Methods and apparatus for scanning objects and generating image information

• US 5,144,421 A
• Filed: 04/23/1992
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1954
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/872,344
• Time in Patent Office: 131 Days
• Field of Search: 358/93, 358/106, 358/133, 358/105, 358/101, 358/125, 358/108, 358/180, 382/34, 356/380, 356/386, 356/387, 360/9.1, 360/72.1
• US Class Current: 348/91
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/10 measured by light-responsive means sorting according to colour B07C5/342
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/022 by means of tv-camera scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36395 Load local computer program from host, data transfer ram to rom, BTR
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36511 Select by a detector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36513 Select out of a plurality of programs, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37572 Camera, tv, vision
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40283 Reservoir with additional material on vehicle with manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40284 Toolrack on vehicle with manipulator, toolchanger
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0014 Image feed-back for automatic industrial control, e.g. robot with camera robots B25J19/023
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

An automatic scanning apparatus and method for detecting the presence of one or more objects in an image field under investigation or inspection. Electro-optical scanning means, such as a television camera, is employed to scan an image field and generate output electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the matter and objects in the image field scanned. Such signals are computer processed and analyzed to generate coded electrical signals which define optical characteristics of portion of the image field scanned, such as objects or the images of objects scanned, their shape, color of a combination of color and shape. Electronic means is provided to generate further coded electrical signals which indicate the presence of one or more objects in the image field scanned and may be used to effect intelligent indications thereof, to control one or more devices such as a motor or motors, and/or to provide information for computational purposes to be processed and utilized by a computer. In one form, that shape of an object or objects is detected and coded signals generated are employed to effect a comparison of such shape with information relating to the shapes of known objects to identify the object or objects scanned. In another form, the color or surface characteristics of an object is detected and resulting signals indicative thereof are compared with information derived from a memory to identify either the object or its color or surface characteristics. In a third form both shape and color are detected and compared with recorded information for identification purposes.

Claims

1. A method for scanning an object and generating image information about the object, comprising:

a) generating a radiation beam;

b) controlling said radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths intersecting an object positioned in an image field, said object containing a predetermined image area having variable scannable information including abrupt changes in light reflectivity, so that light energy is variably reflected during at least part of the scanning movement of said beam, and wherein said plurality of paths scanned by said radiation beam cover an area in said image field which is larger than said predetermined image area;

c) detecting variations in the reflected light energy of said beam as it scans said object in said image field, and generating electrical detection signals which are modulated in accordance with said variations in the reflected light energy of at least a portion of said image field including said predetermined image area;

d) electronically processing said electrical detection signals and generating electrical control signals;

e) computer analyzing said electrical control signals and generating coded electrical signals defining at least a portion of the variable scannable information detected during at least one of said scanning paths intersecting said predetermined image area; and

f) employing said coded electrical signals to control the operation of an indicating means to cause it to indicate the detected variable scannable information in said predetermined image area.

2. An apparatus for scanning an object and generating image information about the object comprising:

a) radiation means for generating a radiation beam;

b) radiation control means for controlling said radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths intersecting an object positioned in an image field, said object containing a predetermined image area having variable scannable information, so that light energy is variably reflected during at least part of the scanning movement of said beam, and wherein said plurality of paths scanned by said radiation beam cover an area in said image field which is larger than said predetermined image area;

c) detection means for detecting variations in the reflected light energy of said beam as it scans said object in said image field, and for generating electrical detection signals which are modulated in accordance with said variations in the reflected light energy from at least the portions of said image field including said predetermined image area;

d) processing means for electronically processing said electrical detection signals and generating electrical control signals;

e) computer means for analyzing said electrical control signals and for generating and storing in memory coded electrical signals defining at least a portion of the variable scannable information detected during at least one of said scanning paths intersecting said predetermined image area; and

f) control means for employing said coded electrical signals to control the operation of an indicating means to cause it to indicate the detected variable scannable information in said predetermined image area, said variable scannable information in said predetermined area of said object including abrupt changes in light reflectivity.

3. A method for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, said method comprising:

a) generating a radiation beam;

b) directing said radiation beam at an object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks, the marks being located along a scanning path of said image area;

c) automatically deflecting said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner so that said beam will intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks and so that the beam will scan a path which comprises a plurality of line scans over an area of said object which is larger than said specific area;

d) sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiation reflecting marks with radiation detection means;

e) generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation;

f) computer processing said varying signal and generating digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam;

g) recording said digital electrical signals in memory means;

h) reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means;

i) computer analyzing said digital electrical signals and generating further electrical signals; and

j) employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam.

4. A method for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectively;

c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory digital characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the electrical signals corresponding to the radiation detected as the radiation beam scanned the production marking;

g) storing in memory the electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

h) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;

i) generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

j) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object; and

k) automatically sorting the object based on the information obtained about the object.

