Methods and systems for scanning and inspecting images

• US 4,984,073 A
• Filed: 09/15/1986
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1954
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US06/906,969
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 358/106, 358/93, 358/133, 358/105, 358/101, 358/125, 358/108, 358/180, 382/34, 356/380, 356/386, 356/387, 360/9.1, 360/72.1
• US Class Current: 348/130
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/10 measured by light-responsive means sorting according to colour B07C5/342
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/022 by means of tv-camera scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36395 Load local computer program from host, data transfer ram to rom, BTR
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36511 Select by a detector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36513 Select out of a plurality of programs, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37572 Camera, tv, vision
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40283 Reservoir with additional material on vehicle with manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40284 Toolrack on vehicle with manipulator, toolchanger
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0014 Image feed-back for automatic industrial control, e.g. robot with camera robots B25J19/023
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

An automatic scanning apparatus and method for detecting the presence of one or more objects in an image field under investigation or inspection. Electro-optical scanning means, such as a television camera, is employed to scan an image field and generate output electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the matter and objects in the image field scanned. Such signals are computer processed and analyzed to generate coded electrical signals which define optical characteristics of portion of the image field scanned, such as objects or the images of objects scanned, their shape, color of a combination of color and shape. Electronic means is provided to generate further coded electrical signals which indicate the presence of one or more objects in the image field scanned and may be used to effect intelligent indications thereof, to control one or more devices such as a motor or motors, and/or to provide information for computational purposes to be processed and utilized by a computer. In one form, that shape of an object or objects is detected and coded signals generated are employed to effect a comparison of such shape with information relating to the shapes of known objects to identify the object or objects scanned. In another form, the color or surface characteristics of an object is detected and resulting signals indicative thereof are compared with informatin derived from a memory to identify either the object or its color or surface characteristics. In a third form both shape and color are detected and compared with recorded information for identification purposes.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if discrete image shapes are present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing a plurality of discrete image shapes represented by optically contrasting image portions which are detectable with an electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said discrete image shapes, and

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said discrete image shapes in said scanned image field each time a discrete image shape is scanned.

2. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field, and

(f) applying said digital signals to operate a warning means indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said image field.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said warning means is audible.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said warning means is visible.

5. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said warning means includes means for halting said scanning of said image field.

6. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which lacks a discrete shape and which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recording in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative that said optically contrasting image portion which lacks a discrete shape is present in said image field, and

(f) generating digital signals which are indicative of the quantitative amount of said portions of said image field present in the field scanned which lacks discrete shape.

7. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field, and

(f) generating digital signals indicative of the location of said select image phenomenon in said image field scanned.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said select image phenomenon is a discrete image shape.

9. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable by electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field, and

(f) generating further digital signals as a result of said analysis of said first electrical signals, said further digital signals being indicative of a characteristic of said optically contrasting image portion in said image field scanned.

10. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means, wherein said scanning means includes a camera and means for effecting controlled relative movement between said camera and said image phenomenon in a field which is greater in area than the scanning field of said camera,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recording in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field, and applying said digital signals to control the relative movement between said camera and said image phenomenon, and

(f) applying said digital signals to stop said relative movement between said camera and the image field being scanned to permit said camera to scan said image phenomenon a plurality of times.

11. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with the variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon,

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field, and

(f) using said electro-optical scanning means to effect both coarse and fine scanning.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said fine scanning is selectively operable to determine fine details of image phenomena in the image field scanned and said coarse scanning is effected during general scanning of the image field.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 including applying said digital signals to switch from said coarse to said fine scanning and to effect said fine scanning of the image of said optically contrasting image portion of said image field.

14. A system for detecting images in an image field comprising:

(a) first means for scanning an image field containing an image therein, and for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(b) second means for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals and for generating coded information signals corresponding to said electrical signals,

(c) third means including a memory for recording information corresponding to an image having defined optical characteristics,

(d) electronic comparison means for comparing said coded information signals generated by said second means with the information recorded in said memory,

(e) fourth means associated with said comparison means for generating digital signals indicative of the presence of an image of defined optical characteristics of the image field scanned by said first means, and

(f) a power operated device and fifth means for receiving and using said digital signals to control said power operated device.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said power operated device includes:

(a) a motor and control means therefor, and

(b) means for applying said digital signals to said motor control means to effect control of said motor in accordance with information derived from scanning said image field.

16. A system for detecting images in an image field comprising:

(a) first means for scanning an image field containing an image therein, and for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(b) second means for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals and for generating coded information signals corresponding to said electrical signals,

(c) third means including a memory for recording information corresponding to an image having defined optical characteristics,

(d) electronic comparison means for comparing said coded information signals generated by said second means with the information recorded in said memory,

(e) fourth means associated with said comparison means for generating digital signals indicative of the presence of an image of defined optical characteristics in the image field scanned by said first means, and

(f) means for applying said digital signals to control said first means for scanning an image field.

17. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detectable with an electro-optical scanning means, wherein said electrooptical scanning means is operable to generate said first electrical signals with variations in frequency when scanning said image field,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned, said analysis of said first electrical signals including detecting said variations in frequency and generating first information signals indicative of said detected variations,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon, and

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field.

18. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one optically contrasting image portion which is detactable with an electro-optical scanning means, wherein said electrooptical scanning means is operable to generate said first electrical signals with variations in intensity when scanning said image field,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the optical characteristics of the image field scanned, said analysis of said first electrical signals including detecting said variations in intensity and generating first information signals indicative of said detected variations,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon, and

(e) generating digital signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in said scanned image field.

19. A method for inspecting an image field to determine if a select image phenomenon is present in said image field, comprising:

(a) scanning an image field containing at least one contrasting image portion which is detectable with an x-ray scanning device,

(b) generating first electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in detected contrasting image portions of the image field scanned,

(c) analyzing said first electrical signals and generating first information signals corresponding to the detected contrasting image portions of the image field scanned,

(d) electrically comparing said first information signals with signals from recordings in a memory which are indicative of said select image phenomenon, and

(e) generating second electrical signals indicative of the presence of said select image phenomenon in such scanned image field,

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said select image phenomenon is an internal abnormality.