Image and part recognition technology

• US 7,651,850 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Meiring, Jason E., Michaelson, Timothy B., Willson, C. Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang; N. C.
• Application Number:
  US10/847,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20050019796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,080 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/286.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1456 determining the orientation of the optical code with respect to the reader and correcting therefore

Abstract

A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.

Claims

1. A sensor array configured to detect an analyte comprising:

an array of sensing elements arranged on a support in a pattern that identifies the array or analytes that bind to the array, said support comprising a front side and back side, wherein one or more sensing elements are configured to produce a detectable signal in the presence of an analyte, said signal detectable from either said front side or said back side; and

three or more alignment markers, wherein said three or more alignment markers are of different size than said sensing elements and are positioned proximate to the array, wherein alignment markers are positioned such that the mirroredness of the pattern is determined by the position of the alignment markers.

2. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a plurality of particles disposed in one or more cavities.

3. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a plurality of regions of said a support.

4. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a probe for detecting a complementary nucleic acid.

5. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the alignment markers are approximately two times the size of the sensing elements.

6. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein each of the alignment markers are distinguishable from the other alignment markers.

7. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein at least one alignment marker has a shape or size that is related to the number of sensing elements in the array.

8. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein each of the alignment markers provides information related to the array.

9. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein at least two alignment markers are positioned proximate a first edge of the array, and wherein at least one alignment marker is positioned proximate a second edge adjacent to the first edge.

10. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein an alignment marker indicates the center of the array.

11. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein one or more alignment markers identify one or more edges of the array.

12. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein one or more alignment markers indicate the size of the array.

13. The sensor array of claim 9, wherein the distance between said alignment marker on said second edge and said two alignment markers on said first edge is about twice the distance between said two alignment markers on said first edge, and said distance conveys information about the array.

14. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the array comprises one or more error checking elements, wherein one or more error checking elements are used to determine if errors occurred when the sensing elements are read and to correct said errors.

15. A sensor array configured to detect an analyte comprising:

an array of sensing elements comprising a dot pattern that identifies the array or analytes that bind to the array on a support, each said support comprising a front side and a back side, and edges, wherein at least one dot of said dot pattern is configured to produce a detectable signal in the presence of an analyte, said signal detectable from either said front side or said back side; and

three or more alignment markers associated with said array and positioned on at least two of said edges said alignment markers positioned outside said dot pattern and being of different size than said dots such that the mirroredness of the pattern is determined by the position of the alignment markers.

16. The sensor array of claim 15, wherein at least two alignment markers are positioned proximate a first edge of the array, and wherein at least one alignment marker is positioned proximate a second edge adjacent to the first edge.

17. The sensor array of claim 16, wherein the distance between said alignment marker on said second edge and said two alignment markers on said first edge is about twice the distance between said two sensing elements on said first edge, and said distance conveys information about said array.

18. The sensor array of claim 15, wherein the sensing elements comprise a receptor, wherein the receptor is configured to interact with the analyte.

19. A plurality of sensor arrays configured to detect an analyte comprising:

a plurality of transparent, polymeric sensor arrays, at least a portion of which are positioned in different orientation relative to said other arrays, each sensor array comprising a front side, a back side, and a dot pattern that identifies the array or analytes that bind to the array, wherein at least one dot of said dot pattern on at least one sensor is configured to produce a detectable signal in the presence of an analyte, said signal detectable from either said front side or said back side of said sensor; and

three or more alignment markers positioned on each array such that the mirroredness of the pattern is determined by the position of the alignment markers.

20. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 19, wherein each array of said plurality of polymeric sensors arrays are on a separate support.

21. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 19, wherein a portion of said sensing arrays are in a rotated orientation relative to said other arrays.

22. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 19, wherein a portion of said arrays are in a mirrored orientation relative to said other arrays.

23. A plurality of sensor arrays, each array having an orientation that is independent and different from all other arrays in said plurality of sensor arrays, said orientation comprising rotation and mirroredness, each array comprising a) sensing elements, arranged in a pattern that identifies the array or analytes that bind to the array, on a support, said support comprising a front side and back side, wherein one or more sensing elements are configured to produce a detectable signal in the presence of an analyte, said signal detectable from either said front side or said back side;

and b) at least three alignment markers positioned proximate to the array, wherein alignment markers are positioned such that the orientation of each pattern is determined by the position of the alignment markers.

24. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 23, wherein said arrays are transparent.

25. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 23, wherein a portion of said plurality of arrays are in a rotated orientation relative to other arrays in said plurality of arrays.

26. The plurality of sensor array of claim 23, wherein a portion of said plurality of arrays are in a mirrored orientation relative to other arrays in said plurality of arrays.

27. The plurality of sensor arrays of claim 26, wherein each array is a 5×

5 element array and wherein, for said portion of arrays in a mirrored orientation, all said elements are mirrored.