US 5,510,833 A · Method and apparatus for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system

Abstract

A system for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system includes a camera and computer to capture an image of the display bezel surrounding the cathode ray tube and of the image displayed on the CRT. Three dimensional models of the CRT tube and display bezel are used to compute and compensate for camera perspective. Camera pixel data can then be transformed to `flat plane` coordinates. When the relative orientation of the camera and CRT are corrected for, the effects of parallax can be eliminated, allowing more accurate inspection, measurement, and lower cost fixturing on the production line. Thus, an accurate coordinate transformation from a camera-referenced coordinate system to a monitor-referenced coordinate system is made.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for transforming X-Y spacial coordinates of portions of a camera-image, as captured by a video camera, into a video-monitor-referenced X-Y spacial coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

placing a video camera at a location to view a video monitor, the camera being located at an X-Y spacial position and alignment relative to the monitor;
using the video camera to capture a camera-image of the monitor;
said camera-image being indicative of the size and type of the monitor as a function of the X-Y spacial position and alignment of the camera relative to the monitor;
receiving monitor-configuration-data indicative of the actual size and type of monitor being viewed by the camera;
comparing the camera-image with the monitor-configuration-data;
determining the X-Y spacial position and alignment of the monitor relative to the camera from the comparison step;
and
utilizing the determined X-Y spacial position and alignment of the monitor relative to the camera to establish the video-monitor-referenced X-Y coordinate system.

5 more elements

Apparatus for transforming X-Y spacial coordinates of portions of a camera-image, as captured by a video camera, into a video-monitor-referenced X-Y spacial coordinate system, comprising:

a video monitor having a display surface that is oriented in an X-Y spacial coordinate system;
a video camera positioned and aligned in a given relative to said monitor so as to view said monitor and said display surface, said camera providing an output camera-image that includes an image of said monitor;
said camera-image being indicative of characteristics of said monitor whose values vary as a function of said camera positioning and alignment relative to said monitor;
a source of monitor-configuration-data that is indicative of actual values of said characteristics of said monitor;
first means for comparing said camera-image to said monitor-configuration-data and providing an output that is indicative of said comparison;
second means connected to said output of said first means for determining said camera positioning and alignment relative to said monitor, and providing an output indicative thereof;
and
third means connected to said output of said second means utilizing said determined camera positioning and alignment relative to said monitor for establishing said video-monitor-referenced X-Y coordinate system.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for transforming coordinate systems in an automated video monitor alignment system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12