US4923066A — Small arms ammunition inspection system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 263 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for maintaining cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate in a static orientation when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for direction light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said head area to at least one area CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said head area, and wherein said system also comprises a removable color filter between said illumination means and said head area and wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect the presence of a complete waterproofing/varnish ring around the primer cap in said set of characteristics, said detection operation comprising subtraction of said video signals produced when said color filter is not present.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 263 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for maintaining cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate in a static orientation when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for direction light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said head area to at least one area CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said head area, and wherein said system also comprises a removable color filter between said illumination means and said head area and wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect the presence of a complete waterproofing/varnish ring around the primer cap in said set of characteristics, said detection operation comprising subtraction of said video signals produced when said color filter is not present.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said interface means comprises at least one interface magazine for feeding cartridges vertically from a cartridge supply source and having a longitudinal zig-zag construction defining internal walls against which cartridges move from the top to the bottom with reduced potential energy.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 2 wherein said interface means comprises a plurality of interface magazines for feeding cartridges from a plurality of cartridge supply sources.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 2 wherein said interface magazine is adjustable for different size cartridges.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 2 wherein said interface magazine further comprises optical sensors supplying signals used in a min-max level control operation of magazine capacity to provide continuous feeding.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises a circular slotted handling plate arranged for indexed rotation between a plurality of feeding, imaging and ejection stations.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 6 wherein system functions are provided by position-driven asynchronous control with respect to said handling plate indexed rotation.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said conveying means further comprises means for dynamically rotating cartridges in individual slots of said handling plate when said imaging means is operated.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 234 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for maintaining cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate in a static orientation when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for detecting light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said head area to at least one area CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said head area; and wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect flaws in the primer cap area.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 234 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for maintaining cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate in a static orientation when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for detecting light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing light from said illumination means to the head area of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said head area to at least one area CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said head area; and wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect flaws in the primer cap area.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 208 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provided output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for dynamically rotating cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for directing reflected light from said illumination means to at least one of head and side areas of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said at least one cartridge area to at least one line CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said at least one cartridge area.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 208 words

A small arms ammunition inspection system for cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said system comprising: interface means for receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; conveying means for locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; means for imaging surface areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and means for processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provided output signals in accordance therewith, said conveying means being operated to sort each of said inspected cartridges in accordance with said output signals, said conveying means further comprising means for dynamically rotating cartridges in individual slots of a handling plate when said imaging means is operated, and wherein said imaging means comprises an optical system comprising: at least one illumination means; means for directing reflected light from said illumination means to at least one of head and side areas of said cartridge; and means for directing reflected light from said at least one cartridge area to at least one line CCD camera for producing video signals in accordance with surface features of said at least one cartridge area.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 10 wherein said reflected light directing means provides said reflected light in an off-specular fashion from said head area.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect the presence of visual surface flaws in the cartridge in said set of characteristics.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 10 wherein said reflected light direction means provides said reflected light in an off-specular fashion from said side area.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 13 wherein said video surface feature data processing means is operated to detect the presence of visual surface flaws in the cartridge in said set of characteristics.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 77 words

The system of claim 14 wherein a fine segmentation portion of said visual surface flaw detection operation is provided by means for processing low and high level computation algorithms which identify line-like surface flaws, said low level computation algorithm providing major data reduction in said video signals, said high level computation algorithm utilizing the results of said low level computation algorithm to provide said output signals for use by said conveying means in providing said sorting operation.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 14 wherein a coarse segmentation portion of said visual surface flaw detection operation is provided by means for processing a computation algorithm which identifies blob-like surface flaws to provide said output signals for use by said conveying means in providing said sorting operation.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a fine segmentation portion of said processing step comprises a low level computation comprising the steps of: preprocessing said video signals in a low pass filtering operation using weighted coefficients to reduce local textural variations and provide a smoothed image; providing an edged image based on a convolution operation of said smoothed image; thresholding said edged image based on a collinearity operation to produce a new edged image; and thinning said new edged image based on an iterative operation applying morphological rules.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a fine segmentation portion of said processing step comprises a low level computation comprising the steps of: preprocessing said video signals in a low pass filtering operation using weighted coefficients to reduce local textural variations and provide a smoothed image; providing an edged image based on a convolution operation of said smoothed image; thresholding said edged image based on a collinearity operation to produce a new edged image; and thinning said new edged image based on an iterative operation applying morphological rules.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 17 wherein said receiving step comprises the steps of feeding cartridges vertically from a cartridge supply source having a longitudinal zig-zag construction defining internal walls against which cartridges move from the top to the bottom with reduced potential energy.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said receiving step further comprises optical sensing supplying a min-max level control operation of magazine capacity for continuous feeding.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 19 wherein said locating step comprises indexed rotation of a slotted handling plate between a plurality of feeding, imaging and ejection stations.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 20 wherein system functions are provided by position-driven asynchronous control with respect to said handling plate indexed rotation.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 169 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges, and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a fine segmentation portion of said processing step comprises a high level computation comprising the steps of: thresholding an edged image based on a collinearity operation to produce a new edged image; linking said new edged image based on a rebuilding and combining operation of line segments therein; thresholding said line segments to extract features therefrom; and combining like features in a classification operation.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 169 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges, and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith; and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a fine segmentation portion of said processing step comprises a high level computation comprising the steps of: thresholding an edged image based on a collinearity operation to produce a new edged image; linking said new edged image based on a rebuilding and combining operation of line segments therein; thresholding said line segments to extract features therefrom; and combining like features in a classification operation.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 193 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith, and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a coarse segmentation portion of said processing step comprises the steps of: extracting features from a set of pixel values associated with said video surface feature data, said features comprising edge gradients, edge gradient densities, and mean gray level values; calculating a strength factor associated with said features based on a probabalistic technique and adjusting said image in accordance therewith; linking said adjusted image based on rebuilding and combining operation of shapes therein; thresholding said shapes to extract features therefrom; and combining like features in a classification operation.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 193 words

A method of inspecting small arms ammunition such as cartridges, cases, bullets and the like, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a supply of ammunition cartridges and providing each cartridge with a predetermined orientation; locating each of the cartridges for inspection in at least one imaging station; imaging selected areas of each cartridge in said imaging station to provide video surface feature data associated therewith, and processing said video surface feature data to detect the presence of a predetermined set of characteristics and provide output signals in accordance therewith, each of said inspected cartridges being sorted in accordance with said output signals, and wherein a coarse segmentation portion of said processing step comprises the steps of: extracting features from a set of pixel values associated with said video surface feature data, said features comprising edge gradients, edge gradient densities, and mean gray level values; calculating a strength factor associated with said features based on a probabalistic technique and adjusting said image in accordance therewith; linking said adjusted image based on rebuilding and combining operation of shapes therein; thresholding said shapes to extract features therefrom; and combining like features in a classification operation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-05-07	1993-11-06	1994-05-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-05-07	1997-11-06	1998-05-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-05-07	2001-11-06	2002-05-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Small arms ammunition inspection system

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