Patent US4781145A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4277803A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4277803A
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Automatic product checking system
Assignee: Fuji Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1980-05-12
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Granted: 1981-07-07
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Expires: 2000-05-12
Abstract
Abstract The surface condition of a product being checked is determined by viewing the product with a raster-scanned television camera, or its equivalent and, on a horizontal-line-by-horizontal-line basis detecting the number of points in the video envelope which have a zero slope (a derivative of "zero") and, from such information generating a reject signal if the number of points exceeds one.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasukazu Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/60; G06V20/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
The method for checking the surface condition of a product which method includes the following steps: generating a video signal representing at least a portion of the surface of the product; counting the number of zero-slope conditions in said video signal; and, generating a defect signal if the number of such zero-slope conditions exceeds one.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
The method for checking the surface condition of a product which method includes the following steps: generating a video signal representing at least a portion of the surface of the product; counting the number of zero-slope conditions in said video signal; and, generating a defect signal if the number of such zero-slope conditions exceeds one.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said counting of the number of zero-slope conditions is performed at a plurality of predetermined reference levels in said video signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 which includes the additional step of rejecting said product in response to said defect signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method according to claim 1 which includes the additional steps of generating from said video signal an upper threshold signal and a lower threshold signal; detecting each cross-over between said video signal and said upper threshold signal, in a positive direction, and each cross-over between said video signal and said lower threshold signal, in a negative direction; and, generating said defect signal if the number of such cross-over exceeds one.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for detecting surface defects in a product, including: video-signal generating means for generating a video signal representing at least a portion of the surface of said product; detecting means coupled to said video-signal generating means for detecting any zero slope condition in said video signal; counting means coupled to said detecting means for counting the number of zero-slope conditions detected; and, defect-signal generating means coupled to said counting means for generating a defect signal in response to a count of more than one zero-slope condition in said video signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for detecting surface defects in a product, including: video-signal generating means for generating a video signal representing at least a portion of the surface of said product; detecting means coupled to said video-signal generating means for detecting any zero slope condition in said video signal; counting means coupled to said detecting means for counting the number of zero-slope conditions detected; and, defect-signal generating means coupled to said counting means for generating a defect signal in response to a count of more than one zero-slope condition in said video signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said detecting means includes an upper-threshold-signal generating means and a lower-threshold-signal generating means; upper comparison means coupled to said upper-threshold-signal generating means and to said video-signal generating means and responsive to a cross-over between said video-signal and said upper-threshold signal, in a positive direction, to produce an output pulse; lower comparison means coupled to said lower-threshold-signal generating means and to said video-signal generating means and responsive to a cross-over between said video signal and said lower-threshold signal, in a negative direction, to produce an output pulse; and, counting means coupled to said upper and lower comparison means, respectively, and responsive to said output pulses therefrom to produce a defect signal if the number of such output pulses exceeds one.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said detecting means includes a plurality of comparison means each having a reference terminal, a signal input terminal terminal and an output terminal, each reference terminal being set at a predetermined fixed voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said video-signal generating means generates a video raster having horizontal and vertical scanning lines and said apparatus includes, in addition, re-set means for resetting said detecting means after each horizontal scanning line in said video signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes, in addition, product rejection means coupled to said defect-signal generating means and responsive to a defect signal therefrom to reject said product.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said re-set means is coupled to said video signal generating means and is responsive to horizontal fly-back pulses therefrom to re-set said detecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3922093A
Cited
US4139306A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-06 | 1985-01-05 | 1985-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-06 | 1989-01-05 | 1989-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-06 | 1993-01-05 | 1993-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |