| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 382152000 | Tool, workpiece, or mechanical component inspection | 67 |
| 20080232677 | Method and Device For Assessing Joins of Workpieces - For assessing the position and quality of joins a combined image of a join including a light line image and a grey value image is taken in the same sensor, but in two different regions | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080240546 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING DIGITAL IMAGES OF A WORKPIECE - A computer-based method for measuring digital images of a workpiece includes: reading each of images of different parts of the workpiece from a source file and merging all the images to generate a combined image of the workpiece; selecting an object to be measured on the combined image; extracting an image of the selected object from the combined image; and measuring the selected object on the extracted image and displaying measuring results. A related system is also provided. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080247635 | Method of Coalescing Information About Inspected Objects - A method of coalescing information about inspected objects. The method includes acquiring an image set of an object to be inspected, the image set having a three-dimensional model of the object and a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object. A location of interest is identified on a surface of the modeled object and global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model are designated that characterize the location of interest of the modeled object. A markup tag annotating the location of interest is associate with the designated global coordinate points of the three-dimensional model, and the markup tag is conveyed when viewing any one of the plurality of two-dimensional images of the image set that have at least one image point that correlates to a corresponding designated global coordinate point of the three-dimensional model that characterize the location of interest. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247636 | Method and System for Interactive Virtual Inspection of Modeled Objects - A method of using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) for interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects. The method includes acquiring a three-dimensional model of a modeled object and displaying a first view of the modeled object for a user to identify locations of interest on a surface of the modeled object visible within the first view. The user enters information to create a markup tag that annotates the location of interest, and the markup tag is automatically associated with the location of interest on the modeled object. A second view of the modeled object is displayed including the user identified location of interest and the markup tag. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080292178 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONTAINER INSPECTION - Apparatus, systems, and methods to recognize features on bottom surfaces of containers on a container production line, detect defects in the containers, and correlate the defects to specific production equipment of the container production line, based in part on the recognized features. The system includes imaging apparatus, programmable processing devices, and encoders. The methods include synchronization techniques and correlation techniques. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20090046923 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SURFACE DEFECTS ON A WORKPIECE SUCH AS A ROLLED/DRAWN METAL BAR - The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured. A removable cassette includes various mirrors. A protection tube isolates the moving metal bar from the line light assembly and image acquisition camera. A contaminant reduction mechanism applies a vacuum to remove airborne contaminants. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090067704 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASUREMENT OF A CUTTING TOOL - A method for measurement of a cutting tool is provided. The method comprises positioning the cutting tool on a moveable stage, performing a first rotary scan of a first section of the cutting tool to generate a first scanning point cloud, segmenting the first scanning point cloud, performing a second rotary scan of the first section based on the segmentation of the first scanning point cloud, and extracting the parameters of the first section based on the second rotary scan of the first section. A system for extracting parameters of a cutting tool is also presented. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090087083 | INFRA-RED THERMAL IMAGING OF LASER WELDED BATTERY MODULE ENCLOSURE COMPONENTS - A thermal imaging system for a battery module enclosure that includes first and second battery module enclosure components between which a weld is formed includes a thermal imaging camera that focuses on the first and second battery module enclosure components within a predetermined amount of time after the weld is formed and that acquires a thermal signature. A control module includes an image processing module that receives the thermal signature and that locates a predetermined reference point in the thermal signature. An image comparison module receives the thermal signature and uses the predetermined reference point to compare the thermal signature to a template signature in order to verify structural integrity of the weld. The image comparison module computes a relative measure of deviation of the thermal signature from the template signature and identifies the weld as defective when the relative measure of deviation is greater than a predetermined value. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090136122 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSPECTING ANODES AND SMELTING MANAGEMENT RELATING TO THE SAME - Systems and methods for inspecting anodes, and smelting management based thereon are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an imaging device configured to obtain images of at least one anode assembly, an image processor configured to producing imaging data based on the images, and a data analyzer configured to produce anode characteristic data based on the imaging data. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of obtaining at least one image of at least a portion of an anode assembly, producing imaging data based on the at least one image, and deriving anode characteristic data based, at least in part, on the imaging data. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090141965 | Method and Device for Displaying and Monitoring the Profile of a Weld Bead Inside a Groove Provided Between Two Metal Workpieces - The invention relates to a method of displaying and monitoring the profile of a weld bead ( | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090175530 | Methods and apparatuses for detecting pattern errors - Methods and apparatuses for quality control and detecting errors related to the manufacturing and production of more accurate patterns and resultant devices are provided. The patterns or devices may include patterns used in display applications such as TFT-LCD, OLED, SED, PDP, FED, LTPS-LCD and similar display technologies using at least partially cyclical patterns. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090208093 | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR INSPECTING A COILED STRIP - A method and an installation are used for inspecting a surface of a coiled metal strip, wherein the coil to be inspected is unwound along a moving plane so as to cause at least part of the strip to move to a position for inspecting the surfaces. Accordingly, the method consists in moving the part of the strip to be inspected along a substantially vertical inspection plane, between an unwinding device and a winding device arranged on two vertically spaced apart levels on either side of an intermediate inspection level. Thus, the inspection is visually performed on both surfaces of the strip by an operator moving about on a floor at the intermediate inspection level. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090238446 | ULTRAFINE LITHOGRAPHY PATTERN INSPECTION USING MULTI-STAGE TDI IMAGE SENSORS WITH FALSE IMAGE REMOVABILITY - A workpiece inspection apparatus includes a measured image generator unit configured to measure a pattern of a workpiece and generate a measured image; and a comparator unit configured to compare the measured image to a fiducial image, wherein said measured image generator unit includes a light-receiving device having an interconnection of two or more time delay integration (TDI) sensors each being arranged by two or more line sensors each being arranged by two or more pixels, for generating as the measured image an average value of pixel values excluding an abnormal pixel value from pixels of each TDI sensor with respect to a position of the pattern of the workpiece. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090245622 | Method and Arrangement for Detecting Surface and Structural Defects of a Long Moving Product - A method for detecting defects of a material moving in a rolling mill generally comprises illuminating product, obtaining (ACQ) image thereof in at least one spectral band, in pre-processing the formed image, in detecting and extracting (DTEXTR) eventually suspected areas of the pre-processed image, and in classifying (CLASS) the suspected areas into one or several defect or defect-free categories. For hot-rolled materials, the product is inspected in three disjointed spectral bands, including infrared, red and, for instance, green band in such a way that the suspected areas are classified into one or several defect-free or defect categories including the surface and structural defects. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090304262 | ULTRAFINE PATTERN DISCRIMINATION USING TRANSMITTED/REFLECTED WORKPIECE IMAGES FOR USE IN LITHOGRAPHY INSPECTION SYSTEM - A technique for discriminating a specific pattern, such as an assist pattern, from an integrate circuit pattern of a workpiece by using transmission and reflection images of the workpiece pattern is disclosed. A pattern discrimination device includes an optical image acquisition unit for acquiring a transmissive image of a workpiece having a pattern and a reflective image of the workpiece pattern simultaneously, and a specific pattern detection unit which detects for extraction a specific pattern from among pattern shapes of the transmissive and reflective images in conformity with a distinguishing condition of the specific pattern. A workpiece pattern inspection apparatus using the device is also disclosed. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100119145 | METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF NUMBER OF NONMETALLIC INCLUSIONS AND CASTING MOLD FOR OBTAINING CAST SAMPLE USED FOR SAME - A method of automatically counting a number of inclusions by eliminating the effects of shrinkage cavities in the conventional method and securing a high correlation with a value measured by a skilled worker and a casting mold for obtaining a cast sample used for the same are provided. A method of measurement of a number of nonmetallic inclusions comprising capturing an image of a rectangular fracture surface of a cast sample consisting of an aluminum alloy by a CCD camera or other image capturing means, processing the image captured by the image capturing means for color density, digitalizing the processed image by a predetermined threshold value, and counting the number of pixel clusters of a predetermined size or more, the method characterized by detecting the end edges of the short sides of the rectangular fracture surface before the capturing of its image and automatically setting measurement regions of an area of ¼ to ⅔ of the area of the fracture surface at the two ends of the fracture surface. A casting mold for obtaining a cast sample comprised of a top mold having a recess and a bottom mold having a sprue, having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cavity extending in the melt flow direction in the state where the top mold and the bottom mold are assembled, and provided, at equal intervals at the bottom of the recess of the top mold with a handle, with inverted V-shaped projections extending in a direction vertical to the melt flow direction. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100135571 | Method for Evaluating Microstructures on a Workpiece Based on the Orientation of a Grating on the Workpiece - In a measuring system, a method for evaluating parameters of a workpiece includes measuring a periodic structure, such as a grating, on the workpiece to produce image data. An orientation of features in the image data, produced by higher order diffractions from the periodic structure, is identified. An orientation of the periodic structure is determined based on the orientation of the features in the image data. The image data is then modified, based on the orientation of the periodic structure, to correlate with, and for comparison to, simulated image data to ascertain parameters of the workpiece. Alternatively, optical components in the measuring system, or the workpiece itself, are adjusted to provide a desired alignment between the optical components and the periodic structure. A microstructure on the workpiece may then be measured, and the resulting image data may be compared to the simulated image data to ascertain parameters of the microstructure. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100158349 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING CONTACT PATTERNS - A gear inspection system and method for a gearbox, wherein an image acquisition unit is oriented proximate the gearbox with a field of view of a section of the gears. The image acquisition unit obtains images of a gear tooth and corresponding contact pattern. In one embodiment a processing unit transforms the images to a gear tooth model so that the gear tooth image and contact pattern image matches the model gear tooth. Metrics are computed for the contact pattern, and based on threshold values, a determination is made as to whether the gearbox is acceptable. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158350 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EVALUATION OF A CALIBRATION ELEMENT USED IN A COLOUR PENETRATION METHOD - The invention relates to an apparatus rating a monitoring element to which is or was applied a dye penetrant procedure and which is fitted with at least one artificial defect in the form of at least one indentation, the apparatus including an image recorder generating an image of at least parts of the monitoring element, said parts comprising at least portions of the minimum of one artificial defect, said apparatus including an image analyzer rating the image generated by the image recorder, and to a corresponding method. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100266197 | HOLE PUNCH DIE IDENTIFICATION IN A DOCUMENT REPRODUCTION SYSTEM - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining which hole punch die is installed on a multifunction document reproduction device. A document scanner of a document reproduction system is used to scan a sample page that has been hole-punched by the presently installed punch die. The pattern of die holes on the punched test page is examined and compared to known punch die patterns. The method compares the current punch unit with bindings loaded in a hopper for the print/copy job. Information about the currently installed hole punch die is displayed on a graphical user interface so the user can confirm the print/copy job prior to the time of submission. The user can then accept the current hole punch configuration or change the unit to another before releasing their print/copy job. The method ensures that the selected punch pattern is compatible with other print/copy job finishing selections. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100278417 | AUTOMATED TESTING DEVICE FOR FASTENER - The automated testing device contains a platform, a rotational plate on a top side of the platform, and, around the rotational plate and along a rotating direction of the rotational plate, an uploading member, a guiding member, an optical testing member, and an unloading member are provided and located in this sequence. The uploading member places fasteners in an upright manner on the top side of the rotational plate. The guiding member aligns the upright fasteners along a specific path. The optical testing member obtains and examines at least a profile image of each fastener. The unloading member screens out substandard fasteners and collects those qualified fasteners out of the rotational plate. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278418 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ERRORS OF WORKPIECES - A method for measuring errors of workpieces by comparing a three-dimensional model and the workpieces manufactured according to the three-dimensional model is provided. The method converts a point cloud of each workpiece to a measured triangular mesh model, and aligns each measured triangular mesh model to the three-dimensional model. The method further compares each measured triangular mesh model with the three-dimensional model to check for differences between two model so as to obtain errors of each workpiece, and generates one or more analysis reports according to the errors of each workpiece. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100284603 | Pixel Positioning Systems and Methods - A manufacturing process for sheet or shaped work products includes advancing the work product in a direction along a processing path; establishing a reference line with respect to the processing path; capturing visual data related to the work product; converting the visual data into a pixel array; and setting a predetermined line of pixels to correspond with the reference line. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110069878 | HIGH SPEED OPTICAL INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH CAMERA ARRAY AND COMPACT, INTEGRATED ILLUMINATOR - An optical inspection system is provided for inspecting a workpiece including a feature to be inspected. The system includes a workpiece transport configured to transport the workpiece in a nonstop manner. An illuminator is configured to provide a first strobed illumination field type and a second strobed illumination field type. The illuminator includes a light pipe having a first end proximate the feature, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced from the first end. The light pipe also has at least one reflective sidewall. The first end has an exit aperture and the second end has at least one second end aperture to provide a view of the feature therethrough. An array of cameras is configured to digitally image the feature. The array of cameras is configured to generate a first plurality of images of the feature with the first illumination field and a second plurality of images of the feature with the second illumination field. A processing device is operably coupled to the illuminator and the array of cameras, the processing device is configured to store at least some of the first and second plurality of images and provide the first and second pluralities to an other device. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110103679 | AUTOFOCUS VIDEO TOOL AND METHOD FOR PRECISE DIMENSIONAL INSPECTION - A refined autofocus method provides optimized lighting between iterative autofocus operations, to reliably provide the best possible autofocus Z-height precision. The method includes a quantitative initial focus Z-height determination based on initial focus curve data from initial autofocus images acquired using initial light control parameters. Then, the camera is set at that initial focus Z-height such that well focused images are provided. Refined (optimized) light control parameters are then determined based on at least one respective image acquired using respective light control parameters at that Z-height, such that an image acquired using the refined light control parameters provides a near-optimum value for a contrast-related metric (e.g., a focus metric) at that Z-height. Then, refined autofocus images are acquired using the refined light control parameters and a refined precise Z-height is quantitatively determined base on the resulting focus curve. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110194754 | WORK PIECE SHAPE ESTIMATION DEVICE AND WORK PIECE SHAPE ESTIMATION METHOD - The present invention provides a work piece shape estimation device, including: an image information obtaining unit that obtains an image information by sensing multiple randomly accumulated work pieces having an identical shape; an edge detection unit that performs an edge detection on the image information obtained by the image information obtaining unit; a separating unit that separates the work pieces into partial images based on the image information obtained by the edge detection unit; a work piece categorization unit that categorizes the separated partial images of the work pieces; and an estimated work piece shape generation unit that generates an estimated shape of the work piece by complementing an information of the partial images of the work pieces categorized by the work piece categorization unit. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110286659 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Computer Program - A plurality of first multivalued images of non-defective items picked up by an image pickup device are obtained, and a plurality of characteristic amounts at least including a pixel value of a color component and edge intensities in two different directions are extracted for each pixel in the obtained first multivalued images. Selection of any one of the plurality of extracted characteristic amounts is received, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted, whereby a distribution range for determining the non-defective item is calculated. A second multivalued image of a determination target object is obtained, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted for each pixel in the obtained second multivalued image, whereby determination is made as to whether the characteristic amount is included in the distribution range corresponding to the extracted characteristic amount. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110293169 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT OF GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS OF THREADED JOINTS - Thread parameters for a threaded object are determined. Spatial reference systems (X, Y, Z) and (X′, Y′, Z′) are respectively identified for a position sensor and the threaded object. A transformation matrix describing a quadratic form representing the threaded object in (X, Y, Z) may be determined to relate the reference systems. For example, a sensor trajectory on the threaded object may be determined, along with measurement points on the threaded object. The measurement points may be selected so the matrix, evaluated on these values, has maximum rank. Position data at measurement points in the second reference system may be transformed into the first reference system, yielding first results. After coating the threaded object, position data at the measurement points may be acquired again and transformed into the first reference system, yielding second results. Comparisons between the first and second results may provide thickness of the coating and quality verification. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110317909 | TOOL WEAR QUANTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A portable wear quantification system includes a hand-held image acquisition device and a fixture. The fixture includes a first end coupled to the image acquisition device. A light source emits a light beam along an emission axis. A beam splitter is disposed at an angle with respect to an axis of view of the image acquisition device for directing the beam from the light source toward a portion of an object. A second end of the fixture is located on an opposite side of the beam splitter from the first end. The second end includes a platform that is configured to position the fixture with respect to the object. A channel extends from the first end to the second end along the axis of view of the image acquisition device. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120027288 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Defect Detection - Aspects of the present invention are related to systems, methods and apparatus for image-based automatic defect detection. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027289 | Image Measurement Device, Method For Image Measurement, And Computer Readable Medium Storing A Program For Image Measurement - Present invention is an image measurement device capable of easily identifying a degree of disagreement between contours for a plurality of workpieces, and including: an edge extraction unit that extracts an edge line from a workpiece image; an image comparison unit that compares the workpiece image with the previously held master image, an error calculation unit that calculates, based on the comparison result, an error indicating an amount of displacement between an edge position of the workpiece image and a position of the master image corresponding to this edge position; a statistical information calculation unit that calculates statistical information of the calculated error for a plurality of workpiece images and for each edge position; a statistical information display unit that displays the statistical information along the edge line extracted from the workpiece image or the master image in a display mode suitable for the values of the statistical information. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120134573 | JIG FOR MEASURING DIMENSIONS OF WORKPIECE | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120230579 | SURFACE INSPECTION DEVICE AND SURFACE INSPECTION METHOD - A surface inspection device includes an image generator for generating a digital image achieved by imaging an inner surface of a bore which is subjected to a boring work, a line extraction processor for extracting a line along a horizontal direction set to a line extraction direction from the digital image, and an estimating unit for determining the state of the inner surface of the bore based on the line extracted by the line extraction processor. The line extraction processor extracts lines along the line detection direction from respective digital images before and after rotation which are achieved by rotating the digital image once or over plural times every predetermined angle while the line extraction direction is fixed, and the estimating unit determines the state of the inner surface of the bore based on the lines extracted from the respective digital images before and after the rotation. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20130058560 | MEASUREMENT OF BELT WEAR THROUGH EDGE DETECTION OF A RASTER IMAGE - Tools for determining belt wear are provided. Specifically, non-contact based systems and processes are described which enable a quick and accurate measurement of belt wear. Based on the measurements of belt wear, a wear condition for the belt can be determined. Information regarding the wear condition can then be used to determine an appropriate remedial measure for responding to the determined wear condition. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130223724 | METHOD FOR CLASSIFYING A MULTITUDE OF IMAGES RECORDED BY A CAMERA OBSERVING A PROCESSING AREA AND LASER MATERIAL PROCESSING HEAD USING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a method for classifying a multitude of images recorded by a camera observing a processing area of a workpiece processed by a processing beam, comprising the steps of: recording a first pixel image and a multitude of subsequent pixel images by the camera during a processing operation; detecting mismatches of a position and orientation of a keyhole generated by the processing beam in the workpiece within an image plane of the subsequent pixel images in comparison to the first pixel image; compensating the mismatches of the position and orientation of the respective keyholes in the subsequent pixel images with regard to the first pixel image, to produce a set of pixel images having each a normalized keyhole position and orientation; classifying the set of normalized pixel images into at least two classes by means of a classifier. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130251239 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WORKPIECE MEASUREMENT DURING FORGING BY IMAGE PROCESSING - The amount of elongation of a workpiece during forging can be determined by image processing to calculate the total amount of horizontal movement of marked patterns such as forging scale on the ends of the workpiece which move away from a forging bite during the forging blow. Images of marked patterns before and after a forging blow on both sides of the bite of a forging die are compared to determine the movement of the marked patterns and thus the movement of the ends of the workpiece. A method and system of determining the elongation and vertical displacement of a workpiece during forging is disclosed. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130336576 | METALLOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF PORE SIZES AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN METAL CASTINGS - A quantitative metallographic method to measure pore sizes and pore distributions in cast aluminum components. An image of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer. Spacing criteria, such as a measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, may be used with the received image to provide evidence of pore clustering. This allows the system to performing calculations to determine if multiple pores can be clustered or grouped together as a single pore in three-dimensional space. From this, the total area of the pores in each of these groups or clusters is calculated and used as a representation of the pore area for that cluster. In general, pore size and pore distribution measurements in cast components achieved by the present invention show accurate predictions of pore size and spacing, and in particular evidence a reduced tendency to under-predict the size and distribution of actual pores. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130343633 | BEARING, LUBRICANT DISTRIBUTION ACQUISITION DEVICE AND LUBRICANT DISTRIBUTION ACQUISITION METHOD - A bearing (X) inside which a lubricant is able to be sealed is provided with: a rotary motion body (X | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140016855 | THERMAL IMAGE SMOOTHING METHOD, SURFACE TEMPERATURE-MEASURING METHOD, AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE-MEASURING DEVICE - The thermal image smoothing method, which is a method for smoothing thermal images produced on the basis of thermal image values measured with a work that has been coated with a black body coating, is provided with a removal process wherein estimated thermal image values are set as values on respective line segments between maximum points and thermal image values that are smaller than the estimated thermal image values are removed from the thermal image values as anomalous thermal image values. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140056507 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTING A WORKPIECE - Methods and systems for inspecting a workpiece are provided. The method includes storing model data associated with the workpiece in an inspection system, determining a relative position of a depth sensing device relative to the workpiece, and calibrating a pose view for the inspection system relative to the model based on the position of the depth sensing device relative to the workpiece. The method further includes measuring actual depth distance data of at least one pixel of the depth sensing device relative to the workpiece and determining, based on the actual depth distance data, if the workpiece satisfies predetermined inspection criteria. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140161344 | IMAGE RECOGNITION METHOD - In a preparation process, one workpiece W is photographed from a plurality of angles, the photographed image is segmented into patches to obtain a plurality of sample patch images, the sample patch images are classified, and each sample patch image is stored while being corresponded with a position information to a reference position of the workpiece W. Image recognition process obtains a reference position of the workpiece W in a patch image, by photographing piled-up workpieces W, segment the photographed image into patches to obtain a plurality of patch images, classify the patch images in same classification method of the sample patch images, accumulating a position information to the reference position of the workpiece W, which is stored while corresponded to the sample patch image of the same classification as the patch image for each patch image, and on the basis of the accumulated result. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140286565 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A robot system includes: a touchscreen panel; and an image processing apparatus configured to recognize a workpiece in an image of the workpiece acquired by photography, in accordance with a registered image recognition program. The image processing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a base program serving as the image recognition program by inputting a plurality of parameters regarding the workpiece, a workpiece registration guiding portion configured to display an input screen to prompt input of the parameters on the touchscreen panel and acquire the parameters via the touchscreen panel, and a registration portion configured to build and register the image recognition program by applying the parameters acquired by the workpiece registration guiding portion to the base program in the storage unit. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140294284 | ENHANCED EDGE DETECTION TOOL FOR EDGES OF IRREGULAR SURFACES - A method is provided for enhancing edge detection for edges of irregular surfaces in a machine vision inspection system. The inspection system comprises an edge feature video tool configured to determine profile data for an edge feature based on a plurality of differently focused images. An edge-referenced alignment compensation is provided related to substantially minimizing a respective offset amount of the edge feature at respective locations along a directional filtering direction used for directionally filtering the plurality of differently focused images prior to determining the profile data for the edge feature. In some embodiments, the plurality of differently focused images may be directionally filtered using a directional filtering sub region (DFS) defined relative to a point corresponding to a PFF basis pixel location in each of the plurality of images, each DFS having a relatively longer dimension along the directional filtering direction. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140294285 | METHOD, MACHINE, AND COMPUTER MEDIUM HAVING COMPUTER PROGRAM TO DETECT AND EVALUATE STRUCTURAL ANOMALIES IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY WELDED PIPELINES - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, machines, and a computer medium or media having computer programs to determine presence anomalies in circumferential welds of one or more pipelines transporting fluids associated with energy therethrough. Wave form analysis or pattern recognition in pipeline data such as magnetic flux leakage data is employed. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded such as in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the machines, methods, and computer medium having computer programs can be used to screen for anomalies potentially threatening the structural integrity of the one or more pipelines so that site excavation can occur for confirmation and validation of the output results. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140301632 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD - A control system executes a first control operation, and then executes a second control operation. In the first control operation, the image processing section obtains the image data and specifies a position of a characteristic part. The control section determines a control instruction for accelerating an object to a predetermined first speed based on the specified position of the characteristic part and then decelerating the object to a predetermined second speed lower than the first speed, to move the object to an intermediate target position away from the final target position by a predetermined margin distance. In the second control operation, the image processing section obtains the image data during movement of the moving mechanism and specifies the position of the characteristic part, and the control section determines a control instruction for positioning the object to the final target position based on the specified position of the characteristic part. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140321731 | Edge Measurement Video Tool With Robust Edge Discrimination Margin - A reliable method for discriminating between a plurality of edges in a region of interest of an edge feature video tool in a machine vision system comprises determining a scan direction and an intensity gradient threshold value, and defining associated gradient prominences. The gradient threshold value may be required to fall within a maximum range that is based on certain characteristics of an intensity gradient profile derived from an image of the region of interest. Gradient prominences are defined by limits at sequential intersections between the intensity gradient profile and the edge gradient threshold. A single prominence is allowed to include gradient extrema corresponding to a plurality of respective edges. A gradient prominence-counting parameter is automatically determined that is indicative of the location of the selected edge in relation to the defined gradient prominences. The gradient prominence-counting parameter may correspond to the scan direction. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140348415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING DEFECTS IN WELDS BY PROCESSING X-RAY IMAGES - Disclosed is a system and method for identifying a defect in a weld joint through an X-Ray image. An image capturing module captures the X-Ray image of the weld joint. The X-Ray image comprises dark areas and bright areas. An image processing module executes a gamma correction algorithm on the X-Ray image by using a standard power law transform in order to enhance contrast of the dark areas and the bright areas. The image processing module further passes the X-Ray image through one or more de-noising filters in order to remove noise from the X-Ray image. An analysis module identifies a fragment of the X-Ray image that comprises one or more dark area with respect to neighboring areas adjacent to the one or more dark area. The analysis module further segments the X-Ray image into one or more segments in order to identify the defect in the weld joint. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150016711 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLASSIFYING MATERIALS BASED ON A BIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTANCE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION - Systems, devices, and methods for classifying a sample by material type measure a reflection of a sample at an illumination angle and an observation angle in at least two spectral bands, calculate a feature value for the sample based on an estimated ratio value of the at least two spectral bands of the measured reflection, and classify the sample based on the feature value. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150131895 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING OPTICAL ROLL SCANNING TO IDENTIFY DEFECTS IN ROLL COMPONENTS USED IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A system and method are provided for employing a unique optical roll scanning technique, scheme or process for detecting and identifying periodic surface defects associated with rolls usable in image production devices. An apparatus is provided for mounting the roll to implement an inspection technique that facilitates forming an image of a surface of the roll by rotating the roll through an entire cycle above a full width scanner device. The formed image of the surface of the scanned roll is filtered and analyzed particularly by applying a Fourier analysis technique, and/or by subjecting the filtered image data to a series of fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), potentially including 2D FFTs. The analysis process allows detected periodic defects in the formed image of the surface of the roll under analysis to be characterized by a magnitude of a response in a spatial frequency domain. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150302577 | METHOD FOR THE NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF A BLADE PREFORM - An automated method for the non-destructive testing of a woven preform for the manufacture of a turbine engine part and including a plurality of first marker threads intertwined with second marker threads, the first and second threads having light-reflecting properties that are different from those of the threads of the preform and being woven with the threads of the preform so as to form a surface grid on a given area of the preform. The method includes determining, with a plurality of consecutive steps, the spatial coordinates of the intersections between the first and second marker threads. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150317787 | LEAK DETECTION - Apparatus and corresponding method are invented for detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, such as a stuffing box. The apparatus includes an image analyzer configured to receive an image from camera and analyze the image to determine if a leak on the equipment is present by comparing a color channel of the image with a reference and the image analyzer having an output port for delivering a notification upon the image analyzer determining that a leak is present on the equipment. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150339810 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A DAMAGED COMPONENT OF A MACHINE - A method and system for detecting a damaged machine component during operation of the machine are provided. The damaged machine component detection system includes one or more processors, one or more memory devices communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, an image capture device configured to generate a stream of temporally-spaced images of a scene including a machine component of interest, the images generated in real-time, and a grouping model configured to compare features of a current image of the stream of images to features of previously captured images sorted into a plurality of groups of images having similar features, generate an alert if predetermined features of the current image deviate from corresponding features of the grouped images by a predetermined amount, and update the groups with the current image if the predetermined features of the current image are similar to corresponding features of the grouped images by a predetermined amount. The system also includes an output device configured to output at least one of the alert and the current image. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150379703 | METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING FIBERS WITH SHAPE AND SIZE USED FOR CODING - Disclosed is a method of characterizing a fiber sample comprising standard fibers and identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing fibers through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the fibers. The fiber sample can include a portion of an acetate tow band or a filter made from the acetate tow band, and the supply chain information can include the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and the customer of the acetate tow band. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160012577 | CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160054236 | CRYOSTAT INSPECTION CAMERA ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - A bung assembly for closing an opening in a turret of a cryostat has a camera housing and bung body that is mechanically dimensioned to fit the opening, and is provided with a sealing arrangement for forming a gas-tight seal between the bung body and the turret. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160078607 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A BONDLINE - A method for analyzing a bondline in a structure is provided. The method includes obtaining, from a first side of the structure, by at least one computing device, at least one first internal image of the structure that includes at least a first pattern associated with the bondline, wherein the structure is in a pre-loaded state and obtaining, from the first side of the structure, by the at least one computing device, at least one second internal image of the structure that includes at least the first pattern, wherein the structure is in a loaded state. Additionally, the method includes comparing, by the at least one computing device, the at least one first internal image with the at least one second internal image, and determining, by the at least one computing device, at least one stress and/or strain-related property of the bondline based on the comparison. The method additionally includes predicting an estimated life of the bondline, whereby the estimated life provides a valuable tool for optimization of maintenance effort and enabling cost-optimal maintenance decisions. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160152370 | Container Handling Machine with Display | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160163040 | INSPECTION METHOD FOR THE EFFECT OF COMPOSITION ON THE BOND STRENGTH OF A METALLIZED ALUMINA CERAMIC - A method of inspecting a unit under test containing brazed dielectric to metal bond, includes providing at least one image of the bond and determining a characteristic of the bond based on at least one of a presence and size of a glassy phase in or adjacent to the bond. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160171681 | INSPECTION APPARATUS FOR WELDING TIP OF SPOT WELDING GUN AND ANALYSIS METHOD FOR POLLUTION AND ARRAY OF WELDING TIP USING THE SAME | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160203593 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TESTING AN INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SURFACE DEFECTS | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160203596 | LASER BEAM WELDING DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND LASER BEAM WELDING DIAGNOSIS METHOD | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160379360 | INSPECTING METHOD, INSPECTING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A three-dimensional model corresponding to a work and a virtual surface corresponding to an imaging device are specified. The model is projected onto the virtual surface, to calculate boundary pixels constituting an outline of a projected region. A coordinate position of the boundary pixel is converted, according to a distortion adding table including a plural table elements each associated to a coordinate position of the pixel at a start point of moving, with a moving distance of the pixel at the start point of moving regarding a destination of moving. An inside surrounded by boundary pixels of the coordinate positions converted is set as an inspection region. The inside of the inspection region in the image is inspected. The plural table elements include a first table element associating to one moving distance with one coordinate position. A second table element associated to plural moving distances with one coordinate position. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170236261 | WEAR MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING COMPUTER VISION | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170236263 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENTLY SCORING PROBES IN AN IMAGE WITH A VISION SYSTEM | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170236268 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170236269 | Inspection Apparatus, Inspection Method, And Program | 08-17-2017 |
| 20190147571 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE VIDEO CAPTURE USING VARIABLE LIGHTING | 05-16-2019 |
