# US 12,641,765 B2 · Optical spray pattern imaging apparatus including permanently integrated light plane and image capture components

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- Number: US 12,641,765 B2
- Document ID: US12641765B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/958,750
- Filed: 2024-11-25
- Published: 2025-03-13
- Granted: 2026-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-03
- Assignees: Spraying Systems Co.
- Applicants: Spraying Systems Co.
- Inventors: Kyle M. Bade; Rudolf J. Schick; Philip A. McDonough
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12641765B2

## CPC

- G03B 30/00: Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles
- H05K 13/081: {Integration of optical monitoring devices in assembly lines; Processes using optical monitoring devices specially adapted for controlling devices or machines in assembly lines}
- B05B 12/082: {responsive to a condition of the discharged jet or spray, e.g. to jet shape, spray pattern or droplet size}
- G02B 27/646: {compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake (movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68)}
- G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories}
- H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
- H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device is described that includes, in a single fixed-form structure, both an image capture component configured to acquire an optical image of a field of view and a light plane generator configured to generate a planar light plane emitted from the pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device. A carrier frame structure includes rigid components for permanently maintaining the image capture component and the light plane generator in respective positions defining a permanent spatial relationship between the field of view of the image capture component and the light plane generated by the light plane generator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device comprising, in a single fixed-form structure:
an image capture component configured to acquire an optical image of a field of view;
a light plane generator configured to generate a planar light plane emitted from the pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device; and
a carrier frame structure comprising rigid components configured to permanently maintain the image capture component and the light plane generator in respective positions defining a permanent spatial relationship between the field of view of the image capture component and the light plane generated by the light plane generator,
wherein the permanent spatial relationship facilitates pre-calibrating image processing parameters before providing to a user of the image acquisition device, wherein the parameters facilitate both correcting an image distortion and a scaling of a spray pattern image generated by the image acquisition device during a spray application by a nozzle positioned in a physical relationship with the light plane such that spray particles emitted from the spray nozzle pass through the light plane while an initial image is acquired by the pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device, and
wherein a linear distance between the image capture component and the light plane generator is at least a half a foot.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device of claim 1, wherein the image capture component comprises a high definition charge coupled device (CCD) camera including a fisheye lens.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device of claim 1, wherein the outer case has a length on the order of 1 foot in length, or less.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device of claim 1, wherein the linear distance is less than one-and-one half feet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device of claim 1, wherein a linear distance between a lens of the image capture component and the light plane generator is about seven inches.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device of claim 1, wherein the carrier frame structure comprises a printed circuit board.