Pattern counting system using line scanning
First Claim
1. In a system for counting patterns by sampling the patterns at successive sampling points along successive scanning lines and producing a digital signal at each scanning point depending upon the presence or absence of the pattern at such points, the improvement comprising means responsive to the digital signals for producing corresponding mask signals which eliminate pattern pores and concave pattern portions, and means responsive to the mask signals corresponding to successive scanning lines for counting a convex portion of each pattern and thereby counting the number of patterns.
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Abstract
A system for counting patterns in which each pattern in a scanning field is scanned along successive scanning lines and is sampled at successive points along each line to produce binary signals indicative of the presence or absence of the pattern at each sampling point. In order to avoid the problem of pores (holes or voids) in the patterns and the problem of concave pattern portions as seen in a given viewing direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, the digitized signals representing the original patterns are employed to produce mask signals which effectively eliminate the pores and concave pattern portions and which permit each pattern to be counted by counting a portion of the pattern that is convex as seen in the said viewing direction.
20 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. In a system for counting patterns by sampling the patterns at successive sampling points along successive scanning lines and producing a digital signal at each scanning point depending upon the presence or absence of the pattern at such points, the improvement comprising means responsive to the digital signals for producing corresponding mask signals which eliminate pattern pores and concave pattern portions, and means responsive to the mask signals corresponding to successive scanning lines for counting a convex portion of each pattern and thereby counting the number of patterns.
Specification