EP2130163B1 - Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2130163B1
EP2130163B1 EP08706386A EP08706386A EP2130163B1 EP 2130163 B1 EP2130163 B1 EP 2130163B1 EP 08706386 A EP08706386 A EP 08706386A EP 08706386 A EP08706386 A EP 08706386A EP 2130163 B1 EP2130163 B1 EP 2130163B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
optical sensor
detection
products
flat products
beam profile
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP08706386A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2130163A1 (fr
Inventor
Steven Brossi
Carl Conrad MÄDER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ferag AG
Original Assignee
Ferag AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ferag AG filed Critical Ferag AG
Priority to EP11003404.8A priority Critical patent/EP2362330B1/fr
Priority to EP10008415A priority patent/EP2256075A3/fr
Priority to DK11003404.8T priority patent/DK2362330T3/da
Publication of EP2130163A1 publication Critical patent/EP2130163A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2130163B1 publication Critical patent/EP2130163B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H43/00—Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/003—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by grippers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/02—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by mechanical grippers engaging the leading edge only of the articles
    • B65H29/04—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by mechanical grippers engaging the leading edge only of the articles the grippers being carried by endless chains or bands
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/66—Advancing articles in overlapping streams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H43/00—Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable
    • B65H43/08—Photoelectric devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M1/00—Design features of general application
    • G06M1/08—Design features of general application for actuating the drive
    • G06M1/10—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means
    • G06M1/101—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means by electro-optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M7/00—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4224—Gripping piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/42242—Gripping piles, sets or stacks of articles by acting on the outermost articles of the pile for clamping the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4224—Gripping piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/42244—Sets in which articles are offset to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/16—Irregularities, e.g. protuberances
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/17—Deformation, e.g. stretching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/30—Numbers, e.g. of windings or rotations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/40—Movement
    • B65H2513/42—Route, path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/41—Photoelectric detectors
    • B65H2553/414—Photoelectric detectors involving receptor receiving light reflected by a reflecting surface and emitted by a separate emitter
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/42—Cameras
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/46—Illumination arrangement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2557/00—Means for control not provided for in groups B65H2551/00 - B65H2555/00
    • B65H2557/50—Use of particular electromagnetic waves, e.g. light, radiowaves or microwaves
    • B65H2557/51—Laser
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1932—Signatures, folded printed matter, newspapers or parts thereof and books
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M2207/00—Indexing scheme relating to counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M2207/02—Counting of generally flat and overlapped articles, e.g. cards, newspapers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for counting and detecting sheet-like products according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for counting and detecting sheet-like products according to claim 7.
  • Devices for counting flat products are generally known technical aids to determine the number of flat products. Upon detection of a deviation between an expected number of sheets and the number determined by the meter, corresponding error correction processes may be initiated. In counting devices optical sensors are often used to detect the number of flat products contactlessly and quickly.
  • Counting devices are for example in the EP-A-1 661 833 and the WO 2007/012206 disclosed.
  • flat products transported in brackets are equipped with identification information which is subjected to an optical-electronic control when the flat products move past at a control point. Images of the identification information are registered by means of an image recording device. The captured images are processed electronically and, as a result of this processing, control signals are generated for downstream processing devices.
  • planar products In the case of the known device, the planar products must additionally be provided with identification information which is then to be detected in an image acquisition process which is frequently dependent on ambient lighting. Completely flat adjacent products are not counted in this way or only with great effort.
  • the publication EP 1 134 594 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for detecting edge regions of objects, particularly overlapping newspapers, in which at least two light signals are emitted into a surveillance area.
  • the emitted light signals are reflected by an object moving in the surveillance area.
  • the reflected light signals are imaged as spaced beam images on a spatially resolving receiving unit.
  • the distance between the beam images on the receiving unit is detected, and upon detecting a change in the distance of the beam images by at least a predetermined threshold, an edge detection signal is generated.
  • the publication EP 0 626 663 A1 relates to a method and a device for detecting objects or edges on objects formed on or in the objects in the form of frontal or sectional surfaces lying in a certain angular range with respect to a predetermined main surface of the objects.
  • a relative movement between the light source and the objects or the edges is effected, wherein a light beam from a light source is irradiated onto the object in a specific incident angle range on a respective front or sectional area.
  • a portion of the incident light reflecting therefrom is detected by a light detector arranged in an angle of incidence range, and a signal indicating the presence of the object and / or one or more frontal or sectional areas is generated therefrom.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a counting device and a method for counting sheet-like products, which makes it possible to reliably and reliably determine the number of sheet-like products with as little effort as possible.
  • the device according to the invention for counting and detecting sheet-like products, in particular printed products has a light source, an optical sensor and an evaluation unit connected to the optical sensor.
  • the light source in a preferred embodiment, a laser, has a beam shaping optics, for example in the form of optical lenses, in particular of cylindrical lenses, of apertures or diffractive optical elements, through which the emitted light, a predetermined illumination beam profile "imprinted" is. Within the illumination beam profile objects are irradiated with light.
  • the light source can over the
  • Beam shaping optics are associated with an optical axis extending straight from the light source in space.
  • this optical axis simultaneously forms a central beam axis of the illumination beam profile and is also referred to below as an illumination beam axis.
  • the optical sensor in a preferred embodiment for example an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensitive elements, is equipped with a detection optical system for forming a detection beam profile.
  • detection optics for example, a camera lens is used.
  • the detection beam profile includes all the locations from which the optical sensor can detect light.
  • the detection beam profile of the optical sensor is composed of the individual detection beam profiles associated with each individual photosensitive element.
  • the detection beam profile of the optical sensor could be visualized by replacing the photosensitive elements with small light sources.
  • an optical axis can also be assigned to the optical sensor via the detection optics. For the purposes of this application, this optical axis simultaneously forms a central beam axis of the detection beam profile and is also referred to below as a detection beam axis.
  • the illumination beam profile and the detection beam profile are aligned with an angle offset from one another such that they overlap in a detection area.
  • the illumination beam axis and the detection beam axis are even in a plane.
  • the optical sensor may generate a detection signal with information about the detected portion of the surface profile.
  • the detection signal is forwarded to a downstream evaluation unit.
  • the evaluation unit preferably a computer, can use the detection signal to determine the number of areal products which were located in the detection area at the time of detection.
  • the apparatus for counting and detecting sheet-like products is assigned a transport device.
  • the flat products which are moved through the detection area along a transport direction by means of the transport device are preferably continuously counted in order, for example, to check their completeness.
  • the illumination beam axis is preferably aligned inclined relative to the surface normal of, for example, resting on a conveyor belt or transported by means of brackets or grippers flat products.
  • the illumination beam profile in the detection area is preferably formed by means of the beam shaping optics as a substantially rectilinear region, in particular as a so-called illumination line, which defines the section of the surface profile of the planar products in a defined manner illuminated.
  • the illumination line extends substantially parallel to the transport direction.
  • a camera Immediately above the flat products, with its detection beam axis slightly inclined to the surface normal and aligned substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, is a camera as an optical sensor.
  • the detection beam profile is formed by the detection optics such that an image of the light line projected onto the surface of the planar products by the light source is generated on the photosensitive elements of the camera.
  • an image recorded by the camera is projected from the illumination line projected onto this uneven "projection surface” whose bends and heels reflect.
  • This image information is forwarded in the detection signal to an electrically connected computer.
  • a computer-executable image processing program can then determine from the image of the projected illumination line on the basis of the curvatures and paragraphs the number of planar products that have been in the detection area. So that the image information is influenced as little as possible by movement artefacts due to the transport of the sheet-like products during image acquisition, the recording or detection time is short compared to the time within which a flat product has moved by the amount of its thickness.
  • the number of surface products located in the detection area is determined solely from the detected surface profile of the sheet-like products. It is not necessary to attach identification information to the sheet products. Due to the relative to the ambient light comparatively high intensity of the light generated by the light source in the illumination beam profile, in particular within the illumination line in the detection area, there is sufficient contrast in the image recordings, so that a reliable identification of the illuminated surface profile is guaranteed.
  • the optical sensor may be provided with corresponding filter elements to further reduce the interference of ambient light.
  • FIG Fig. 1 A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for counting and detecting sheet-like products (also referred to below as counting device) 10 with a transport device 12 assigned to it is shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown schematically.
  • the light source 16 preferably lasers, in particular laser diodes or gas lasers, LEDs, but also classical radiation sources, such as incandescent or halogen lamps, can be used.
  • the light source 16 is equipped with beam shaping optics 22 which provide a predetermined illumination beam profile 24 and define an optical axis of the light source 16.
  • the illumination beam profile 24 of the light source 16 arranged laterally relative to a transport direction T along which the planar products 14 are transported has a cross-section (also beam cross-section) with a substantially line-like, substantially linear, substantially rectilinear shape ,
  • the beam cross section is at right angles to the optical axis of the light source 16, hereinafter also called illumination beam axis 26, measured.
  • the linear, preferably rectilinear beam cross section is also referred to as the illumination line.
  • the illumination beam profile 24 with its line-like beam cross-section extends substantially in one plane.
  • Elongated, essentially line-like beam cross-sections can be produced with known beam-shaping optics 22, which are equipped, for example, with cylindrical lenses, diaphragms or diffractive elements.
  • the illumination beam profile 24 preferably has a higher light intensity than the ambient light, at least in a detection area defined below.
  • the light source 16 preferably provides substantially monochromatic light, such as that produced by lasers, single color LEDs, or classic light sources equipped with filters. In this way, it is possible to distinguish the light generated by the light source 16 and scattered by the planar products 14 and detected by the optical sensor 18 from the ambient light, both because of its intensity and its spectral range, and thus reliable detection and counting of the sheet-like products 14 to ensure.
  • an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensitive elements for example a CCD camera
  • the optical sensor 18 is provided with a detection lens 28 in the form of a camera lens which provides a detection beam profile 30 and defines an optical axis of the optical sensor 18.
  • the optical axis of the optical sensor 18 will hereinafter be referred to as the detection beam axis 32.
  • the optical sensor 18 is arranged above the sheet-like products 14, so that an image of the light line projected onto the flat products 14 on the photosensitive elements of the optical sensor 18 is generated by means of the detection optics 28.
  • the illumination beam profile 24 of the light source 16 and the detection beam profile 30 of the optical sensor 18 are aligned with angular offset from each other so that they overlap in a detection area in which there is at least a portion 33 of a surface profile of the sheet products 14 for counting.
  • the located in the detection area and thus illuminated portion 33 of the surface profile is at least partially limited by the predetermined illumination beam profile 24.
  • a scattering angle ⁇ included by the illumination beam axis 26 and the detection beam axis 32 is preferably between 10 ° and less than 180 °, more preferably between 30 ° and 45 °.
  • the light source 16 may be arranged laterally with respect to the sheet-like products 14, that the longitudinal axis of the illumination line is aligned substantially parallel to the transport direction T.
  • the illumination line preferably extends over an edge region of the sheet-like products 14, in the case of folded sheet-like products 14 preferably over its collar 34.
  • the optical sensor 18 can be arranged both above and laterally from the flat products 14.
  • the illustrated positions of light source 16 and optical sensor 18 are also interchangeable.
  • the detection beam axis 32 or the illumination beam axis 26 is preferably aligned inclined to the surface normal of the flat products 14 and at right angles to the transport direction T.
  • the basic principle of the counting device 10 is that the known in their form, substantially rectilinear illumination line is projected onto an uneven by the thickness and / or arrangement of the sheet 14 products section 33 of the surface profile of the sheet products 14 and at a staggered detection, the height changes the surface profile of the sheet-like products as curvatures and paragraphs in the capture of the optical sensor 18 image of the illumination line can be detected.
  • the illuminated portion 33 of the surface profile of the flat products 14 detected by the optical sensor 18 is in the considered embodiment, in which a camera is used as an optical sensor 18, as an image recording.
  • the image information is forwarded by means of a detection signal via an electrical connection to the evaluation unit 20, for example a computer.
  • the relevant information about the surface profile disturbing additional information still present in the images, for example signs and images visible on the surface of the planar products 14 due to the ambient light, can be filtered out by known discrimination methods.
  • a scanned by means of the inventive counting device surface profile is in the Fig. 1 and 3 by dashed lines, which are provided with the reference numeral A shown.
  • the sheet products 14 are in Fig. 1 transported by means belonging to the counting device 10 transport 36 in the form of brackets.
