Wood tracking by identification of surface characteristics
US7426422B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/31311
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A “Woodprint™” characterization and identification technique employs cameras (16), lighting (14), camera interface hardware (18), a computer (20), and/or image processing software to collect and analyze surface characteristics of pieces of wood (8) to track them through an automated production process in real-time with information that is specific to each wood piece (8), such as what machining is required, its value, and/or its destination. When a wood piece (8) reaches a point in the production process where a decision is required, its unique identity is used to retrieve appropriate information previously determined and assigned to the wood piece (8).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.