US3849793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image analysis system
Assignee: Image Analysing Computers Ltd
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Filing: 1972-12-27
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1992-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An image analysis system in which the conventional monochrome television monitor is replaced by a colour television monitor. The video signal relating to the field under analysis is arranged to produce a monochrome display in the colour monitor but signals obtained from processing the video signal are arranged to produce distinctive colours in the monochrome display. Circuits are described by which the detected signal pulses obtained by threshold detection of the video signal, detected signal pulses of amended duration (both increased and decreased duration), count pulses and shape classifying pulses may be arranged to produce different colours in the display. Where alpha-numeric characters are included in the television display to indicate a numerical value of e.g. the number of features detected and counted, circuits are described for producing the alpha-numeric characters in the same colour as the parameter to which they relate, is displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ablett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a method of analyzing features in a field comprising the steps of scanning the field to produce a monochrome video signal relating thereto, detecting amplitude levels thereof which exceed a given reference voltage, generating constant amplitude pulses from the detected amplitude levels and deriving signals from the constant amplitude pulses, the improvement comprising the additional steps of: displaying said monochrome signal on a colour television display monitor to produce a monochrome representation of the field, and, displaying at least some of said signals derived from said constant amplitude pulses on said monitor in a distinctive colour simultaneously with said monochrome video signal whereby the display of these signals is in strong contrast to the monochrome representation of the remainder of the field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a method of analyzing features in a field comprising the steps of scanning the field to produce a monochrome video signal relating thereto, detecting amplitude levels thereof which exceed a given reference voltage, generating constant amplitude pulses from the detected amplitude levels and deriving signals from the constant amplitude pulses, the improvement comprising the additional steps of: displaying said monochrome signal on a colour television display monitor to produce a monochrome representation of the field, and, displaying at least some of said signals derived from said constant amplitude pulses on said monitor in a distinctive colour simultaneously with said monochrome video signal whereby the display of these signals is in strong contrast to the monochrome representation of the remainder of the field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the step of: generating shape classifying pulses from at least two parameter values signals computed from said constant amplitude pulses arising from scanning detected features.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: adding to said constant amplitude pulses other electrical pulses to amend the duration of said constant amplitude pulses; and supplying said amended pulses to said colour television display monitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: subtracting from said constant amplitude pulses other electrical pulses to amend the duration of said constant amplitude pulses; and, supplying said amended pulses to said colour television display monitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: adding to said constant amplitude pulses other electrical pulses to amend the durations of said constant amplitude pulses, combining said amended pulses and the original constant amplitude pulses to produce further electrical pulses, the durations of which correspond to the differences in duration between the amended pulses and the original constant amplitude pulses; supplying said further electrical pulses to a second colour controlling circuit; and, producing a colour different from said distinctive colour on said monitor with said further electrical pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: subtracting from said constant amplitude pulses other electrical pulses to amend the durations of said constant amplitude pulses, combining said amended pulses and the original constant amplitude pulses to produce further electrical pulses, the duration of which correspond to the differences in duration between the amended pulses and the original constant amplitude pulses; supplying said further electrical pulses to a second colour controlling circuit; and, producing a colour different from said distinctive colour on said monitor with said further electrical pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: deriving a count pulse for each detected feature from said constant amplitude pulses obtained from scanning each said feature, supplying said count pulses to a second colour controlling circuit; and, producing on said monitor a colour different from said distinctive colour for the duration of each of said count pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein said improvement further comprises the step of: supplying both said constant amplitude pulses and said count pulses to said monitor; and producing respective distinct colours on said monitor superimposed on a monochrome video display in response to said step of supplying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises the step of: producing single count pulses for each of said features detected in said field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: supplying said constant amplitude pulses to a computer whereby a first signal is derived which is proportional to a parameter of each feature, releasing said first signal simultaneously with the production of said count pulse corresponding to a particular feature, comparing the value of said first signal after its release with a reference signal, generating a second electrical signal if said first signal exceeds said reference and generating a third signal if said first signal is less than said reference; and, supplying said count pulse for each feature to one of two colour control circuits coupled to said monitor, whereby the display of count pulses for features whose parameter measurement exceeds said reference is a different colour from the display of count pulses for features whose parameter measurement is less than said reference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: deriving from said constant amplitude pulses obtained by scanning each feature a first electrical signal whose value is proportional to a geometric parameter of said feature, releasing said first electrical signal simultaneously with the production of said count pulse corresponding to a particular feature, summing said first signals derived from all detected features in said field, generating a total parameter signal whose value is proportional to the sum of all of the individual geometric parameter values for the features of said field; and, generating from said total signal electrical pulses which produce alpha numeric characters on said monitor indicating the numerical value of said total signal for said field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 11, wherein said improvement further comprises the steps of: producing alpha-numeric characters of the same colour as the display of said count pulses for features whose parameter signals have been accumulated to produce said alpha numeric characters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an apparatus for analysing features in a field including means for scanning said field to produce a monochrome video signal relating thereto, means for providing a reference voltage, means for detecting amplitude levels of said monochrome video signal which exceed said reference voltage, means for generating constant amplitude pulses in response to the output of said amplitude detecting means and means for deriving signals from said constant amplitude pulses, the improvement comprising: a colour television tube and control circuit therefor, means for supplying to said colour television tube a video signal to produce a monochrome representation of said field under analysis, first circuit means for controlling the instantaneous colour produced by said television tube, said first circuit means having an input for receiving colour controlling signals; and, means for supplying to said input pulses derived from said constant amplitude pulses, whereby the pulses derived from said constant amplitude pulses produce a visual display of a particular colour.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an apparatus for analysing features in a field including means for scanning said field to produce a monochrome video signal relating thereto, means for providing a reference voltage, means for detecting amplitude levels of said monochrome video signal which exceed said reference voltage, means for generating constant amplitude pulses in response to the output of said amplitude detecting means and means for deriving signals from said constant amplitude pulses, the improvement comprising: a colour television tube and control circuit therefor, means for supplying to said colour television tube a video signal to produce a monochrome representation of said field under analysis, first circuit means for controlling the instantaneous colour produced by said television tube, said first circuit means having an input for receiving colour controlling signals; and, means for supplying to said input pulses derived from said constant amplitude pulses, whereby the pulses derived from said constant amplitude pulses produce a visual display of a particular colour.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising: circuit means responsive to said constant amplitude pulses for producing for each detected feature in said field a single count pulse after the last line scan intersection with each feature, further colour controlling circuit means having an input terminal to which said count pulses are supplied, said further colour controlling circuit means producing a different colour visual display from said first circuit means, whereby a different colour is produced in said display for the duration of each count pulse from that produced during the detected signal pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 furtheR comprising: computing circuit means responsive to said constant amplitude pulses for generating an electrical signal from said constant amplitude pulses obtained from scanning each feature whose value is proportional to a geometric parameter of said features; and, means for releasing each said electrical signal simultaneously with said count pulse for a particular feature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further comprising: second computing circuit means also responsive to said constant amplitude pulses for generating a second electrical signal proportional to another geometric parameter of each detected feature; and, means for releasing each second electrical signal simultaneously with said count pulse and first electrical parameter signal for each feature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 further comprising: circuit means responsive to said first and second electrical signals derived from said constant amplitude pulses relating to each feature for producing a third electrical signal for each feature whose value is governed by the ratio of the value of the first electrical signal to the value of the second electrical signal for the feature; and, further circuit means for controlling the colour of said display of said count pulse for each feature in dependence on the value of said third electrical signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further comprising: circuit means for modifying a colour produced during each count pulse depending on the value of said geometric parameter computed for the particular feature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |