Intelligent fastener system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of installing a fastener on a structure, comprising:
- recording an optical image that includes the fastener;
identifying the fastener based on at least one shape of fastener physical features in the recorded image and based on at least one upstanding feature on the structure adjacent to the fastener in the recorded image;
retrieving electronic fastener installation parameters based on the identity of the fastener; and
using the electronic fastener installation parameters to install the fastener on the structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are used to visually recognize and install fasteners on a structure. An electronic image of the fastener is recorded, and is processed by a computer operated image recognition program to identify the fastener. The computer provides installation instructions and an installation tool based on the identity of the fastener.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of installing a fastener on a structure, comprising:
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recording an optical image that includes the fastener; identifying the fastener based on at least one shape of fastener physical features in the recorded image and based on at least one upstanding feature on the structure adjacent to the fastener in the recorded image; retrieving electronic fastener installation parameters based on the identity of the fastener; and using the electronic fastener installation parameters to install the fastener on the structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of installing a fastener on a structure using an installation tool, comprising:
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recording electronically an optical image of the fastener; transmitting the recorded image to a computer; using the computer to identify the fastener based on fastener features in the recorded image; determining installation instructions for the identified fastener; transmitting the installation instructions from the computer to a processor on the installation tool; controlling operation of the installation tool with the processor based on the installation instructions; and using the installation tool to install the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for installing fasteners in a structure, comprising:
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means for recording an optical image of a fastener to be installed; a programmed computer for identifying the fastener based on fastener features in the recorded image of the fastener and for generating installation instructions for the identified fastener; and an installation tool for installing the fasteners on the structure according to the installation instructions, wherein the means for recording an optical image and the programmed computer are integrated into the installation tool. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for installing fasteners on an aircraft structure, comprising:
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a vision system including a camera for electronically recording an optical image of a fastener to be installed on the structure and the structure adjacent to the fastener; an image recognition program for recognizing the fastener; a programmed computer including the image recognition program for identifying the fastener based on at least one shape of fastener physical features and at least one upstanding feature on the structure adjacent to the fastener in the recorded image, the computer further including data files for storing fastener installation instructions and fastener installation parameters; a display connected to the programmed computer; an installation tool for installing the fasteners on the structure according to the installation instructions and fastener installation parameters; and a communication system for wirelessly transmitting the recorded image from the vision system to the computer, for wirelessly transmitting the installation instructions and fastener installation parameters from the computer to the installation tool, and for wirelessly transmitting recorded parameters from the installation tool to the computer, wherein the display displays both the fastener installation parameters and the recorded parameters.
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Specification