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US 6,959,253 B2Granted
Self-calibrating, multi-camera machine vision measuring system
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsDavid A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
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AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsDavid A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system. If the cameras move with respect to each other, their respective positions are calculated and used in subsequent measurements. The apparatus and method enable a machine vision measuring system to be used without field calibration at the time of installation.
A method for calibrating a machine measuring system that has a first measuring device and a second measuring device, and a first calibration device disposed in a fixed relationship to the first measuring device and a second calibration device disposed in a fixed relationship to the second measuring device, wherein the first measuring device and the second measuring device are image-based measurement devices, the method comprising the steps of:
A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for controlling a data processing system to calibrate a machine measuring system that has a first measuring device and a second measuring device, and a first calibration device adapted to be disposed in a fixed relationship relative to the first measuring device and a second calibration device adapted to be disposed in a fixed relationship to the second measuring device, wherein the first measuring device and the second measuring device are image-based measurement devices, and the first calibration device and the second calibration device are configured to detect a change in a relative position between the first calibration device and the second calibration device and calculate an amount of change in relative position between the first calibration device and the second calibration device, the instructions upon execution by the data processing system causing the data processing system to perform the steps of:
A machine measuring system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.