Device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products and a process of implementing the same

Abstract

A device includes at least one gating sensor configured to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data, at least one controller configured to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being configured determine gaps between the products being conveyed and determine a sensor gating configuration based on the product detection data, and at least one product parameter sensor configured to operate based on the sensor gating configuration and further being configured to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

Description

PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / USDEVICE CONFIGURED TO DETERMINE AT LEAST ONE PRODUCT PARAMETER PROFILE OF PRODUCTS AND A PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAMEFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The disclosure relates to a device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products. Further, the disclosure relates to a process for implementing a device to determine at least one product parameter profile of products. The disclosure further relates to a device configured to determine a gating mode for determining at least one product parameter profile of products. Further, the disclosure relates to a process for implementing a device to determine a gating mode for determining at least one product parameter profile of products.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] During manufacture of products, it is beneficial to obtain various product parameters to ensure the products are manufactured with the desired parameters. However, products are often manufactured at a high speed and conveyed in a continuous high-speed stream, which makes obtaining product parameters difficult, complex, and / or costly.

[0003] Accordingly, a device and process to obtain product parameters conveyed in a continuous high-speed stream is needed.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the disclosure, wherein in one aspect a technique and apparatus are provided to determine at least one product parameter profile of products.

[0005] In one aspect, a device includes at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being further configured and / or operable to determine a gating mode based on the product detection data. The device moreover includes at least one product1132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the gating mode and further being configured and / or operable to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

[0006] In one aspect, a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller, and determining a gating mode based on the product detection data with the at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the gating mode and the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor.

[0007] In one aspect, a device includes at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device moreover includes at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device. The device further includes where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured and / or operable to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

[0008] In one aspect, a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating2132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor. The process further includes generating independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

[0009] In aspects, the disclosed device and process may be configured to produce a moisture profile from a continuous stream of products as an online measurement using lower cost infrared (IR) filter technology that can be used for control of a profile to reduce checking.

[0010] In aspects, the disclosed device and process may be configured as a high speed gating sensor to provide an average moisture profile of a stream of products on a conveyor line as a real time on-line measurement. In aspects, the disclosed device and process may be configured to provide a distribution of moisture across the product. In this regard, products, such as cookies, with a large moisture profile post baking can lead to checking (cracking), caused by internal stresses as the moisture equilibrates. This results in an inferior product. Accordingly, the disclosed device and process may be configured as an online measurement of the moisture profile that could be used to help minimize the moisture profile and reduce checking.

[0011] Further, the disclosed device and process may be a device for and / or a means of automatically learning the best method of identifying the edges of individual products in a stream using separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. In aspects, the individual product edges, such as cookie edges, are identified, to direct IR spectral data into zones across the product and compute the average moisture for each zone to form a real time average moisture profile that can be output for monitoring and control purposes. Also, the disclosed device and process may include a system of rejecting spectral data used for the moisture profile computation where the products are too3132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US bunched together and edges are not clear, and when the products are out of line (not central to the sensing area of the IR gauge) that may corrupt the computed profile.

[0012] In one aspect, a device includes at least one gating sensor configured to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being configured determine gaps between the products being conveyed and determine a sensor gating configuration based on the product detection data. The device moreover includes at least one product parameter sensor configured to operate based on the sensor gating configuration and further being configured to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

[0013] In one aspect, a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller, determining gaps between the products being conveyed with the at least one controller, and determining a sensor gating configuration based on the product detection data with the at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the sensor gating configuration and the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor.

[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the disclosure that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.4132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of aspects in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosure. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a partial schematic side view of a product parameter determination device implemented in a product production device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates a partial schematic side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates a partial front view of a product parameter determination device according to Figure 2.

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a partial top view of the product parameter determination device according to Figure 2.

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates top views of a product parameter determination device in conjunction with various locations of the products according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.5132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates a partial top view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates a side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0026] Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0027] Figure 11 illustrates an implementation table for a product parameter determination device according to Figure 9 and Figure 10.

[0028] Figure 12 illustrates a partial schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 13 illustrates a schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0030] Figure 14 illustrates a schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0031] Figure 15 illustrates a graphical user interface of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0032] Figure 16 illustrates a graphical user interface of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0033] Figure 17 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0034] Figure 18 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0035] Figure 19 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0036] Figure 20 illustrates a view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0037] Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.6132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / USDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. Aspects of the disclosure advantageously provide a device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products and / or a process for implementing a device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates a partial schematic side view of a product parameter determination device implemented in a product production device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates a partial schematic side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates a partial front view of a product parameter determination device according to Figure 2.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a partial top view of the product parameter determination device according to Figure 2.

[0043] In particular, Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate schematic side views of a product parameter determination device 100. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to determine at least one product parameter profile 910 of products 900 being conveyed through a product production device 200. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to determine a gating mode 150 for detecting the at least one product parameter profile 910 of the products 900 being conveyed through the product production device 200.

[0044] In aspects, the at least one product parameter profile 910 of the products 900 determined by the product parameter determination device 100 may be a moisture profile, a color profile, a dimension profile, a quality profile, a percent moisture gradient of a center minus an edge, a percent moisture gradient of a center plus an edge, a difference or delta of moisture of a center minus an edge, an average color output, and / or the like. In aspects, the at least one product parameter profile 910 generated by the product parameter determination device 100 may be output for monitoring7132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US operation, controlling operation, and / or the like of the product production device 200, one or more components of the product production device 200, the production of the product 900, and / or the like.

[0045] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may include gating 152, at least one gating sensor 102, at least one controller 500, at least one product parameter sensor 106, and / or the like with reference to Figure 2. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the gating 152 with the at least one gating sensor 102 in gating detection positions for initiating the at least one product parameter sensor 106 to operate and capture product data in a measurement area 116 of the products 900.

[0046] In aspects, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may a gauge, an infrared gauge, a spectral gauge, an infrared spectral gauge, a sensor, an infrared sensor, the infrared spectral sensor, and / or the like. In aspects, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may gauge on in response to the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 to capture product data in a measurement area 116 of the products 900. In aspects, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may gauge off in response to the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 to prevent capture of product data in a measurement area 116 of the products 900.

[0047] In aspects, the product production device 200 may include a conveyance device 202. The conveyance device 202 may be configured to convey the products 900 through the product production device 200. In aspects, the conveyance device 202 may be configured to convey the products 900 through the product production device 200 along a lateral axis 901. In aspects, the conveyance device 202 may be a conveyor, a conveyor system, a conveyor belt, a product movement system, and / or the like.

[0048] In aspects, the product production device 200 may be configured to produce the products 900. In aspects, the products 900 may be foodstuffs. Further, the foodstuffs may be food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, biscuits, and / or the like. In aspects, the product production device 200 may include production devices such as ovens 204, cooling devices, processing devices, cutting and molding machines 206, and / or the like as illustrated in Figure 1 .8132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0049] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be arranged above the conveyance device 202 along the vertical axis 903. As the products 900 are conveyed by the conveyance device 202 past the product parameter determination device 100, the product parameter determination device 100 may capture product data with the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and generate the at least one product parameter profile 910.

[0050] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be arranged above the conveyance device 202 along the vertical axis 903 a distance 208 as illustrated in Figure 3. In aspects, the distance 208 may be 10 mm - 500 mm, 10 mm - 50 mm, 50 mm - 100 mm, 100 mm - 150 mm, 100 mm - 200 mm, 200 mm - 300 mm, 300 mm - 400 mm, or 400 mm - 500 mm.

[0051] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to measure aspects of the products 900 separated by gaps (e.g. cookies or cookies) or flows discontinuously along the conveyance device 202, such as a conveyor belt. In such circumstances, to prevent the at least one product parameter sensor 106, that may be implemented as a gauge, from measuring between the gaps of the products 900, the product parameter determination device 100, the gating 152, and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 may be implemented in part as a high-speed gating system to ensure the at least one product parameter sensor 106 only acquires data when one of the products 900 generally covers, covers, and / or totally covers the measurement area 116.

[0052] In aspects, the measurement area 116 may be an area of the products 900 in which it is desired to obtain the at least one product parameter profile 910. In aspects, the measurement area 116 may extend along the lateral axis 901 of the products 900 as illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 4. Further, the measurement area 116 may extend along the longitudinal axis 902 of the products 900 as illustrated in Figure 4. In aspects, the measurement area 116 may have a dimension of 2 mm - 500 mm, 2 mm - 20 mm, 8 mm - 12 mm, 20 mm - 100 mm, 100 mm - 200 mm, 200 mm - 300 mm, 300 mm - 400 mm, or 400 mm - 500 mm.9132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0053] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the gating 152 as an internal optical gating system that may operate by determining if one of the products 900 is present simultaneously at two detector positions, by using internally mounted sensors implemented by the at least one gating sensor 102. In aspects, one implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 may be arranged in front of the measurement area 116 and another implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 may be arranged behind the measurement area 116 forming a gauge measuring patch as shown in Figure 4. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the gating 152 in conjunction with the at least one controller 500.

[0054] In aspects, the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 may be configured to detect the products 900 being conveyed through the product production device 200 on the conveyance device 202 and the at least one gating sensor 102 may be configured to generate product detection data. In aspects, the at least one controller 500 may be configured to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor 102, and the at least one controller 500 may be configured determine gaps between the products 900 being conveyed and determine a sensor gating configuration and / or the gating mode 150 based on the product detection data.

[0055] In aspects, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may be configured to operate based on the sensor gating configuration and / or the gating mode 150 and further may be configured to be responsive to the product detection data from the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102. In aspects, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may further be configured to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products 900 being conveyed through the product production device 200.

[0056] In aspects illustrated in Figure 4, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement the at least one product parameter sensor 106 to separately measure a center portion parameter 904 and an edge portion parameter 906 of the product 900 as illustrated in Figure 4. In this regard, the measurement area 116 may include the center portion parameter 904 and the edge10132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US portion parameter 906. It should be noted that the shape of the product 900 illustrated in Figure 4 is simply exemplary. The product 900 may have any shape including a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a polygonal shape, a non-polygonal shape, a free-form shape, and / or the like.

[0057] Further, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to generate the at least one product parameter profile 910 to provide the center portion parameter 904 and the edge portion parameter 906. Additionally, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to generate the at least one product parameter profile 910 to provide an average parameter, a gradient parameter between center and edge, a gradient parameter of center and edge, a difference or Delta parameter between the center and the edge, and / or the like from the center portion parameter 904 and the edge portion parameter 906. In aspects, the parameter may include a color, a moisture content, a dimension and / or dimensions, a quality, and / or the like.

[0058] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating 152 with self learning for implementing the gating mode 150. In aspects, the gating mode 150 may be operable and / or configured to determine a gating mode selection including ON gating mode, OFF gating mode, automatic gating mode, and / or the like. In aspects, In aspects, the gating mode 150 may be operable and / or configured to operate in conjunction with the gating 152, the at least one gating sensor 102, the product production device 200, the at least one controller 500, and / or the like.

[0059] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement automatic product data rejection. In aspects, the automatic product data rejection may be based on number of samples taken across the product 900, based on thresholds including product based thresholds, and / or the like. In aspects, the automatic product data rejection may be implemented in part by the at least one controller 500 in response to the gating 152, the at least one gating sensor 102, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, and / or the like.11132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0060] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to implement the automatic product data rejection to reject, delete, disregard, and / or the like measurements from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 that do not meet the criteria for acceptance.

[0061] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to generate the at least one product parameter profile 910 with a processing device that may include the processor 502 illustrated in Figure 21. The processor 502 may include hardware, software, and / or the like to generate the at least one product parameter profile 910.

[0062] In aspects, the at least one product parameter profile 910 may be implemented as a moisture profile / gradient measurement that may be generated by and / or computed in software from a combination of IR serial filter data received from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and gating signals and timing factors implemented by the product parameter determination device 100 in conjunction with the gating 152, the at least one gating sensor 102, and / or the like.

[0063] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the processor 502 to channel filter data from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 using the gating signals of the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 into edge lanes and center lanes of the products 900.

[0064] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating 152 and / or the at least one controller 500 with automatic rejection of poorly aligned product. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102, the gating 152, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the processor 502, and / or the like to filter out the product 900 in the processing that are out of line, bunched, without an edge, too small, broken and / or the like on the conveyance device 202.

[0065] The disclosure and figures make reference to certain axes that include the lateral axis 901 , the longitudinal axis 902, and the vertical axis 903. In aspects, these12132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US axes are meant to describe the structural arrangement, spatial arrangement, and / or the like of various components of the product parameter determination device 100 and / or features of various components of the product parameter determination device 100. In aspects, the lateral axis 901 extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 902 and the vertical axis 903; the longitudinal axis 902 extends along a direction perpendicular to the lateral axis 901 and the vertical axis 903; and the vertical axis 903 extends along a direction perpendicular to the lateral axis 901 and the longitudinal axis 902. In aspects, utilization of the lateral axis 901 and the longitudinal axis 902 are not meant to denote that one axis of the product parameter determination device 100 is longer or shorter than another axis of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0066] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 1 , Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 2 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 1 , Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 2.

[0067] Figure 5 illustrates top views of a product parameter determination device in conjunction with various locations of the products according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0068] In particular, the products 900 may be moved with the conveyance device 202 past the product parameter determination device 100 and Figure 5 illustrates various locations of the products 900 with respect to the product parameter determination device 100 while the products 900 are conveyed past the product parameter determination device 100. In this regard, the gating 152 and / or the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to operate the at least one product parameter sensor 106. In aspects, if the gating 152 and / or the product parameter determination device 100 determines that both implementations of13132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US the at least one gating sensor 102 detect one of the products 900, then it is assumed the area in between is totally filled with one of the products 900.

[0069] In a situation 301 illustrated in Figure 5, the product 900 is just about to move into the measurement area 116 and a first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 detects the product 900 and the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 does not detect the product 900. Accordingly, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 is gated off by the gating 152.

[0070] In a situation 302 illustrated in Figure 5, the product 900 continues to move into the measurement area 116 and a first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 detects the product 900 and the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 still does not detect the product 900. Accordingly, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge is still gated off by the gating 152 of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0071] In a situation 303 illustrated in Figure 5, the product 900 has moved into the measurement area 116 and a first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 detects the product 900 and the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 detects the product 900. Accordingly, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 is gated on by the gating 152.

[0072] In a situation 304 illustrated in Figure 5, the product 900 moves out of the measurement area 116 and a first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 does not detect the product 900 while the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 still detects the product 900. Accordingly, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 is gated off by the gating 152.

[0073] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 5 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter14132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 5.

[0074] Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0075] In particular, Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the product parameter determination device 100 operating with three different scenarios of the products 900. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the gating 152 and / or the gating sensors implemented by the at least one gating sensor 102 to detect the presence of the products 900 by measuring a change in height in the measurement area, which may be configured during commissioning of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0076] In some aspects of the product parameter determination device 100, a gating and measurement function may not work correctly if: in a situation 305 illustrated in Figure 6, the product 900 is smaller than the gauge “gating area” provided by the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102 of the product parameter determination device 100; in a situation 306 illustrated in Figure 6, the product is not aligned with the gauge measurement beam determined by the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102; and / or in a situation 307 illustrated in Figure 6, the gap between the products 900 is less than the “gating area” implemented by the gating 152 and / or the at least one gating sensor 102. However, as further described herein, the product parameter determination device 100 may be implemented to address these scenarios.

[0077] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 6 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 6.15132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0078] Figure 7 illustrates a partial top view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0079] In particular, Figure 7 illustrates operation of the product parameter determination device 100 utilizing a straddle gating mode. In some applications, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating 152 to utilize a standard gating mode of operation that works well. However, there may be processes where the spacing between the products 900 is limited.

[0080] For example, when the spacing between the product 900 is less than, for example 25 mm, such as on cookie / cookie lines, an alternative gating mode may be implemented. In aspects, the alternative gating mode may be implemented by the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the gating 152 called “Straddle Gating” which can operate on a minimum spacing between the products 900 of, for example, less than 6 mm.

[0081] In aspects, the product 900 may still be larger than the measurement beam of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and correctly aligned with the gauge implemented by the at least one gating sensor 102. In this mode of the product parameter determination device 100, the gating sensors may be used slightly differently. In particular, both gating sensors implemented by the at least one gating sensor 102 may need to see a rising edge of the product 900 in succession to gate on the gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 of the product parameter determination device 100 as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0082] In a situation 308 illustrated in Figure 7, both of the at least one gating sensor 102 may not sense the product 900 and the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 may be gated off by the gating 152. In this case, a first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 may detect a rising edge of the product 900 and the product parameter determination device 100 may wait until the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 detects a same edge of the product 900.16132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0083] In a situation 309 illustrated in Figure 7, when both of the at least one gating sensor 102 sense the product 900, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 may be gated on by the gating 152. Accordingly, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may capture data from the product 900.

[0084] In a situation 310 illustrated in Figure 7, when the first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 no longer detects the product 900, the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 may be gated off.

[0085] In a situation 311 illustrated in Figure 7, as the product 900 continues to move underneath the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge and / or the at least one gating sensor 102, the first implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 may again detect a rising edge of the product 900, but the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the gating 152 may be configured to wait until the second implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 has moved off the product 900 and then detects the next one of the product 900 as illustrated in a situation 312 illustrated in Figure 7.

[0086] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 7 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 7.

[0087] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0088] In particular, Figure 8 illustrates an implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 implemented by the product parameter determination device 100 as it relates to detecting the products 900. In aspects, a minimum height difference for a small beam patch gauge to work between the products 900 and no product may be, for example, approximately 1 mm. However, in certain situations such as the products 90017132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US being very dark or the conveyance device 202, such as a background belt, being dark the minimum height may need to be greater. In order to overcome certain situations like this, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement a number of different options and modes for the gating 152 of the at least one product parameter sensor 106. In this regard, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to be set-up and altered for specific situations as required.

[0089] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100, the gating mode 150, the gating 152, and / or the like may be configured to implement a Ratio Mode. In aspects, within the gauge there may be two identical sensors, such as the at least one gating sensor 102. Each implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102 may include an emitter 110. In aspects, the emitter 110 may be an infrared emitter that projects a beam onto a small invisible spot just outside the measuring patch and / or the measurement area 116 of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge. In aspects, the emitter 110 may be positioned on either side of the at least one gating sensor 102 as shown in Figure 8.

[0090] These two spots generated by the emitter 110 may be viewed by two respective implementations of the position sensitive detectors 112 implemented by the at least one gating sensor 102. In aspects, the position sensitive detectors 112 may be offset from the emitters 110. Further, the position sensitive detectors 112 may include a lens 114 or other optical components for viewing the spots generated by the emitter 110. In aspects, the emitter 110 may include a lens 114 or other optical components.

[0091] Accordingly, the at least one gating sensor 102, the emitter 110, the lens 114, and / or the like may operate such that when the height of the product 900 changes, the detected image of the product 900 moves and can be used to infer the height of the measurement area 116. This is shown in a situation 313 where there is no product and a situation 314 when there is a product (for one spot) as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0092] The height determined from the position sensitive detectors 112 may be used to decide if the spot is on the products 900 or on the substrate (the conveyance device 202), and qualify the measurement by the at least one product parameter sensor18132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US106 accordingly. By using two spots, placed in front and behind the patch (as defined by the direction of the product travel along the lateral axis 901 ), it is possible to enable the measurement by the product parameter determination device 100 when both are deemed to be on one of the products 900, and disable the measurement by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 of the product parameter determination device 100 if either spot falls off the product 900. This ensures that the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 avoids measuring the background. When the measurement is disabled, it may be “frozen” at the last reading when the product 900 was within the measurement area 116.

[0093] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement a height threshold. In aspects, the height threshold may define the point at which measurement by the product parameter determination device 100 is enabled by the gating 152. This may be halfway between the height with no product and the height with a typical product. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to be set up through the at least one controller 500 and / or other system to teach the gauge and / or the gating 152 and this is defined as ratio mode gating. In aspects, the at least one controller 500 and / or other system may be configured and / or operable as a display device, a software tool, an interface, and / or the like to view data, configure, and / or the like the product parameter determination device 100 or components of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0094] Also, if the target material of the product 900, the conveyance device 202, and / or the like is likely to vary in reflectivity a great deal, the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and / or the gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement a larger difference in height to give reliable gating. Accordingly, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to control and / or modify the height threshold.

[0095] In aspects, an improved performance of the product parameter determination device 100 may be obtained with the height threshold close to the19132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENT Docket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US nominal quoted distances for each variant of the product 900. It should also be noted the detection beams of the at least one gating sensor 102 may be at an angle to the gauge beam of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 (in the case of the small patch, quite a large angle). Accordingly, it may be beneficial that a reasonable area around the measuring patch is free of potential reflectors both above and below the working height of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0096] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating mode 150 in an Absolute Mode. In aspects, the absolute mode may operate in a similar way to the ratio mode. However, instead of using the height threshold to define the point at which measurement by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 is enabled (halfway between the height with no product and the height with a typical product), the absolute mode implemented by the product parameter determination device 100 may use the difference between the signal levels of the product 900 and the conveyance device 202, such as background (belt), to determine whether the product 900 is present or not. In aspects, it may sometimes be beneficial to use absolute mode by the product parameter determination device 100 if the product is very thin or perhaps dark in color. In aspects, absolute mode implemented by the product parameter determination device 100 may not be effective if the signals seen by the position sensitive detectors 112 are very similar with the product 900 and no product.

[0097] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating mode 150 in a Straddle Gating. As discussed above, if the gap between the product 900 is smaller than the beam patch then it may be necessary for the product parameter determination device 100 to use the straddle gate mode. With the straddle mode implementation of the gating mode 150 by the product parameter determination device 100, the product parameter determination device 100 may need to know the direction of the product 900 in order to select the right mode to use. Additionally, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / operable to know the product flow and also which of the gating sensors20132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US is a first sensor or sensor A of the at least one gating sensor 102 and which of the gating sensors is a second sensor or sensor B of the at least one gating sensor 102.

[0098] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 8 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 8.

[0099] Figure 9 illustrates a side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0100] Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0101] Figure 11 illustrates an implementation table for a product parameter determination device according to Figure 9 and Figure 10.

[0102] In particular, Figure 9 and Figure 10 illustrate various scenarios encountered by the product parameter determination device 100 during operation of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 as the products 900 flow through the product production device 200. With reference to the following discussion, implementations of the at least one gating sensor 102 have been labeled Detector A and Detector B.

[0103] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement the gating mode 150 with auto gating, also referred to herein as automatic gating, automatic mode or automode. In aspects, the auto gating mode of the product parameter determination device 100 may be enabled or disabled through interaction with the at least one controller 500, such as interacting with the user interface 512 illustrated in Figure 21.

[0104] For example, the auto gating mode of the product parameter determination device 100 may be enabled or disabled setting and / or using a parameter for auto gating mode. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to control, set,21132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENT Docket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US operate and / or the like various aspects of hardware including a detection height of the product 900, various parameters of the product 900 detected by the product parameter determination device 100, various parameters of the gating mode 150, and / or the like. In aspects, these aspects may be viewed, set, controlled, and / or the like through the user interface 512 illustrated in Figure 21 .

[0105] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100, the gating mode 150, and / or the at least one controller 500 may by default be enabled (value set to true) for the auto gating mode. In aspects, the auto gating mode may be disabled by setting this value to false through interaction with the at least one controller 500, such as interacting with the user interface 512 illustrated in Figure 21.

[0106] Further, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement a parameter status capability to provide a mode status of the gating mode 150 to a user through interaction with the at least one controller 500, such as interacting with the user interface 512. In aspects, the mode status may allow a user to view the current mode of the gating mode 150 of the product parameter determination device 100 is implementing for detecting the product 900. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may display on the user interface 512 one of the following as it relates to the gating mode 150:

[0107] “Disabled” - “automode” is set to false;

[0108] “Unknown” - No valid edge patterns have been detected;

[0109] “Simple - A-B” - Simple gating is detected with product being seen by detector A before detector B;

[0110] “Simple - B-A” - Simple gating is detected with product being seen by detector B before detector A;

[0111] “Straddle - A-B” - Straddle gating is detected with product being seen by detector A before detector B;

[0112] “Straddle - B-A” - Straddle gating is detected with product being seen by detector B before detector A; and / or

[0113] Like gating modes.22132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0114] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable such that at start up the gauge may use a “mode” setting to determine the initial gating configuration of the gating mode 150 of the product parameter determination device 100. As edges of the product 900 are detected by the at least one gating sensor 102, the at least one controller 500, which may be implemented with software or hardware, may be configured and / or operable to automatically adjust the gating mode 150 in response to detection of the direction of flow of the product 900.

[0115] Further, the at least one controller 500 in conjunction with the at least one gating sensor 102 may determine whether straddle gating is required for proper operation of the product parameter determination device 100. In aspects, if the gauge is using straddle gating for the gating mode 150, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to receive, for example, at least ten consecutive simple gating sequences of the product 900 before the at least one controller 500 swaps to and / or back to simple gating mode or another gating mode for the gating mode 150.

