US3580997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video system for automatic production line inspection by x-ray
Assignee: Balteau Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-07-05
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-07-05
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed system employs a television camera to convert the radiographic image produced by an irradiated test object to video signals which are processed and interpreted electronically without human interpretation. The video signals are processed to provide an indication of the radiographic density of a test object in relation to that of a reference object. When plural test objects are analyzed in succession and/or are in motion while being irradiated, a radiation mask having synchronizing and coding slots is used to coordinate the video signal processing circuitry to the scan of the TV camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Alan Webb
- 👤 Jay A Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/30; H04N5/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic density of a test object in comparison with the radiographic density of a standard reference object when both the test object and the reference object are irradiated by a common radiation source, said system comprising, in combination: A. a television camera positioned to view the radiographs resulting from irradiation of both the test and reference objects, said television camera developing 1. video signals proportional to the radiographic densities of both the test object and the reference object, and 2. horizontal and vertical scan sync pulses; B. an inspection zone control network responsive to said vertical and horizontal sync pulses and adjustable to blank out the field of said television camera in all areas except a preselected inspection zone area, and to generate an inspection zone gate signal: 1. corresponding in time to the location of the test object radiograph in the camera field of view and 2. enabling detection and generation of video signals only in the area of said preselected inspection zone; C. a reference zone control network including 1. an adjustable reference zone generating circuit responsive to said vertIcal and horizontal sync pulses for generating a reference zone gate signal adapted to define a localized reference zone, a. said reference zone gate signal corresponding in time to the location of the reference object radiograph in the field of view of said camera, and 2. a reference zone gate responsive to said reference zone gate signal for passing said video signals concurring therewith in time; and D. evaluating means comprising a comparator connected to compare the video signals concurring in time with said inspection zone gate signal to the video signals passed by said reference zone gate and provide a signal output indicative of the difference between the radiographic densities of the test object and the reference object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
305 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic density of a test object in comparison with the radiographic density of a standard reference object when both the test object and the reference object are irradiated by a common radiation source, said system comprising, in combination: A. a television camera positioned to view the radiographs resulting from irradiation of both the test and reference objects, said television camera developing 1. video signals proportional to the radiographic densities of both the test object and the reference object, and 2. horizontal and vertical scan sync pulses; B. an inspection zone control network responsive to said vertical and horizontal sync pulses and adjustable to blank out the field of said television camera in all areas except a preselected inspection zone area, and to generate an inspection zone gate signal: 1. corresponding in time to the location of the test object radiograph in the camera field of view and 2. enabling detection and generation of video signals only in the area of said preselected inspection zone; C. a reference zone control network including 1. an adjustable reference zone generating circuit responsive to said vertIcal and horizontal sync pulses for generating a reference zone gate signal adapted to define a localized reference zone, a. said reference zone gate signal corresponding in time to the location of the reference object radiograph in the field of view of said camera, and 2. a reference zone gate responsive to said reference zone gate signal for passing said video signals concurring therewith in time; and D. evaluating means comprising a comparator connected to compare the video signals concurring in time with said inspection zone gate signal to the video signals passed by said reference zone gate and provide a signal output indicative of the difference between the radiographic densities of the test object and the reference object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
a horizontal variable gate generator triggered on the trailing edge of said first pulse to generate a second output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to scan the width of said zone,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
a horizontal variable gate generator triggered on the trailing edge of said first pulse to generate a second output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to scan the width of said zone,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
said decoding means conditioned by said gate pulse for decoding said coded pulses, said decoding means having a plurality of output leads, a. one of said output leads being associated with a different one of the test objects and having a signal thereon when the radiograph of the associated test object is to be scanned by said camera,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
said decoding means conditioned by said gate pulse for decoding said coded pulses, said decoding means having a plurality of output leads, a. one of said output leads being associated with a different one of the test objects and having a signal thereon when the radiograph of the associated test object is to be scanned by said camera,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
horizontal and vertical scan sync pulses; B. an inspection zone control network responsive to said vertical and horizontal sync pulses and adjustable to blank out the field of said television camera in all areas except a preselected inspection zone area, and to generate an inspection zone gate signal:
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
horizontal and vertical scan sync pulses; B. an inspection zone control network responsive to said vertical and horizontal sync pulses and adjustable to blank out the field of said television camera in all areas except a preselected inspection zone area, and to generate an inspection zone gate signal:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
enabling detection and generation of video signals only in the area of said preselected inspection zone; C. a reference zone control network including
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
enabling detection and generation of video signals only in the area of said preselected inspection zone; C. a reference zone control network including
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
a reference zone gate responsive to said reference zone gate signal for passing said video signals concurring therewith in time; and D. evaluating means comprising a comparator connected to compare the video signals concurring in time with said inspection zone gate signal to the video signals passed by said reference zone gate and provide a signal output indicative of the difference between the radiographic densities of the test object and the reference object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
a reference zone gate responsive to said reference zone gate signal for passing said video signals concurring therewith in time; and D. evaluating means comprising a comparator connected to compare the video signals concurring in time with said inspection zone gate signal to the video signals passed by said reference zone gate and provide a signal output indicative of the difference between the radiographic densities of the test object and the reference object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system defined in claim 1 which further includes: A. a television monitor controlled by said inspection and reference zone gate signals and connected to receive the video signals developed by said camera for visually displaying the radiographs of the reference and test objects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
a comparator operating to successively compare said signal level with the radiographic density video signals of each test object, said comparator providing said signal output indicative of the difference therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
a comparator operating to successively compare said signal level with the radiographic density video signals of each test object, said comparator providing said signal output indicative of the difference therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
a reject flip-flop connected to the output of each reject gate, said flip-flops a. selectively triggered to a first state from said reject gates when said comparator signal output indicates a defective test object, and b. trigger to a second state at the beginning of each raster scan of said camera; c. said flip-flop having outputs connected to a handler for the test objects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
a reject flip-flop connected to the output of each reject gate, said flip-flops a. selectively triggered to a first state from said reject gates when said comparator signal output indicates a defective test object, and b. trigger to a second state at the beginning of each raster scan of said camera; c. said flip-flop having outputs connected to a handler for the test objects.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
a first transistor adjustably biased to pass a preselected constant charging current to said capacitor,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
a first transistor adjustably biased to pass a preselected constant charging current to said capacitor,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second transistor connected to shunt said capacitor whEn conductive, and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second transistor connected to shunt said capacitor whEn conductive, and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein the radiograph of the reference object is scanned first by said camera during each raster, and said reference zone control network further includes
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
a gate conditioned on the termination of said gate pulse to provide an output when any one of said output leads has a signal thereon,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
a gate conditioned on the termination of said gate pulse to provide an output when any one of said output leads has a signal thereon,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
a vertical variable position delay circuit response to each said vertical sync pulse for generating a third output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to reach the line scan corresponding to the top of said zone,
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
a vertical variable position delay circuit response to each said vertical sync pulse for generating a third output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to reach the line scan corresponding to the top of said zone,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
a vertical variable gate generator triggered on the trailing edge of said third pulse to generate a fourth output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to reach the line scan corresponding to the bottom of said zone,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
a vertical variable gate generator triggered on the trailing edge of said third pulse to generate a fourth output pulse having a duration equal to the time required for the trace to reach the line scan corresponding to the bottom of said zone,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
a delay circuit trIggered by said gate output to locate the leading edge of said inspection aperture relative to said synchronization slot,
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
a delay circuit trIggered by said gate output to locate the leading edge of said inspection aperture relative to said synchronization slot,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined in claim 1 which further includes A. a meter connected to the output of the comparator for indicating the radiographic density of the test object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
104 words
a bistable circuit having first and second stable conditions, said bistable circuit being a. connected to render said second transistor conductive when in said first condition, b. connected to be triggered to said second condition in response to a sync pulse whereupon said second transistor is cut off to permit charging of said capacitor, and c. connected to said capacitor and reverting to said first condition when said capacitor has charged to a prescribed voltage level, d. said bistable circuit generating an output pulse while in said second condition, the duration of said output pulse being determined by the charging rate of said capacitor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
104 words
a bistable circuit having first and second stable conditions, said bistable circuit being a. connected to render said second transistor conductive when in said first condition, b. connected to be triggered to said second condition in response to a sync pulse whereupon said second transistor is cut off to permit charging of said capacitor, and c. connected to said capacitor and reverting to said first condition when said capacitor has charged to a prescribed voltage level, d. said bistable circuit generating an output pulse while in said second condition, the duration of said output pulse being determined by the charging rate of said capacitor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
4 words
a vertical zone flip-flop,
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
4 words
a vertical zone flip-flop,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system defined in claim 1 which further includes A. a level detector connected to the output of said comparator and providing an output when the radiographic density of the test object differs from the radiographic density of the reference object by a preselected amount.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
an inspection zone gate generator triggered by said delay circuit and defining the width of said inspection aperture, and
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
an inspection zone gate generator triggered by said delay circuit and defining the width of said inspection aperture, and
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
said comparator being enabled by the output of said inspection zone generator to compare the video signals representing the radiographic density of each test object with said signal level from said reference zone control network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
said comparator being enabled by the output of said inspection zone generator to compare the video signals representing the radiographic density of each test object with said signal level from said reference zone control network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said reference and inspection zones are in the form of rectangles, said reference and inspection zone control networks each including zone control circuitry having:
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
gating means controlled by said fourth output pulse to pass horizontal sync pulses for controlling the state of said flip-flop, and
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
gating means controlled by said fourth output pulse to pass horizontal sync pulses for controlling the state of said flip-flop, and
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system defined in claim 6 wherein at least one of said horizontal and vertical position delay circuits and said horizontal and vertical gate generators consists of a time delay circuit having
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
a gate responsive to the output from said flip-flop and said second output pulse to derive said inspection and reference zone gate signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
a gate responsive to the output from said flip-flop and said second output pulse to derive said inspection and reference zone gate signals.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
40 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic density of an object irradiated from a radiation source, said system comprising, in combination: A. a radiopaque mask physically associated with the object and interposed therewith in the path of radiation, said mask having
Claim 48
Independent Claim
40 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic density of an object irradiated from a radiation source, said system comprising, in combination: A. a radiopaque mask physically associated with the object and interposed therewith in the path of radiation, said mask having
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein the object is continuously translated across the path of radiation emitted from the source, and said mask is moved in unison therewith.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein a reference object is also irradiated from the radiation source, said developing means develops a radiograph of both the reference and test objects which are converted into corresponding electrical signals by said scanning means, and said signal processing circuitry compares the signals corresponding to the radiographic density of the test objects with the signals corresponding to a radiographic density of the reference object pursuant to providing said signal output.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein said scanning means is a television camera.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of objects, and there is provided one said mask physically associated with each object.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system defined in claim 13 wherein each said mask is formed having a plurality of coded slot positions adjacent said synchronization slot, said slot positions being selectively slotted so as to develop coded identification marks which are converted into corresponding electrical pulses by said scanning means, and said electronic signal processing circuitry includes means responsive to said identification pulses for relating each said signal output to the particular object associated therewith.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system defined in claim 14, which further includes A. a handler for the objects, said handler
Claim 56
Independent Claim
72 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic densities of a plurality of test objects in relation to the radiographic density of a reference object wherein the test and reference object are irradiated from a radiation source, said system compares in combination: A. a radiopaque mask physically associated with each test object and the reference object and iNterposed therewith in the path of radiation, each said mask associated with a test object and having;
Claim 57
Independent Claim
72 words
A system for evaluating the radiographic densities of a plurality of test objects in relation to the radiographic density of a reference object wherein the test and reference object are irradiated from a radiation source, said system compares in combination: A. a radiopaque mask physically associated with each test object and the reference object and iNterposed therewith in the path of radiation, each said mask associated with a test object and having;
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined in claim 16 where the test objects are continually translated through the radiation path, said mask associated with each test object moving in synchronism therewith.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system defined in claim 16 wherein each said mask is provided with a inspection aperture positioned a finite distance from said synchronization slot, said inspection aperture being aligned with an associated one of the test objects and the radiation source and defining the edges of the radiograph thereof, said synchronization mask being scanned before said test object radiograph during each line scan of said camera.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined in claim 18 wherein the height of said synchronization slot is equal to the height of its associated inspection aperture and is horizontally aligned therewith.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system defined in claim 19 wherein said mask associated with the reference object is provided with a reference aperture aligned with the reference object and the radiation source, and defining the edges of the reference object''s radiograph.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system defined in claim 20 wherein each said mask associated with a test object is provided with a series of uniformly spaced slot positions interposed between said synchronization slot and said inspection aperture, said slot positions being selectively slotted so as to develop corresponding coded marks which are converted into coded pulses by said camera, said signal processing circuitry operating to process said coded pulses to relate said signal outputs to the associated test objects.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system defined in claim 21 wherein said signal processing circuitry includes
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined in claim 22 wherein said signal processing circuitry further includes
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined in claim 23 wherein said signal processing circuitry further includes:
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system defined in claim 24 wherein said comparator performs separate comparative operations for each line scan of said camera.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system defined in claim 25 wherein said signal processing further includes:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |