Method and apparatus for determining orientation of parts resting on a flat surface
US6046462A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/8901
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved lighting system which illuminates the parts with both generally collimated and diffused light simultaneously useful with machine vision systems. This lighting system allows determination of part identification, part location, part orientation about a vertical axis thereof as well as side-up orientation of the part. The parts are transported on a conveyor surface which is made of a translucent medium. However, such translucent medium does permit the viewing of the shadows cast by objects thereon. The light source is positioned directly over the parts being inspected. A camera is positioned below the conveyor surface. Residing between the collimated light source and the parts supported on the conveyor surface is a light-diffusing member. The light-diffusing member has a structure such that it permits a portion of the generally collimated light to pass therethrough without obstruction while simultaneously diffusing a second portion of light produced by the source of collimated light. The combination generally collimated light and diffuse light serve to cast a perimeter shadow of each part and illuminate any downward-facing part surfaces which are not in contact with the co…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.