Patent US3767408A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3872243A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3872243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for checking measurements made in image analysis systems
Assignee: Image Analysing Computers Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-04-28
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are described for performing tests on the results obtained by an image analysis system set to analyse features in a field. An analysis comprises the steps of scanning the field, generating a video signal, detecting the amplitude excursion of the latter and making measurements on the detected signal pulses e.g., to give a signal indicative of the total area of detected features. The first test involves the insertion of a check field and the comparison of certain measured value signals obtained from scanning the check field, with known tone-value-signals for the check field. A second test involves comparing a measured value signal of each field scan forming part of a complete analysis with at least one reference voltage, defining a range and generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range. A third test involves comparing a measured value signal obtained from the results of all the field scans forming a complete analysis, with at least one reference voltage defining a range and generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Richard Soames
- 👤 William Ralph Knowles
- 👤 Donald William Braggins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of checking measurement made by an image analysis system performing a sequence of tests on similar fields, wherein each test includes scanning an image of a field, generating a video signal from the scanning, detecting the video signal amplitude excursions to produce detected signal pulses, making measurement on the detected signal pulses, comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting a check field, scanning an image of the check field to produce a video signal thereof, making measurements on the detected signal pulses resulting from the check field content, and comparing the results obtained from the measurements made on the detected signal pulses for the check field with values obtained for the latter when the system is known to be operating correctly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of checking measurement made by an image analysis system performing a sequence of tests on similar fields, wherein each test includes scanning an image of a field, generating a video signal from the scanning, detecting the video signal amplitude excursions to produce detected signal pulses, making measurement on the detected signal pulses, comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting a check field, scanning an image of the check field to produce a video signal thereof, making measurements on the detected signal pulses resulting from the check field content, and comparing the results obtained from the measurements made on the detected signal pulses for the check field with values obtained for the latter when the system is known to be operating correctly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the check field is inserted at the end of the sequence of tests.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a warning signal is generated if the measurements on the check field differ from those made when the equipment is operating correctly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the generation of a warning signal causes the results of at least the last test to be identified as erroneous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 in which the generation of a warning signal causes the results of at least the last test to be inhibited.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of checking a measured value signal obtained by scanning the image of each of a succession of fields, generating a video signal from the scanning, detecting the amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses to produce said measured value signal comprising, in combination, the steps of: generating a reference signal representing at least an upper limit defining a range, comparing the measured value signal at the end of each nth field scan with the reference signal, and generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of checking a measured value signal obtained by scanning the image of each of a succession of fields, generating a video signal from the scanning, detecting the amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses to produce said measured value signal comprising, in combination, the steps of: generating a reference signal representing at least an upper limit defining a range, comparing the measured value signal at the end of each nth field scan with the reference signal, and generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the range is defined by a second reference signal defining a lower finite limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the value of n is unity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one other measured value signal is obtained by making further measurements on the detected signal pulses and each measured value signal is compared with a signal representing at least an upper limit defining a range therefor, and the warning signal is generated if any one of the measured value signals lies outside its respective range.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of checking a measured value signal obtained during an analysis performed by scanning the image of each of a succession of different fields all derived from a single specimen, generating a video signal from the scanning of each field, detecting the amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses, comprising, in combinatioon, the steps of: generating two reference signals representing the upper and lower limits of a range, comparing the measured value signal from the analysis with the reference signals, and generating a warning signal if the measured value lies outside the range.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of checking a measured value signal obtained during an analysis performed by scanning the image of each of a succession of different fields all derived from a single specimen, generating a video signal from the scanning of each field, detecting the amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses, comprising, in combinatioon, the steps of: generating two reference signals representing the upper and lower limits of a range, comparing the measured value signal from the analysis with the reference signals, and generating a warning signal if the measured value lies outside the range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the reference signals are adjustable in value to alter the range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein a warning signal serves to operate a specimen selection-rejection device to reject the specimen just analysed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the signals defining a range are adjustable.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for checking measurements made by an image analysis system which performs a sequence of tests on similar fields, said apparatus comprising: means for scanning the image of a field, means for generating a video signal from said scanning, means for detecting any video signal amplitude excursions to produce detected video signal pulses, means for making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to said video signal amplitude excursions, said means for making measurements including; means for inserting a check field, means for forming an image thereof, means for scanning the image of the check field to produce a video signal thereof, means for detecting any video signal amplitude excursions from said video signal produced by scanning said check field to produce detected signal pulses, means for making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to said video signal amplitude excursions resulting from the check field content, and means for comparing the results obtained from the measurements made on the detected signal pulses for the check field with values obtained for the latter when the system is known to be operating correctly.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for checking measurements made by an image analysis system which performs a sequence of tests on similar fields, said apparatus comprising: means for scanning the image of a field, means for generating a video signal from said scanning, means for detecting any video signal amplitude excursions to produce detected video signal pulses, means for making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to said video signal amplitude excursions, said means for making measurements including; means for inserting a check field, means for forming an image thereof, means for scanning the image of the check field to produce a video signal thereof, means for detecting any video signal amplitude excursions from said video signal produced by scanning said check field to produce detected signal pulses, means for making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to said video signal amplitude excursions resulting from the check field content, and means for comparing the results obtained from the measurements made on the detected signal pulses for the check field with values obtained for the latter when the system is known to be operating correctly.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for checking a measured value signal comprising: means for scanning the image of each of a succession of fields, means for generating a video signal from said scanning, means for detecting any amplitude excursions of said video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and means for making measurements on said detected signal pulses corresponding to said amplitude excursions of said video signal, said means for making measurements including; means for generating a reference signal representing at least an upper limit defining a range, means for comparing said measured value signal at the end of each nth field scan with the reference signal, and means for generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for checking a measured value signal comprising: means for scanning the image of each of a succession of fields, means for generating a video signal from said scanning, means for detecting any amplitude excursions of said video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and means for making measurements on said detected signal pulses corresponding to said amplitude excursions of said video signal, said means for making measurements including; means for generating a reference signal representing at least an upper limit defining a range, means for comparing said measured value signal at the end of each nth field scan with the reference signal, and means for generating a warning signal if the measured value signal lies outside the range.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for checking a measured value signal obtained during an analysis performed by scanning the image of each of a succession of different fields all derived from a single specimen, generating a video signal from the scanning of each field, detecting any amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to the amplitude excursions of the video signal, comprising: means for generating two reference signals representing the upper and lower limits of a range, means for comparing the measured value signal from the analysis with the reference signals, and means for generating a warning signal if the measured value lies outside the range.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for checking a measured value signal obtained during an analysis performed by scanning the image of each of a succession of different fields all derived from a single specimen, generating a video signal from the scanning of each field, detecting any amplitude excursions of the video signal to produce detected signal pulses, and making measurements on the detected signal pulses corresponding to the amplitude excursions of the video signal, comprising: means for generating two reference signals representing the upper and lower limits of a range, means for comparing the measured value signal from the analysis with the reference signals, and means for generating a warning signal if the measured value lies outside the range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3081379A
Cited
US3056032A
Cited
US3049588A
Cited
US3216311A
Cited
US3389789A
Cited
US3674926A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |