Machine vision counting system apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A machine-vision-based counter for counting discrete units, comprising:
- an image acquisition component configured to detect light having at least one wavelength, wherein the light provides discrimination between a background field and a quantity of imageable units located at a distance from the image acquisition component, and to provide, as an output, data representing the field and the units;
an image processor configured to receive data from the image acquisition component, and further configured to interpret the data as a field image whereon are superimposed a quantity of countable units;
an operator interface component configured to present a count result output from the counter and to accept at least one command input to the counter; and
a counter controller configured to manage at least the image acquisition, image processor, and operator interface functions of the counter.
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Abstract
A machine-vision-based counter includes an image acquisition component (imager), wherein light provides discrimination between a background field and imageable units located away from the imager The imager outputs data representing the field and units; an image processor receiving imager data finds countable units therein. An operator interface accepts command inputs and presents count output. A controller manages image acquisition, processor, and operator interface functions. A counting method includes configuring an imager to detect light, directing light from a source to units positioned to be detected by the imager, and directing the light to the imager. The method includes discriminating between a background field and imageable units; providing, as an imager output, data representing the field and units; configuring an image-processor to receive imager data; configuring the processor to interpret the data as counted units on a background field; and configuring an operator interface to present a count result.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A machine-vision-based counter for counting discrete units, comprising:
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an image acquisition component configured to detect light having at least one wavelength, wherein the light provides discrimination between a background field and a quantity of imageable units located at a distance from the image acquisition component, and to provide, as an output, data representing the field and the units;
an image processor configured to receive data from the image acquisition component, and further configured to interpret the data as a field image whereon are superimposed a quantity of countable units;
an operator interface component configured to present a count result output from the counter and to accept at least one command input to the counter; and
a counter controller configured to manage at least the image acquisition, image processor, and operator interface functions of the counter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A machine-vision-based counting method, comprising:
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configuring an image acquisition component to detect light having at least one wavelength;
directing light from a light source to units positioned to be detected by the image acquisition component;
thereafter directing the light at least in part to the image acquisition component;
discriminating between a background field and a quantity of imageable units located thereon;
providing, as an image acquisition component output, data representing the field and the units;
configuring an image processor to receive the data from the image acquisition component;
configuring the image processor to interpret the received data as a background field whereon are superimposed a counted quantity of imageable units;
configuring an operator interface component to present a count result from the image processor; and
configuring the operator interface component to accept a command input. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A machine-vision-based counting system, comprising:
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a counter system control function;
a stage illumination function whereby the units to be counted are lighted;
a stage image acquisition function under the direction of the control function, using the illumination function lighting to acquire an image;
a counter system unit geometry access function, wherein unit shape information is provided in a form usable within the counter;
a unit discrimination function, whereby an individual unit within the image is identified in accordance with unit shape information;
a unit count function, wherein an individual unit within the image is counted and the image is so managed as to allow further identification and count operations;
a unit count reporting function, wherein a unit count value is generated;
a barcode scanner configured to detect encoded barcode data; and
a counter system control function security subfunction, further comprising;
a security information access function; and
a security status report task, wherein at least one security good indication is provided under conditions of all affirmative procedures completed successfully and no negative events invoked. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification