Systems and methods for inspecting bristles using a digital camera
AssigneeRaytheon Technologies Corporation
InventorsJoseph D. Drescher, Kamiko L. Darrow, Brian Duguay, Erik M. Pedersen, Brian Ricciardelli, Danielle N. Balzano
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Abstract
A method is provided for inspecting a device comprising a plurality of bristles. During this method, image data provided from an electronic optical sensor is received. The image data is indicative of an image of at least a portion of the bristles. A bristle configuration (e.g., an angle) of at least one of the bristles (e.g., an average bristle) in the image is determined by processing the image data with a computer processor.
Claims20
A method for inspecting a device comprising a plurality of bristles, the method comprising:
- arranging the device with a fixture to locate the device in a known spatial location and orientation;
- receiving image data provided from an electronic optical sensor, the image data indicative of an image of at least a portion of the bristles;
- and
- determining a bristle configuration of at least one of the bristles in the image by processing the image data with a computer processor, wherein the bristle configuration is determined based on the known spatial location and orientation, and the determining of the bristle configuration comprises determining an angle between the at least one of the bristles and a reference line;
- wherein the device further comprises an annular base that extends circumferentially around a centerline, and the plurality of bristles are connected to and project from the annular base.
A method for inspecting a device comprising a plurality of bristles, the method comprising:
- receiving image data provided from an electronic optical sensor, the image data indicative of an image of at least a portion of the bristles;
- and
- determining a bristle configuration of at least one of the bristles in the image by processing the image data with a computer processor, wherein the determining of the bristle configuration comprises determining an angle between the at least one of the bristles and a reference line, and the determining of the bristle configuration further comprises:
- calculating an autocorrelation function on an array of pixels of the image;
- determining a peak intensity of the autocorrelation function along each row or each column of the array of pixels;
- fitting a least square error line based on the peak intensity;
- and
- determining the angle based on a slope of the least square error line;
- wherein the device further comprises an annular base that extends circumferentially around a centerline, and the plurality of bristles are connected to and project from the annular base.
A method for inspecting a device comprising a plurality of bristles, the method comprising:
- receiving image data provided from an electronic optical sensor, the image data indicative of an image of at least a portion of the bristles;
- and
- determining a bristle configuration of at least one of the bristles in the image by processing the image data with a computer processor, wherein the determining of the bristle configuration comprises determining an angle between the at least one of the bristles and a reference line, and the determining of the bristle configuration further comprises:
- determining a first number of the plurality of bristles located along an x-axis in a quadrant of the image;
- determining a second number of the plurality of bristles located along a y-axis in the quadrant of the image;
- and
- calculating an arctangent of R to determine the angle, wherein R is equal to a quotient of the second number divided by the first number;
- wherein the device further comprises an annular base that extends circumferentially around a centerline, and the plurality of bristles are connected to and project from the annular base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.