Image processing apparatus and method of processing height data to obtain image data using gradient data calculated for a plurality of different points of a surface and adjusted in accordance with a selected angle of illumination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Metrological apparatus for determining the surface texture or roughness of a workpiece comprising:
- means for measuring the height of the surface at a plurality of different points on the surface to produce a corresponding plurality of height values;
selection means for selecting one of a plurality of angles of illumination;
processing means for;
(i) calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said height values, (ii) adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination, and (iii) generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points; and
means for forming an image in accordance with said image data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the processing of height information indicative of the roughness or texture of a surface which may be used to produce an improved two dimensional recording of the surface. The apparatus or method has particular applicability in the field on metrological instruments. In processing the surface information, the apparatus or method takes account not only of the basic height information but also of gradient information. Such gradient information is furthermore adjusted dependent upon a desired angle of illumination which may be selected by the user.
48 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. Metrological apparatus for determining the surface texture or roughness of a workpiece comprising:
-
means for measuring the height of the surface at a plurality of different points on the surface to produce a corresponding plurality of height values;
selection means for selecting one of a plurality of angles of illumination;
processing means for;
(i) calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said height values, (ii) adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination, and (iii) generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points; and
means for forming an image in accordance with said image data. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said processing means is arranged such that S+T=1.
-
15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said image forming means is adapted to form the image such that the color of a point of the surface is determined by the corresponding value of said image data.
-
-
2. Imaging processing apparatus for providing image data for forming an image on an image carrier, said image being representative of a characteristic of a surface, the apparatus comprising:
-
input means for inputting a plurality of height values, each height value being representative of the height at a respective different point on the surface;
selection means for selecting one of a plurality of angles of illumination;
processing means for;
(i) calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said input height values, (ii) adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination, and (iii) generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points; and
output means for outputting said image data. - View Dependent Claims (3)
-
-
16. A method of operation of a metrological apparatus for determining the surface texture or roughness of a workpiece, said metrological apparatus having selection means for selecting one of a plurality of angles of illumination and the method comprising the steps of:
-
measuring the height of the surface at a plurality of different points on the surface to produce a plurality of height values;
calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface based on said height values;
receiving via the selection means a selected angle of illumination;
adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination;
generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points; and
forming an image in accordance with said input image data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said weighting coefficients are arranged such that S+T=1.
-
29. A method according to either claim 17 or 16, wherein in said image forming step, the color of a point of the surface is determined by the corresponding value of said image data.
-
-
17. A method of operation of an image processing apparatus for providing image data for forming an image on an image carrier, said image being representative of features such as texture and roughness of a surface, the image processing apparatus having selection means for selecting one of a plurality of angles of illumination and the method comprising the steps of:
-
inputting a plurality of height values representative of the height at respective different points on the surface;
receiving via the selection means a selected angle of illumination;
calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said input height values;
adjusting said gradient data dependent upon the selected angle of illumination;
generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points; and
outputting said image data. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
30. A computer useable medium having computer readable instructions stored therein for causing the computer to process a plurality of height values, each height value being representative of the height at a respective different point on an image carrier, said image being representative of characteristic of the surface,
said instructions comprising instructions for causing the computer to: -
(i) calculate local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said height values;
(ii) adjust said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination; and
(iii) generating image data by combining the corresponding values of said adjusted gradient data and said input height value for a plurality of said different points.
-
-
31. Image processing apparatus for providing image data for forming an image on an image carrier, said image being representative of a characteristic surface, the apparatus comprising:
-
input means for inputting a plurality of height values, each height value being representative of the height at a respective different point on the surface;
processing means for;
(i) calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said input height values, (ii) adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination, and (iii) generating image data using said adjusted gradient data for a plurality of said different points; and
output means for outputting said image data.
-
-
32. An image processing method for providing image data for forming an image on an image carrier, said image being representative of a characteristic of a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
-
inputting a plurality of height values representative of the height at respective different points on the surface;
calculating local gradient data at each of a plurality of said different points on the surface from said input height values;
adjusting said gradient data dependent upon a selected angle of illumination;
generating image data using said adjusted gradient data for a plurality of said different points; and
outputting said image data.
-
-
33. An image processing apparatus for providing image data for forming an image on a image carrier, said image being representative of a characteristic of a surface, the apparatus comprising:
-
input means for inputting a plurality of height values associated with an array of points on the surface, the array having an x direction and a y direction and each height value being representative of the height at a respective particular point;
processing means for;
(i) calculating for each particular point the difference between the respective height values of the points immediately preceding and following that particular point in the x direction to generate gradient data in the x direction, (ii) calculating for each particular point the difference between the respective height values of the points immediately preceding and following that particular point in the y direction to generate gradient data in the y direction, (iii) determining from the gradient data in the x direction and the gradient data in the y direction gradient data for a set direction of illumination, and (iv) generating image data using the gradient data determined for the set direction of illumination; and
output means for outputting said image data.
-
Specification