Method and apparatus for utilizing representational images in commercial and other activities

• US 20020122581A1
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polydimension, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Polydimension, Inc.
• Inventors: Sandler, Eliezer D., Erickson, Ronald R., Bock, Joel N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,286,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2284 Superimposing the holobject with other visual information
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0053 Arrangements for assisting the manual mounting of components, e.g. special tables or light spots indicating the place for mounting

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for performing commercial and other activities using one or more two- or three-dimensional representational images, superimposing a two- or three-dimensional representational image, containing an image of the workpiece in an advanced state of assembly, with a surface or onto the actual workpiece, and utilizing the superimposed representational image to assist in the assembly of the workpiece. One or more two- or three-dimensional representational images are created, e.g., using standard photography, holography or computer imaging, and are placed in a frame integrated within the assembly line of the manufacturing facility. The workpiece is positioned in relation to location of the representational image, such that the representational image may be superimposed onto the workpiece. An assembly operation is then performed using the superimposed representational image as a template.

Claims

1. A method for processing a workpiece utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the workpiece at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. presenting information from the representational image to an operator; and

d. processing the workpiece using the information obtained from the representational image.

2. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. transmitting information from the representational image to an operator; and

d. modifying the manufactured object using the transmitted information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmitting is accomplished by superimposing the representational image with the manufactured object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the superimposing is accomplished using an holographic optical element.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the superimposing includes projecting the representational image onto the manufactured object.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the superimposing includes holographically displaying the representational image in relation to the manufactured object.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the representational image is a two-dimensional image.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the representational image is a three-dimensional image.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the representational image is a holographic image.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing an assembling step.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a painting step.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a decal application step.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a cutting step.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a wire harnessing operation.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the manufactured object is positioned on a movable surface.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the manufactured object is positioned at a distance from the representational image substantially equal to the focal distance of the representational image.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the representational image is illuminated using white light.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the representational image is illuminated using light of a predetermined wavelength.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to the object by projection.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to the object by reflection.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to a viewer by reflection.

22. The method of claim 2, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to a viewer by transmission.

24. The product of claim 23, wherein the first object is a circuit board and the second object is a component.

25. The product of claim 23, wherein the first object is a vehicle and the second object is preprinted material.

26. The product of claim 23, wherein the first object is a surface and the second object is paint.

27. The product of claim 23, wherein the first object is a vehicle chasis and the second object is a wire harness.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first source of illumination is a different wavelength than the second source of illumination.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the first source of illumination is positioned at a different angle relative to the repository of the plurality of representational images than the second source of illumination.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the first source of illumination is positioned at a different distance from the repository of the plurality of representational images than the second source of illumination.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 2-dimensional image.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 3-dimensional image.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 2-dimensional image and a 3-dimensional image.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a holographically recorded image.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a compound hologram.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of representational images include a plurality of images recorded holographically.

38. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of moving the object to a different predetermined position after illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination.

39. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of moving the repository of the plurality of representational images to a different predetermined position after illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein the first source and second source of illumination are the same source of illumination.

23. A product that has been processed using a representational image, comprising:

a. a first object;

b. a second object coupled to the first object, such coupling resulting from a presentation of information from the representational image to an operator through illumination of the representational image.

28. A method for modifying an object utilizing a plurality of representational images, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the object at a predetermined position relative to a repository of a plurality of representational images;

b. providing a first source of illumination for the repository of the plurality of representational images;

c. illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination;

d. presenting a first representational image to an operator;

e. performing a first modification of the object using the transmitted first representational image;

f. providing a second source of illumination for the repository of the plurality of representational images;

g. illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the second source of illumination;

h. presenting a second representational image to the operator; and

i. performing a second modification of the object using the transmitted second representational image.

41. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to a repository of the representational image;

b. illuminating the repository of the representational image;

c. presenting the representational image to an operator; and

d. modifying the manufactured object using the representational image.

42. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image that is substantially equal to the focal distance of the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. transmitting information from the representational image to an operator; and

d. modifying the manufactured object using the transmitted information.

43. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. releasing information from the representational image as a result of the illuminating; and

d. modifying the manufactured object using the released information.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of superimposing the released information with the manufactured object.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the superimposing includes projecting.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the superimposing includes holographically displaying.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the information released from the representational image is processed by an automated detection device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the automated detection system is a machine vision system.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the frame includes a positioning device for adjusting the position of the repository relative the manufactured object.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the frame is coupled to the platform.

52. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the platform is movable.

53. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a movable structure, the manufactured object positioned at least one of on and in the movable structure and the movable structure contiguous to the platform.

49. An apparatus for processing a manufactured object comprising:

a. a platform, the manufactured object positioned contiguous to the platform;

b. a frame, the frame positioned proximate to the platform

c. a repository of at least one representational image, the repository coupled to the frame and positioned at a predetermined distance from the platform.

54. A system for processing information from at least one representational image and a manufactured object, comprising:

a. a repository of at least one representational image positioned at a predetermined distance from the manufactured object;

b. an illuminator providing an illumination of at least one predetermined wavelength to the repository of at least one representational image; and

c. a detector positioned at a predetermined distance from the repository of at least one representational image, the detector receiving the information from at least one representational image and the manufactured object and initiating a processing operation.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the detector is a machine vision system.

56. The system of claim 54, further comprising a machine vision system, the detector coupled to the machine vision system and the machine vision system performing the processing operation.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the operator is a human being.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the operator is an automated detection system.

57. A system for processing information from at least one representational image and a manufactured object, comprising:

a. a repository of at least one representational image positioned at a predetermined distance from the manufactured object;

b. an illuminator providing an illumination of at least one predetermined wavelength to the repository of at least one representational image; and

c. an operator positioned at a predetermined distance from the repository of at least one representational image, the operator processing the information from at least one representational image and the manufactured object.

60. A method for inspecting a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. releasing information from the representational image as a result of the illuminating; and

d. inspecting the manufactured object using the released information.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the inspecting is performed by a human.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the inspecting is performed by an automated detection system.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the automated detection system is a machine vision system.

64. A method for performing a quality control process on an object utilizing a representational image, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. illuminating the representational image;

c. releasing information from the representational image as a result of the illuminating; and

d. performing a quality control process on the object using the released information.

65. A system for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

a. a positioning means for positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

b. an illuminating means for illuminating the representational image, whereby information is transmitted from the representational image to an operator; and

c. a modifying means for modifying the manufactured object based on the transmitted information.