OPTICAL HEIGHT OF FILL DETECTION SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

The height-of-fill of a container comprising a body having an optically detectable feature, and contents filling the body up to a fill level, at least a measuring portion of the container extending from the optically detectable feature to the fill level being capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation, is determined by illuminating at least the measuring portion of the container with electromagnetic radiation; forming an image of part of this measuring portion of the container; and analyzing the image by data processing means to identify: (a) a first region having a first intensity that varies in accordance with the properties of the optically detectable feature; and (b) a second region having a second intensity that varies in accordance with the optical properties of the contents below the fill level, and determining the distance between a point within the first region and the upper edge of the second region, thereby determining the height-of-fill.