Methods and systems for scanning and inspecting images

• US 5,067,012 A
• Filed: 03/27/1990
• Issued: 11/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1963
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/500,287
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 358/106, 358/93, 358/133, 358/108, 358/105, 358/180, 358/101, 358/125, 382/34, 356/380, 356/386, 356/387, 360/9.1, 360/72.1
• US Class Current: 348/161
• 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: 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 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• 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 reprocessed 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 of surface characteristics of an object is detected and resulting signals indicative thereof are compared with information 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. An automatic inspection apparatus comprising:

(a) means for positioning an object to be inspected at an inspection work station;

(b) electronic scanning means disposed at the work station for examining the object under inspection;

(c) said scanning means including means for generating analog information signals that are representative of variations in the physical characteristics of the object under inspection;

(d) means for effecting relative movement between the object under inspection and the electronic scanning means so as to present different portions of the object in the field scanned by the scanning means; and

(e) electronic circuit means for analyzing the information content of the analog information signals generated by the electronic scanning means.

2. The inspection apparatus of claim 1 including:

(a) means for digitizing the analog information signals; and

(b) means for generating a plurality of coded signals which are digital representations of the characteristics of the object inspected by the scanning means.

3. The inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit means includes means for digitizing the analog information signals.

4. The inspection apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electronic circuit means includes means responsive to the digitized analog information generated by the digitizing means and being operable for performing computations therewith to produce information which is representative of specific characteristics of the object under inspection.

5. A method for automatically inspecting objects comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning an object to be inspected at an inspection work station;

(b) scanning the object under inspection with an electronic scanning device disposed at the inspection work station;

(c) generating analog information signals with the electronic scanning device, the information signals being representative of variations in the physical characteristics of the object under inspection;

(d) effecting relative movement between the object under inspection and the electronic scanning device so as to present different portions of the object in the field scanned by the scanning means; and

(e) analyzing with an electronic circuit the analog information signals generated by the electronic scanning device.

6. The method of claim 5, further including the step of;

(a) digitizing the analog information signals; and

(b) generating a plurality of digital coded signals which are representations of the characteristics of the object inspected by the scanning means.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of digitizing the analog information signals.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of further analyzing the digitized analog information to produce computational results which are representative of specific characteristics of the object under inspection.