Categorizing logs based on growth characteristics, and associated systems, devices, and methods
AssigneeWeyerhaeuser NR Company
InventorDavid Irving
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Abstract
Methods and systems of categorizing logs based on growth characteristics of the logs are disclosed. An exemplary method includes obtaining an image of an end surface of a log that includes growth rings, identifying one of more growth characteristics of the log based on the growth rings, and providing instructions to categorize the log based on the identified growth characteristics. The growth characteristics can include log age, diameter, rings per inch, and pith eccentricity. In some embodiments, images of both end surfaces of the log are obtained to identify other characteristics, such as an end-to-end diameter, which is used to provide further instructions to categorize the log.
Claims22
A method of categorizing a log, the method comprising:
- obtaining an image of an end surface of a log, wherein the end surface includes a pith and growth rings;
- automatically identifying one or more growth characteristics of the log based on the pith and the growth rings;
- and
- providing instructions to categorize the log based on the identified growth characteristics.
A system of categorizing logs, the system comprising:
- a platform configured to hold a log;
- an imaging device positioned to capture an image of an end surface of the log;
- a processor;
- and
- at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
- obtain, via the imaging device, an image of the end surface of the log;
- automatically identify one or more growth characteristics of the log based on the obtained image;
- and
- provide instructions to categorize the log into one of multiple categories based on the identified growth characteristics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.