5. A method for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object including on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectively;

c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory digital characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the electrical signals corresponding to the radiation detected as the radiation beam scanned the production marking;

g) storing in memory the electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

h) comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;

i) generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

j) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object; and

k) employing the information signals to control means to further marking the scanned object.

6. A method for scanning an object to inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a plurality of radiation beams at a scanning station;

b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking defined by areas of different radiation reflectivity;

c) controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths across at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;

e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with variations in the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths across the object;

f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristics signals defined by at least a portion of the electrical signals derived in detecting the radiation reflected as the radiation beam scanned the production marking;

g) comparing the characteristics signals to reference data stored in memory so as to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;

h) generating and storing in memory information signals defining the information obtained about the object;

i) employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information about the object; and

j) automatically sorting the object based on the information obtained about the object.

7. A method for detecting and inspecting a production marking on an object to generate and use information about the object, comprising the steps of:

a) generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of contrasting radiation reflectively;

c) controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking; and

g) employing the information signals to control a means for marking the scanned object.

8. An apparatus for generating and using information by radiation scanning an image, comprising:

a) radiation generating means for generating and directing a radiation beam at an object, said object including a specific image area containing different radiation reflecting marks located along a scanning path of said image area;

b) radiation control means for causing said radiation beam to scan said image area in a manner to intersect and be variably reflected by said different radiation reflecting marks, and for automatically deflecting said beam to cause it to scan a path which comprises a plurality of line scans over an area of said object which is larger than said specific area;

c) detection means for sensing the radiation reflected from said different radiations reflecting marks;

d) signal means for generating an electrical signal on the output of said radiation detection means, which signal varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the reflected radiation;

e) process means for receiving and processing said varying signal to generate digital electrical signals defining characteristics of said different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said beam, said process means including means for analyzing said digital electrical signals and for generating further electrical signals;

f) memory means for storing said digital electrical signals;

g) means for reproducing said digital electrical signals from said memory means; and

h) indicating means for employing said further electrical signals to intelligibly indicate information relating to the different radiation reflecting marks of said specific image area scanned by said radiation beam.

9. An apparatus for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising:

a) radiation generating means for generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;

c) radiation control means coupled to the radiation generating means for controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) signal generating means coupled to the detection means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer means coupled to the signal generating means for processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;

g) said computer means further including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object, and for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

h) display means controlled by the computer means for intelligibly indicating the information obtained about the object; and

i) means for automatically sorting the object based on the information obtained about the object.

10. An apparatus for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising:

a) radiation generating means for generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;

c) radiation control means coupled to the radiation generating means for controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) signal generating means coupled to the detection means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer means coupled to the signal generating means for processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;

g) said computer means further including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object and for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

h) display means controlled by the computer means for intelligibly indicating the information about the object; and

i) means for employing the information signals to further mark the scanned object.

11. An apparatus for scanning an object to locate and inspect a production marking to determine information about the object, comprising:

a) a scanning station including means for generating a plurality of radiation beams;

b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having on at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different and relatively contrasting radiation reflectivity;

c) radiation control means for controlling the radiation beams to cause them to scan a plurality of paths over at least one surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beams scan the plurality of paths over the object;

e) signal generating means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beams as they scan the plurality of paths over the object;

f) computer means for processing the electrical signals to determine when at least one radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;

g) said computer means including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object;

h) said computer means further including means for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

i) means for employing the information signals to intelligibly indicate the information obtained about the object; and

j) means for automatically sorting the object based on the information obtained about the object.

12. An apparatus for locating and inspecting a production marking on an object to determine information about the object, comprising:

a) radiation generating means for generating at least one radiation beam at a scanning station;

b) means for presenting an object to be scanned at the scanning station, the object having at least one of its surfaces a production marking comprising areas of different radiation reflectivity;

c) radiation control means coupled to the radiation generating means for controlling the radiation beam to cause it to scan a plurality of paths over the surface of the object, including at least one path which intersects the production marking;

d) detection means for detecting the level of radiation reflected from the surface of the object as the radiation beam scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

e) signal generating means coupled to the detection means for generating electrical signals which vary in accordance with the level of radiation detected from the reflection of the radiation beam as it scans the plurality of paths over the surface of the object;

f) computer means coupled to the signal generating means for processing the electrical signals to determine when the radiation beam has scanned the production marking, and for generating and storing in memory characteristic signals defining at least a portion of the production marking;

g) said computer means further including means for comparing the characteristic signals to reference data stored in memory to identify the scanned production marking and to obtain information about the object, and for generating and storing in memory information signals corresponding to the information obtained about the object;

h) display means controlled by the computer means for intelligibly indicating the information obtained about the object; and

i) means for employing the information signals to further mark the scanned object.