Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating distinguishing authenticity features comprising diffraction elements on a document which is illuminated by an illumination source. The distinguishing authenticity element which is to be examined, diffracts the beam of the illuminating source and projects it onto an evaluating unit in the device. In order to be independent of the nature and location of the diffraction pattern, the diffraction pattern derived from the document to be examined is projected onto a screen and the image of the pattern recorded and evaluated by a camera (matrix or cells).

Abstract: In the automatic photogrammetric 3D digitization of a body or body part marked e.g. by an envelope provided with photogrammetric target markers, the camera employed for image recording has additional light pattern projectors added thereon which are fastened to the camera body and project geometrically simple structures such as points or lines onto the body. These structures, which are visible optically without the viewing image, facilitate the manual alignment of the camera and the positioning of the camera at the correct distance from the body in obtaining the numerous overlapping individual images required for photogrammetric evaluation. This manually predefined alignment facilitates the automatic association of the photogrammetric markers in the individual image pairs with the aid of image processing methods and allows it to be carried out more reliably on an automated basis. According to a preferred embodiment, the projectors are turned off in the actual image recording process.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating distinguishing authenticity features comprising diffraction elements on a document which is illuminated by an illumination source. The distinguishing authenticity element which is to be examined, diffracts the beam of the illuminating source and projects it onto an evaluating unit in the device. In order to be independent of the nature and location of the diffraction pattern, the diffraction pattern derived from the document to be examined is projected onto a screen and the image of the pattern recorded and evaluated by a camera (matrix or cells).

Abstract: The invention relates to document-examining apparatus for automatically examining the authenticity elements of secured documents. It includes a compound slide which can be moved in the X and Y directions and on which the components required to evaluate the distinguishing authenticity features are mounted. The X slide of the compound slide is mounted on a Y slide. A first group of evaluating units for evaluating diffraction elements on a document is disposed on the X slide. A second group of evaluating components, for example, for evaluating text, an IR field and/or a photographic field, may be mounted on the Y slide. In addition, a source of UV radiation may be provided for examining distinguishing fluorescence features of a document, the fluorescence being evaluated by means of a stationary evaluating unit or by means of the evaluating unit on the X slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the 3D shape of objects, in which the object is pressed into a plastically deformable mass provided with markers adapted to be evaluated photogrammetrically. After removal of the object from the marked mass, a plurality of photogrammetric images are taken from different views, and the images are evaluated photogrammetrically, the 3D shape of the object being calculated using an association of the markers corresponding in the images. The invention further relates to a corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method and is particularly suited for the detection of the 3D shape of objects whose 3D shape changes under load. One example of this would be the measurement of human feet.

Abstract: For an automatic detection of the 3D shape of objects by photogrammetry, the background of the photogrammetric point markers is characterized by area markers which comprise a plurality of point markers and have a characteristic optical configuration that is expressed, e.g., in the color, shape, texture, or gray level of the surface area of the area marker. During the image processing of the photogrammetric images taken of an object, first the area markers and then the point markers present in the respective area markers are referenced in relation to one another. Instead of using area markers, a further embodiment uses constellation-type point marker arrangements, which are first referenced before the individual point markers forming the constellations are referenced. The method is particularly useful for the 3D detection of body parts which have been clad with an envelope marked in accordance with the invention, prior to the photogrammetric evaluation.

Abstract: A merchandising method for roaming merchandising of products which are customized to the 3D body shape of a customer wherein a sales person is furnished with a collection of elastic envelopes marked for photogrammetric analysis with which he clads the pertinent body part of the customer. The thus clad body part is imaged with overlapping images obtained with the aid of a camera but in any position in space. From these images the 3D data of the corresponding body part as needed for customized manufacture is established locally or following communication to a host computer of the retailer or manufacturer.

Abstract: For largely automated production of artificial limbs or adapted moldings, digitized three-dimensional image data of the shape of body or body parts are obtained, particularly of human body parts or limbs. The body or body part is covered by a thin, tight-fitting, preferably elastic envelope carrying a high-contrast pattern that is imaged by several cameras cooperating in the manner of stereo cameras having overlapping image areas. The image signals furnished by the cameras are digitized and supplied to a computer that computes the digitized data of the three-dimensional shape by automatic coordination of corresponding patterns in each of the recorded images.

Abstract: The colour control of products is carried out with colour sensitive image-forming sensors such as colour matrix, colour line or colour point scanners by calculating from the signals supplied by these sensors one or several multidimensional histograms of the colour vector components both for a reference and for the samples and deriving colour deviation or coincidence measures from the comparison of said histograms. Non-valid spots corresponding to shining spots, shadow areas or uncertain colour values are automatically eliminated before the comparison. This colour control can thus be used even for objects whose surface is not diffuse and is disturbed by other image contents.

Abstract: To sort materials, in particular plastic parts, the items are carried at known conveying speed past a material recognition system which uses non-contact scanning, for example NIR spectroscopy, of each item to determine its material type and delivers a signal that identifies the type of material, which signal is used in sorting the items according to material type. To ensure that the determination of material type is done at a spot on the item that is not disturbed by a label, metal stamp or the like, the items are also conveyed past an imaging system which takes pictures of the items from which, using electronic image-processing techniques, features of colour and/or shape of the items are determined, from which in turn position data are derived about spots on the item at which an undisturbed determination of material type is possible. With the aid of these position data the determination of material type is then confined to such undisturbed spots.

Abstract: A method for the optical three dimensional measurement of a tooth without calibration bodies. An optical projection system projects a pattern onto a tooth, and an optical imaging system images the pattern projected thereon, from a first position in space and subsequently from a second position in space, with the images from the two positions in space having a common imaged area of the tooth. The image patterns are evaluated to calculate three dimensional coordinate data of the tooth surface relative to the respective imaging position for each image and also for the two images combined, to produce a single three dimensional tooth surface data record. In this method, points and/or surfaces are selected from the common imaged area with the aid of properties of the tooth surface contour which are invariant under displacement and rotation, so that they can be clearly correlated with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles of a bulk material moving on a transport ribbon (38) comprises an electro optical monitoring unit (101) above transport ribbon (38) for detecting the particles to be sorted out. Jet nozzles (45, 46) are controlled by a signal emitted by this electro optical monitoring unit (40), the jet nozzles being provided at the side opposite the bulk material of transport ribbon (38), which consists of an air permeable material. By means of the gas jet passing through transport ribbon (38), the particles to be sorted out are lifted off from the transport ribbon and are thrown into storage containers (47, 48).The bulk material is passed through a gap between rollers or grinding elements to provide flake-shaped particles which are then observed to provide first and second measurements which are subtracted from each other. A vibrating conveyor 87 with feeding channels 87.1 separate particles for disposition upon a ribbon 538 with the aid of a jet nozzle n.

Abstract: 3D tooth measurement by means of an optical probe wherein a prior matting treatment of the tooth to be measured can be dispensed with. The consequential reflection-dependent measuring errors are compensated by an error correction method.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles of a bulk material moving on a transport ribbon (38) comprises an electro optical monitoring unit (101) above transport ribbon (38) for detecting the particles to be sorted out. Jet nozzles (45, 46) are controlled by a signal emitted by this electro optical monitoring unit (40), the jet nozzles being provided at the side opposite the bulk material of transport ribbon (38), which consists of an air permeable material. By means of the gas jet passing through transport ribbon (38), the particles to be sorted out are lifted off from the transport ribbon and are thrown into storage containers (47, 48). The bulk material is passed through a gap between rollers or grinding elements to provide flake-shaped particles which are then observed to provide first and second measurements which are subtracted from each other.

Abstract: An optical oral or mouth probe which is utilized for the three-dimensional measurement or surveying of teeth possesses a highly-resoluting two-dimensional point-by-point freely-programmable projection unit, which generates a digitalized projection pattern from a computer in accordance with a programmed mathematical or graphical method, deposits the pattern in an image storage and is then brought into display through addressing of an LCD matrix plate, and with the aid of a focusing optic is then projected onto the surface which is to be surveyed or measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optical measurement of objects, in particular teeth, with a projector, with beam path diverging from a projector central point, imaging on the object a pattern of different ranges of brightness, which pattern is imaged on the sensor surface of a camera, arranged in a certain disposition in space at a parallax angle to the projector, with a beam path converging in the direction of a camera central point, and is split up into image points, the light intensities of which are measured and stored, and from the light intensities of the image points the phase position of the latter is determined and stored.

Abstract: For controlling the quality of the needles of a knitting machine a test image of each needle is acquired with the aid of an image sensor when the needle is moved out of its rest position for forming a stitch. The analog image signals obtained on reading out the image sensor are converted to digital pixel signals, and the digital pixel signals of the test image or of individual test zones of the test image are processed for recovering information on the state of the particular needle being imaged. By using a coarse resolution image sensor it is possible to detect major faults during the normal operation of the knitting machine at full working speed. Needles exhibiting wear and minor faults can be detected by using a high resolution image sensor during special inspection times in which the knitting machine is operated at reduced speed.

Abstract: To scan the material being sewn (30, 31) in a sewing machine in an annular area around the presser foot, an annular lens system (25) is provided, which images a circle (33) concentrically surrounding the presser foot in the plane (A) of the material being sewn onto the light inlet ends of a likewise annularly arranged plurality of optical fibers (26). The optical fibers (26) lead, in an individual assignment, to the individual light-receiving elements of a photoelectric sensor line of a line camera, which sensor line can be read cyclically.

Abstract: For automatic optical classification of plants an image of in each case one plant is captured by a color video camera. The color video signals furnished by the color video camera are digitized and classified pixelwise in predetermined color classes which are associated on the one hand with the image of the plant and on the other hand with the image of the background. A digitized image of the plant designated by the color classes is stored in an image memory and evaluated by an image computer for classification of the plant. The segmentation of the image of the plant from the image of the background is carried out on the basis of the allocation of the pixels to the predetermined color classes and from the segmented image of the plant geometrical form features and color features are determined. Furthermore, the height of the plant is determined, for which purpose possibly two video cameras and a light pattern projector are employed.

Abstract: For measuring and/or monitoring properties of yarns or ropes with the aid of an image sensor a two-dimensional image of a portion of the yarn or rope is acquired and converted to electrical image signals. The image signals are digitized in image point manner and stored in an image signal memory at memory locations assigned to the image points. By a calculating unit the values of the properties to be detected are determined from the stored digital image signals. The properties which can be measured and/or monitored in this manner are in particular the diameter of the yarn or rope, the statistical values of projecting fibres, filaments or wires and the twist of the yarn or rope.