Method of increasing detection zone of a shadow-based video intrusion detection system
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsRoy ALLEN, Stephen MCMAHON, Zachary HARVEY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to method of enhancing the three-dimensional detection range of a vision-based, single camera intrusion detection system within a tensile test machine or other materials testing machine. Illumination sources are offset from the camera and provide a cones of illumination which intersect with the conical viewing zone of the camera thereby defining a detection zone. When objects intrude into these conical regions, a shadow is cast. The shadow is detected by the camera. The detection of the intrusion is typically used as a safety function to deactivate at least part of the function of the materials testing machine.
Claims20
A system for detection of intruding objects, including:
- a photographic or video device receiving an from at least a portion of a surface;
- at least one illumination device with a zone of illumination directed toward the surface;
- and
- wherein an object intruding into at least a portion of the zone of illumination causes a shadow to be cast on the surface, whereby the shadow is at least a portion of the image being received by the photographic or video device, whereby presence of the object intruding into at least a portion of the zone of illumination is detected.
A method for detection of intruding objects, including the steps of:
- providing a photographic or video device receiving an image of at least a portion of a surface;
- providing at least one illumination device with a zone of illumination directed toward the surface;
- and
- detecting an image received by the photographic or video device of a shadow cast on the surface by an object intruding into at least a portion of a zone of illumination.
A system for materials testing, including:
- a materials testing device including an area where material is tested, including a surface proximate to the area where material is tested;
- a photographic or video device receiving an image of at least a portion of the surface;
- at least one illumination device including a zone of illumination directed toward the surface;
- and
- wherein an object intruding into at least a portion of a zone of illumination causes a shadow to be cast on the surface, whereby the shadow is at least a portion of the image being received by the photographic or video device, whereby presence of the object intruding into at least a portion of the zone of illumination is detected and the materials testing device is entered into a safe mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.