Reflection spectroscopic means for detecting patterned objects

• US 7,714,888 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terra Scientia, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blue Marlin LLC
• Inventors: Burstyn, Herschel Clement, Zanzucchi, Peter John
• Primary Examiner(s): DIEP, NHON THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/072,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20060197829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/145 Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings

Abstract

A device detects the location of patterned objects in an environment by receiving an optical image and converting the optical image of the lost object into a color digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the color digital image to detect the location of the one or more patterned objects in the environment by using color characteristics of light reflected from a pattern on the one or more patterned objects. The software uses a range of the visible portion of the color space uniquely identified for the light reflected from the pattern on the object and identifies those pixels in the digital image that may be possible targets.

Claims

1. A method of detecting the location of a patterned object in a landscape, the method comprising:

storing a target color space range based on a color space of light from a light source having a wavelength that is reflected from patterns in the patterned object;

projecting light of the wavelength from the light source onto the patterned object;

generating a color digital image of an environment;

determining whether there are a set of pixels in the color digital image of the environment that are within the target color space range by

comparing a color space of pixels in the color digital image with the target color space range, and

storing locations of pixels whose color space matches the target color space range; and

reporting the determination that there are a set of pixels within the target color space range.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the color digital image is generated by one of:

a digital camera and a digital video camera.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the light source is a laser.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising reflecting the projected light from the patterns configured on the patterned object, wherein the wavelength of the light source is of a range for which RGB components may be determined.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the patterned object is a golf ball.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the landscape includes at least one of:

grass, bushes, trees, and sand.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the wavelength of the laser is near infrared.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the laser projects light by projecting a line image or raster scan.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the color digital image is one color digital image in a series of color digital images.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that there are a set of pixels within the target color space range is reported by one of:

a visual display, a tactile alert, and a sound alert.

11. A system for detecting the location of a patterned object in a landscape, comprising:

a light source having a wavelength;

memory having stored therein a target color space range based on a color space of light from the light source that is reflected from patterns in the patterned object;

a sub-system operable to generate a color digital image of an environment;

a processor operable to determine whether there are a set of pixels in the color digital image of the environment that are within the target color space range by

comparing a color space of each pixel in the color digital image with the target color space range, and

storing locations of pixels whose color space matches the target color space range; and

output circuitry operable to report the determination that there are a set of pixels within the target color space range.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the sub-system operable to generate a color digital image of an environment is one of:

a digital camera and a digital video camera.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the light source is a laser.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor operable to detect the projected light reflected from the patterns configured on the patterned object, wherein the wavelength of the light source is of a range for which RGB components may be determined.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the patterned object is a golf ball.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the landscape includes at least one of:

grass, bushes, trees, and sand.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the wavelength of the laser is near infrared.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the color digital image is one color digital image in a series of color digital images.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein the determination that there are a set of pixels within the target color space defined for projected light is reported by one of:

a visual display, a tactile alert, and a sound alert.