Image analysis measurement apparatus and methods

• US 4,115,803 A
• Filed: 05/23/1975
• Issued: 09/19/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Artek Systems Corp. (Dyna-Tech Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Morton, Roger R. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/580,439
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 178/6, 178/6.8, 178/DIG. 22, 178/DIG. 36, 178/DIG. 37, 340/146.3 AC, 340/146.3 AE, 235/92 PC, 358/107, 364/515
• US Class Current: 382/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/022 by means of tv-camera scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/62 of area, perimeter, diameter or volume

Abstract

An image analysis measurement system is capable of performing a variety of measurements on single features within a field of scan or independently on multiple features within the field. The system provides direct determination of measurements across multiple features in the field for specific parameters. The measurements include, for example, projected length in any direction, perimeter, Feret'"'"'s diameter in any direction, longest dimension, convex perimeter, and breadth.

Claims

1. An image analysis system for measuring an image in a field of view as a function of the relationship of assigned values or points on lines of scan such that points of equal value on separate lines of scan lie in a straight line oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the lines of scan traversing the field of view, comprising:

means for scanning the image within the field of view to generate a video signal;

means for generating boundary signals as a function of the video signal to define the boundaries of the image;

electronic means for producing a count value in synchronism with the scanning means such that all location points of the scanning spot on each scan line at a specific count value of the electronic means, align at a predetermined angle to the scan lines; and

processing means for measuring the image as a function of the count value of the electronic means related to the time of occurrence of the boundary of the image as defined by the boundary signal.

2. An image analysis system as defined in claim 1, wherein the count produced in synchronism with the scanning means is produced solely as a function of the scanning format and is independent of the video signal.

3. The image analysis system for measuring an image in a field of view, as defined in claim 1, wherein the processing means measures the image as a function of two sets of aligned points of value, each set of which lies in a straight line tangential to the image.

4. An image analysis system for measuring objects within a field of scan by scanning the field of scan to produce a video signal as a function of the objects, comprising:

counting means counting in synchronism with the scanning means; and

comparison means for comparing the value of the counting means at points within the field of view defined as a function of the video signal.

5. An image analysis measurement system for measuring objects within a field of scan by scanning the field of scan, comprising:

measurement means including two counters, each for counting at predetermined frequencies; and

means for presetting one of the counters with the contents of the other counter in synchronism with the scanning means.

6. Image analysis for determining the convex parameters of an object within a field of scan, comprising:

means for measuring at predetermined orientations tangent-to-tangent distances of the object; and

means for determining the average of the tangent-to-tangent distances.

7. An image analysis system for measuring the tangent-to-tangent distance of multiple features within a field of scan, comprising:

counting means preset in synchronism with the field of scan for defining an angle of measurement with respect to a line of scan; and

measurement means determining the maximum tangent-to-tangent distance determined at the angle of measurement defined by the counting means.

8. An image analysis system for determining the breadth of an object image within a field of scan, comprising:

means for determining the tangent-to-tangent distance of the object image at predetermined orientations to the line of scan; and

means for determining the minimum tangent-to-tangent distance.

9. An image analysis system for performing measurements on an object image in a field of scan, comprising:

a memory;

means for addressing the memory as a function of the video signal generated from the image during the field of scan; and

means for accumulating the data generated by the memory in response to the addressing means.

10. The image analysis system as defined in claim 9, wherein the memory is addressed by the addressing means as a function of the time duration of pulses of the video signal.

11. The image analysis system as defined in claim 9 wherein the memory is addressed by the addressing means as a function of the amplitude of the video signal.

12. An image analysis system for performing measurements on an object image in a field of scan, comprising:

a memory;

means for addressing the memory as a function of the difference in the time duration of previous scans; and

means for accumulating the data generated by the memory in response to the addressing means.

13. An image analysis system for performing one of a number of specific measurements on objects in a field of scan, comprising:

memory means for controlling the specific measurement to be performed by storing data related to the specific measurement and generated as a function of video signals generated as a function of the objects; and

means for addressing the memory means as a function of the video signal.

14. An image analysis system for generating data as a function of the measurements of perimeter or projected length on objects within a field of scan, comprising:

means for generating a video signal representing the objects within the field of scan;

means for delaying the video signal; and

means for performing an EXCLUSIVE OR operation between the video signal and the delayed video signal.

15. An image analysis system for performing the measurement of the perimeter of an object within a field of scan, comprising:

means for determining projected length measurements of the object at predetermined orientations to lines of scan; and

means for determining the average of the projected lengths at the predetermined orientations.

16. An image analysis system for performing measurements on an object within a field of scan, comprising:

means for determining projected length measurements at predetermined angular orientations to lines of scan; and

means for processing the projected length measurements by summing said measurements determined at different orientations to the lines of scan to derive other measurements therefrom.