[0116] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable such that the gate by absolute or by ratio settings may not be modified by the auto height system.

[0117] In aspects, the setting of the “mode” parameter for the gating mode 150 in the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may affect how the gauge operates at start up. For example, the setting of the straddle bit (bit value 8) in the “mode” parameter affects how the gauge operates at start up. In aspects, with the bit not set, the gauge may be configured and / or operable to assume simple gating for the gating mode 150. Accordingly, operation of the product parameter determination device 100 may be such that if both detectors - the at least one gating sensor 102 - detect the product 900, the product parameter determination device 100 assumes the product 900 is present at the measurement area 116.

[0118] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable such that (for example, with a bit set) the gauge assumes23132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US straddle gating for the gating mode 150 and the gating 152 may be configured and / or operable to assume that product is NOT present even if both detectors of the gating 152 detect product. This is in case the beam path is between the products 900. The gauge of the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the gating 152 may be configured and / or operable to wait until it detects the product states change before it can enable the measurement by the at least one product parameter sensor 106.

[0119] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to utilize a current gating algorithm for the gating mode 150. The current gating algorithms may operate in real time, and so can only use the current state of the gating inputs (or the current and previous state for straddle gating).

[0120] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to utilize simple gating for the gating mode 150. In simple gating, the gap between the products 900 may be assumed to be greater than the distance between the edge sensors of the gating 152. If this not true, then straddle gating should be used and the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / operable to implement the straddle gating for the gating mode 150.

[0121] In simple gating, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable such that the gauge of the gating 152 may measure when both detectors see the product 900, and ignore the data if either detector is off the product 900. As illustrated in Figure 9, a number of scenarios are illustrated for positions of the product 900 with respect to the product parameter determination device 100. In this regard, the product parameter determination device 100, the gating 152, the at least one controller 500, and / or the like may be configured and / or operable to implement each of the scenarios.

[0122] With reference to Figure 9, in a scenario 315, both implementations of the at least one gating sensor 102 sense the product 900 and measurements by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may be enabled by the gating 152 and / or the product parameter determination device 100.

[0123] In a scenario 316, neither of the implementations of the at least one gating sensor 102 sense the product 900 and measurements by the at least one product24132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US parameter sensor 106 may be disabled by the gating 152 and / or the product parameter determination device 100.

[0124] In a scenario 317 and a scenario 318, only one of the implementations of the at least one gating sensor 102 sense the product 900 and measurements by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may be disabled by the gating 152 and / or the product parameter determination device 100.

[0125] With reference to Figure 10, in a scenario 319, both implementations of the at least one gating sensor 102 sense different ones of the product 900 and measurements by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may be disabled by the product parameter determination device 100.

[0126] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement a profile measurement type referred to as an edge center ratio measurement. In this regard, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to identify if simple gating or straddle gating is the gating mode 150 being used by the product parameter determination device 100 and which direction the product 900 is flowing in the product production device 200. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to detect edge patterns of the product 900 and to automatically detect if straddle gating is needed for the gating mode 150 and which direction the product 900 is flowing through the product production device 200.

[0127] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to utilize straddle gating for the gating mode 150. For straddle gating the gauge has to assume that the gap between the products 900 can be smaller than the gap between the edge detectors of the gating 152. This can lead to the following case where the edge detectors both see product, but from two different products, so the beam patch falls between the products.

[0128] In aspects, straddle gating may use the previous states to understand if the edge detectors of the gating 152 are both seeing the same product (beam path on product), or seeing different products (beam patch off product). This may be achieved by the product parameter determination device 100 being configured and / or operable25132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US for determining which of the edge detectors of the gating 152 is ahead of the other in the flow of product (i.e. which detector sees the product first).

[0129] Figure 11 illustrates a table 501 that shows the states of the gating 152 as the product flows past the product parameter determination device 100. In particular, the table 501 includes a column with “Det1” being the detector that sees the product 900 first; and the table 501 includes a column with “Det2” being the detector that sees the product 900 last.

[0130] Further, the table 501 includes a state of Det1 and a state of Det2 with “on” referring a respective detector detecting the product 900 and “off” referring a respective detector not detecting the product 900. Additionally, the table 501 includes a column that provides a description of the state of Det1 and the state of Det2 as it relates to movement of the product 900.

[0131] In aspects, the sequence illustrated in the table 501 should operate for each of the products 900 and should continue through a similar repeating sequence of either of the following (in some cases will loop through different cycles if the product gaps vary greatly):

[0132] In aspects, if the gaps between the product 900 are smaller, then the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the gating 152 may be configured and / or operable to implement a sequence of: ON-OFF, ON-ON, OFF-ON, ON-ON.

[0133] In aspects, if the gaps between the product 900 are larger, then the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the gating 152 may be configured and / or operable to implement a sequence of: ON-OFF, ON-ON, OFF-ON, OFF-OFF.

[0134] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11.26132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0135] Figure 12 illustrates a partial schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0136] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to utilize automatic signal mode selection for reliable product detection. In aspects, the product 900 may be detected on the conveyance device 202 using two beams of light emitted from respective implementations of the emitter 110 that are positioned before and after the measurement area 116, such as a main IR beam patch. In aspects, the implementations of the product parameter determination device 100 to may be 2 mm - 10 mm, 4 mm - 8 mm, 5 mm - 7 mm, or approximately 6 mm apart as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0137] In aspects, the at least one gating sensor 102 may implement dual detectors and / or dual implementations of the position sensitive detectors 112 in each implementation of the at least one gating sensor 102. In aspects, the dual implementations of the position sensitive detectors 112 may be implemented as sensor pairs A1 , A2 and B1 , B2 that generate sensor signals.

[0138] The sensor signals from the detector pairs A1 , A2 and B1 , B2 of the position sensitive detectors 112 may be configured and / or operable to detect the presence of the product 900 on the conveyance device 202 and may be configured and / or operable to be combined in various sensor modes to generate the best signal contrast between foreground (surface of the product 900) and background (the conveyance device 202) to enable the product 900 to be detected more reliably using a threshold set half way between the two.

[0139] The list of modes is given below and the one that gives the greatest contrast is automatically learnt by the software with a corresponding threshold when running the conveyance device 202 with the product 900. More specifically, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to automatically detect the at least one product parameter profile 910, characterize aspects of the at least one product parameter profile 910 for each of the sensor modes and subsequently learn the sensor mode to utilize in the emitter 110 for a specific type of the product 900.27132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0140] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing only the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with detector A1 .

[0141] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing only the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with detector A2.

[0142] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with detector A1 +A2.

[0143] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with the detectors with the following signal combinations A1 / (A1 +A2).

[0144] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with the detectors with the following signal combinations A2 / (A1 +A2).

[0145] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with the detectors with the following signal combinations (A1 -A2) / (A1 +A2).

[0146] Further, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with the detectors in other combinations A1 and A2. Moreover, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may implement the at least one gating sensor 102 utilizing the position sensitive detectors 112 associated with the detectors in similar combinations as well with B1 and B2.

[0147] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 12 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other28132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 12.

[0148] Figure 13 illustrates a schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0149] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement a signal data processing system 400. The signal data processing system 400 may include a first system 401 and a second system 402. In aspects, the signal data processing system 400, the first system 401 , and / or the second system 402 may be implemented in hardware and / or software by the processor 502 illustrated in Figure 21.

[0150] In aspects, the first system 401 may obtain wheel data 411 from the at least one product parameter sensor 106. The wheel data 411 may be implemented as a device and / or process to receive from an optical filter wheel assembly that may be configured and / or operable to align filters to filter the signal from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 at the different frequency bands.

[0151] Thereafter, the wheel data 411 may be filtered in a filter component 421 to generate filtered data. The filter component 421 may be implemented as a device and / or process to generate the filtered data.

[0152] Further, the filtered data may be processed in an ambient light rejection 431 to generate raw data 441. In aspects, the ambient light rejection 431 may be implemented as a device and / or process to generate the raw data.

[0153] In aspects, the second system 402 may obtain wheel data 412 from the at least one product parameter sensor 106. The wheel data 412 may be implemented as a device and / or process to receive from an optical filter wheel assembly that may be configured and / or operable to align filters to filter the signal from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 at the different frequency bands.

[0154] Thereafter, the wheel data 412 may be split in a data splitter 452. The data splitter 452 may split the wheel data 412 into two data streams for subsequent29132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US processing by the second system 402. In aspects, the data splitter 452 may be implemented as a device and / or process to generate split data into the two data streams.

[0155] The split data may be filtered in parallel by the filter components 422 to generate filtered data. The filter components 422 may be implemented as a device and / or process to generate the filtered data.

[0156] Further, the filtered data may be processed in parallel by the ambient light rejection processors 432 to generate two of the raw data streams 442. In aspects, the ambient light rejection processors 432 may be implemented as devices and / or processes to generate the two raw data streams 442.

[0157] Finally, the raw data 441 and / or the raw data streams 442 may be provided to the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 to generate the at least one product parameter profile 910 as further described herein.

[0158] Figure 14 illustrates a schematic view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0159] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to generate a product profile and reject non valid data. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement a fast gating system as described herein with relation to the gating 152 of the gauges and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106.

[0160] With reference to Figure 14, the product parameter determination device 100 may implement the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the at least one controller 500 and / or the signal data processing system 400 to generate gating for the sensors 538, core zone gating 503, edge zone gating 524, that results in calculated zones 505 of the product 900.

[0161] The system may split the data into three zones that may include a leading product zone, a middle product zone, and a trailing product zone. The middle product zone or core zone of the product 900 may relate to the center portion parameter 904. The leading product zone and the trailing product zone of the product 900 may be30132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US defined as the edge zone or the edge portion parameter 906 of the product 900. In aspects, the system may be implemented by one or more of the product parameter determination device 100, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the at least one controller 500 and / or the signal data processing system 400.

[0162] In aspects, the leading product zone and the trailing product zone may be combined giving two effective measurement zones, edge (leading product zone and trailing product zone) and core (middle product zone) of the product 900.

[0163] The gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may be configured and / or operable to make independent measurements in the two zones to make a profile measurement. Thereafter, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may generate the at least one product parameter profile 910 from the profile measurement as described herein.

[0164] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the signal data processing system 400 may be configured to separate raw data streams. To allow independent measurement by the product parameter determination device 100 of the two zones the gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may need a second set of raw data buckets for each sample filter. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100, the at least one controller 500, and / or the signal data processing system 400 may utilize reference raws that may be used for both sets of sample raws. In aspects, both sets of sample raws may be the raw data 441 and / or the raw data streams 442 generated by the signal data processing system 400.

[0165] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may generate and / or utilize one or more Raw Data Elements (RDEs). In aspects, the RDEs may be a basis for the calculation of applications and / or the like. In aspects, the RDE may be generated by the product parameter determination device 100 for each filter (wavelength), which may be at a measurement update rate but may use all the data from multiple wheel revolutions. In aspects, values of the RDEs may be a bridge between high speed data and measurement rate data. For example, analog to digital converter (ADC) data collected from each filter as the wheel spins. In this case, various applications, measurements, and / or the like of the product parameter determination31132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US device 100 may be updated at an update rate of the gauge. In aspects, the high speed data processing systems of the product parameter determination device 100 may generate the RDEs at the measurement update rate, and then for each set of RDEs a new set of measurements may be calculated. The gauge, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the product parameter determination device 100, the at least one controller 500 and / or the signal data processing system 400 may also need to duplicate RDEs, using a second set of sample raws with the standard reference raws. In aspects, the sample raws may be the raw data 441 and / or the raw data streams 442 generated by the signal data processing system 400.

[0166] Finally, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the product parameter determination device 100, the at least one controller 500 and / or the signal data processing system 400 may be configured and / or operable to implement additional applications to create a reading using the second set of RDEs rather than the primary set. For example, a standard gauge implementation of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 with six filters may be configured to have the following definitions:

[0167] In aspects, the reference raws may include: RawR1 , RawR2, RawR3, RawR4, RawR5, RawR6, ....; In aspects, the sample raws may include: RawS1 , RawS2, RawS3, RawS4, RawS5, RawS6, ....; and In aspects, the RDEs may include: RDE1 (using RawR1 and RawS1 ),... RDE6 (using RawR6 and RawS6), ....

[0168] A gauge enabling the system may need the above as well as:

[0169] Additional sample raws that may include for example: RawS_A_1 , RawS_A_2, RawS_A_3, RawS_A_4, RawS_A_5, RawS_A_6,... .; and Additional RDEs that may include for example: RDE_A_1 (using RawR1 and RawS_A_1 ),... RDE_A_6 (using RawR6 and RawS_A_6),... .

[0170] In aspects, the system may be configured and / or operable to measure a parameter, such as to measure moisture, in the core and edges separately through implementation of two applications. In one aspect, the system may implement an application using standard RDEs and one application using the corresponding additional RDEs. In aspects, the two applications may be configured and / or operable to have a32132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US measurement for the core moisture of the product 900 and one for the edge moisture of the product 900.

[0171] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement queued filter wheel bursts. In aspects, the system may implement software in conjunction with the components of the product parameter determination device 100 determination of the product 900.

[0172] Initially, the system may not know a size the product 900 until it has completely passed under the gauge, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, and / or the at least one gating sensor 102. In aspects, the system may implement the gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 to queue valid measurement data in a buffer, until the product 900 has passed the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and then the system may release the queued data. In aspects, the system may be configured and / or operable to implement the queuing process to clean up and / or use cleaned up edges of the product 900. In aspects, the system may implement a process similar the straddle gating system to more accurately determine the true extent or dimensions of the product 900.

[0173] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured for splitting the product 900, such as cookies, into sections. In aspects, data collected from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 may need to be passed to both measurement chains of the signal data processing system 400 so that each is aware of a position of the data related to the product 900 to allow the ambient light rejection system to be applied correctly.

[0174] Further, the system may be configured and / or operable such that data collected between the product 900 may be marked as invalid and will not need to be queued in the system. This data may be passed to both measurement chains of the signal data processing system 400 as is. After the product 900 has passed under the gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106, a queue of measurement data may be released and passed to both measurement chains of the signal data processing system 400.33132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0175] The system may be configured and / or operable such that data that is queued may have its invalid (gated off) state modified before being passed to each data collection. For example, for data calculated as being in the core zone, the data may be passed as is to the core data raws, but will have an invalid flag set when passed to the edge data raws. The effect of this will be for the core zone to only see the data in the core of the product 900 as valid. The opposite system will be used for the edge sections. Figure 14 illustrates how the true high speed gating and zonal gating may work.

[0176] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 13 and Figure 14.

[0177] Figure 15 illustrates a graphical user interface of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0178] Figure 16 illustrates a graphical user interface of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0179] In particular, Figure 15 illustrates a measurement type graphical user interface 506 to control the product parameter determination device 100 to implement different measurement types. In aspects, the measurement type graphical user interface 506 may be generated by the at least one controller 500 and displayed on the user interface 512.

[0180] In particular, the measurement type graphical user interface 506 may allow a user to set a measurement type by the product parameter determination device 100. For example, the measurement type graphical user interface 506 may allow a user to select a standard measurement type, a diagnostic measurement type, a user-defined measurement type, a color measurement type, an edge center ratio measurement type, and / or the like.34132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0181] Further, Figure 16 illustrates a measurement information graphical user interface 507 to display measurement information from the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500. In aspects, the measurement information graphical user interface 507 may be configured to set, control, determine, and / or the like a base measurement of the product 900, a measurement output type of the product 900, a target, control limits, alarm limits, and exponential average, a rolling buffer, and measurement decimal places for implementation by the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500. For example, the measurement information graphical user interface 507 may be utilized such that the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured for an edge center ratio measurement.

[0182] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement the edge-center ratio measurement. The edge center ratio measurement can be enabled in any gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 that has height gating enabled. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be implemented using a modified filter wheel that may include multiple moisture filters and with the edge detectors of the at least one gating sensor 102 set closer together. In further aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be implemented with software that can work with any type of filter wheel and with standard edge sensor spacing of the product parameter determination device 100 to.

[0183] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be implemented, configured, and / or operable, for example with software, to utilize retrospective gating. In aspects, retrospective gating may be configured and / or operable to estimate where a true edge of the product 900 is. Further, retrospective gating may be configured and / or operable to allow measurement of more of the product 900 and reject less. In a particular aspect, to enable the system, a measurement set file may be loaded with an edge center ratio measurement. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to allow edge center ratio measurements to be added, modified, and / or the like.35132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0184] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 15 and Figure 16 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 15 and Figure 16.