  • two flat products 14 are each held by one transport means 36 in such a way that a flat product 14 leading in the transport direction T extends further into a clamp mouth of the transport means 36, as a trailing further flat product 14 partially resting on the leading flat product 14.
  • the respective transport means 36 themselves can, as also in Fig. 1 shown, by a further sensor 38, for example in the form of a light barrier, to be detected.
  • a trigger signal is generated by the further sensor 38 and forwarded to the evaluation unit 20.
  • the transport speed of the transport means 36 can Now the number of detected at a given time surface products 14 are each assigned to a particular transport 36.
  • a predetermined target number of flat products which should be held by a transport means 36 is now determined whether errors in the placement of the transport means 36 or the transport have occurred, so that, for example, a corresponding control signal can be triggered to a downstream processing device ,
  • the used for the assignment further sensor 38 is also in Fig. 2 shown. It can be seen in the transport direction T, both before the counting device 10 and after the counting device 10 may be arranged. At the in Fig. 2 shown embodiment of the transport device 12 are each two flat products 14 completely superimposed held by grippers designed transport 36.
  • Fig. 3 is a further embodiment of a transport device 12 with a conveyor belt shown as transport 36.
  • the sheet-like products 14 are transported with their collar 34 in the transport direction T leading in an imbricated formation on the transport means 36 resting through the detection area of the counting device 10.
  • the surface profile A of the planar products 14 scanned by the counting device 10 is represented by a dashed line.
  • the optical sensor 18 In an arrangement of the optical sensor 18 such that its detection beam axis 32 is aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the collar 34 of the sheet products 14, which could be in the FIGS. 5a to 5e be shown abstracted image taken.
  • the illumination beam axis 26 of the light source 16 is directed from the top to the camera-side free end region of the collar 34 and advantageously extends at least nearly parallel to product pages 40 of the sheet 14.
  • the illumination beam axis 26 and the detection beam axis 32 span here a plane that is in the Substantially perpendicular to the transport direction T extends.
  • FIGS. 5a to 5e In addition to the illuminated by the illumination line sections 33 of the surface profiles, which are shown as dashed lines, for clarity, the side views of each sampled planar products 14 in the abstracted images are shown. On the basis of these exemplary abstracted image recordings, it is shown that planar products 14 transported in a suspended manner by means of grippers or clamps (individually Fig. 5a ), in pairs ( Fig. 5b, 5c and 5e ) or in a multiple arrangement, for example, three ( Fig. 5d ), transported and counted.
  • a detection and counting is shown both with flat products 14 (FIG. Fig. 5c and Fig. 5d ), as well as in completely adjacent flat products 14 possible.
  • the optical quality of the image recordings and thus the reliability of the counting that the camera acting as the optical sensor 18 records image recordings within a time that is shorter , is preferably much shorter than the time within which a sheet product 14 moves by the amount of its thickness in the detection area.
  • the reliability of counting can be increased if, as previously mentioned, the light intensity of the light source 16 is increased relative to the ambient light or a filter tuned to the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source 16 is used in the optical sensor 18 , In addition, it is by an increase in the angle ⁇ between the illumination beam axis 26 and the detection beam axis 32, it is possible to increase the curvatures, edges and heights in the images of the illuminated surface portions 33.
  • the counting device 10 according to the invention and the method according to the invention for counting sheet-like products 14 make it possible to count surface products 14 that are suitable and reliable for a variety of transport formats of sheet-like products 14 with moderate equipment complexity.
  • the sheet-like products 14 can be transported during detection and counting be, with the amount of transport speed is limited by the shortest possible recording time of the optical sensor 18, in which, despite resulting from the transport movement artifacts in the image recordings a reliable count possible.
  • both the illumination beam profile 24 and the detection beam profile 30 can be adapted to the specific needs. It is thus possible to project a plurality of illumination lines or also time-varying patterns of illumination lines onto the surface of the planar products 14 and to detect them by means of the optical sensor 18. It is important that the located in the detection area surface portion 33 of the sheet products 14 is at least partially limited by the predetermined illumination beam profile 24.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif (10) permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats (14), lequel dispositif comprend une source lumineuse (16) présentant un profil de faisceau d'éclairage (24), un capteur optique (18) présentant un profil de faisceau de détection (30), ainsi qu'une unité d'évaluation (20) qui est reliée au capteur optique (18). Le profil de faisceau de détection (30) chevauche le profil de faisceau d'éclairage (24) dans une zone de détection dans laquelle une section (33) d'un profil de surface du produit plat (14) au moins partiellement définie par le profil de faisceau d'éclairage (24) est éclairée. Un signal de détection produit par le capteur optique (18) est transféré à l'unité d'évaluation qui détermine à partir de ce signal le nombre de produits plats de trouvant dans la zone de détection.

