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US5231678A
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Configuration recognition system calculating a three-dimensional distance to an object by detecting cross points projected on the object
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1992-02-10
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2012-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A 3-dimensional configuration recognition system comprising: a means for projecting a checker pattern onto a surface of a solid object; a means for thinning said checker pattern and for generating a thinned checker pattern; a means for extracting cross points of said thinned checker pattern; a couple of means for detecting 2-dimensional coordinate of said cross points; and a means for calculating 3-dimensional coordinate of said cross points from said 2-dimensional coordinate and positions of said couple of means.
Inventors
- 👤 Sunao Takatori
- 👤 Ryohei Kumagai
- 👤 Koji Matsumoto
- 👤 Makoto Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/25; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/50; G06T7/521; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A 3-dimensional configuration recognition system comprising: a means for projecting a checker pattern having branch points onto a surface of a solid object; means for converting said checker pattern into a processed form; a means for performing a thinning operation on said processed from checker pattern and for generating a thinned checker pattern; a means for extracting branch points of said thinned checker pattern; at least two means, at different respective and separated positions, each for detecting separate 2-dimensional coordinates of said branch points, each said means including: a) means for scanning a current convolution area and determining branch points therein, b) memory means for storing positions of the determined branch points; and c) means for determining a new convolution area centered on one of said branch points; a means for calculating 3-dimensional coordinates of said cross points from both said separate 2-dimensional coordinates and said positions of said at least two detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A 3-dimensional configuration recognition system comprising: a means for projecting a checker pattern having branch points onto a surface of a solid object; means for converting said checker pattern into a processed form; a means for performing a thinning operation on said processed from checker pattern and for generating a thinned checker pattern; a means for extracting branch points of said thinned checker pattern; at least two means, at different respective and separated positions, each for detecting separate 2-dimensional coordinates of said branch points, each said means including: a) means for scanning a current convolution area and determining branch points therein, b) memory means for storing positions of the determined branch points; and c) means for determining a new convolution area centered on one of said branch points; a means for calculating 3-dimensional coordinates of said cross points from both said separate 2-dimensional coordinates and said positions of said at least two detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein each said detecting means is at a different location, and each said detecting means determines angle of incidence with respect to a reference line intersecting each said cross point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system of claim 2, wherein said detecting means include cameras.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein said 3-dimensional coordinates are determined using said angles of incidence to find two of said coordinates, and finding a third coordinate, L, using the formula L=D/(cotα+cotβ) where α and β are said angles of incidence respectively, and D is a distance between said detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said scanning means scans said convolution area in a spiral pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said new convolution area is centered on the first cross point found during the spiral scanning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 1, further comprising means for setting a larger convolution a area that said current convolution area if no branch points are found within the current convolution area.
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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) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |