Method and apparatus for detecting a substrate feature
View Patent ↗The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting a substrate feature. A sensor is secured opposite the substrate. The sensor emits a signal onto the surface of the substrate. The sensor detects the amount of signal reflected from the substrate. The sensor is programmed with the relative signal reflective properties for a surface of the substrate. The sensor compares the expected signal reflection rates for a surface of the substrate to the actual signal reflection rate. The sensor generates an output signal to an output device.
1. A method of detecting a substrate feature comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate;
providing a frame positioned over said substrate and extending generally perpendicular to a length of said substrate;
slidably mounting at least one sensor to said frame such that said sensor may be positioned at various locations along said frame, wherein said sensor emits a known signal onto a designated area of said substrate and wherein said sensor measures the amount of signal reflected from said substrate;
said sensor being housed in a spring coil” has been added after “substrate”;
programming said sensor with an acceptable signal reflection rate range for said designated area of said substrate;
comparing said signal reflected from said substrate to said acceptable signal reflection rate ranges; and
generating an output signal to an output device based on said comparison.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said signal comprise optical means.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said sensor further comprises a means to detect optical reflections.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor is in digital communication with said output device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor is an analog
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor further comprises an input means.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said output device further comprises a video output.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said output device further comprises an alarm device.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor further comprises a housing apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said housing apparatus further comprises a bushing apparatus wherein said bushing apparatus is located substantially inside said housing apparatus.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein a sensor cable is located substantially inside said bushing apparatus.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein said sensor is at least partially located inside said housing apparatus.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor is operatively secured to a mount located some distance from said substrate, wherein said mount is slidably connected to said frame.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said mounting means further comprises a frame, a moveable base operatively secured to said frame, and a sensor mounting means secured to said moveable base and said sensor.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate feature comprises a coating on said substrate.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate feature comprises a perimeter of said substrate.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate feature comprises an edge bead secured to said substrate.