Spatial characteristic determination
AssigneeEnglish Electric Valve Company Limited
InventorsKevin A. D. Hadfield, Christopher J. Morcom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To determine some spatial characteristic, such as size or shape, of an object, the object is viewed with a television camera that employs an image sensor such as a CCD device. An image is formed on a television screen and a set of measurement markers (or cursors) are superimposed on the image at desired positions. The CCD timing signals are used to accurately determine the position of the cursors and hence the desired spatial characteristic.
Claims9
Apparatus for the determination of a spatial characteristic of an object, which includes:
- a video cameral employing an imaging element array sensor, by which the object may be suitably viewed to provide an object video image;
- cursor generation means, by which at least one cursor may be generated for superimposition on the video image, the placing of the at least one cursor on the video image being determined by array sensor timing signals, and so corresponding to the position in the array of at least one particular imaging element;
- and
- cursor positioning means, by which the at least one cursor may be positioned in the video image to be appropriately aligned with the object image as regards the relevant characteristic;
- whereby, from the distance to the at least one cursor, known in terms of the array sensor timing signals and thus known in terms of the number and size of the array elements up to the relevant cursor position, there may be determined the required characteristic of the object.
A method of determining a spatial characteristic of an object, in which method:
- the object is suitably viewed with a video camera employing an imaging element array sensor to provide an object video image;
- at least one cursor is generated for superimposition on the video image, the placing of the at least one cursor on the video image being determined by array sensor timing signals, and so corresponding to the position in the array of at least one particular imaging element;
- and
- the at least one cursor is positioned in the video image to be appropriately aligned with the object image as regards the relevant characteristic;
- whereby, from the distance to the at least one cursor, known in terms of the array sensor timing signals and thus known in terms of the number and size of the array elements up to the relevant cursor position, there may be determined the required characteristic of the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.