Apparatus and methods for automated analysis
First Claim
1. A method for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects comprising:
- (a) radiation scanning at least a portion of a three-dimensional object a first time with a scanning device to generate first image signals;
(b) computer-processing said first image signals and generating and electronically storing in an electronic storage device first electrical code signals that define variations in the first image signals;
(c) radiation scanning a portion of the same object a second time to generate second image signals;
(d) computer-processing the second image signals and generating and electronically storing in an electronic storage device second electrical code signals that define variations in the second image signals;
(e) storing a plurality of command control signals in an electronic storage device and selectively addressing, reproducing, and using said command control signals to automatically control the scanning and processing acts; and
(f) reproducing and computer-processing the stored first and second electrical code signals to generate and store on an electronic storage device image information about the inspected object.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computing means process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.
191 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects comprising:
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(a) radiation scanning at least a portion of a three-dimensional object a first time with a scanning device to generate first image signals; (b) computer-processing said first image signals and generating and electronically storing in an electronic storage device first electrical code signals that define variations in the first image signals; (c) radiation scanning a portion of the same object a second time to generate second image signals; (d) computer-processing the second image signals and generating and electronically storing in an electronic storage device second electrical code signals that define variations in the second image signals; (e) storing a plurality of command control signals in an electronic storage device and selectively addressing, reproducing, and using said command control signals to automatically control the scanning and processing acts; and (f) reproducing and computer-processing the stored first and second electrical code signals to generate and store on an electronic storage device image information about the inspected object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for automatically analyzing three-dimensional objects comprising:
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(a) means for radiation scanning at least a selected portion of a three-dimensional object a first time to generate first image signals; (b) means for storing on a magnetic record member said first image signals and at least one associated code identifying where on said record member and the first image signal is stored; (c) means for processing said first image signals to generate and record first electrical code signals defining at least one characteristic of said first image signals; (d) means for radiation scanning at least a different portion of the same object to generate second image signals; (e) means for storing on a magnetic record member said second image signals and at least one associated code identifying where on said record member the second image signal is stored; (f) means for processing the second image signals to generate and record second electrical code signals defining at least one characteristic of said second image signals; (g) means for processing the first and second code signals to generate information defining at least one further characteristic of the object; and (h) means for storing a plurality of command control signals in an electronic storage device, and for selectively addressing, reproducing and using said command control signals to automatically control the scanning and processing means.
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13. A method for analyzing three-dimensional objects comprising:
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(a) radiation scanning at least a portion of a three-dimensional object a first time to generate first image signals; (b) storing in a signal storage device the first image signals and at least one associated code identifying where in the device the first image signals are stored; (c) processing the first image signals to generate and record in the signal storage device first electrical code signals defining a characteristic of said first image signals; (d) radiation scanning at least a portion of the same object at least a second time to generate second image signals; (e) storing in a signal storage device the second image signals and at least one associated code identifying where in the signal storage device the second image signals are stored; (f) processing the second image signals to generate and record in the signal storage device second electrical code signals defining a characteristic of the second image signals; (g) processing the first and second code signals to generate information defining at least one further characteristic of the object; and (h) recording a plurality of selectable command control signals in a signal storage device and selecting, reproducing, and using at least some of said recorded command control signals to control the scanning and processing acts. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification