Machine vision system for identifying and sorting projectiles and other objects

• US 20050226489A1
• Filed: 03/04/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cybernet Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cybernet Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Moody, Gary, Burkowski, James, Jacobus, Charles J., Beach, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US11/072,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20050226489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3412 according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 35/00 Testing or checking of ammunition apparatus for measuring the energy of projectiles G01L5/14
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 35/02 Gauging, sorting, trimming or shortening cartridges or missiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8851 Scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment, for detecting different kinds of defects, for compensating for structures, markings, edges G01N21/8806 and G01N21/93 - G01N21/95692 take precedence; optical measurement of dimensions G01B11/00; optical scanning G02B26/10; image transformation G06T3/00; computerised image enhancement G06T5/00; image processing per se for flaw detection G06T7/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30108 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30164 Workpiece; Machine component
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/001 using an image reference approach

Abstract

A machine vision system for automatically identifying and inspecting objects is disclosed, including composable vision-based recognition modules and a decision algorithm to perform the final determination on object type and quality. This vision system has been used to develop a Projectile Identification System and an Automated Tactical Ammunition Classification System. The technology can be used to create numerous other inspection and automated identification systems.

Claims

1. A system for inspecting munitions, ordnance and other objects, comprising:

a feeder for receiving an object to be inspected;

a computer-vision system including multiple cameras for simultaneously imaging opposite sides of an object under inspection;

an image processor for analyzing the imaging and determining physical characteristics of an object; and

a sorter for diverting an object found by the image processor to be unacceptable.

2. The system of claim 1, including one or more line-scan cameras.

3. The system of claim 1, including:

one or more line-scan cameras; and

an image processor to recreate images of an object from the line data.

4. The system of claim 1, including:

one or more line-scan cameras; and

wherein the image processor is operative to determine an object'"'"'s speed and recreate images of an object from the line data based upon the speed.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feeder includes a bore through which an operator loads ordnance.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the feeder is configured to receive belt ammunition.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the feeder is configured to receive bulk ammunition in a range of sizes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the feeder is configured to receive loose objects in a range of sizes; and

further including a mechanism for forming a single line or column of objects for presentation to the computer-vision system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the feeder is configured to receive loose objects in a range of sizes; and

further including a narrowing channel and restriction plates to form a single line or column of objects.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the feeder is configured to receive bulk ammunition in a range of calibers; and

further including a mechanism for forming a single line or column of bullets for presentation to the computer-vision system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the feeder is configured to receive bulk ammunition in a range of calibers; and

further including a mechanism for separating bullets as a function of caliber.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorter includes a blow-off unit to divert objects found to be unacceptable.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorter is manually operated.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to determine the color or hue of an object.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the image processor is operative to determine the color or hue of a bullet; and

identify the type of bullet based upon the color or hue.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to recognize intensity.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to:

recognize intensity; and

determine if;

an ammunition cartridge is steel (gray) or brass, or

a bullet tip is silver or copper.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to recognize alphanumerical characters, bar codes, or radio-frequency ID tags.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to recognize imperfections associated with dents or corrosion.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to recognize corrosion due to copper sulfate leakage.