Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm David I. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6683975
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the dispersibility grade of particulate material by means of an image processing technique that employs machine vision. In one aspect, this invention provides a method for grading the dispersibility of particulate material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an image, in digitized form, of a sample comprising reconstituted particulate material; (b) performing a series of image processing steps to determine the presence and magnitude of blobs; (c) performing a blob analysis to obtain data relating to the distribution of the particulate material in the sample; (d) comparing the result of the blob analysis with data in a database; and (e) determining the grade of said particulate material by means of the comparison. The sample of particulate material, which is typically in the form of a powder, is reconstituted preferably by means of agitating a container filled with the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Jianjun Wang, Randall Edwin Terflinger, Wilson G. Zeitler, David A. Mondiek