Systems and methods for vision based counting
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsBen Whittier, Eric Holland, Dave Lang, Kevin Detert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are image based counting systems and methods. Image based counting systems and methods employ one or more imaging devices (e.g., one or more color cameras) and one or more illumination devices (e.g., one or more illumination sources to provide variable and/or dynamic lighting). In some examples, the image based counting system provides illumination to a tray upon which one or more items (e.g., pills) are placed. The illuminated items are then imaged by the one or more imaging devices based on one or more imaging techniques or processes to determine and/or present information associated with one or more properties of the item.
Claims18
A method of determining one or more properties of one or more items employing an image based counting system comprising:
- illuminating, via one or more lighting sources, one or more items having a plurality of illumination characteristics;
- capturing a first image via a first imaging device with adjustable focus of the one or more items from a first angle;
- capturing second image via a second imaging device of the one or more items from a second angle;
- receiving images of the illuminated items from the first and second imaging devices at a control circuitry;
- generating a composite image comprising the first and second properties;
- identifying a characteristic of the plurality of illumination characteristics of the composite image at the control circuitry;
- comparing the characteristic to a list of illumination characteristics that corresponds to a property of the one or more items at the control circuitry;
- determining one or more properties of the one or more items based on the comparison at the control circuitry;
- and
- generate an alert associated with the one or more properties at the control circuitry.
An image based counting system comprising:
- one or more lighting sources configured to illuminate one or more items having a plurality of illumination characteristics;
- one or more imaging devices comprising an adjustable focus lens to capture images of the illuminated platform and the one or more items;
- and
- a control circuitry configured to:
- receive first and second images of the illuminated items from the one or more imaging devices, wherein the first image having a first property of the one or more properties and the second image having a second property of the one or more properties;
- generate a composite image comprising the first and second properties;
- identify a characteristic of the plurality of illumination characteristics based on the composite image;
- compare the characteristic to a list of illumination characteristics that corresponds to a property of the one or more items;
- determine one or more properties of the one or more items based on the comparison;
- and
- generate an alert associated with the one or more properties.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.