Image and part recognition technology

• US 7,901,945 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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, NELSON C
• Application Number:
  US12/174,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20080273748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 436/164
• 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 method of detecting an analyte comprising:

a) passing a fluid comprising an analyte over a sensor array;

b) scanning the sensor array, wherein the sensor array comprises;

an array of sensing elements arranged in a predetermined pattern that identifies the array or analytes that bind to the array, wherein one or more sensing elements are configured to produce a detectable signal in the presence of the analyte; and

three or more alignment markers, wherein three or more alignment markers are positioned proximate to the array, wherein alignment markers are positioned such that the orientation of the pattern is determined by the position of the alignment markers;

c) identifying the three or more alignment markers; and

d) determining the mirroredness of the array based on the identified alignment markers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mirroredness is determined from a position of at least one alignment markers.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the predetermined pattern of the array.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining the predetermined pattern comprises comparing a pattern of the sensing elements to a database of known patterns.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the position of one or more of the sensing elements after the alignment markers have been identified.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying three or more alignment markers comprises determining a distance from one alignment marker to each of the other alignment markers and comparing the determined distances to predetermined possible distances.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the mirroredness of an array comprises:

determining the position of a first alignment marker, a second alignment marker, and a third alignment marker;

determining an angle of the first and second alignment marker to an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system;

determining an angle of the first and third alignment marker to an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein the first alignment marker is positioned at the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system; and

comparing the angle that the first and second alignment marker make to an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system with the angle that the first and third alignment marker make to an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a predetermined shape, and wherein the alignment markers comprise a shape that differs from the predetermined shape of the sensing elements.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a predetermined size, and wherein the alignment markers comprise a size that differs from the predetermined size of the sensing elements.

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

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a plurality of regions of a support.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a probe for detecting a complementary nucleic acid.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements comprise a receptor, wherein the receptor is configured to interact with the analyte.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment markers are distinguishable from the sensing elements.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the alignment markers are distinguishable from the other alignment markers.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment markers comprise a size that is about two times the size of a sensing element.

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

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

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance between a first alignment marker and a second alignment marker is about twice the distance between two sensing elements.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein an alignment marker indicates the center of the array.

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

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment markers identify a first edge of the array, a second edge of the array, the second edge substantially perpendicular to the first edge, and a center of the array.

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

24. The method 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.

25. The method 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.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern comprises an alphanumeric character.