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US 6,320,641 B1Granted
High-precision-resolution image acquisition apparatus and method
AssigneeAgris-Schoen Vision Systems, Inc.
InventorsHeino G. Bauer, Robert B. Schoenberger, David J. Siviter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for setting and repeatably and reliably maintaining a desired image resolution. The invention features an optical, image acquiring device and a pair of light sources, the beams from which are caused to converge at a distance from the optical device which provides the desired resolution. Subsequently, positioning the optical device with the point of convergence of the beams on the surface of an object being imaged ensures the desired resolution. In preferred embodiments, the plane yielding the desired resolution is caused to be coincident with the plane of optimal focus.
Claims32
A high-precision-resolution image acquisition apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a support surface for supporting an object to be imaged;
- a camera supported at an optical distance from said support surface for acquiring an image of an object being imaged, said camera outputting a signal representing the image of said object being imaged and said camera having an optical path along which said image is acquired and a field of view, said image having a resolution and said optical distance being adjustable such that the resolution of said image can be adjusted;
- computer means for analyzing said signal to determine the resolution of said image;
- a first light source which projects a first beam of light so as to strike said object being imaged at a first location on a surface of said object being imaged, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said optical distance is adjusted;
- and
- a second light source which projects a second beam of light so as to strike said object being imaged at a second location on said surface of said object being imaged,
- wherein one of said first and second light sources is a line laser and the other of said first and second light sources is a cylindrical beam laser which projects a dot or spot of laser light on said object being imaged.
4 more elements
A high-precision-resolution image acquisition apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a support surface for supporting an object to be imaged;
- a camera supported at an optical distance from said support surface for acquiring an image of an object being imaged, said camera outputting a signal representing the image of said object being imaged and said camera having an optical path along which said image is acquired and a field of view, said image having a resolution and said optical distance being adjustable such that the resolution of said image can be adjusted;
- computer means for analyzing said signal to determine the resolution of said image;
- and
- a first light source which projects a first beam of light so as to strike said object being imaged at a first location on a surface of said object being imaged, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said optical distance is adjusted;
- wherein said first light source is configured such that said first beam of light is angled relative to said optical path whereby said first location varies as said optical distance is adjusted, said apparatus further comprising a first motor which controls the angle of said first beam of light relative to said optical path.
3 more elements
A high-precision-resolution image acquisition apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a support surface for supporting an object to be imaged;
- a camera supported at an optical distance from said support surface for acquiring an image of an object being imaged, said camera outputting a signal representing the image of said object being imaged and said camera having an optical path along which said image is acquired and a field of view, said image having a resolution and said optical distance being adjustable such that the resolution of said image can be adjusted;
- computer means for analyzing said signal to determine the resolution of said image;
- a first light source which projects a first beam of light so as to strike said object being imaged at a first location on a surface of said object being imaged, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said optical distance is adjusted;
- a second light source which projects a second beam of light so as to strike said object being imaged at a second location on said surface of said object being imaged;
- and
- a first motor which controls the angle of said first beam of light relative to said optical path.
4 more elements
A method of acquiring the image of an object with a repeatable resolution, said method comprising the steps:
- providing a first object;
- providing a camera at a first optical distance from said first object, said camera having a field of view and an optical path along which an image is acquired;
- positioning said first object within said field of view;
- providing a first light source and, with said first light source, projecting a first beam of light so as to strike said first object at a first location on a surface of said first object, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said first optical distance is adjusted;
- providing a second light source and, with said second light source, projecting a second beam of light so as to strike said first object at a second location on said surface of said first object;
- adjusting said first light source to cause said first location to be coincident with said second location whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said first object;
- removing said first object from the field of view;
- providing a second object within said field of view at a second optical distance from said camera, said first and second beams of light stirring said second object at third and fourth locations, respectively, on a surface of said second object;
- adjusting said second optical distance, if necessary, to cause said third and fourth locations to be coincident without repositioning said first light source, said second light source, or said camera relative to each other, whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said second object;
- and
- acquiring an image of said second object, said method further comprising
- before adjusting said first light source, 1) acquiring an image of said first object, said image of said first object having a resolution;
- 2) determining said resolution;
- and 3) adjusting said first optical distance, if necessary, to cause said resolution to have a desired value.
11 more elements
A method of acquiring the image of an object with a repeatable resolution, said method comprising the steps:
- providing a firs t object;
- providing a camera at a first optical distance from said first object, said camera having a field of view, an optical path along which an image is acquired, a lens, and a medium on which said image falls;
- positioning said fit object within said field of view;
- providing a first light source and, with said first light source, projecting a first beam of light so as to strike said first object at a first location on a surface of said first object, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said first optical distance is adjusted;
- providing a second light source and, with said second light source, projecting a second beam of light so as to strike said first object at a second location on said surface of said first object;
- adjusting said first light source to cause said first location to be coincident with said second location whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said first object;
- removing said first object from the field of view;
- providing a second object within said field of view at a second optical distance from said camera, said first and second beams of light striking said second object at third and fourth locations, respectively, on a surface of said second object;
- adjusting said second optical distance, if necessary, to cause said third and fourth locations to be coincident without repositioning said first light source, said second light source, or said camera relative to each other, whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said second object;
- and
- acquiring an image of said second object;
- said method further comprising
- before adjusting said first light source, 1) acquiring an image of said first object, said image of said first object having a resolution;
- 2) determining said resolution;
- and 3) adjusting a distance between said lens and said medium, if necessary, to cause said resolution to have a desired value.
12 more elements
A method of acquiring the image of an object with a repeatable resolution, said method comprising the steps:
- providing a first object;
- providing a camera at a first optical distance from said first object, said camera having a field of view and an optical path along which an image is acquired;
- positioning said first object within said field of view;
- providing a first light source and, with said first light source, projecting a first beam of light so as to strike said first object at a first location on a surface of said first object, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said first optical distance is adjusted;
- providing a second light source and, with said second light source, projecting a second beam of light so as to strike said first object at a second location on said surface of said first object;
- adjusting said first light source to cause said first location to be coincident with said second location whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said first object;
- removing said first object from the field of view;
- providing a second object within said field of view at a second optical distance from said camera, said first and second beams of light striking said second object at third and fourth locations, respectively, on a surface of said second object;
- determining whether to increase or decrease said second optical distance based on the relative positions of said third and fourth locations on said surface of said second object;
- adjusting said second optical distance, if necessary, to cause said third and fourth locations to be coincident without repositioning said first light source, said second light source, or said camera relative to each other, whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said second object;
- and
- acquiring an image of said second object.
9 more elements
A method of acquiring the image of an object with a repeatable resolution, said method comprising the steps:
- providing a first object;
- providing a camera at a first optical distance from said first object, said camera having a field of view a and an optical path along which an image is acquired;
- positioning said first object within said field of view;
- providing a first light source and, with said first light source, projecting a first beam of light so as to strike said first object at a first location on a surface of said first object, said first light source being configured such that said first location varies as said first optical distance is adjusted;
- providing a second light source and, with said second light source, projecting a second beam of light so as to strike said first object at a second location on said surface of said first object;
- adjusting said first light and second light sources to cause said first location to be coincident with said second location whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said first object;
- removing said first object from the field of view;
- providing a second object within said field of view at a second optical distance from said camera, said first and second beams of light striking said second object at third and fourth locations, respectively, on a surface of said second object;
- adjusting said second optical distance, if necessary, to cause said third and fourth locations to be coincident without repositioning said first light source, said second light source, or said camera relative to each other, whereby said first and second beams of light converge at the surface of said second object;
- and
- acquiring an image of said second object.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.