Claims (10)

  1. Dispositif pour le comptage et la détection de produits plats (14), notamment de produits d'impression, comprenant une source de lumière (16), un capteur optique (18) muni d'un système de détection optique (28) pour former un profil de faisceau de détection (30) et une unité d'exploitation (20) connectée au capteur optique (18), dans lequel la source de lumière (16) est munie d'une optique de formation de faisceau (22) destinée à former un profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) qui se superpose au profil de faisceau de détection (30) du capteur optique (18) dans une zone de détection, dans lequel une section (33) se trouvant dans la zone de détection d'un profil de surface des produits plats (14), qui est au moins partiellement délimité par le profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24), peut être détecté au moyen du capteur optique (18) par une orientation décodée angulairement du profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) par rapport au profil de faisceau de détection (30), et dans lequel le nombre des produits plats (14) peut être déterminé dans la zone de détection au moyen de l'unité d'exploitation (20) à partir d'un signal de détection, généré par le capteur optique (18), qui contient des informations concernant la section détectée (33) du profil de surface, et comprenant en outre un dispositif de transport (12) associé au moyen duquel les produits A17623WOEP/08.05.2012 plats (14) sont transportés le long d'une direction de transport (T), l'axe optique (32) du capteur optique (18) étant orienté de manière sensiblement orthogonale à la direction de transport (T) et l'axe longitudinal d'une section transversale du profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) s'étendant dans la zone de détection de manière sensiblement parallèle à la direction de transport (T), caractérisé par un capteur supplémentaire (38) qui génère un signal de déclenchement lors d'un passage d'un moyen de transport (36) du dispositif du transport (12) à travers une zone de surveillance du capteur supplémentaire (38) de telle sorte que les nombres de produits plats (14) en un point déterminé dans le temps puissent être attribués au moyen de transport respectif (36).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la section transversale du profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) dans la zone de détection, mesurée perpendiculairement à l'axe optique (32) de la source de lumière (16), est formée de manière à être sensiblement au moins partiellement délimitée par une droite, et de préférence de manière sensiblement linéaire, et de façon particulièrement préférable, de manière à être rectiligne avec formation d'une ligne d'éclairement.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les axes optiques (26, 32) de la source de lumière (16) et du capteur optique (18) forment un angle compris entre environ 10° et moins de 180°, et de préférence, entre 30° et 45°.
  4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les axes optiques (26, 32) de la source de lumière (16) et/ou du capteur optique (18) sont orientés de manière inclinée par rapport à la normale à la surface des produits plats (14).
  5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le capteur optique (18) est une caméra, de préférence une caméra électronique, et de manière plus particulièrement préférable, une caméra CCD ou CMOS, qui détecte des prises de vues en moins d'un temps d'acquisition qui est plus court et de préférence beaucoup plus court que le temps mis par un produit plat (14) pour se déplacer d'une distance égale à son épaisseur dans la zone de détection.
  6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'intensité lumineuse dans le profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) de la source de lumière (16) est plus élevée dans la zone de détection que l'intensité lumineuse de la lumière ambiante et en ce que la source de lumière (16) fournit de préférence essentiellement une lumière monochromatique et, de manière particulièrement préférable, en ce qu'elle est réalisée sous la forme d'un laser.
  7. Procédé pour le comptage et la détection de produits plats (14), notamment de produits d'impression, par utilisation d'un dispositif (10) destiné au comptage et à la détection de produits plats (14) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel, par une orientation décalée angulairement du profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24) par rapport au profil de faisceau de détection (30), une section (33) se trouvant dans la région de détection d'un profil de surface des produits plats (14) qui est délimitée au moins partiellement par le profil de faisceau d'éclairement (24), est détectée au moyen du capteur optique (18) et dans lequel le nombre des produits plats (14) est déterminé dans la zone de détection au moyen de l'unité d'exploitation (20) connectée au capteur optique (18) à partir d'un signal de détection, généré par le capteur optique (18), qui contient des informations concernant la section détectée (33) du profil de surface, et dans lequel, les produits plats (14) sont en outre transportés dans la zone de détection par rapport au dispositif (10) le long d'une direction de transport (T) à l'aide de moyens de transport (36) d'un dispositif de transport (12) associé au dispositif (10), caractérisé en ce qu'un signal de déclenchement est généré lors d'un passage de l'un des moyens de transport (36) travers une zone de surveillance d'un capteur supplémentaire (38), de telle sorte que les nombres de produits plats (14) en un point déterminé dans le temps puissent être attribués de manière exacte à un moyen de transport (36).
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'une zone de bord de l'un des produits plats (14) se trouve dans la zone de détection lors de la détection.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que les produits plats (14) sont transportés individuellement dans la zone de détection selon une formation en mosaïque de manière à se superposer partiellement ou à être entièrement en butée les uns contre les autres, notamment à l'aide de crampons, de pinces ou d'une bande transporteuse.
  10. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le nombre de produits plats (14) est déterminé au moyen d'un programme de traitement d'image qui est exécuté dans l'unité d'exploitation (20) à partir de prises de vues qui ont été acquises par le capteur optique (18).
EP08706386A 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats Not-in-force EP2130163B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11003404.8A EP2362330B1 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats
EP10008415A EP2256075A3 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé destinés au contrôle de produits plats
DK11003404.8T DK2362330T3 (da) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Indretning og fremgangsmåde til optælling og genkendelse af flade produkter

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH5392007 2007-04-03
PCT/CH2008/000087 WO2008119192A1 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10008415.1 Division-Into 2010-08-12
EP11003404.8 Division-Into 2011-04-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2130163A1 EP2130163A1 (fr) 2009-12-09
EP2130163B1 true EP2130163B1 (fr) 2012-06-27

Family

ID=38261488

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08706386A Not-in-force EP2130163B1 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats
EP10008415A Withdrawn EP2256075A3 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé destinés au contrôle de produits plats
EP11003404.8A Not-in-force EP2362330B1 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10008415A Withdrawn EP2256075A3 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé destinés au contrôle de produits plats
EP11003404.8A Not-in-force EP2362330B1 (fr) 2007-04-03 2008-03-05 Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US8324558B2 (fr)
EP (3) EP2130163B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2010524065A (fr)
AU (1) AU2008234396B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2682618A1 (fr)
DK (2) DK2362330T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2387448T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008119192A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH701910A1 (de) * 2009-09-23 2011-03-31 Ferag Ag Optisches Kontrollverfahren zur Qualitätsbeurteilung in der Druckweiterverarbeitung.
EP2301877B1 (fr) 2009-09-23 2012-11-28 Ferag AG Procédé de contrôle optique pour l'évaluation de la qualité dans le traitement d'impression ultérieur
CH705026A2 (de) 2011-05-16 2012-11-30 Ferag Ag Einrichtung und Verfahren zur Erzeugung eines lückenlosen Schuppenstromes aus flächigen Produkteinheiten, insbesondere Druckprodukten.
JP6548504B2 (ja) * 2015-08-04 2019-07-24 キヤノン株式会社 シート処理方法、シート処理装置及び画像形成装置
CH712497A1 (de) 2016-05-30 2017-11-30 Ferag Ag Zuführvorrichtung zum Zuführen von Produkten an eine Weiterverarbeitungsvorrichtung.
EP3364381B1 (fr) * 2017-02-21 2022-04-20 Harting Systems GmbH Distributeur automatique de marchandises pourvu d'un moyen de gestion de stock

Family Cites Families (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2908825A (en) * 1956-12-10 1959-10-13 Midwest Automatic Control Co Photoelectric counter
US4248532A (en) * 1978-12-26 1981-02-03 Nosler John C Electro-optical distance-measuring system
SE433200B (sv) 1980-06-04 1984-05-14 Dagens Nyheters Ab Sett och anordning for att rekna fiskfjellsartat lagda foremal
US4384195A (en) * 1980-06-09 1983-05-17 The Coe Manufacturing Company Edge-responsive apparatus for counting conveyor-transported articles
JPS5977584A (ja) 1982-10-26 1984-05-04 Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho:Kk 印刷物の計数装置
US4677302A (en) * 1985-03-29 1987-06-30 Siemens Corporate Research & Support, Inc. Optical system for inspecting printed circuit boards wherein a ramp filter is disposed between reflected beam and photodetector
JPH0814840B2 (ja) 1986-03-27 1996-02-14 株式会社東京機械製作所 被搬送体計数装置
US4929843A (en) * 1989-06-28 1990-05-29 General Electric Company Apparatus and method for determining a dimension of an object
US5132791A (en) * 1990-09-25 1992-07-21 Ball Corporation Optical sheet inspection system
US5221837A (en) 1992-03-27 1993-06-22 Faraday National Corporation Non-contact envelope counter using distance measurement
CH684656A5 (de) * 1992-05-06 1994-11-15 Baumer Electric Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erkennen und Auswerten von Kanten an Gegenständen.
EP0626663A1 (fr) 1993-04-29 1994-11-30 COPACO GESELLSCHAFT FÜR VERPACKUNGEN mbH & Co. KG Détecteur sans contact
US6133948A (en) * 1995-12-04 2000-10-17 Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. Automatic identification of articles having contoured surfaces
JPH1134187A (ja) * 1997-07-15 1999-02-09 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 製函用シート材の接合部判定方法及び製函用シート材の接合部判定装置
DE19842192A1 (de) * 1998-09-15 2000-03-16 Roland Man Druckmasch Einrichtung zur Überwachung des Bogenlaufes einer bogenverarbeitenden Vorrichtung
DE10012138B4 (de) 2000-03-13 2010-02-25 Sick Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Erfassung von Kantenbereichen von Objekten
DE10220186A1 (de) 2002-05-06 2003-11-27 Gramatec Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Zählen von Kanten von Produkten
US6876716B2 (en) * 2003-02-19 2005-04-05 Quipp Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for utilizing a shadow effect for counting newspapers, magazines, books, printed products, signatures and other like printed matter
GB0418040D0 (en) 2004-08-12 2004-09-15 Wessex Technology Opto Electro Improvements in double feed mail detection
ATE388109T1 (de) 2004-11-26 2008-03-15 Ferag Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verarbeiten von druckereierzeugnissen
US7809158B2 (en) * 2005-05-02 2010-10-05 Siemens Industry, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting doubles in a singulated stream of flat articles
WO2007012206A1 (fr) 2005-07-29 2007-02-01 Ferag Ag Procede et dispositif pour controler des produits plats transportes par agrafes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US8324558B2 (en) 2012-12-04
DK2362330T3 (da) 2013-11-18
EP2362330A2 (fr) 2011-08-31
AU2008234396A1 (en) 2008-10-09
ES2387448T3 (es) 2012-09-24
EP2256075A2 (fr) 2010-12-01
WO2008119192A1 (fr) 2008-10-09
EP2130163A1 (fr) 2009-12-09
US20100116975A1 (en) 2010-05-13
AU2008234396B2 (en) 2012-09-13
DK2130163T3 (da) 2012-07-30
EP2362330B1 (fr) 2013-09-25
EP2362330A3 (fr) 2011-09-14
EP2256075A3 (fr) 2010-12-22
JP2010524065A (ja) 2010-07-15
CA2682618A1 (fr) 2008-10-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2130163B1 (fr) Dispositif et procédé permettant de compter et d'identifier des produits plats
EP1910202B1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour controler des produits plats transportes par agrafes
EP2022347B1 (fr) Contrôle optique de produits de l'industrie du traitement du tabac
EP1844865B1 (fr) Marquage électronique pour le tri d'objets individuels, fabriqués et vérifiés en groupement d'objets
EP3108461B1 (fr) Procédé d'examen d'un document de valeur et moyens d'exécution du procédé
WO2002072270A1 (fr) Dispositif et procede d'invalidation de produits en feuilles
EP1992580B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif destinés à l'ouverture de produits d'impression
EP2765559A1 (fr) Dispositif destiné à trier des pièces de monnaie
DE102005008747B4 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung für die Erfassung von Banknoten
EP1953685B1 (fr) Dispositif destiné au comptage de produits d'impression d'un flux de tuiles
EP1927086B1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour tester des documents de valeur
EP2480470B1 (fr) Procédé optique du contrôle pour l'évaluation de la qualité dans le retraitement sous pression
DE102019130572B3 (de) Stückguterfassungsanordnung
EP1862309B1 (fr) Dispositif de détection
DE102007001989B4 (de) Anordnung zur Erkennung von Doppelabzügen in Postsortieranlagen
EP2301877B1 (fr) Procédé de contrôle optique pour l'évaluation de la qualité dans le traitement d'impression ultérieur
DE102020114980B4 (de) Vorrichtung und system zur inspektion zumindest eines diffraktiven optischen elements eines dokuments
AT501375B1 (de) Briefmarkenerkennungsvorrichtung
EP3111258A1 (fr) Dispositif d'inspection comprenant une lentille pelliculaire inverse
EP1241120A2 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de détection de la présence d'un objet, en particulier un objet en forme de feuille pour impression
EP0815958A2 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de reconnaissance de récipients
DE102008028250A1 (de) Kamerasystem für die Bearbeitung von Wertdokumenten
DE102007055087A1 (de) Messverfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Lage von Materialbahnen

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20090731

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: MAEDER, CARL, CONRAD

Inventor name: BROSSI, STEVEN

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20100326

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: PATENTANWAELTE SCHAAD, BALASS, MENZL & PARTNER AG

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 564554

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20120715

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502008007579

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2387448

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20120924

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120927

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

Effective date: 20120627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120928

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20121027

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20121029

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20130328

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502008007579

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20130328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120927

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: FERAG AG

Effective date: 20130331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20131001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130331

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130305

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20131129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130331

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130402

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20131001

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 564554

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20130305

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20140606

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130306

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130305

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20080305

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20160321

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20170321

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

Effective date: 20170331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170331

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20180322

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180306

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20190605

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502008007579

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191001

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200331

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200331