US4103177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface quality analysis
Assignee: Applied Automation Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-01
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Granted: 1978-07-25
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Expires: 1995-12-01
Abstract
Abstract Analysis of the reflectance characteristics of a surface such as a sample of knitted fabric utilizes one or more photosensitive detector means to scan the surface and to automatically produce at least one surface quality signal in response to the reflective characteristics of the surface. In preferred embodiments of the invention a modulated light source is used to illuminate the surface in order to minimize the effect of ambient lighting conditions, and a plurality of detector means are used to obtain a more accurate representation of the quality of the surface being scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Sanford
- 👤 Edwin K. Clardy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/89; G01N21/892; G01N21/898; G01N21/8983
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
Apparatus comprising: light source means for illuminating at least a portion of a surface; detector assembly means for directing reflected light from said surface to a plurality of detector means for producing a plurality of reflectance signals responsive to the reflected light impinging thereon, said detector means being located within said detector assembly means, said detector assembly means being supported in a fixed position relative to said light source means; drive means for effecting relative motion between said detector assembly means and said surface to provide scanning of said surface by said detector means; and means for generating, in response to said plurality of reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal responsive to the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein said detector assembly means comprises a lens and wherein the operative surface of each said detector means is located at the focal plane of said lens, said plurality of detector means being positioned in a preselected array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; wherein said preselected locations comprise a substantially straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the direction of relative motion between the detector assembly means and said surface during scanning of said surface; wherein there are two said detector means and wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal comprises: differentiating means associated with each said detector means for differentiating each said reflectance signal to produce a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and discriminator means for generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
Apparatus comprising: light source means for illuminating at least a portion of a surface; detector assembly means for directing reflected light from said surface to a plurality of detector means for producing a plurality of reflectance signals responsive to the reflected light impinging thereon, said detector means being located within said detector assembly means, said detector assembly means being supported in a fixed position relative to said light source means; drive means for effecting relative motion between said detector assembly means and said surface to provide scanning of said surface by said detector means; and means for generating, in response to said plurality of reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal responsive to the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein said detector assembly means comprises a lens and wherein the operative surface of each said detector means is located at the focal plane of said lens, said plurality of detector means being positioned in a preselected array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; wherein said preselected locations comprise a substantially straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the direction of relative motion between the detector assembly means and said surface during scanning of said surface; wherein there are two said detector means and wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal comprises: differentiating means associated with each said detector means for differentiating each said reflectance signal to produce a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and discriminator means for generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said discriminatory signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises first bias rectifier means for generating a weighted discriminatory signal representative of the amount by which said discriminatory signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said weighted discriminatory signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for generating said at least surface quality signal additionally comprises full ware rectifier means associated with each said differentiating amplifier means for generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of each said differential signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises adding means for generating a summed signal representative of the sum of said absolute value signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said summed signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises bias rectifier means for generating a weighted summed signal representative of the amount by which said summed signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said weighted summed signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus comprising: light source means for illuminating at least a portion of a surface; detector assembly means for directing reflected light from said surface to a plurality of detector means for producing a plurality of reflectance signals responsive to the reflected light impinging thereon, said detector means being located within said detector assembly means, said detector assembly means being supported in a fixed position relative to said light source means; drive means for effecting relative motion between said detector assembly means and said surface to provide scanning of said surface by said detector means; and means for generating, in response to said plurality of reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal responsive to the reflective characteristics of said surface; said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal comprises: differentiating means associated with each said detector means for differentiating each said reflectance signal to produce a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and full wave rectifier means associated with each said differentiating means for generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of each said differential signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus comprising: light source means for illuminating at least a portion of a surface; detector assembly means for directing reflected light from said surface to a plurality of detector means for producing a plurality of reflectance signals responsive to the reflected light impinging thereon, said detector means being located within said detector assembly means, said detector assembly means being supported in a fixed position relative to said light source means; drive means for effecting relative motion between said detector assembly means and said surface to provide scanning of said surface by said detector means; and means for generating, in response to said plurality of reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal responsive to the reflective characteristics of said surface; said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal comprises: differentiating means associated with each said detector means for differentiating each said reflectance signal to produce a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and full wave rectifier means associated with each said differentiating means for generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of each said differential signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises adding means for generating a summed signal representative of the sum of said absolute value signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said summed signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for generating said at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises bias rectifier means for generating a weighted summed signal representative of the amount by which said summed signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means for generating at least one surface quality signal additionally comprises integrating means for integrating said weighted summed signal over the period of time during which scanning of said surface is being accomplished.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detecting reflection from said surface with at least one detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of at least one said differential signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detecting reflection from said surface with at least one detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of at least one said differential signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted absolute value signal representative of the amount by which said absolute value signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated weighted absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said surface is scanned by a plurality of said detector means and wherein generating said surface quality signal further comprises: generating a total absolute value signal representative of the sum of the thus-generated absolute value signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said total absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated total absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated total absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted total absolute value signal representative of the amount by which said total absolute value signal exceeds a preselected constant signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted total absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted total absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated weighted total absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 15 additionally comprising positioning a plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 comprising positioning two detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; positioning a plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; detecting reflection from said surface with said plurality of detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smallest of said differential signals having a like polarity when at least a preselected majority of said differential signals are of said like polarity, and which is equal to zero when less than a preselected majority of said differential signals are of like polarity.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; positioning a plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; detecting reflection from said surface with said plurality of detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smallest of said differential signals having a like polarity when at least a preselected majority of said differential signals are of said like polarity, and which is equal to zero when less than a preselected majority of said differential signals are of like polarity.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted discriminatory signal representative of the amount by which said discriminatory signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated weighted discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface with said two detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface with said two detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted discriminatory signal representative of the amount by which said discriminatory signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 35 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated weighted discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface with said two detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating a first signal representative of the sum of said differential signals; generating a second signal representative of the difference between said differential signals; generating a third signal representative of the absolute value of said first signal; generating a fourth signal representative of the absolute value of said second signal; generating a fifth signal representative of the difference between said third signal and said fourth signal; and generating a sixth signal which is of proportional magnitude to said fifth signal when the magnitude of said third signal exceeds the magnitude of said fourth signal and which is equal to zero when the magnitude of said fourth signal exceeds the magnitude of said third signal.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface with a modulated light source; detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface with said two detector means by scanning said surface to generate a detector signal associated with each said detector means; demodulating each said detector signal to produce a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to at least one said reflectance signal, a surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating a first signal representative of the sum of said differential signals; generating a second signal representative of the difference between said differential signals; generating a third signal representative of the absolute value of said first signal; generating a fourth signal representative of the absolute value of said second signal; generating a fifth signal representative of the difference between said third signal and said fourth signal; and generating a sixth signal which is of proportional magnitude to said fifth signal when the magnitude of said third signal exceeds the magnitude of said fourth signal and which is equal to zero when the magnitude of said fourth signal exceeds the magnitude of said third signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said sixth signal signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce a seventh signal; and dividing said seventh signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 37 additionally comprising generating a weighted signal representative of the amount by which said sixth signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted signal; and dividing said integrated weighted signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with a plurality of detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of each said differential signal; and generating a total absolute value signal representative of the sum of the thus-generated absolute value signals.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with a plurality of detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating an absolute value signal representative of the absolute value of each said differential signal; and generating a total absolute value signal representative of the sum of the thus-generated absolute value signals.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method in accordance with claim 41 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said total absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated total absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated total absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 41 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted total absolute value signal representative of the amount by which said total absolute value signal exceeds a preselected constant signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted total absolute value signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted total absolute value signal; and dividing said integrated weighted total absolute value signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 41 additionally comprising positioning said plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning said plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said plurality of detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smallest of said differential signals having a like polarity when at least a preselected majority of said differential signals are of said like polarity, and which is equal to zero when less than a preselected majority of said differential signals are of like polarity.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning said plurality of detector means in a detector array to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from a plurality of preselected locations past which relative movement of said surface is accomplished during scanning of said surface; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said plurality of detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smallest of said differential signals having a like polarity when at least a preselected majority of said differential signals are of said like polarity, and which is equal to zero when less than a preselected majority of said differential signals are of like polarity.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 48 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted discriminatory signal representative of the amount by which said discriminatory signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 50 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 50 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated weighted discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 52 wherein said preselected locations comprise a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning two detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said two detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning two detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said two detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; and generating, in response to said differential signals, a discriminatory signal which is proportional to the magnitude of the smaller of said differential signals when said differential signals are of the same polarity and which is equal to zero when said differential signals are of opposite polarity.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 54 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 54 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises generating a weighted discriminatory signal representative of the amount by which said discriminatory signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted discriminatory signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted discriminatory signal; and dividing said integrated weighted discriminatory signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning two detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said two detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating a first signal representative of the sum of said differential signals; generating a second signal representative of the difference between said differential signals; generating a third signal representative of the absolute value of said first signal; generating a fourth signal representative of the absolute value of said second signal; generating a fifth signal representative of the difference between said third signal and said fourth signal; and generating a sixth signal which is of proportional magnitude to said fifth signal when the magnitude of said third signal exceeds the magnitude of said fourth signal and which is equal to zero when the magnitude of said fourth signal exceeds the magnitude of said third signal.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for analyzing the quality of a surface, said method comprising the steps of: illuminating said surface; positioning two detector means to provide substantially simultaneous detection of reflected light from two locations, said two locations defining a generally straight line positioned generally perpendicular to the scanning direction; detecting reflection from said surface by scanning said surface with said two detector means to generate a reflectance signal associated with each said detector means; and generating, in response to two or more of said reflectance signals, at least one surface quality signal representative of the reflective characteristics of said surface; wherein generating said surface quality signal comprises: differentiating each said reflectance signal to obtain a differential signal representative of the rate of change of its associated reflectance signal; generating a first signal representative of the sum of said differential signals; generating a second signal representative of the difference between said differential signals; generating a third signal representative of the absolute value of said first signal; generating a fourth signal representative of the absolute value of said second signal; generating a fifth signal representative of the difference between said third signal and said fourth signal; and generating a sixth signal which is of proportional magnitude to said fifth signal when the magnitude of said third signal exceeds the magnitude of said fourth signal and which is equal to zero when the magnitude of said fourth signal exceeds the magnitude of said third signal.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method in accordance with claim 58 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said sixth signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce a seventh signal; and dividing said seventh signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 58 additionally comprising generating a weighted signal representative of the amount by which said sixth signal exceeds a preselected constant bias signal.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 60 wherein generating said surface quality signal additionally comprises: integrating said weighted signal over the period of time during which said surface is being scanned to produce an integrated weighted signal; and dividing said integrated weighted signal by a signal representative of the length of scanning time to produce a surface quality signal.
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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) | 1981-07-24 | 1982-01-23 | 1982-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-24 | 1986-01-23 | 1986-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-24 | 1990-01-23 | 1990-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |