US 5,030,008 A · Method and apparatus for the automated analysis of three-dimensional objects

Abstract

An optomechanical system for illuminating and imaging selected portions of a three dimensional object having specularly reflective surfaces, including a two dimensional image sensor for receiving light reflected from the selected portions and producing an analog output signal representing a two dimensional image of the selected portions over a predetermined time period, a video digitizer for receiving and converting the analog output signal to a digital signal, and an image computer for receiving the digital signal output by the video digitizer, comparing the information obtained from the output digital signal to the stored specifications of a master of the imaged portion of the object, indicating whether the imaged object meets the specifications of the master, controlling the movement of the imaged object, and controlling the operation of the system.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An apparatus for automatically analyzing the physical characteristics of a selected portion of a three dimensional object having specularly reflective surfaces, comprising:

means for selectively illuminating said portion at one or more angles of incidence of illumination so as to create an optical contrast between said portion and the remainder of said object;
optical means having an optical axis and operative to collect light reflected from the object and to convert said light into an electrical signal representing an image of said portion;
and
means responsive to said electrical signal and operative to detect maximum contrast between said portion and the remainder of said object and to determine therefrom a set of measurements corresponding to the physical dimensions of said portion from said signal, said set including the position of said portion along said optical axis.

1 more element

A method for automatically determining the distance from a selected portion of a three dimensional object to an optical analysis system imaging said portion as a means of measuring a physical relationship of said portion to said object, comprising the steps of:

positioning said system with respect to said objects in a manner so as to cause the optical depth of field for said system to be above or below said portion;
moving said system relative to said object in a manner so as to cause said portion to go through being in focus by said system;
collecting light reflected from said object and determining the height of said system and the intensity of light reflected from said portion for each of a number of positions of said system;
and
selecting a position at which said system detected a maximum contrast of reflected light between said portion and said portion's background as the distance from said portion to said portion.

2 more elements

A method for automatically analyzing the physical characteristics of selected portions of a three dimensional object having specularly reflective surfaces, comprising the steps of:

p1 (a) illuminating a portion of said object to be analyzed at one or more angles of incidence of illumination so as to create an optical contrast between said portion and the remainder of said object;
(b) collecting light reflected from said portion and the remainder of said object and converting said light into an electrical signal representing an image of said object;
(c) determining a set of measurements corresponding to the physical dimensions of said portion from said signal, said set including the elevation of said portion relative to the remainder of said object;
(d) comparing said set of measurements to a predetermined master set of specifications derived from acceptable dimensions of a master for said portions and said object to determine if said portion meets said specifications for said portion;
and
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each portion of said object to be inspected.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for the automated analysis of three-dimensional objects

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for the automated analysis of three-dimensional objects

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31