, it may be seen that,
in another embodiment of the invention, a film web 40
having repeat lengths 41, 43 etc. is provided with a
register indicia pattern which may be a single mark 42
having a longitudinally measured dimension "a". 'rho
web is also provided with a code-indicia pattern I
which, in the illustrations of Figs. 2 and 3, comprises
three bar portions 45, 47, 49 of the letter "B". The
bars have longitudinally measured dimensions of by, by,
by, respectively, and are separated by longitudinally
measured distances of do, do, respectively. In this
illustration, the register indicia pattern 42 and the
code indicia pattern 44 are positioned so as to be
intersected by a single, narrow-width-scanning track
52 of a photoelectric sensor 50 which may be of an
identical construction to photoæensor 20 described with
reference to Fig. lay the code indicia pattern and the
pa register indicia pattern are separated by a distance
"c". A randomly positioned indicia 48 from the surround-
in indicia field may lie along path 52 between the
register idea pattern 42 and the code indicia pattern
OWE A register-indicia-pattern window 54 having a
longitudinally measured dimension "x" is provided in a
longitudinally bracketing relationship about the register
indicia pattern 42 as will be described in further detail
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hereinafter. The register window 54 may begin at. a
distance "y" from the upstream edge of the. code induce
pattern 44. The gap between patterns 42, 44 it here
designated by the numeral 56
AS illustrated by Fig. 6, the indicia
monitoring apparatus of Fig 2 oppress by continuously
monitoring a single detection path $2 and generating
an indicia detection signal containing information as
to the longitudinal dimension and longitudinal spacing
of indicia detected by the photoelectric sensor 50~
Next, the indicia detection signal is compared
with a mathematical model of the code indicia pattern
44. In thus particular embodiment, the mathematical
model consists of information including the longitudinal
dimensions of each jet of indicia sensed and also the
distance between indicia sensed Thus, for example, the
mathematical model could require that the three indicia
separated by distances equal to plus or minus 10 percent
of do with respect to the first distance and plus or
2Q minus do with respect to the second distance be detected
and further, thaw the dimensions of the three indicia
detected lie within the value o9bl to lolbll .9h2 to
lullaby and .9b3 to l lo respectively. After an indicia
pattern conforming to the code-indicia-pattern model is
I detected, all indicia within a predetermined window 54
positioned a redetermined distance "y" downstream of
the detected-code-indiçia pattern are compared with a.
second mathematical model croup to the register
indicia pattern. In this case, this may consist of the
no cXiterlon that the longitudinal dimension be
within lo percent of the value 'pa". It the inch
sensed within the window 54 Anaheim to this value, they
are then registered for further processing.
A illustrated by Fig. 4 in another embodiment
of the invention, a moving film web 70 is provided with
a series of register indicia patterns 72 at predetermined
po6itiQns within repeat lengths 71, 73, 75, etch Each
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register indicia pattern 72 has an associated code
ir~dicla pattern 74 position in longitudinally anal
tran~vex~ely spaced-apart relationship f rum the
Roget indicia pattern. The register indicia
pattern 72 may comprise two marks AYE, 72B, each
hazing a predetermined longitudinal dimension separated
by a predetermined longitudinal distant e . Each of the
code indicia patterns may also comprise two marks
AYE, 74B having predetermined longitudinal dimensions
and spacing. The register indicia pattern 72 is
separated from the code indicia pattern 74 longitudinally
by a predetermined distance. A register indicia window
78, as described in further detail below, brackets the
register indicia 72 and is positioned at a predetermined
longitudinal distance from the code indicia pattern 74.
Surrounding field indicia 80 may be positioned within
the code sensing track 84 or register sensing track
89 defined by photoelectric code Tensor 82 and photo-
electric register 86, respectively In this ~mhodiment
I as illustrated in Fig. 7, the sequence of operations
leading Jo registering of indicia pattern 72 may begin
with continuously monitoring code track 84 and general-
in a code-track-indicia-detection signal. The code-
track-indicia detection signal it then compared with a
model of the code indicia pattern based on criteria of,
e.g., the dimensions of marks await 74B, and thy spacing
there between. When a set of indicia it found to conform
to this predetermined set of criteria, a command signal
it generated to activate photo sensor 86 at a px~etermi~ed
3Q longitudinal distance from the point of detection of thy
code indicia pattern. The photo sensor 86 monitors only
a small length predetermined portion of path 88 before
it it switched off providing an i~dicia detecting
inlay. Indicia detected are compare with a second
mathematical model with pry determined criteria based on
, the characteristics of the register indicia, e.g.,
number of marks, spacing between marks, mark dimensions.
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If the indicia detected by photoelectric sensor 86
conform to the mathematical model, then the position
where this indicia pattern occurred is registered.
It is contemplated that the inventive concepts
S herein described may be variously otherwise embodied
and it is intended that the appended claims be con-
trued to include alternative embodiments ox the invent
lion except insofar as limited by the prior auto
