US5365597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for passive autoranging using relaxation
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-11
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Granted: 1994-11-15
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Expires: 2013-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for passive autoranging. Two cameras having different image parameters (e.g., focal gradients) generate two images of the same scene. A relaxation procedure is performed using the two images as inputs to generate a blur spread. The blur spread may then be used to calculate the range of at least one object in the scene. In one preferred embodiment, a temporal relaxation procedure is employed to focus a third camera. In another preferred embodiment, a spatial relaxation procedure is employed to determine the range of a plurality of objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee F. Holeva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1092; B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/10; B07C3/14; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 94
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first image of said object, said first image being generated by a camera having a first camera parameter; (b) providing a second image of said object, said second image being generated by a camera having a second camera parameter different from said first camera parameter; and (c) performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first image of said object, said first image being generated by a camera having a first camera parameter; (b) providing a second image of said object, said second image being generated by a camera having a second camera parameter different from said first camera parameter; and (c) performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: (e) focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said object is a package on a conveyor system and said focussed camera is a high-resolution camera positioned overhead said conveyor system to generate images used to read a label on said package.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first camera parameter is a first focal gradient and said second camera parameter is a second focal gradient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step (a) comprises the step of generating said first image with a first camera having a first aperture size; and step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second aperture size, said second aperture size being different from said first aperture size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step (a) comprises the step of generating said first image with a first camera having a first focal length; and step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second focal length, said second focal length being different from said first focal length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step (a) comprises the step of generating said first image with a first camera having a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera; and step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said second camera, said second distance being different from said first distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the step of performing a temporal relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image; (2) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (3) generating a raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (4) generating a transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said raw gain and said differential blur spread; (5) generating a transform of an impulse response in accordance with said time-varying regularization vector and said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (6) updating said raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said impulse response; (7) generating a squared error in accordance with said impulse response, said updated raw gain, and said updated differential blur spread; (8) testing said squared error for convergence; and (9) repeating steps (c)(4) through (c)(7) in accordance with said testing of step (c)(8).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the step of performing a spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
The method of claim 11, wherein: step (c) comprises the step of performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values; and further comprising the steps of: (d) determining a plurality of ranges corresponding to a plurality of objects in accordance with said plurality of forward differential blur spreads; (e) performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a backward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values; (f) comparing said plurality of backward cost function values with said plurality of forward cost function values; and (g) updating said plurality of ranges in accordance with said comparison of step (f).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) selecting a first first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding first second-image sample from said second image; (2) generating a first differential blur spread in accordance with said first first-image and first second-image samples; (3) selecting a second first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding second second-image sample from said second image; and (4) generating a second differential blur spread in accordance with said second first-image and second second-image samples.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (d) determining a first range value corresponding to said first first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said first differential blur spread; and (e) determining a second range value corresponding to said second first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said second differential blur spread.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said first range value corresponds to the height of a first stack of nested packages and said second range value corresponds to the height of a second stack of nested packages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step (a) comprises the step of providing said first image with a first camera having a focal length, an aperture size, and a distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and step (c) comprises the step of performing said relaxation procedure independent of said focal length, said aperture size, and said distance of said first camera.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to object, comprising: (a) a camera, having a first camera parameter, for providing a first image of said object; (b) camera means, having a second camera parameter, for providing a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; and (c) means for performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to object, comprising: (a) a camera, having a first camera parameter, for providing a first image of said object; (b) camera means, having a second camera parameter, for providing a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; and (c) means for performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: (d) means for determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: (e) means for focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said object is a package on a conveyor system and said camera is a high-resolution camera positioned overhead said conveyor system to generate images used to read a label on said package.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first camera parameter is a first focal gradient and said second camera parameter is a second focal gradient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: camera (a) comprises a first camera having a first aperture size; and camera means (b) comprises a second camera having a second aperture size, said second aperture size being different from said first aperture size.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: camera (a) comprises a first camera having a first focal length; and camera means (b) comprises a second camera having a second focal length, said second focal length being different from said first focal length.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: camera (a) comprises a first camera having a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera; and camera means (b) comprises a second camera having a second distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said second camera, said second distance being different from said first distance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises means for performing a temporal relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
166 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image and for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (2) means for generating a raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (3) means for generating a transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said raw gain and said differential blur spread; (4) means for generating a transform of an impulse response in accordance with said time-varying regularization vector and said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (5) means for updating said raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said impulse response; (6) means for generating a squared error in accordance with said impulse response, said updated raw gain, and said updated differential blur spread; and (7) means for testing said squared error for convergence.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises means for performing a spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
145 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein: means (c) comprises means for performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values; and further comprising: (d) means for determining a plurality of ranges corresponding to a plurality of objects in accordance with said plurality of forward differential blur spreads; (e) means for performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a backward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values; (f) means for comparing said plurality of backward cost function values with said plurality of forward cost function values; and (g) means for updating said plurality of ranges in accordance with said comparison of means (f).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for: (a) selecting a first first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding first second-image sample from said second image, and (b) selecting a second first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding second second-image sample from said second image; and (2) means for: (a) generating a first differential blur spread in accordance with said first first-image and first second-image samples, and (b) generating a second differential blur spread in accordance with said second first-image and second second-image samples,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: (d) means for: (1) determining a first range value corresponding to said first first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said first differential blur spread; and (2) determining a second range value corresponding to said second first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said second differential blur spread,
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said first range value corresponds to the height of a first stack of nested packages and said second range value corresponds to the height of a second stack of nested packages.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: camera (a) comprises a first camera having a focal length, an aperture size, and a distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and means (c) comprises means for performing said relaxation procedure independent of said focal length, said aperture size, and said distance of said first camera.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first image of said object with a first camera having a first focal length, a first aperture size, a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and a first camera parameter; (b) generating a second image of said object, said second image being generated with a camera having a second camera parameter different from said first camera parameter; and (c) generating said differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images and independent of said first focal length, said first aperture size, and said first distance of said first camera.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first image of said object with a first camera having a first focal length, a first aperture size, a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and a first camera parameter; (b) generating a second image of said object, said second image being generated with a camera having a second camera parameter different from said first camera parameter; and (c) generating said differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images and independent of said first focal length, said first aperture size, and said first distance of said first camera.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of: (d) determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of: (e) focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said object is a package on a conveyor system and said focussed camera is a high-resolution camera positioned overhead said conveyor system to generate images used to read a label on said package.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said first camera parameter is a first focal gradient and said second camera parameter is a second focal gradient.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second aperture size, said second aperture size being different from said first aperture size.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second focal length, said second focal length being different from said first focal length.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) comprises the step of generating said second image with a second camera having a second distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said second camera, said second distance being different from said first distance.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) comprises the step of performing a temporal relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
168 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image; (2) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (3) generating a raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (4) generating a transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said raw gain and said differential blur spread; (5) generating a transform of an impulse response in accordance with said time-varying regularization vector and said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (6) updating said raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said impulse response; (7) generating a squared error in accordance with said impulse response, said updated raw gain, and said updated differential blur spread; (8) testing said squared error for convergence; and (9) repeating steps (c)(4) through (c)(7) in accordance with said testing of step (c)(8).
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) comprises the step of performing a spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
141 words
The method of claim 43, wherein: step (c) comprises the step of performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values; and further comprising the steps of: (d) determining a plurality of ranges corresponding to a plurality of objects in accordance with said plurality of forward differential blur spreads; (e) performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a backward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values; (f) comparing said plurality of backward cost function values with said plurality of forward cost function values; and (g) updating said plurality of ranges in accordance with said comparison of step (f).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) selecting a first first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding first second-image sample from said second image; (2) generating a first differential blur spread in accordance with said first first-image and first second-image samples; (3) selecting a second first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding second second-image sample from said second image; and (4) generating a second differential blur spread in accordance with said second first-image and second second-image samples.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 45, further comprising the steps of: (d) determining a first range value corresponding to said first first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said first differential blur spread; and (e) determining a second range value corresponding to said second first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said second differential blur spread.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said first range value corresponds to the height of a first stack of nested packages and said second range value corresponds to the height of a second stack of nested packages.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising: (a) a first camera for providing a first image of said object, said first camera having a first focal length, a first aperture size, a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and a first camera parameter; (b) means, having a second camera parameter, for generating a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; and (c) means for generating said differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images and independent of said first focal length, said first aperture size, and said first distance of said first camera.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to an object, comprising: (a) a first camera for providing a first image of said object, said first camera having a first focal length, a first aperture size, a first distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said first camera, and a first camera parameter; (b) means, having a second camera parameter, for generating a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; and (c) means for generating said differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images and independent of said first focal length, said first aperture size, and said first distance of said first camera.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising: (d) means for determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: (e) means for focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said object is a package on a conveyor system and said camera is a high-resolution camera positioned overhead said conveyor system to generate images used to read a label on said package.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said first camera parameter is a first focal gradient and said second camera parameter is a second focal gradient.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (b) comprises a second camera having a second aperture size, said second aperture size being different from said first aperture size.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (b) comprises a second camera having a second focal length, said second focal length being different from said first focal length.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (b) comprises a second camera having a second distance between a second principal plane and an image detector plane of said second camera, said second distance being different from said first distance.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (c) comprises means for performing a temporal relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
166 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image and for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (2) means for generating a raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (3) means for generating a transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said raw gain and said differential blur spread; (4) means for generating a transform of an impulse response in accordance with said time-varying regularization vector and said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (5) means for updating said raw gain and said differential blur spread in accordance with said impulse response; (6) means for generating a squared error in accordance with said impulse response, said updated raw gain, and said updated differential blur spread; and (7) means for testing said squared error for convergence.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (c) comprises means for performing a spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
145 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein: means (c) comprises means for performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values; and further comprising: (d) means for determining a plurality of ranges corresponding to a plurality of objects in accordance with said plurality of forward differential blur spreads; (e) means for performing said spatial relaxation procedure in accordance with a backward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values; (f) means for comparing said plurality of backward cost function values with said plurality of forward cost function values; and (g) mean for updating said plurality of ranges in accordance with said comparison of means (f).
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for: (a) selecting a first first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding first second-image sample from said second image, and (b) selecting a second first-image sample from said first image and a corresponding second second-image sample from said second image; and (2) means for: (a) generating a first differential blur spread in accordance with said first first-image and first second-image samples, and (b) generating a second differential blur spread in accordance with said second first-image and second second-image samples.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising: (d) means for: (1) determining a first range value corresponding to said first first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said first differential blur spread; and (2) determining a second range value corresponding to said second first-image and second-image samples in accordance with said second differential blur spread.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said first range value corresponds to the height of a first stack of nested packages and said second range value corresponds to the height of a second stack of nested packages.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) generating an initial differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images; and (2) performing a recursive relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images and said initial differential blur spread to generate an improved differential blur spread.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
197 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image; (2) generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (3) generating an initial gain and an initial differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (4) generating the discrete Fourier transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said initial gain and said initial differential blur spread; (5) generating the discrete Fourier transform of the differential impulse response between said camera of step (a) and said camera of step (b) in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed time-varying regularization vector; (6) updating said initial gain and said initial differential blur spread in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed differential impulse response; (7) generating a squared error in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed differential impulse response, said updated gain, and said updated differential blur spread; (8) testing for the convergence of said squared error; and (9) repeating steps (c)(4) through (c)(7), in accordance with said testing of step (c)(8), using said updated gain and said updated differential blur spread.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 64, wherein step (c)(4) employs a gaussian blur model.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 64, wherein step (c)(4) employs a cylindrical sinc blur model.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
165 words
The method of claim 1, where step (c) comprises the steps of: (1) setting an initial differential blur spread equal to 1.0; (2) performing a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values using local recursive parameter adaption in the spatial domain; (3) performing a backward pass through said first and second images, starting where the forward pass ended, to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values using local recursive parameter adaption in the spatial domain; and (4) selecting a plurality of local differential blur spreads corresponding to a plurality of image pixel locations, whereby each local differential blur spread is selected from a corresponding local forward differential blur spread and a corresponding local backward differential blur spread in accordance with the minimum of a corresponding local forward cost function value and a corresponding local backward cost function value.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 67, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (5) generating a plurality of range values from said plurality of local differential blur spreads, wherein each range value corresponds to an image pixel location.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 3, wherein step (e) comprises the step of time-delayed focussing the focussed camera, said focussed camera being located overhead a conveyor system downstream of said camera used to generate said first image and said camera used to generate said second image.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for generating an initial differential blur spread in accordance with said first and second images; and (2) means for performing a recursive relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images and said initial differential blur spread to generate an improved differential blur spread.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
212 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) means for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said first image; (2) means for generating a 2N point discrete Fourier transform of said second image; (3) means for generating an initial gain and an initial differential blur spread in accordance with said 2N point discrete Fourier transforms of said first and second images; (4) means for generating the discrete Fourier transform of a time-varying regularization vector in accordance with said initial gain and said initial differential blur spread; (5) means for generating the discrete Fourier transform of the differential impulse response between said camera (a) and said camera means (b) in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed time-varying regularization vector; (6) means for updating said initial gain and said initial differential blur spread in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed differential impulse response; (7) means for generating a squared error in accordance with said discrete Fourier transformed differential impulse response, said updated gain, and said updated differential blur spread; (8) means for testing for the convergence of said squared error; and (9) means for repeating the operations of means (c)(4) through (c)(7), in accordance with said testing of means (c)(8), using said updated gain and said updated differential blur spread.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 71, wherein means (c)(4) employs a gaussian blur model.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 71, wherein means (c)(4) employs a cylindrical sinc blur model.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
170 words
The apparatus of claim 17, where means (c) comprises: (1) means for setting an initial differential blur spread equal to 1.0; (2) means for performing a forward pass through said first and second images to generate a plurality of forward differential blur spreads and a plurality of forward cost function values using local recursive parameter adaption in the spatial domain; (3) means for performing a backward pass through said first and second images, starting where the forward pass ended, to generate a plurality of backward differential blur spreads and a plurality of backward cost function values using local recursive parameter adaption in the spatial domain; and (4) means for selecting a plurality of local differential blur spreads corresponding to a plurality of image pixel locations, whereby each local differential blur spread is selected from a corresponding local forward differential blur spread and a corresponding local backward differential blur spread in accordance with the minimum of a corresponding local forward cost function value and a corresponding local backward cost function value.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 74, wherein means (c) further comprises: (5) means for generating a plurality of range values from said plurality of local differential blur spreads, wherein each range value corresponds to an image pixel location.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein means (e) comprises the means for time-delayed focussing the focussed camera, said focussed camera being located overhead a conveyor system downstream of said camera used to generate said first image and said camera used to generate said second image.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises the step of: (1) generating a calibration mapping corresponding to a plurality of test differential blur spreads and a plurality of test range values.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 77, wherein step (a)(1) comprises the steps of: (A) providing a test object corresponding to a test range value; (B) generating a test image corresponding to said test object; (C) generating a test differential blur spread corresponding to said test image; (D) repeating steps (a)(1)(A) through (a)(1)(C) for a plurality of test range values to generate a plurality of test differential blur spreads; and (E) generating said calibration mapping by minimizing a cost function in accordance with said plurality of test range values and said plurality of test differential blur spreads.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3, wherein step (a) further comprises the step of: (1) generating a calibration mapping corresponding to a plurality of test differential blur spreads and a plurality of test range values.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
144 words
The method of claim 79, wherein step (a)(1) comprises the steps of: (A) generating a first test image corresponding to a test object using said camera having said first camera parameter; (B) generating a second test image corresponding to said test object using said camera having said second camera parameter; (C) generating a test differential blur spread corresponding to said first and second test images; (D) generating a third test image with a test focussing camera, said third test image corresponding to said test differential blur spread; (E) determining a test focus distance corresponding to said test focussing camera during step (a)(1)(D); (F) repeating steps (a)(1)(A) through (a)(1)(E) for a plurality of test differential blur spreads; and (G) generating said calibration mapping by minimizing a cost function in accordance with said plurality of test differential blur spreads and said plurality of test focus distances.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein means (c) comprises means for generating a calibration mapping corresponding to a plurality of test differential blur spreads and a plurality of test range values.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 81, wherein means (c) comprises: (1) test camera means for generating a plurality of test images corresponding to a plurality of test objects corresponding to said plurality of test range values; (2) means for generating said plurality of test differential blur spreads corresponding to said plurality of test images; and (3) means for generating said calibration mapping by minimizing a cost function in accordance with said plurality of test range values and said plurality of test differential blur spreads.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: (f) means for generating a calibration mapping corresponding to a plurality of test differential blur spreads and a plurality of test focus distances.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 83, wherein means (f) comprises: (1) test camera means, having said first camera parameter, for generating a plurality of first test images corresponding to a test object; (2) test camera means, having said second camera parameter, for generating a plurality of second test images corresponding to said test object; (3) means for generating said plurality of test differential blur spreads corresponding to said pluralities of first and second test images; (4) a test focussing camera for generating a plurality of third test images, said plurality of third test images corresponding to said plurality of test differential blur spreads; (5) means for determining said plurality of test focus distances corresponding to said test focussing camera; and (6) means for generating said calibration mapping by minimizing a cost function in accordance with said plurality of test differential blur spreads and said plurality of test focus distances.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to object, comprising: (a) camera means, having a first camera parameter, for providing a first image of said object; (b) camera means, having a second camera parameter, or providing a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; (c) means for performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread; (d) means for determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread; and (e) means for focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for determining a differential blur spread corresponding to object, comprising: (a) camera means, having a first camera parameter, for providing a first image of said object; (b) camera means, having a second camera parameter, or providing a second image of said object, said second camera parameter being different from said first camera parameter; (c) means for performing a relaxation procedure in accordance with said first and second images to generate said differential blur spread; (d) means for determining a range of said object in accordance with said differential blur spread; and (e) means for focussing a camera in accordance with said range.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 85, wherein said object is a package on a conveyor system and said camera is a high-resolution camera positioned overhead said conveyor system to generate images used to read a label on said package.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 85, wherein means (e) comprises the means for time-delayed focussing the focussed camera, said focussed camera being located overhead a conveyor system downstream of said camera used to generate said first image and said camera used to generate said second image.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising: (f) means for generating a calibration mapping corresponding to a plurality of test differential blur spreads and a plurality of test focus distances.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 88, wherein means (f) comprises: (1) test camera means, having said first camera parameter, for generating a plurality of first test images corresponding to a test object; (2) test camera means, having said second camera parameter, for generating a plurality of second test images corresponding to said test object; (3) means for generating said plurality of test differential blur spreads corresponding to said pluralities of first and second test images; (4) a test focussing camera for generating a plurality of third test images, said plurality of third test images corresponding to said plurality of test differential blur spreads; (5) means for determining said plurality of test focus distances corresponding to said test focussing camera; and (6) means for generating said calibration mapping by minimizing a cost function in accordance with said plurality of test differential blur spreads and said plurality of test focus distances.
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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) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-05-16 | 1998-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-14 | 2002-05-16 | 2002-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-14 | 2006-05-16 | 2006-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |