Ronald D Wertz

US Patent:

54932211, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

Jun 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/072465

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Alltrista Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G01B 706
G01R 3312
G01N 2772

US Classification:

324229

Abstract:

Apparatus (40) locates welds or other junctures (20) in sheet material (12). The apparatus (40) includes a sensor (16) that produces a varying signal that is a function of the distance (100) between a surface (26) of sheet material (12) and the sensor (16), a differentiator circuit (42) differentiates the varying signal as a function of time, a comparator (44) compares the differentiated signal with a calculated allowable and sends a signal to an input (90) of an electronic latch (46), the electronic latch (46) sends a signal to a reject mechanism (48), and the reject mechanism (48) sends a reject-accomplished signal to a reset terminal (98) of the electronic latch (46). The method of the invention includes transporting the sheet material (12), producing a rate of change signal that is a function of changes in thickness (18) of the sheet material (12), determining an allowable rate of change signal, and comparing the produced rate of change signal with the allowable rate of change signal. Preferably, the producing step includes obtaining a varying electrical signal whose variations are a function of variations in the thickness (18) of the sheet material (12), and developing a rate of change of signal from the varying electrical signal.

US Patent:

46805990, Jul 14, 1987

Filed:

Apr 29, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/728387

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
James H. Orszulak - Nederland CO
Christopher L. Sweeney - Denver CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G09G 114

US Classification:

340744

Abstract:

A cathode ray tube display system and method having bidirectional line scanning are disclosed. Bidirectional line scanning is achieved by scanning each odd numbered scan line from left to right and each even numbered scan line from right to left, thereby avoiding the necessity for retrace, or flyback. In order to avoid loss of intelligibility in displaying the video information received from a conventional source providing video information written only from left to right, as is conventional, the received video information is stored in memory by scan lines with each odd numbered line being read out in the same order as stored in memory and each even numbered line being read out in reverse order as stored in memory. Timed control is provided for processing of the video information and display thereof with bidirectional scanning, and geometric error correction is provided for both the horizontal and vertical scan generators.

US Patent:

53749880, Dec 20, 1994

Filed:

Dec 21, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/994414

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
Jeffrey P. Davies - Louisville CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G01N 2189
G01N 2127

US Classification:

356328

Abstract:

An optical inspection system which inspects for the presence of color defects in a stream of material (e. g. carpeting, fabric, wall paper, printed matter, or a series of discrete objects) traveling along a production line. The optical inspection system positions one or more optical heads near the stream of material as it moves along the production line without physically interfering or interacting with the movement. Each optical head senses a preselected number of different colors appearing in a predetermined field of view on the stream of material. The optical head produces electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of each sensed color within its field of view during each sample. A computer is utilized to process these electrical signals from each optical head. The computer first generates a number of two color signatures based upon the selected number of colors for each optical head.

US Patent:

51201267, Jun 9, 1992

Filed:

Jun 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/715802

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
Jeffrey P. Davies - Louisville CO
Robert H. Cormack - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G01N 2127
G01N 2190
G06K 968

US Classification:

356 71

Abstract:

An optical inspection system which inspects for the presence of defects in colored labels placed, for example, on the side walls of cylindrical beverage cans. The optical inspection system utilizes a conveyor for conveying the beverage cans in a production line where such beverage cans typically are randomly oriented. The optical inspection system positions an optical head near the beverage cans as they move in the production line without physically interferring or interacting with the movement. The optical head senses a preselected number of different colors which appear in a predetermined field of view of each moving can. The cans being randomly oriented have different portions of the label visible in the predetermined field of view which is fixed in position. The optical head produces analog electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of each sensed color. A computer is utilized to process these analog electrical signals from the optical head.

US Patent:

51327910, Jul 21, 1992

Filed:

Sep 25, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/587870

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
H. Kent Minet - Littleton CO
Daniel J. Messerschmidt - Broomfield CO
Carey Brown - Denver CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

358106

Abstract:

An optical inspection system inspects individual sheets having scrolled and unscrolled edges for defects in a production line with high transfer velocities. Each of the individual sheets are delivered in a production line with some spacing between them and potentially with some degree of skewness and offset from the production center line. The inspection system of the present invention utilizes a formed viewing window over which individual sheets from the production line are delivered. As each sheet is delivered over the formed viewing window, the undersurface of each individual sheet is uniformly and continuously illuminated along the length of the formed viewing window with high intensity diffused light. The reflected light from the surface of each moving individual sheet is captured by at least one video camera. As the sheet moves across the formed viewing window, a line-by-line video image is captured and stored according to a rectangularization technique which eliminates the need for customized masks.

US Patent:

53453093, Sep 6, 1994

Filed:

Oct 10, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/774199

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
H. Kent Minet - Littleton CO
Stephen M. Horacek - Louisville CO
Brett A. Nickerson - Northglenn CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G01N 2190

US Classification:

356372

Abstract:

A system for generating a solid model of the sidewall of the container. A mandrel selectively holds the container in first and second locations. In the first location, a non-contact measurement apparatus utilizing a digital camera produces digital information for generating a three dimensional sidewall surface profile of the container based upon shadow edge detection. In the second position, a contact measurement apparatus produces information for generating a three dimensional sidewall thickness map of the container. A computer collects the information from the contact and non-contact measurement apparatuses and produces an overall solid model of the sidewall of the container based upon sidewall surface profile and sidewall thickness. The computer generates can tilt, diameter, can ovality, and can squarity information.

US Patent:

47187760, Jan 12, 1988

Filed:

Nov 17, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/932446

Inventors:

Jerry R. Gilland - Boulder CO
Christopher L. Sweeney - Denver CO
Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G01K 700

US Classification:

374170

Abstract:

A portable monitoring device and method are disclosed for monitoring a predetermined parameter, such as temperature. The portable device, or probe, is miniaturized and includes a sensor and an associated electronic unit encased within a housing. The sensor senses the parameter to be monitored and produces signals indicative thereof, while the electronic unit includes a converter for converting signals received in analog form to digital signals, a memory for storing the digital signals, and a microprocessor for controlling the sensing and signal storing operations. The probe is a self-sufficient unit, is electrically isolated while at the monitoring area, and is caused to operate in an active mode during periods of sensing and storing of information in memory that requires low power with even lower power consumption being achieved when the probe is inactive. A band, electrically insulated from the remainder of the housing, allows readout of information stored in memory within the probe after the probe has been removed from the monitoring area and mounted at a console unit for readout purposes.

US Patent:

52453995, Sep 14, 1993

Filed:

May 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/890670

Inventors:

Ronald D. Wertz - Boulder CO
Jeffrey P. Davies - Louisville CO
Robert H. Cormack - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G01N 2127
G01N 2190
G06K 968

US Classification:

356 71

Abstract:

An optical inspection system which inspects for the presence of defects in colored labels placed, for example, on the side walls of cylindrical beverage cans. The optical inspection system utilizes a conveyor for conveying the beverage cans in a production line where such beverage cans typically are randomly oriented. The optical inspection system positions an optical head near the beverage cans as they move in the production line without physically interfering or interacting with the movement. The optical head senses a preselected number of different colors which appear in a predetermined field of view of each moving can. The cans being randomly oriented have different portions of the label visible in the predetermined field of view which is fixed in position. The optical head produces analog electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of each sensed color. A computer is utilized to process these analog electrical signals from the optical head.