Patent EP0013326A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4434981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4476489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microfinish measurement apparatus and technique
Assignee: Pressco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1982-05-20
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2002-05-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and technique for measuring microfinishes of workpieces at on-line speeds. A digitized image of a finished surface of a workpiece is generated. Under microprocessor control, a distribution of the digitized values is obtained. This distribution is compared against pre-stored distributions of known surface finishes to determine the type of finish of the workpiece and/or the acceptability of the finish. The comparison is obtained using curve matching techniques and by comparison of mean gray level values.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary P. Weltlich
- 👤 Gary G. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/95; G01N21/956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for determining the finish of the surface of a workpiece, comprising: a source of illumination; means for passing the workpiece into proximity with said source of illumination; means for generating a digitized image of the workpiece and storing digitized pixels of said image; storage means for maintaining data corresponding to various preselected surface finishes; and means for comparing said digitized pixels with said data and determining from such comparison the finish of the surface of the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for determining the finish of the surface of a workpiece, comprising: a source of illumination; means for passing the workpiece into proximity with said source of illumination; means for generating a digitized image of the workpiece and storing digitized pixels of said image; storage means for maintaining data corresponding to various preselected surface finishes; and means for comparing said digitized pixels with said data and determining from such comparison the finish of the surface of the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for generating a digitized image comprises a camera and wherein said camera receives light reflected from the surface of the workpiece from said source of illumination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 which further includes means for tallying the distribution of said digitized pixels as to the gray level of each said pixel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said data is stored as a distribution of gray level values of said preselected surface finishes and wherein said means for comparing compares said distribution of said digitized pixels with said distribution of gray level values of said preselected surface finishes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 which further includes means for determining the mean value of said gray levels of said digitized pixels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said data is stored as to the mean gray level value of said preselected surface finishes and wherein said means for comparing compares said mean value of said gray levels of said digitized pixels with said mean gray level values of said preselected surface finishes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of determining the acceptability of the finish of a workpiece comprising: illuminating said workpiece; generating a digitized image of a surface of said workpiece by digitizing pixels comprising said image; tabulating the number of pixels of each gray level within said digitized image; and comparing said tabulation with preset values obtained from surfaces of known finishes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of determining the acceptability of the finish of a workpiece comprising: illuminating said workpiece; generating a digitized image of a surface of said workpiece by digitizing pixels comprising said image; tabulating the number of pixels of each gray level within said digitized image; and comparing said tabulation with preset values obtained from surfaces of known finishes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 which further includes the step of determining a mean gray level value of said tabulation of pixels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of comparing comprises a comparison of said mean gray level value to a known mean value obtained from said surfaces of known finishes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 in which said step of comparing comprises a curve matching operation.
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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) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |