US3579249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feature counter having between limits amplitude and/or width discrimination
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1969-08-08
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A specimen analyzer including a video camera for scanning a specimen and selectively counting features thereof on the basis of grey level and size. The device may operate in several modes to count only features darker (or lighter) than a selected grey level, to count only features that are darker than a first grey level but lighter than a second grey level, to count only features wider than a selected width, to count only features wider than a first width but not as wide as a second width, or to count features that meet more than one of these tests. A variable electronic mask permits the operator to select any area of the specimen within the view of the camera for feature analysis without moving the specimen. Check spot pulses are generated for each feature counted and these may be displayed on a video motor superimposed on a video display of the specimen.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond D Dewey
- 👤 Robert S Mapes
- 👤 Garth S Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M11/00; G06M11/02; G06M11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the combination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binarytype output signals having a first value at least during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level; said binary type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary type output signals for producing an intercept signal for each feature that is wider than a first preselected width W1 but not as wide as a second preselected width W1+W2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the combination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binarytype output signals having a first value at least during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level; said binary type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary type output signals for producing an intercept signal for each feature that is wider than a first preselected width W1 but not as wide as a second preselected width W1+W2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said width discriminator means comprises: a retriggerable one-shot multivibrator; a one-shot multivibrator; coincidence detection means responsive to said one-shot multivibrator or for producing said intercept signals; and, means for applying the output of said retriggerable one-shot multivibrator to said one-shot multivibrator and said coincidence detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grey level discriminator means comprises a first discriminator means responsive to said analog signal for producing first binary-type signals, said grey level discriminator means further comprising: a second discriminator means responsive to said analog signal for producing further binary-type signals only during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a second preselected level; and coincidence circuit means responsive to said first and second discriminator means for producing said binary-type output signals of said first value only during intervals when said analog signal exceeds said first preselected level but not said second preselected level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said width discriminator means comprises: first presettable means responsive to said binary-type output signals from said grey level discriminator for producing a first intercept signal for each feature wider than said first preselected width W1; second presettable means responsive to each said first intercept signal for producing a pulse having a preselected width W2; and, coincidence circuit means responsive to said first and said second presettable means for producing a second intercept signal for each feature wider than said first preselected width but not as wide as said second preselected width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising: scanning means for scanning said specimen and producing said analog signal; feature discriminator means for producing one count pulse for each feature scanned by said scanning means; and, switch means for selectively applying either said first and said second intercept signals to said feature discriminator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the cOmbination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level but does not exceed a second preselected level, and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level or does exceed said second preselected level; said binary-type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which causes it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal for each of said features which is wider than a preselected width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the cOmbination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level but does not exceed a second preselected level, and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level or does exceed said second preselected level; said binary-type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which causes it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal for each of said features which is wider than a preselected width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said grey level discriminator means comprises a first discriminator means responsive to said analog signal for producing first binary-type signals, said grey level discriminator means further comprising: a second discriminator means responsive to said analog signal for producing further binary-type signals during intervals that said analog signal exceeds said second preselected level; and coincidence circuit means responsive to said first and second discriminator means for producing said binary-type output signals of said first value only during intervals when said analog signal exceeds said first preselected level but not said second preselected level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 6 wherein said width discriminator means comprises means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing intercept signals having a duration related to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, said specimen analyzer comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level but does not exceed a second preselected level, said binary-type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal in response to each binary-type output signals that exceeds a first duration but does not exceed a second duration, whereby an intercept signal is produced for each feature only if said feature has characteristics falling between first and second preselected grey levels and first and second preselected widths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
A specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, said specimen analyzer comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level but does not exceed a second preselected level, said binary-type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal in response to each binary-type output signals that exceeds a first duration but does not exceed a second duration, whereby an intercept signal is produced for each feature only if said feature has characteristics falling between first and second preselected grey levels and first and second preselected widths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 9 wherein said width discriminator means comprises means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing intercept signals having a duration related to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 9 and further comprising: a scaler; and, means including manually controllable switch means for selectively applying said intercept signals or said binary-type output signals to said scaler.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 9 and further comprising: scanning means for scanning said specimen during a plurality of line scan intervals whereby said features may be intercepted more than one time by said scanning means; and, feature discriminator means responsive to said intercept signals for producing one count pulse for a feature even though it may be intercepted more than one time by said scanning means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 12 wherein said scanning means comprises a video camera, said specimen analyzer further comprising: video display means responsive to said video camera and said count pulses for displaying each count pulse adjacent the feature which caused it to be produced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 9 and fUrther comprising: scanning means for scanning said specimen during a plurality of line scan intervals whereby said features may be intercepted more than one time by said scanning means; an oscillator; and, gating means responsive to said intercept signals and said oscillator, whereby said gating means produces a number of output pulses related to the area of features in said specimen that have said characteristics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A specimen analyzer as claimed in claim 14 and further comprising: manually controllable variable electronic masking means for inhibiting intercept signals resulting from the scanning of features within the masked area of said specimen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the combination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value at least during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level; said binary type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal having a duration related to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced for each feature that is wider than a first preselected width W1 but not as wide as a second preselected width W1+W2.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a specimen analyzer for analyzing a specimen containing features, the combination comprising: grey level discriminator means responsive to an analog signal representing features of said specimen for producing binary-type output signals having a first value at least during intervals that said analog signal exceeds a first preselected level and a second value during intervals that said analog signal does not exceed said first preselected level; said binary type output signals each having a duration corresponding to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced; and, width discriminator means responsive to said binary-type output signals for producing an intercept signal having a duration related to the width of the feature which caused it to be produced for each feature that is wider than a first preselected width W1 but not as wide as a second preselected width W1+W2.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |