Patent US5923781A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5923781A
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Segment detection system and method
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-22
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2015-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A segment detection system automatically, contactlessly, rapidly, and precisely detects a segment along an edge, such as a boundary, of an object in a digitized image. The segment detection system includes an imager for capturing an image of an object and converting the image into an electrical signal. A computer is connected to the camera for receiving the electrical signal. A machine vision system is associated with the computer and is adapted to analyze the image. A segment detection program is disposed in the computer for driving the computer and the machine vision system in accordance with the present invention. The segment detection program includes an initialization subroutine and a matching subroutine. The initialization subroutine configures the program to search for a particular target polynomial equation. The matching subroutine derives a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of the object based upon an analysis of the image. Further, the matching subroutine determines whether the test segment matches the target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of the test polynomial equation and the target polynomial equation.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrei Csipkes
- 👤 Muid Ur-Rehman Mufti
- 👤 John Mark Palmquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/10; G06T7/149; G06T7/12; G06T7/70; G06T7/73; G06T7/75; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10056; G06T2207/20; G06T2207/20112; G06T2207/20168; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A segment detection method for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising the steps of: defining a target polynomial equation that represents a target segment; acquiring said image of said object; deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from an edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; determining whether said test segment matches said target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said target and test polynomial equations; analyzing in sequence a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A segment detection method for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising the steps of: defining a target polynomial equation that represents a target segment; acquiring said image of said object; deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from an edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; determining whether said test segment matches said target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said target and test polynomial equations; analyzing in sequence a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said object is a portion of an optical fiber coupling grip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said object is a portion of an optical fiber connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said test segment is linear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of defining said target polynomial equation includes the step of specifying target coefficients.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of defining said target polynomial equation includes the steps of: capturing an image of a target object having said target segment; and determining said target polynomial equation based upon an analysis of said image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A segment detection method for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising the steps of: acquiring a first image of a first object; deriving a first polynomial equation that represents a first segment in a first edge of said first object based upon analysis of said first image; acquiring a second image of a second object; deriving a second polynomial equation that represents a second segment from a second edge of said second object based upon an analysis of said second image; determining whether said first and second segments match by comparing corresponding coefficients of said first and second polynomial equations; and acquiring successive segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of each object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A segment detection method for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising the steps of: acquiring a first image of a first object; deriving a first polynomial equation that represents a first segment in a first edge of said first object based upon analysis of said first image; acquiring a second image of a second object; deriving a second polynomial equation that represents a second segment from a second edge of said second object based upon an analysis of said second image; determining whether said first and second segments match by comparing corresponding coefficients of said first and second polynomial equations; and acquiring successive segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of each object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said second object is a portion of an optical fiber coupling grip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said second object is a portion of an optical fiber connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A segment detection system for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising: means for acquiring said image of said object; means for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; means for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment; means for analyzing a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
136 words
A segment detection system for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising: means for acquiring said image of said object; means for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; means for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment; means for analyzing a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
A segment detection system for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising: a camera for capturing said image of said object; a computer connected to said camera and having a machine vision system for receiving said image, said machine vision system having: an initialization mechanism for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; and a matching mechanism for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment; means for analyzing in sequence a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A segment detection system for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, comprising: a camera for capturing said image of said object; a computer connected to said camera and having a machine vision system for receiving said image, said machine vision system having: an initialization mechanism for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; and a matching mechanism for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment; means for analyzing in sequence a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment; and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said object is a portion of an optical fiber coupling grip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said object is a portion of an optical fiber connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said target and test segments are linear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer readable medium having a segment detection program for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, the program comprising: means for acquiring said image of said object; means for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; means for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment, means for analyzing a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment: and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer readable medium having a segment detection program for rapidly detecting a segment along an edge of an object in a digitized image, the program comprising: means for acquiring said image of said object; means for deriving a test polynomial equation that represents a test segment from a test edge of said object based upon an analysis of said image; means for determining whether said test segment matches a target segment by comparing corresponding coefficients of said test polynomial equation and a target polynomial equation that represents said target segment, means for analyzing a plurality of different test segments along said edge of said object to determine whether each matches said target segment: and means for acquiring successive test segments for analysis that include a predefined number of pixel locations along an edge of said object and that include overlapping pixel locations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The medium of claim 15 disposed within a portable diskette.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 15 disposed within a computer and interconnected with a processor within said computer.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |