US3717847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for tracing the contour of a pattern
Assignee: Iwatsu Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-05-28
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1990-05-28
Abstract
Abstract The tone of a point on a drawing is read out by a detector and the output of the detector is used to perform a judgment regarding the tracing of the pattern contour. The detector is moved to a predetermined point on a drawing in accordance with the result of judgment which is made by referring to the direction of previous tracing operation.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kakuta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K11/00; G06K11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
The method of automatically tracing the contour of a pattern imprinted on a surface having a background which is distinguishable from said pattern by a predetermined change in tone, said method comprising the steps of: performing a round scanning operation along the periphery of an elemental area on said surface such that a loop-shaped path is scanned about said elemental area, said scanning including sampling successive spots along said periphery to detect a plurality of predetermined changes in tone from spot to spot; storing digital code information in response to each detected change in tone, said code identifying the location on said periphery of said predetermined change in tone; Moving said round scanning operation over the surface containing said pattern by a predetermined distance to scan an adjacent elemental area and in a selected one of a set of predetermined directions; storing a selected code corresponding to the direction of motion of each said movement of said scanning operation; repeating alternately said performing said round scanning operation and said moving said scanning operation said predetermined distance; and selecting after each scanning operation the one direction of said set for moving said scanning operation which corresponds to the detected and stored code location on said periphery which is closest to the last previous stored selected code direction of motion for tracing said contour.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
The method of automatically tracing the contour of a pattern imprinted on a surface having a background which is distinguishable from said pattern by a predetermined change in tone, said method comprising the steps of: performing a round scanning operation along the periphery of an elemental area on said surface such that a loop-shaped path is scanned about said elemental area, said scanning including sampling successive spots along said periphery to detect a plurality of predetermined changes in tone from spot to spot; storing digital code information in response to each detected change in tone, said code identifying the location on said periphery of said predetermined change in tone; Moving said round scanning operation over the surface containing said pattern by a predetermined distance to scan an adjacent elemental area and in a selected one of a set of predetermined directions; storing a selected code corresponding to the direction of motion of each said movement of said scanning operation; repeating alternately said performing said round scanning operation and said moving said scanning operation said predetermined distance; and selecting after each scanning operation the one direction of said set for moving said scanning operation which corresponds to the detected and stored code location on said periphery which is closest to the last previous stored selected code direction of motion for tracing said contour.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |