US4491868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video image compensator for inspection apparatus
Assignee: Pressco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-06
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2001-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A video image compensator for inspection apparatus is presented for utilization in a system of the type in which an image of a workpiece is digitized and compared against stored data representing a workpiece of known acceptable quality. The invention compensates for instability, drift, and distortion inherently present in vidicons by providing a test pattern for periodic viewing by the vidicon, and providing therefrom data from which scale factors and image shift data can be generated. Subsequent live images of workpieces can then be scaled and shifted prior to correlation with the stored reference to compensate for instability, drift, and distortion of the vidicon. A mirror is used to alternately direct the field of view of the vidicon to either the test pattern or the workpiece target. In one embodiment, the mirror is made selectively transparent to allow the workpiece to be viewed, while in an alternate embodiment, the mirror is physically deflected from the vidicon's field of view.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence F. Berridge, Jr.
- 👤 Amir R. Novini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An optical inspection system including video image compensation, comprising: a camera having a field of view and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; a target to be inspected; a test piece for achieving horizontal and vertical alignment of said output signal of said camera, and for achieving scaling of said output signal of said camera as to both geometric and gray scale values; means interposed among said target, test piece, and camera for selectively directing said field of view of said camera from said target to said test piece; processing means for digitizing, shifting, and scaling said output signal corresponding to said target as a function of said output signal corresponding to said test piece; and storage means connected to said processing means for receiving therefrom and storing said output signal corresponding to said target, digitized, shifted, and scaled as a function of said output signal corresponding to said test piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An optical inspection system including video image compensation, comprising: a camera having a field of view and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; a target to be inspected; a test piece for achieving horizontal and vertical alignment of said output signal of said camera, and for achieving scaling of said output signal of said camera as to both geometric and gray scale values; means interposed among said target, test piece, and camera for selectively directing said field of view of said camera from said target to said test piece; processing means for digitizing, shifting, and scaling said output signal corresponding to said target as a function of said output signal corresponding to said test piece; and storage means connected to said processing means for receiving therefrom and storing said output signal corresponding to said target, digitized, shifted, and scaled as a function of said output signal corresponding to said test piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a reflective surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 2 wherein said reflective surface comprises a mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 3 wherein said mirror is selectively transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 3 which further includes means connected to said mirror for selectively moving said mirror into and out of said field of view of said camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The inspection apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said reflective surface is maintained before said camera at an angle of obliquity thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inspection apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said reflective surface is pivotally maintained before said camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The inspection apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said reflective surface comprises a selectively transparent mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 1 wherein said means for achieving a horizontal and vertical alignment comprises a reticle, and wherein said means for scaling comprises an array of spaced-apart areas of varying geometric sizes and gray level shades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The optical inspection system according to claim 1 wherein said means for selectively directing said field of view comprises a selectively transparent mirror obliquely interposed between said target and said test piece, a first lamp in juxtaposition to said target, and a second lamp in juxtaposition to said test piece, said first and second lamps being mutually exclusively illuminated.
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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) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |