Automatic engraving method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of automatic engraving comprising the steps of:
- (a) scanning an image to create a database of image points;
(b) logarithmically correcting each point of the image;
(c) performing edge detection on the image database to produce an edge detection image database;
(d) performing a raster-to-vector conversion of the edge detection image database to generate a vector database; and
(e) converting the vector database to a vector engraving file.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic engraving system scans an image such as a photograph, samples and resizes the image to provide a masterized gray scale data base of the image. The image is then logarithmically corrected and noise is removed from the image using the Outlier noise reduction method. The Outlier noise reduced image is then smoothed and edge detection methods are used to provide an output that represents the initial image filtered smoothed and edge detected. The edge detection image is then converted to a bilevel image using thresholding. The bilevel image is then converted to a vector form and speckle noise removed. The speckle noise removed image is then converted to a vector engraving file which is sent to an engraving machine. The engraving process then can batch create one or more than one image or multiple numbers of a single image. The output can be printed rather than engraved to produce the artistic effect of traditional engraving on paper.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of automatic engraving comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning an image to create a database of image points; (b) logarithmically correcting each point of the image; (c) performing edge detection on the image database to produce an edge detection image database; (d) performing a raster-to-vector conversion of the edge detection image database to generate a vector database; and (e) converting the vector database to a vector engraving file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of automatic engraving comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning an image; (b) resampling and resizing the image; (c) logarithmically correcting each point of the image; (d) performing Outlier noise reduction on the logarithmic correction of the image; (e) smoothing the Outlier noise reduction image and producing a smoothed image; (f) performing edge detection on the smoothed image to produce an edge detection image; (g) performing thresholding on the edge detection image to produce a threshold output; (h) performing a bilevel image conversion to produce a bilevel image output; (i) performing a raster-to-vector conversion of the bilevel image output to produce a raster-to-vector converted image; and (j) converting the raster-to-vector converted image to a vector engraving file. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of automatic printing comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning an image; (b) resampling and resizing the image; (c) logarithmically correcting each point of the image; (d) performing Outlier noise reduction on the logarithmic correction of the image; (e) smoothing the Outlier noise reduction image and producing a smoothed image; (f) performing edge detection on the smooth image to produce an edge detection image; (g) performing thresholding on the edge detection image to produce a threshold output; (h) performing a bilevel image conversion to produce a bilevel image output; (i) printing an object that resembles the image.
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15. A method of automatic printing comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning an image to create a database of image points; (b) logarithmically correcting each point of the image; (c) performing edge detection on the image database to produce an edge detection image database; (d) performing a raster-to-vector conversion of the edge detection image database to generate a vector database; and (e) printing an object that resembles the image.
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Specification