Method and apparatus for utilizing representational images in commercial and other activities

• US 7,286,696 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polydimension, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Polydimension, Inc.
• Inventors: Sandler, Eliezer D., Erickson, Ronald R., Bock, Joel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARIAM, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/008,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20020122581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,196 Days
• Field of Search: 382141-151, 382/154, 382/218, 382/284, 382/311, 345/632, 348/92, 348/95
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2284 Superimposing the holobject with other visual information
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0053 Arrangements for assisting the manual mounting of components, e.g. special tables or light spots indicating the place for mounting

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for performing commercial and other activities using one or more two- or three-dimensional representational images, superimposing a two- or three-dimensional representational image, containing an image of the workpiece in an advanced state of assembly, with a surface or onto the actual workpiece, and utilizing the superimposed representational image to assist in the assembly of the workpiece. One or more two- or three-dimensional representational images are created, e.g., using standard photography, holography or computer imaging, and are placed in a frame integrated within the assembly line of the manufacturing facility. The workpiece is positioned in relation to location of the representational image, such that the representational image may be superimposed onto the workpiece. An assembly operation is then performed using the superimposed representational image as a template.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

illuminating the representational image;

transmitting information from the representational image to an operator as a result of the illuminating; and

modifying the manufactured object by the operator using the transmitted information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting is accomplished by superimposing the representational image with the manufactured object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the superimposing is accomplished using an holographic optical element.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the superimposing includes projecting the representational image onto the manufactured object.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the superimposing includes holographically displaying the representational image in relation to the manufactured object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the representational image is a two-dimensional image.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the representational image is a three-dimensional image.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the representational image is a holographic image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing an assembling step.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a painting step.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a decal application step.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a cutting step.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying of the manufactured object includes performing a wire harnessing operation.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the manufactured object is positioned on a movable surface.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the manufactured object is positioned at a distance from the representational image substantially equal to the focal distance of the representational image.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the representational image is illuminated using white light.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the representational image is illuminated using light of a predetermined wavelength.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to the object by projection.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to the object by reflection.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to a viewer by reflection.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein information is transmitted from the representational image to a viewer by transmission.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator is a human.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator is an automated system.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the automated system is partially automated system.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the automated system is a machine vision system.

26. A method for modifying an object utilizing a plurality of representational images, comprising:

positioning the object at a predetermined position relative to a repository of a plurality of representational images;

providing a first source of illumination for the repository of the plurality of representational images;

illuminating the repository of to plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination;

presenting a first representational image to an operator;

performing a first modification of the object using the transmitted first representational image;

providing a second source of illumination for the repository of the plurality of representational images;

illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the second source of illumination;

presenting a second representational image to the operator; and

performing a second modification of the object using the transmitted second representational image.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first source of illumination is a different wavelength than the second source of illumination.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the first source of illumination is positioned at a different angle relative to the repository of the plurality of representational images than the second source of illumination.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the first source of illumination is positioned at a different distance from the repository of the plurality of representational images than the second source of illumination.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 2-dimensional image.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 3-dimensional image.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a 2-dimensional image and a 3-dimensional image.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a holographically recorded image.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a compound hologram.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of representational images include a plurality of images recorded holographically.

36. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of moving the object to a different predetermined position after illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination.

37. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of moving the repository of the plurality of representational images to a different predetermined position after illuminating the repository of the plurality of representational images using the first source of illumination.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein the first source and second source of illumination are the same source of illumination.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein the operator is a human.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein the operator is an automated system.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the automated system is partially automated system.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the automated system is a machine vision system.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the operator is a human.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the operator is an automated system.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the automated system is partially automated system.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the automated system is a machine vision system.

43. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to a repository of the representational image;

illuminating the repository of the representational image;

presenting the representational image to an operator as a result of the illuminating; and

modifying the manufactured object by the operator using the representational image.

48. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image that is substantially equal to the focal distance of the representational image;

illuminating the representational image;

transmitting information from the representational image to an operator as a result of the illuminating; and

modifying the manufactured object by the operator using the transmitted information.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the operator is a human.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the operator is an automated system.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the automated system is partially automated system.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the automated system is a machine vision system.

53. A method for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

illuminating the representational image;

releasing information from the representational image as a result of the illuminating;

identifying at least one difference between the manufactured object and the representational image using the released information; and

modifying the manufactured object using the released information, wherein the modifying is accomplished by an operator, a partially automated system or a fully automated system.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of superimposing the released information with the manufactured object.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the superimposing includes projecting.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the superimposing includes holographically displaying.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the information released from the representational image is processed by an automated detection device.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the automated detection system is a machine vision system.

59. A system for modifying a manufactured object utilizing a representational image, comprising:

a positioning means for positioning the manufactured object at a predetermined position relative to the representational image;

an illuminating means for illuminating the representational image, whereby information is transmitted from the representational image to an operator as a result of the illuminating; and

a modifying means for modifying the manufactured object by the operator based on the transmitted information.