Z-axis optical detection of mechanical feature height
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for detecting heights of a mechanical object, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating from an image of the mechanical object, a feature histogram of each of a plurality of selected features of the object, by a processor of a computing device, each selected feature corresponding to one or more of the heights of the mechanical object along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the image of the object, the image captured along the axis, such that the heights of the object are not measured, where the feature histograms of the selected features contain brightness information of the object at the heights of the selected features;
a) calculating a mean value for each of the feature histograms created, by the processor of the computing device;
b) calculating an average value of the plurality of calculated mean values, by the processor of the computing device;
c) determining from the average value, a range of values according to predetermined criteria, by the processor of the computing device;
d) determining whether each calculated mean value is within the range of values, by the processor of the computing device, to determine whether the heights are within a predetermined range without having to measure the heights of the object.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Height attributes of features of an object having a plurality of physical features thereon is determined by illuminating the features of the object at a low angle and capturing the reflected light at a camera mounted along the z-axis perpendicular to the object. The reflected light from the features is analyzed to determine if any of the features is of an unacceptable height. The reflected light being either brighter or dimmer than the average determines that the corresponding feature is higher or lower respectively than the average feature.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting heights of a mechanical object, the method comprising the steps of:
-
creating from an image of the mechanical object, a feature histogram of each of a plurality of selected features of the object, by a processor of a computing device, each selected feature corresponding to one or more of the heights of the mechanical object along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the image of the object, the image captured along the axis, such that the heights of the object are not measured, where the feature histograms of the selected features contain brightness information of the object at the heights of the selected features; a) calculating a mean value for each of the feature histograms created, by the processor of the computing device; b) calculating an average value of the plurality of calculated mean values, by the processor of the computing device; c) determining from the average value, a range of values according to predetermined criteria, by the processor of the computing device; d) determining whether each calculated mean value is within the range of values, by the processor of the computing device, to determine whether the heights are within a predetermined range without having to measure the heights of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system for detecting heights of a mechanical object, the system comprising:
-
a memory; a computer system in communication with the memory;
a camera in communication with the computer system;
a light source projecting light on features of the object wherein the computer system includes instructions to execute a method comprising;creating from an image of the mechanical object, a feature histogram of each of a plurality of selected features of the object, each selected feature corresponding to one or more of the heights of the object along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the image of the object, the image captured along the axis, such that the heights of the object are not measured, where the feature histograms of the selected features contain brightness information of the object at the heights of the selected features; a) calculating a mean value for each of the feature histograms created; b) calculating an average value of the plurality of calculated mean values; c) determining from the average value, a range of values according to predetermined criteria; d) determining whether each calculated mean value is within the range of values, to determine whether the heights are within a predetermined range without having to measure the heights of the object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for execution by processor of a computing device, wherein execution of the computer program by the processor causes a method to be performed, the method for detecting heights of a mechanical object, the method comprising:
-
creating from an image of the mechanical object, a feature histogram of each of a plurality of selected features of the object, each selected feature corresponding to one or more of the heights of the object along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the image of the object, the image captured along the axis, such that the heights of the object are not measured, where the feature histograms of the selected features contain brightness information of the object at the heights of the selected features; a) calculating a mean value for each of the feature histograms created; b) calculating an average value of the plurality of calculated mean values; c) determining from the average value, a range of values according to predetermined criteria; d) determining whether each calculated mean value is within the range of values, to determine whether the heights are within a predetermined range without having to measure the heights of the object. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification