Abstract: Automatic image-based volumetric detection of an object in a space is achieved based on a combinational characteristic produced by combining a first characteristic of a reference image associated with the space when empty, and second characteristic of a detection image associated with the space at a time when object detection is active. The combinational characteristic is independent of relative image intensity between the reference image and the detection image. The object detection operation is thus provided with a degree of independence relative to the respective illumination conditions during capture of the reference and detection images.

Abstract: A method of controlling printed items, in particular banknotes, involving two printing stages, the method including the steps of acquiring a controlled-item image; acquiring from the controlled-item image a deviation value between images printed in the two printing stages; acquiring a specimen-item image having the aforementioned deviation value; and comparing the controlled-item image with the specimen-item image; the specimen-item image being selected from a number of images memorized beforehand in a specimen image memory.

Abstract: A method of controlling printed items, in particular banknotes, involving two printing stages, the method including the steps of acquiring a controlled-item image; acquiring from the controlled-item image a deviation value between images printed in the two printing stages; acquiring a specimen-item image having the aforementioned deviation value; and comparing the controlled-item image with the specimen-item image; the specimen-item image being selected from a number of images memorized beforehand in a specimen image memory.

Abstract: The external integrity of cigarettes is verified by a method that involves directing single cigarettes, carried on a conveyor, along a route of which one section affords a monitoring path equipped with a line scan camera; the advancing cigarette can be made selectively to rotate about its longitudinal axis while the camera, a solid state type using CCD arrays, makes a succession of scans on respective closely ordered parallel lines, which are pulsed at a programmed frequency and synchronously with the movement of the cigarette in such a way that each successive scan line will fall on one and the same generator of the cylindrical surface. Repeated scanning of the same limited surface area eliminates quality control errors attributable to the presence of particulates in the space between the cigarettes and the camera.

Abstract: A pickup system comprising a robot having a gripping member fitted with a camera for acquiring an image of the object to be picked up, which image is supplied to a control section by which it is processed for determining a predetermined point, typically the center, of the object by generating shifted inverted images of the object and intersecting the shifted inverted images and the original image.

Abstract: The filling of a cigarette is controlled by detecting a brightness curve of at least one part of the open end of the cigarette, processing the resulting brightness curve to obtain a contrast index, and comparing the resulting contrast index with an equivalent index of a correctly filled cigarette to obtain a signal indicating acceptance of the cigarette under observation.

Abstract: The filling of a cigarette under observation is controlled by intersecting the open-end surface of the cigarette with at least one coherent light blade emitted by at least one laser source, to form a respective real light trace, and by analyzing any deviation or discontinuity of the real trace in relation to a theoretical, straight, continuous trace formed by joining two end points of the real trace, to obtain a signal indicating acceptance or rejection of the cigarette under observation.