Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles

1. A method for dispensing and detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system, the sensor system including a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector, the radiation detector being operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby, the method comprising:

moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other; and

using a drive mechanism of the apparatus, passing the articles along a dispensing pathway of the apparatus such that the articles block radiation from the radiation emitter to the radiation detector as the articles pass along the dispensing pathway.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiation emitter is a photoemitter and the radiation detector is a photodetector.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the articles are pharmaceutical articles.

4. The method of claim 1 further including increasing or decreasing a radiation output level of the radiation emitter to compensate for the relative positions of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector.

5. The method of claim 4 including increasing or decreasing the radiation output level of the radiation emitter to compensate for a change in the amount of radiation incident on the radiation detector from the radiation emitter caused by moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other.

6. The method of claim 1 including calibrating the sensor system by adjusting an energy level supply to the radiation emitter to generate a reference signal from the radiation detector at a level within a prescribed reference level range.

7. The method of claim 1 including:

monitoring the detector signals to determine a reference signal level;

determining a threshold signal level as a function of the reference signal level;

identifying the detector signals that are event signals with respect to the threshold signal level; and

using the event signals to detect, count and/or characterize the articles passed along the dispensing pathway.

8. The method of claim 7 including:

providing the detector signals as digital detector signals; and

digitally processing the event signals to detect, count and/or characterize the articles passed along the dispensing pathway.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes at least first and second walls defining a dispensing channel, at least one of the first and second walls is movable relative to the other, the radiation detector is mounted on the first wall, and the radiation emitter is mounted on the second wall.

10. An apparatus for dispensing and detecting solid articles, the apparatus comprising:

a drive mechanism; and

a sensor system including a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector;

wherein the radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby;

wherein the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector are mounted for movement relative to the other; and

wherein the apparatus defines a dispensing pathway and the drive mechanism is operable to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway such that the articles block radiation from the radiation emitter to the radiation detector as the articles pass along the dispensing pathway.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the radiation emitter is a photoemitter and the radiation detector is a photodetector.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 including a controller configured to increase or decrease a radiation output level of the radiation emitter to compensate for the relative positions of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to increase or decrease the radiation output level of the radiation emitter to compensate for a change in the amount of radiation incident on the radiation detector from the radiation emitter caused by moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the sensor system by adjusting an energy level supply to the radiation emitter to generate a reference signal from the radiation detector at a level within a prescribed reference level range.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controller is configured to:

monitor the detector signals to determine a reference signal level;

determine a threshold signal level as a function of the reference signal level;

identify the detector signals that are event signals with respect to the threshold signal level; and

use the event signals to detect, count and/or characterize the articles passed along the dispensing pathway.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

the radiation detector is further configured to provide the detector signals as digital detector signals; and

the controller is further configured to digitally process the event signals to detect, count and/or characterize the articles passing along the dispensing pathway.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 including at least first and second walls defining a dispensing channel and wherein:

at least one of the first and second walls is movable relative to the other;

the radiation detector is mounted on the first wall; and

the radiation emitter is mounted on the second wall.