Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for video lumber grading

US6031567A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 1997
Grant dateFeb 29, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06T2207/30161
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A lumber video grading apparatus includes a vision system, processors, a grading station having visual displays, a storage and retrieval device, an identification device, and a timing system. The vision system may include cameras mounted proximate to a lumber transfer for optically acquiring real time images of exposed cut surfaces of lumber pieces conveyed on the lumber transfer. The processors process the real time images into individually identifiable retrievably storable images and also into visually displayable real time images. A selectable lumber grade is correlated at a grading station to selectable pieces of lumber on the lumber transfer. The displayable real time images or later retrieved individually identifiable retrievably storable images are displayable on a visual display at the grading station. The individually identifiable retrievably storable images are retrievably storable on, and selectively retrievably from, the storage and retrieval device. The identification device is for selectively applying an individual identifier to the selectable pieces of lumber on the lumber transfer. The timing system is for correlating the real time images to the selectable lumber pi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.