[0185] Figure 17 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0186] Figure 18 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0187] Figure 19 illustrates a view of a graphical user interface for a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0188] As illustrated in Figure 17, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement a measurement information graphical user interface 508. In aspects, the measurement information graphical user interface 508 may be generated by the at least one controller 500 and displayed on the user interface 512. In aspects, the measurement information graphical user interface 508 may be configured to control, set, and / or determine an output type from the product parameter determination device 100.

[0189] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement EC(Center-Edge) Measurement types. In this regard, the EC Ratio measurements may support the following output types that are selectable from the measurement set up page in the editor implemented by the measurement information graphical user interface 508:

[0190] In aspects, an EC Ratio measurement type may utilize measurements combined mathematically with (Center-Edge) / Total measurements. In aspects, this may be the default selection implemented by the at least one controller 500 and / or the product parameter determination device 100.36132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0191] In aspects, an EC Delta measurement type may utilize measurements combined mathematically with (Center-Edge) measurements.

[0192] In aspects, a Total measurement type may utilize measurements combined mathematically with (Edge + Center) measurements.

[0193] In aspects, an Edge measurement type may utilize measurements combined mathematically with Edge measurements

[0194] In aspects, a Center measurement type may utilize measurements combined mathematically with a Center measurement.

[0195] As illustrated in Figure 18, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement a measurements graphical user interface 509.

[0196] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to create multiple EC ratio measurements using the same base measurement, allowing different EC ratio outputs to be displayed on the gauge and / or the user interface 512 as illustrated in the measurements graphical user interface 509.

[0197] For example, the measurements graphical user interface 509 shows a configuration of the product parameter determination device 100 and / or 500 with the first channel measuring the bulk value, and then three EC ratio measurement all using that bulk value to show “EC Ratio of MeasT’ on channel 2, “Edge of Measl” on channel 3 and “Centre of MeasT’ on channel 4.

[0198] As illustrated in Figure 18, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement a hardware graphical user interface 510. In aspects, the hardware graphical user interface 510 may be generated by the at least one controller 500 and displayed on the user interface 512.

[0199] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement an edge center ratio node. If the edge center ratio system is active a new node called “edge center ratio” will appear under the “Hardware” node in the hardware graphical user interface 510. The following parameters are then available under this node.37132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0200] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement “AverageLength” measurement. In this regard, a read only diagnostic may be configured to show the average length of the last ten products, ignoring the shortest and longest.

[0201] n aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to implement a ‘glitch-free’ average that may be used to ignore potential outliers and / or make the product rejection algorithm more robust. For example, a value in filter counts may be a value of 1600 that would mean one hundred wheel revolutions of a 16 filter wheel.

[0202] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement an “EdgeCenterBoundary” measurement. In this regard, a setting which defines where the boundary between the edge and center of the measurement of the product 900 should be drawn. The value is in percent and defaults to 25. A value of 25 means the first and last 25% of the product 900 may be treated as edge and the remaining 50% of the product 900 may be treated as center.

[0203] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement an “EdgeOffsetRatio” measurement. In aspects, this setting may define the relative size of the beam patch of the at least one product parameter sensor 106 to the distance between the product detectors of the gating 152. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable such that value defaults to 0.5.

[0204] This value may used in the retrospective gating (to calculate a safe offset between where the edge of the product 900 is predicted to be and where the gauge and / or the at least one product parameter sensor 106 can safely start measuring the product 900. Moving this value towards one may increase a safety margin, but also may increase the amount of product rejected. A value of one may mean the gauge measures the same product width as would be done in standard high speed gating.38132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0205] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement a “LengthLimitHigh” measurement. In this regard, this may be a setting that defines a maximum product length (relative to the current average) that may be included in the edge center ratio measurements. In aspects, the value may be in percent and may default to 120, for example. In this aspect, the products 900 that are more than 120% of the average length may be rejected by the product parameter determination device 100.

[0206] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement “LengthLimitLow” measurement. In aspects, this may be a setting that defines the minimum product length (relative to the current average) that will be included in the edge center ratio measurements. In aspects, the value may be in percent and may default to 80.

[0207] For example, the products 900 that are measured to be less than 80% of the average length may be rejected. These two parameters when set, may reject any spectral data from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 used for the at least one product parameter profile 910 and / or a moisture profile computation where the product 900 are bunched too close together. For example, where the edges of the product 900 are not clear and when the product 900 are out of line (not central to the sensing area of the IR gauge), which could corrupt the computed profile of the at least one product parameter profile 910.

[0208] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement “ProductRateDetected” measurement. In aspects, this measurement may be a diagnostic that shows the number of products that were detected as a rate per minute. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be implemented to count a number of leading edges seen.

[0209] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement “ProductRateCompleted” measurements. In aspects, this may be a diagnostic that shows the number of products that were completed as a rate per minute. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may count products39132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US where the full edge sequence is detected (i.e. leading and trailing edges seen). In aspects, this value will theoretically never be higher than “ProductRateDetected.”

[0210] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement “ProductRateValid” measurement. In aspects, this may be a diagnostic that shows the number of products that were completed, and within the length limits, as a rate per minute. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 counts the products that are used to calculate the edge center ratio data. In aspects, this value will theoretically never be higher than “ProductRateCompleted.”

[0211] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to implement “Status” determination. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may generate a read only status value that will show one of the following:

[0212] “Starting up” - Waiting for system start up.

[0213] “No product detected” - No products have been detected in the last 5 seconds.

[0214] “Only one detector active” - Only one of the edge detectors is seeing product.

[0215] “Learning detector sequence” - Waiting for the height system to work out the direction of the products.

[0216] “Calculating average size” - Waiting until we have enough product lengths to calculate a meaningful average.

[0217] “Invalid edge sequence” - Received a bad set of edges to not able to detect a product.

[0218] “Measuring” - Sufficient data and the product is currently flowing.

[0219] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 17, Figure 18, and Figure 19 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and40132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 17, Figure 18, and Figure 19.

[0220] Figure 20 illustrates a view of a product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0221] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement retrospective gating. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to receive the measurement of the product 900 from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and may implement a system to buffer the data before it is processed. In aspects, the buffer may be implemented by the memory 504 of the at least one controller 500 or the buffer may be implemented by another storage component.

[0222] With reference to Figure 20, the product 900 is shown together with a measurable area using simple gating 611 in comparison to a measurable area using retrospective gating 612. As illustrated in Figure 20, the retrospective gating 612 may generate more data of the product 900 in comparison to the simple gating 611 .

[0223] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to buffer an entire measurement of the product 900 before passing the measurement on to be processed as described herein. This may allow the product 900 to be measured and then split into edge and center sections, for example by the signal data processing system 400, before processing.

[0224] This buffering of the measurement data of the product 900 may allow the system to estimate where the true edges of the product 900 are located and / or allow the inclusion of more of the data around the edges of the product 900. Accordingly, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to more accurately estimate where the true edges of the product 900 are located and / or allow the inclusion of more of the data around the edges of the product 900.41132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0225] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may work as follows: the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to collect data from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and start buffering the data when the leading edge detector sees the start of the product 900 as indicated by the dashed line designated LeadON. The product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to continue collecting data from the at least one product parameter sensor 106 until the trailing edge detector sees the end of the product 900 as indicated by the dashed line designated TrailOFF. Accordingly, the system may now have four points of interest with respect to the product 900 including the points on the product 900 indicated by the dashed lines designated as LeadON, TrailON, LeadOFF and TrailOFF.

[0226] In aspects, if it assumed that a speed of the conveyance device 202 may be relatively constant, the product parameter determination device 100 can configured and / or operable to use center points of the transitions as a better estimate of where the beam patch will see the product 900.

[0227] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / or operable to implement an additional offset that can be used as a safety margin to delay a start of sampling by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and advance an end of sampling by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 to allow for the beam patch to be partially off the product 900. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 20, the product parameter determination device 100 may utilize the mathematical combination of the values (LeadON+TrailON)+offset as a start point for utilizing the data captured by the at least one product parameter sensor 106 and (LeadOFF+TrailOFF)-offset as an end point for utilizing the data captured by the at least one product parameter sensor 106.

[0228] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to implement additional sets of raw data generators for additional product slices. As previously described, the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 utilizes two slices, one slice for the center of the product 900 and one slice combining the two edges of the product 900.42132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / USAccordingly, implementing additional sets of raw data generators for additional product slices provides greater detail and / or granularity in the at least one product parameter profile 910.

[0229] In this aspect, each raw data generator may create a new set of raws for each of the reference and sample channels for each filter. In aspects, each raw may use standard ambient light and measurement rate averaging.

