Detection method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for detecting fiducial marking in a tufted carpet material, comprising the steps ofa. providing tufted carpet material with at least one fiducial marking, the fiducial marking being in a configuration designed to be related to the pattern of the tufted carpet and characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength range that is at least partially outside the first wavelength range, b. directing light at the tufted carpet material in the first wavelength range, to cause the fiducial marking material to absorb the light in the first wavelength range and to fluoresce in the second wavelength range, and c. optically examining the tufted carpet material at a predetermined detection site relative to the tufted carpet material, to determine whether fluorescence from the fiducial marking which is in the second wavelength range is detected at the predetermined detection site and to provide output related to the configuration of the fiducial marking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting fiducial marking on a material are disclosed. The fiducial marking is characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength range that is outside the first wavelength range. An excitation source is configured to direct light at the material in the first wavelength range, to cause the fiducial marking material absorb the light in the first wavelength range and to fluoresce in the second wavelength range. A detection device is located at a predetermined site and is configured to optically examine the material at the predetermined detection site, to determine whether fluorescence from the fiducial marking which is in the second wavelength range is detected at the predetermined detection site.
32 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for detecting fiducial marking in a tufted carpet material, comprising the steps of
a. providing tufted carpet material with at least one fiducial marking, the fiducial marking being in a configuration designed to be related to the pattern of the tufted carpet and characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength range that is at least partially outside the first wavelength range, b. directing light at the tufted carpet material in the first wavelength range, to cause the fiducial marking material to absorb the light in the first wavelength range and to fluoresce in the second wavelength range, and c. optically examining the tufted carpet material at a predetermined detection site relative to the tufted carpet material, to determine whether fluorescence from the fiducial marking which is in the second wavelength range is detected at the predetermined detection site and to provide output related to the configuration of the fiducial marking.
- 12. A method of detecting fiducial markings provided in a moving carpet material, the fiducial markings in a configuration designed to be related to the pattern of the carpet and characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength range that is at least partially outside the first wavelength range, comprising the steps of directing light in the first wavelength range at the carpet material, and optically examining the moving carpet material at a plurality of predetermined locations relative to its path of movement to detect the presence or absence of the fiducial markings at the predetermined locations, and providing output based on the presence or absence of the fiducial markings at the predetermined locations for use in determining the relative position of the pattern of the carpet based on the configuration of the fiducial marking.
- 21. A method for detecting a fiducial marking of a carpet material, comprising the steps of providing the carpet material with a fiducial marking comprising at least one pic line provided in the carpet material material, the pic line configured to be related to the pattern of the carpet material, the fiducial marking characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength that is at least partially outside the first wavelength range, examining the carpet with (a) an excitation source configured to direct light at the material in the first wavelength range, and (b) a detection device configure to optically examine the carpet, to determine whether fluorescence from the fiducial marking which is in the second wavelength range is detected by the detection device, and to detect the configuration of the pic line and provide output relative thereto.
Specification