Robot vision using targets

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the position and attitude of objects, together with robotic systems employing same, and methods of targeting objects for such purposes. Particularly of interest is the application to continuous conveyors, particularly in the process of automobile manufacture. Also disclosed is the use of naturally occuring object features as targets in a machine vision based robot (or other) guidance system. In one embodiment, a special high speed processor finds at least 3 preselected feature points on an object, which when considered with the data base for the object, allows a rapid 6 degree of freedom solution for the object location relative to the camera and thence connected automation. While primarily envisioned for industrial robots, the invention is useful for all sorts of machines including vehicles, construction machinery and the like--anywhere the target object has a known data base relative to the features in question.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.