System and method for image selection of bundled objects

• US 9,147,014 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodtech Measurement Solutions
• Original Assignee: Woodtech Measurement Solutions
• Inventors: Lastra, Ral Andrs
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor
• Application Number:
  US13/601,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20130141568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 348/125, 348/135, 348/86, 348/91, 348/92, 356/625, 356/627, 356/634, 356/635, 356/237.1, 356/909, 382/141, 382/206, 382/224, 382/225, 702/128, 702/155, 702/179, 144/335, 144/356, 144/402, 144/403
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8986 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1826 Organic contamination in water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/46 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/60 Analysis of geometric attributes

Abstract

A bundled object image selection system includes an array of sensors configured to at least partially surround a bundle of objects, wherein the sensors are lasers adapted to obtain physical dimensional data about the bundle. The system also includes at least one camera configured to obtain a plurality of images of the bundle, a processor for executing computer-executable instructions, and a memory for storing computer executable instructions. When the instructions are executed, the processor implements a limit module that processes the physical dimensional data to determine a limit of the bundle and a selection module that selects at least one image from the plurality of images corresponding to the limit.

Claims

1. A bundled object image selection system, the system comprising:

an array of sensors configured to at least partially surround a bundle of objects, wherein the sensors comprise lasers adapted to obtain physical dimensional data about the bundle;

at least one camera configured to obtain a plurality of images of the bundle;

a processor for executing computer-executable instructions; and

a memory for storing computer executable instructions, that when executed by the processor implements (i) a limit module that processes the physical dimensional data to determine a limit of the bundle, wherein the limit module processes histogram vectors starting at a center of the bundle and working outwards and (ii) a selection module that selects at least one image from the plurality of images corresponding to the limit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are disposed on at least three sides of the bundle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the objects are logs.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical dimensional data comprises distance and angle data between a plurality of set points.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to take at least one of photographs and video.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected image depicts an end of the bundle.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cross-section module that organizes the physical dimensional data into a plurality of cross-sections of the bundle.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a timing module that associates the physical dimensional data with at least one image.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a synchronization mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the synchronization mechanism is configured to use electrical signals to trigger the start of the sensors and the at least one camera.

11. A method for selecting an image of bundled objects, the method comprising:

obtaining physical dimensional data about the bundled objects using laser sensors;

recording a plurality of images of the bundled objects with at least one camera;

processing the physical dimensional data with a processor to determine a limit of the bundle, wherein the processing comprises processing histogram vectors starting at a center of the bundle and working outwards; and

selecting at least one image from the plurality of images corresponding to the limit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the obtaining step occurs when the objects are in relative motion to the laser sensors.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensors are disposed on at least three sides of the bundle.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the objects are logs.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the physical dimensional data comprises distance and angle data between a plurality of set points.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the recording step comprises taking one of photographs and video.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected image depicts an end of the bundle.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of organizing the physical dimensional data into a plurality of cross-sections of the bundle.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of associating the physical dimensional data and the at least one image with a common time indicator.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising synchronizing the start of the sensors and the at least one camera with an electrical signal.