[0230] In aspects, each raw data generator may then feed data into a cloned set of RDEs. The cloned set of RDEs may use the same referencing data as the main RDEs but may only contain data relevant to a slice of the product 900 (center or edge). Each set of RDEs may then generate a cloned set of applications, and these applications may be used to calculate the edge center ratio measurements. When the collection system detects that the product 900 is ready to be processed, then the data may be handled as follows:

[0231] The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured and / operable such that all or most of the data may be passed to the standard raw calculation chains so that the normal raws, RDEs, applications and measurements can be calculated, in for example the signal data processing system 400. The data may then also be passed to the raw data generators needed by the product measurements as described herein, with additional gating applied by the product parameter determination device 100 to mask out the center or edge data of the product 900.

[0232] In aspects, this may result in an additional set of raws, for each slice of the product 900, being calculated in parallel with the standard raws. Any data that is off product (i.e. between the product 900) may be streamed to both the standard and other raws. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable such that data may be gated off, but may be needed to maintain good ambient light rejection.

[0233] When a measurement is needed the calculation will be as follows:43132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0234] The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to calculate the edge and center RDEs from the edge and center RAWs.

[0235] The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured such that the calculation may use the edge or center RAW value, the corresponding reference channel RAW, and the reference factor used by the standard RDE, for example normalized using a same normalizing factor as main RDE. The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to calculate the application(s) needed by the measurement using edge and center RDEs.

[0236] The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to implement the application used that may be the same as the application used by the parent measurement (as defined in the measurement set file). Accordingly, if this measurement is paired to measurement one, this measurement may use the application that measurement one uses. In aspects, this may ensure that if the user changes the application, such as a recipe change, for measurement one, the other measurement may use the same application.

[0237] The product parameter determination device 100 and / or the at least one controller 500 may be configured to calculate application value for the edge and center values the product 900.

[0238] In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured to calculate the other values. In aspects, the product parameter determination device 100 may be configured and / or operable to calculate average application value over the whole of the product 900 and can either use a standard application output (e.g. as used by measurement 1 ), or by calculating the average of other values of the product 900. In aspects, there may be no need to do this calculation at the measurement level as spans, trims, and / or the like may be cancelled in the calculation.

[0239] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 20 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other44132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENT Docket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 20.

[0240] Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the product parameter determination device according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0241] In particular, Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the product parameter determination device 100 that includes implementation of the at least one controller 500. In particular, the at least one controller 500 may receive data from various aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 and / or control aspects of the product parameter determination device 100.

[0242] Additionally, the at least one controller 500 may monitor an operation of the product parameter determination device 100. In aspects, the at least one controller 500 may be configured to allow users to control the product parameter determination device 100 and / or the product production device 200. The at least one controller 500 may include a processor 502, a memory 504, a user interface 512, a communication circuit 514, and / or the like.

[0243] In aspects, the at least one controller 500 may receive data from and / or control the at least one gating sensor 102, the at least one product parameter sensor 106, the emitter 110, the position sensitive detectors 112, and / or the like. In aspects, the at least one controller 500 may be configured to utilize the user interface 512 to generate the first system 401 , the second system 402, and / or the like. Additionally, the at least one controller 500 may be configured to receive input and / or instructions through the user interface 512.

[0244] The memory 504 may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing digital information. The memory 504 may also include a mass45132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US storage device (not shown) such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, non-volatile solid state device or any other device capable of storing digital information. The at least one controller 500 can include, or be disposed on or in, a computing device, such as a conventional server computer, a workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, network appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital cellular phone, and / or other suitable computing device.

[0245] The processor 502 may operate under the control of an operating system that resides in the memory 504. The processor 502 may include one or more devices selected from microprocessors, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microcomputers, central processing units, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, logic circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, and / or any other devices that manipulate signals (analog or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in the memory 504.

[0246] The user interface 512 may be communicatively connected to the at least one controller 500 to allow a system operator to interact with the at least one controller 500. The user interface 512 may include one or more input / output devices. The user interface 512 may include a video monitor, alphanumeric displays, a touch screen, a speaker, and any other suitable audio and / or visual indicators capable of providing information to the system operator. The user interface 512 may include one or more input devices capable of accepting commands or input from the operator, such as an alphanumeric keyboard, a pointing device, keypads, push buttons, control knobs, microphones, and / or the like. In this way, the user interface 512 may enable manual initiation of system functions, for example, during set-up, calibration, inspection, and / or cleaning.

[0247] The memory 504 may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing digital information. The memory 504 may also include a mass storage device (not shown) such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, non-volatile46132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US solid state device or any other device capable of storing digital information. The at least one controller 500 can include, or be disposed on or in, a computing device, such as a conventional server computer, a workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, network appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital cellular phone, and / or other suitable computing device.

[0248] The aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 21 and described therewith, may optionally be implemented in any other aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith. Further, the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in the other figures and described therewith may optionally be implemented in the aspects of the product parameter determination device 100 illustrated in Figure 21.

[0249] Accordingly, the disclosure has set forth a device and process to obtain product parameters conveyed in a continuous high-speed stream.

[0250] One EXAMPLE: a device includes at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being further configured and / or operable to determine a gating mode based on the product detection data. The device moreover includes at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the gating mode and further being configured and / or operable to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

[0251] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure47132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured and / or operable to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE includes two implementations of the at least one gating sensor for detecting two portions of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to obtain48132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to output the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured and / or operable to reject the products having non-valid product parameters. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes at least two filters configured to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to buffer data until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes a signal data processing system configured and / or operable to generate two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to determine diagnostic information on production of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

[0252] One EXAMPLE: a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller, and determining a gating mode based on the product detection data with the at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the gating mode and the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor.49132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0253] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes generating independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes detecting at least two portions of each of the products with at least two implementations of the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of50132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes obtaining a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes outputting the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes rejecting the products having non-valid product parameters. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes implementing at least two filters to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes generating two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes determining diagnostic information on production of the products.The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes buffering data from the at least one product parameter sensor until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

[0254] One EXAMPLE: a device includes at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device moreover includes at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device. The device further includes where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured and / or operable to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.51132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0255] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being further configured and / or operable to determine a gating mode based on the product detection data; and where the at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the gating mode. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE includes two implementations of the at least one gating sensor for detecting two portions of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The device of the52132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to obtain a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The device of the abovenoted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to output the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured and / or operable to reject the products having non-valid product parameters. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes at least two filters configured to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to buffer data until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes a signal data processing system configured and / or operable to generate two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to determine diagnostic information on production of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

[0256] One EXAMPLE: a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the53132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor. The process further includes generating independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

[0257] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes: determining a gating mode based on the product detection data with the at least one controller; and operating the at least one product parameter sensor based on the gating mode. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes detecting at least two portions of each of the products with at least two implementations of the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production54132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US device. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes obtaining a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes outputting the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes rejecting the products having non-valid product parameters. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes implementing at least two filters to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes generating two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor determining diagnostic information on production of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes determining diagnostic information on production of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes buffering data from the at least one product parameter sensor until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

[0258] One EXAMPLE: a device includes at least one gating sensor configured to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data. The device in addition includes at least one controller configured to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being configured determine gaps between the products being conveyed and determine a sensor gating configuration based on the product detection data. The device moreover includes at least one product parameter sensor configured to operate based on the sensor gating55132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US configuration and further being configured to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device also includes the at least one product parameter sensor further configured to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

[0259] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one infrared sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the sensor gating configuration comprises at least a simple gating mode configuration and a straddle gating mode configuration. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the sensor gating configuration and the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height in products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height in products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes two implementations of the at least one gating sensor for detecting two portions of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute an average moisture for each zone of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE being configured to obtain a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE being configured to56132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US output the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise cookies, crackers, and / or wafers. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE being configured to reject the products having non-valid product parameters. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes at least two filters configured to obtain independent measurement of at least two zones of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to buffer data until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The device of the above-noted EXAMPLE being configured to determine diagnostic information on production of the products.

[0260] One EXAMPLE: a process includes detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor. The process in addition includes receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller, determining gaps between the products being conveyed with the at least one controller, and determining a sensor gating configuration based on the product detection data with the at least one controller. The process moreover includes operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the sensor gating configuration and the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor. The process also includes sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor.

[0261] The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one infrared sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the sensor gating57132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US configuration comprises at least a simple gating mode configuration and a straddle gating mode configuration. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where a measurement area of each of the products being based on the sensor gating configuration and the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height in products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height in products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes detecting at least two portions of each of the products with at least two implementations of the at least one gating sensor. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute an average moisture for each zone of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes obtaining a real time average moisture profile of each of the products. The process of the abovenoted EXAMPLE includes outputting the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise foodstuffs. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the products comprise cookies, crackers, and / or wafers. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes rejecting the products having non-valid product parameters. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes implementing at least two filters to obtain independent measurement of at least two zones of each of the products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products. The process of the abovenoted EXAMPLE includes determining diagnostic information on production of the58132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US products. The process of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes buffering data from the at least one product parameter sensor until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor.

[0262] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0263] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto another element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending "directly onto" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "over" or extending "over" another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over another element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over" or extending "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to another element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0264] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figure s. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figure s.59132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US

[0265] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0266] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0267] The disclosure may be implemented in any type of computing devices, such as, e.g., a desktop computer, personal computer, a laptop / mobile computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, cloud computing device, and the like, with wired / wireless communications capabilities via the communication channels.

[0268] Further in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation with dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, PCs, PDAs, semiconductors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic arrays, cloud computing devices, and other hardware devices constructed to implement the methods described herein.

[0269] Additionally, the various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a non-generic computer implementation. Moreover, the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein improve the functioning of the system as is apparent from the disclosure hereof. Furthermore, the various aspects of the disclosure involve computer hardware that it specifically programmed to solve the complex problem addressed by the disclosure. Accordingly, the various aspects of the disclosure improve the60132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US functioning of the system overall in its specific implementation to perform the process set forth by the disclosure and as defined by the claims.

[0270] The artificial intelligence and / or machine learning may utilize any number of approaches including one or more of cybernetics and brain simulation, symbolic, cognitive simulation, logic-based, anti-logic, knowledge-based, sub-symbolic, embodied intelligence, computational intelligence and soft computing, machine learning and statistics, and the like.

[0271] The many features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure which fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the disclosure.61132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1

Claims

1. PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / USCLAIMS:1 . A device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products being conveyed through a product production device, the device comprising: at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data; at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor, and the at least one controller being further configured and / or operable to determine a gating mode based on the product detection data; at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the gating mode and further being configured and / or operable to be responsive to the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor; and the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured and / or operable to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.62132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products.11 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals.

12. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising two implementations of the at least one gating sensor for detecting two portions of each of the products.63132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device.

14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to obtain a real time average moisture profile of each of the products.

17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to output the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes.

18. The device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one controller being configured and / or operable to reject the products having non-valid product parameters.

19. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least two filters configured to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products.64132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US21 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a signal data processing system configured and / or operable to generate two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor.

22. The device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to determine diagnostic information on production of the products.

23. The device according to claim 19, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to buffer data until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor.

24. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the products comprise foodstuffs.

25. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

26. A process for determining at least one product parameter profile of products being conveyed through a product production device, the process comprising: detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor; receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller, and determining a gating mode based on the product detection data with the at least one controller; operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the gating mode and the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor; and sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor.65132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US27. The process according to claim 26, further comprising generating independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

28. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products.

29. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products.

30. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor.31 . The process according to claim 26, wherein the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode.

32. The process according to claim 26, wherein a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor.

33. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products.

34. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products.66132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US35. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products.

36. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals.

37. The process according to claim 26, further comprising detecting at least two portions of each of the products with at least two implementations of the at least one gating sensor.

38. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device.

39. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products.

40. The process according to claim 26, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products.41 . The process according to claim 26 further comprising obtaining a real time average moisture profile of each of the products.

42. The process according to claim 41 further comprising outputting the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes.67132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US43. The process according to claim 26 further comprising rejecting the products having non-valid product parameters.

44. The process according to claim 26, further comprising implementing at least two filters to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

45. The process according to claim 44, wherein the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products.

46. The process according to claim 26, further comprising generating two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor.

47. The process according to claim 26, further comprising determining diagnostic information on production of the products.

48. The process according to claim 26, further comprising buffering data from the at least one product parameter sensor until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor.

49. The process according to claim 26, wherein the products comprise foodstuffs.

50. The process according to claim 26, wherein the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.51 . A device configured to determine at least one product parameter profile of products being conveyed through a product production device, the device comprising: at least one gating sensor configured and / or operable to detect products being conveyed through a product production device and the at least one gating sensor being configured to generate product detection data;68132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US at least one controller configured and / or operable to receive the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor; at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor; and the at least one product parameter sensor further configured and / or operable to sense at least one product parameter of each of the products being conveyed through the product production device, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured and / or operable to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

52. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products.

53. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products.

54. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one controller being further configured and / or operable to determine a gating mode based on the product detection data; and wherein the at least one product parameter sensor configured and / or operable to operate based on the gating mode.

55. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor.

56. The device according to claim 54, wherein the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode.69132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US57. The device according to claim 54, wherein a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor.

58. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products.

59. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products.

60. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products.61 . The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals.

62. The device according to claim 51 , further comprising two implementations of the at least one gating sensor for detecting two portions of each of the products.

63. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device.

64. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products.70132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US65. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products.

66. The device according to claim 51 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to obtain a real time average moisture profile of each of the products.

67. The device according to claim 66 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to output the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes.

68. The device according to claim 51 wherein the at least one controller being configured and / or operable to reject the products having non-valid product parameters.

69. The device according to claim 51 , further comprising at least two filters configured to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

70. The device according to claim 69, wherein the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products.71 . The device according to claim 51 , further comprising a signal data processing system configured and / or operable to generate two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor.

72. The device according to claim 51 wherein the at least one product parameter sensor being configured to determine diagnostic information on production of the products.71132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US73. The device according to claim 69, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to buffer data until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor.

74. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the products comprise foodstuffs.

75. The device according to claim 51 , wherein the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.

76. A process for determining at least one product parameter profile of products being conveyed through a product production device, the process comprising: detecting products being conveyed through a product production device with at least one gating sensor and generating product detection data with the at least one gating sensor; receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor with at least one controller; operating at least one product parameter sensor based on the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor; sensing at least one product parameter of the products being conveyed through the product production device with the at least one product parameter sensor; and generating independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

77. The process according to claim 76, further comprising: determining a gating mode based on the product detection data with the at least one controller; and operating the at least one product parameter sensor based on the gating mode.72132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US78. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure moisture, color, dimension, and / or quality of each of the products.

79. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to measure a moisture content of each of the products.

80. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor comprises at least one gauge, infrared gauge, spectral gauge, infrared spectral gauge, an infrared sensor, and / or an infrared spectral sensor.81 . The process according to claim 77, wherein the gating mode comprises at least a simple gating mode, an absolute gating mode, a ratio gating mode, and a straddle gating mode.

82. The process according to claim 77, wherein a measurement area of each of the products being based on the gating mode and the at least one gating sensor.

83. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to measure a change in height of the products.

84. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and dual infrared detectors to measure a change in height of the products.

85. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one gating sensor comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to measure a change in height of the products.73132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US86. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one gating sensor is configured to generate separate triangulation / reflectance sensor signals.

87. The process according to claim 76, further comprising detecting at least two portions of each of the products with at least two implementations of the at least one gating sensor.

88. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one controller being configured determine a direction of flow of the products through the product production device.

89. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to detect a moisture profile from a continuous stream of the products.

90. The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one product parameter sensor is configured to obtain infrared spectral data in zones across each of the products and compute moisture for each zone of each of the products.91 . The process according to claim 76 further comprising obtaining a real time average moisture profile of each of the products.

92. The process according to claim 91 further comprising outputting the real time average moisture profile for monitoring and control purposes.

93. The process according to claim 76 further comprising rejecting the products having non-valid product parameters.74132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1PATENTDocket No.: 132538.021502 NDSN: 25-002-PR02 / US94. The process according to claim 76, further comprising implementing at least two filters to obtain independent measurements of at least two zones of each of the products.

95. The process according to claim 94, wherein the at least two zones comprise an edge of each of the products and a core of each of the products.

96. The process according to claim 76, further comprising generating two raw data streams from an output of the at least one product parameter sensor determining diagnostic information on production of the products.

97. The process according to claim 76, further comprising determining diagnostic information on production of the products.

98. The process according to claim 76, further comprising buffering data from the at least one product parameter sensor until receiving the product detection data from the at least one gating sensor.

99. The process according to claim 76, wherein the products comprise foodstuffs.

100. The process according to claim 76, wherein the products comprise food products, cookies, crackers, wafers, chips, and / or biscuits.75132538.021502\4924-4009-9341.1

Images