US4593406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic image acquisition processor and method
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1984-01-16
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Granted: 1986-06-03
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Expires: 2004-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A computerized method and point location system apparatus is disclosed for ascertaining the center of a primitive or fundamental object whose shape and approximate location are known. The technique involves obtaining an image of the object, selecting a trial center, and generating a locus of points having a predetermined relationship with the center. Such a locus of points could include a circle. The number of points overlying the object in each quadrant is obtained and the counts of these points per quadrant are compared. From this comparison, error signals are provided to adjust the relative location of the trial center. This is repeated until the trial center overlies the geometric center within the predefined accuracy limits.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/60; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An automatic method for determining the geometric center of an element having a known peripheral shape of double symmetry comprising: selecting a trial center of an image of said element and defining a plurality of sectors radiating from said trial center and ecompassing all of at least a preselected portion of said element image; determining which ones of a locus of points overlie said image, said locus of points consisting of a number of spaced points along a line running through all of said sectors and having a predetermined relationship to said trial center; comparing the number of points that overlie said image in each sector with the number of points overlying said image in each of the other sectors; ascertaining whether said comparison is the same as a predefined comparison that exists when the trial center is the geometric center of said element; and if said comparison does not equal said predefined comparison, relatively moving said trial center with respect to said geometric center and repeating said selecting, determining, comparing and ascertaining steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An automatic method for determining the geometric center of an element having a known peripheral shape of double symmetry comprising: selecting a trial center of an image of said element and defining a plurality of sectors radiating from said trial center and ecompassing all of at least a preselected portion of said element image; determining which ones of a locus of points overlie said image, said locus of points consisting of a number of spaced points along a line running through all of said sectors and having a predetermined relationship to said trial center; comparing the number of points that overlie said image in each sector with the number of points overlying said image in each of the other sectors; ascertaining whether said comparison is the same as a predefined comparison that exists when the trial center is the geometric center of said element; and if said comparison does not equal said predefined comparison, relatively moving said trial center with respect to said geometric center and repeating said selecting, determining, comparing and ascertaining steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locus of points is centered on and symmetrical about said trial center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said element is moved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said image is moved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 and further including calculating rotational and translational movements required for relatively moving said trial center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 and further including transforming said calculated movements into the coordinate system encompassing said element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said locus of points define a circle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein four sectors are utilized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein four sectors are utilized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic method for centering an element having a known shape of double symmetry comprising: obtaining an image of at least a preselected portion of the element including the center thereof; selecting a trial center and defining a plurality of sectors radiating from the trial center and encompassing all of said preselected image portion; digitizing said preselected image portion into a matrix of points; analyzing the digitized image along a line of spaced points having a predetermined relationship to said trial center to determine the number of said points that overlie said image in each of said predefined sectors; determining if the number of said points per sector are unequal; and if so, relatively moving said trial center with respect to the element center and repeating the foregoing analyzing and determining steps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic method for centering an element having a known shape of double symmetry comprising: obtaining an image of at least a preselected portion of the element including the center thereof; selecting a trial center and defining a plurality of sectors radiating from the trial center and encompassing all of said preselected image portion; digitizing said preselected image portion into a matrix of points; analyzing the digitized image along a line of spaced points having a predetermined relationship to said trial center to determine the number of said points that overlie said image in each of said predefined sectors; determining if the number of said points per sector are unequal; and if so, relatively moving said trial center with respect to the element center and repeating the foregoing analyzing and determining steps.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said analyzing step comprises assigning a first value to each point if said point overlies said image and a second value if said point does not overlie said image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for automatically determining the geometric center of an element having a known peripheral shape of double symmetry comprising: means for obtaining a visual image of a selectable, predetermined portion of the element; means for selecting a trial center of said visual image and for defining a plurality of sectors radiating from said trial center; means for defining a line of spaced points running through said plurality of sectors and having a predetermined relationship to said trial center; means for determining the number of said points overlying said image; means for comparing the number of said overlying points in one sector with the number in each of the other sectors; and means for moving at least one of said element and said image obtaining means relative to the other in response to said comparison.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for automatically determining the geometric center of an element having a known peripheral shape of double symmetry comprising: means for obtaining a visual image of a selectable, predetermined portion of the element; means for selecting a trial center of said visual image and for defining a plurality of sectors radiating from said trial center; means for defining a line of spaced points running through said plurality of sectors and having a predetermined relationship to said trial center; means for determining the number of said points overlying said image; means for comparing the number of said overlying points in one sector with the number in each of the other sectors; and means for moving at least one of said element and said image obtaining means relative to the other in response to said comparison.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said obtaining means includes a television camera, said apparatus further comprising monitor means for displaying the visual image as a matrix of pixels, each pixel corresponding to a point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said obtaining means further includes a microscope and an optical image moving means for optically coupling said microscope and said television camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said comparing means includes means for causing said moving means to reposition at least one of the elements and said image obtaining means in response to said comparison; and wherein said moving means includes a means for supporting said microscope, said optical image moving means, and said camera, and includes a servocontrol means under control of said causing means for moving said supporting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said moving means further includes a further means for supporting said element and a servocontrol means under control of said causing means for moving said further supporting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said comparing means comprises a programmed general purpose digital computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-02 | 1989-12-02 | 1990-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-02 | 1993-12-02 | 1994-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-02 | 1997-12-02 | 1998-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |