Abstract: In an embodiment, a volumetry method is provided. The method can include receiving one or more 2D images of a site including one or more containers configured to hold a liquid, the 2D images being acquired at a first time. The method can also include identifying a container within the 2D images. The method can further include selecting an identified container within the 2D images for volumetric analysis based upon a degree of occlusion of its front facing surface. The method can additionally include classifying a portion of the selected container containing the liquid. The method can further include determining the volume of liquid held within the container based upon the classified portion.

Abstract: A drug screening system and methods of using the same are disclosed. The drug screening system identifies and highlights drugs or other contraband substances enclosed within mailpieces based on score imagery computed from selected wavelengths based on chemical signatures. A wide-field, multispectral short-wave infrared imaging system allows for dissolved, concealed drug screening of mailpieces that improve inspection efficiency and accuracy.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting a workpiece having an outer peripheral portion rotationally symmetric about a symmetry axis with projections and recesses provided periodically and repeatedly, the apparatus comprises: an edge imaging mechanism that captures an image of an edge portion of a projection of a rotated workpiece; an upstream imaging mechanism that captures an image of an upstream wall surface of the rotated workpiece; and a downstream imaging mechanism that captures an image of a downstream wall surface of the rotated workpiece. The inspection apparatus inspects the workpiece on the basis of the images captured by the edge imaging mechanism, the upstream imaging mechanism, and the downstream imaging mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphical medicine display are described. In one embodiment, prescription drug data associated with a prescription drug is accessed. The prescription drug is associated with a member. The prescription drug data includes prescription name data, prescription packaging data, prescription pill data, and dosage data. A prescription pill indicator and a prescription package indicator based on the prescription drug data are determined. A medicine display based on the prescription drug data associated with the prescription drug is generated. The medicine display includes the prescription pill indicator in association with the prescription package indicator, a prescription name indicator, and a dosage indicator. The prescription name data, the prescription packaging data, and the prescription pill data are associated with the prescription drug and the dosage data is associated with the member.

Abstract: Methods pertaining to encoding and decoding binary identifiers within a cell array are described. A binary identifier received by computing device can be encoded according to an encoding scheme. The cell array can include multiple encoded cells, each of which indicates a predetermined sequence of two or more bits, and which includes a perimeter, and both an alignment mark and a line pattern within the perimeter. The line pattern can be one of an empty-cell line pattern, a pattern including one or more asymmetrical radial vectors, one or more diametrical vectors, a symmetric cross, or a symmetrical star, or some other line pattern. The encoding scheme can define a plurality of cell colors that correspond to a predetermined sequence of two or more bits. The bits corresponding to a cell color can be redundant to bits corresponding to a line pattern for confirming accuracy of decoding a cell.

Abstract: An automated visual inspection system for detecting the presence of particulate matter includes an empty, flexible container, a light source, a detector, and an image processor. The light source is configured to transmit light through the container towards the detector, and the detector is configured to receive the light and generate image data. The image processor is configured to analyze the image data, determine whether the empty, flexible container is defective, and generate a rejection signal if the empty, flexible container is defective.

Abstract: A doorbell device is provided. The doorbell device includes a first camera unit, a second camera unit, a doorbell button, and a processing unit. The first camera unit includes a first camera lens and a first image sensor, generating a first video. The second camera unit includes a second camera lens and a second image sensor, generating a second video. The processing unit selectively activates one of the first camera unit and the second camera unit according to at least one of the first video, the second video, and a state of the doorbell button.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to automated container inspection. A region in an image of a container is labeled as being subject to depicting reflections. When determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the image of the container, values of pixels of the image are compared to corresponding statistics of such pixels, where the statistics can identify an acceptable distribution of values for a pixel. For pixels in the above-mentioned region, more variance in the values of the pixels is allowed (compared to allowed variance when analyzing values of pixels outside of the region) when determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the values of the pixels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphical medicine display are described. In one embodiment, prescription drug data associated with a prescription drug is accessed. The prescription drug is associated with a member. The prescription drug data includes prescription name data, prescription packaging data, prescription pill data, and dosage data. A prescription pill indicator and a prescription package indicator based on the prescription drug data are determined. A medicine display based on the prescription drug data associated with the prescription drug is generated. The medicine display includes the prescription pill indicator in association with the prescription package indicator, a prescription name indicator, and a dosage indicator. The prescription name data, the prescription packaging data, and the prescription pill data are associated with the prescription drug and the dosage data is associated with the member.

Abstract: A complex background-oriented optical character recognition method and device are provided. The method of the present invention includes: collecting image information to obtain a collected image; according to character characteristics, acquiring a target character region from the collected image, and taking same as a target object; extracting character edge information in the target object using a differential method to obtain an extracted image; superposing the target object and the extracted image to obtain a recovery image; conducting inversion and Gaussian filtration processing on the recovery image to obtain a processed image; searching for a target character location in the processed image; and recognizing the target character location. On this basis, accurate and quick locating and recognition of characters can be realized on the basis of effectively suppressing background noise and highlighting character information.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine, including: a chamber adapted to receive an object returned to the reverse vending machine; a plurality of cameras arranged around the perimeter of the chamber for viewing said object; a transparent or translucent plate arranged such that the cameras in use view the object obliquely through the transparent or translucent plate; and means adapted to couple light into the plate such that the light undergoes total internal reflection in the plate. Also, a method of detecting dirt in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining the presence of a cap on a container are provided. An exemplary method comprises capturing an image of an object; extracting an area of interest from the image; determining from the image a position of one or more edges of the object; and determining the presence of a cap based on a comparison of the one or more edge positions to reference data. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus and method, which can perform defect determination and estimate a defect on a mask and the resultant influence on a wafer. Each of the transfer images is reviewed in order of following (1) to (3): (1) when the degree of defect identified in the first comparing unit is at or exceeding a third threshold and an error ratio corresponding to the defect is at or exceeding a fourth threshold; (2) when the degree of a defect identified in the first comparing unit is less than the third threshold, and an error ratio corresponding to the defect is at or exceeding a fourth threshold; and (3) when the degree of a defect identified in the first comparing unit is at or exceeding a third threshold, and an error ratio corresponding to the defect is less than the fourth threshold.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for identifying an embossed character, light of one color is directed in one direction across the embossed character to illuminate certain character parts and light of another color is directed in another direction across the embossed character to illuminate other character parts. Image data for the two colors are captured and are subjected to separate image processing to detect edges highlighted by the directed light. The processed images are combined and supplemented with OCR analysis before being compared with predicted characters. Based on the comparison, a determination is made as to the probable identity of the character.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining a level of a sample are provided. An image of a sample housed in a container is captured, wherein the image is represented as a two dimensional array of intensities of light. An area of interest is extracted from the image. A filter is applied to the area of interest. The filtered area is collapsed into a one dimensional array. The one dimensional array is masked. The level of the sample in the container is determined based on the masked one dimensional array. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting containers, such as bottles or similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aligning containers (1) comprising at least one detection system (7). In order to be able to apply identically orientated and aligned labels even to containers without embossings, the invention proposes that at least one detection system (7) is configured as a cover detection system (7) and is disposed so that a closure element (4) disposed on the container (1) can be detected.

Abstract: The torque which is required to open a plastic screw closure which is screwed onto a bottle is determined without contact by the rotation position of the screwed-on plastic screw closure in relation to the bottle being established. The rotation position is established by evaluating an image on the basis of a mark on the bottle and a mark on the screw closure. Ventilation slots which interrupt the turns of the screw thread on the bottle neck can be used as the mark on the bottle, and a predetermined breaking point on a securing ring of the screw closure can be used as the mark on the screw closure.

Abstract: Removing material from the surface of a first circuit comprises generating a first laser pulse using a pulse generator; targeting a spot on the first circuit using a focusing component; delivering the first laser pulse to the spot on the first circuit, the first circuit including a digital component; ablating material from the spot using the first laser pulse without changing a state of the digital component; testing performance of the first circuit, the testing being performed without reinitializing the circuit between the steps of ablating material and testing performance. Targeting the spot on the first circuit comprises generating a second laser pulse using a pulse generator; delivering a second laser pulse to a sacrificial piece of material; detecting the position of the ablation caused by the second laser pulse with a vision system that forms an image; and using this image to guide the first laser to the spot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for representing the characteristics of an object with a measuring system, in which either the measuring system or the object is designed to move in relation to one another in a predefined direction of movement. The object preferably is designed to move in relation to the measuring system. At least one light source is designed to illuminate the object with a light which is incident upon the object and has a limited extension in the direction of movement. An imaging sensor, which is arranged on the same side of the object as the light source is designed to pick up light reflected from the object and to convert this into electrical charges. An image-processing unit is furthermore designed to create a digital representation of the object from said electrical charges.

Abstract: An optical defect detection system is provided for recording an image of a transparency for detecting optical defects therein. The transparency may be formed with a contour. The defect detection system may comprise a light source, a diffuser and an image recording device for recording images of the transparency. The light source is configured to emit light and may be positioned adjacent one of the sides of the transparency. The image recording device may be positioned on a side of the transparency opposite the diffuser. The diffuser may be contoured complementary to the contour of the transparency and may be positioned between the light source and the transparency.

Abstract: An inspection station identifies defects such as artifacts (e.g., dust, hair, particles) in the sealing areas of sealed sterile packages. A multi-head optical scanner can include at least two fiber optic sensors each comprised of a bundle of optical fibers arranged into a linear face coupled to an image processing module and oriented towards a scanning area of sealed packages moving through a conveyance system. An image processing module can analyze input from the at least two fiber optic sensor arrangements to identify artifacts in the sealing areas of the sealed packages.

Abstract: A method for examining filled containers, which are filled with CO2-containing products such as beer or lemonade, for contaminants such as glass fragments, including examining, e.g. by means of a camera, a container for gas bubbles in the product/in the container and/or for gas mists in the container, and sorting out the container, if gas bubbles are determined in the product and/or if CO2 mists are determined in the container, and re-examining the container at a later time.

Abstract: In accordance with particular embodiments, a method includes receiving LIDAR data associated with a geographic area and generating a three-dimensional image of the geographic area based on the LIDAR data. The method further includes presenting at least a first portion of the three-dimensional image to a user based on a camera at a first location. The first portion of the three-dimensional image is presented from a walking perspective. The method also includes navigating the three-dimensional image based on a first input received from the user. The first input is used to direct the camera to move along a path in the walking perspective based on the first input and the three-dimensional image. The method further includes presenting at least a second portion of the three-dimensional image to the user based on navigating the camera to a second location. The second portion of the three dimensional image presented from the walking perspective.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for identifying an embossed character, light of one color is directed in one direction across the embossed character to illuminate certain character parts and light of another color is directed in another direction across the embossed character to illuminate other character parts. Image data for the two colors are captured and are subjected to separate image processing to detect edges highlighted by the directed light. The processed images are combined and supplemented with OCR analysis before being compared with predicted characters. Based on the comparison, a determination is made as to the probable identity of the character.

Abstract: A method for processing a container includes inspecting it by using an optical recorder of an inspection unit, capturing container image data representative of actual images, sending it to an evaluation and control unit of the inspection unit having a main processor and a graphics card having graphics processors, using the graphics card, comparing the actual images with desired images at least in part by using the graphics processors for pipelining calculations associated with the comparison, and then finally, using the graphics card, sending evaluated data representative of the comparison to the main processor.

Abstract: The glass bottle inspection method and apparatus performs successively producing differential images from original images successively captured from the glass bottle to be inspected while the glass bottle is being rotated about its own axis, comparing the differential images with the template to judge whether the glass bottle is defect-free or not, and combining all the differential images obtained from the glass bottle to be inspected in one inspection cycle to produce a differential composite image, using the differential composite image as a provisional template when all the differential images obtained from the glass bottle in one inspection cycle are judged as representing a defect-free glass bottle, and correcting the template using the provisional template.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test method for checking an inspection device, comprising at least the steps of: generating a prescribed number of faulty and/or correctly labelled containers or test containers; moving the faulty containers or test containers past the inspection device, which detects the faulty containers or test containers and generates a signal for ejecting the faulty containers or test containers, or indicates a value relative to the expected and the measured faulty and/or correctly labelled containers. The test method can be started or performed manually or automatically, and is suitable, for example, for checking a label seating inspection device for correct functionality, or optionally for confirming the faulty functioning thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of generating synthetic image data containing effective image information without being influenced by the variation of the photographing environment. A correcting portion updates (shifts) a “brightness” upper and lower limit range according to a deviation ?E received from a deviation calculating portion. The correcting portion accepts an initial value Emax0 of the “brightness” upper limit and an initial value Emin0 of the lower limit in advance, so that the “brightness” upper limit and lower limit after update is (Emax0+?E) and (Emin0+?E), respectively. The “brightness” upper and lower limit range after the update calculated by the correcting portion is provided to a tone mapping unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of a geometrical position of plastics material containers, for example, plastics material pre-forms, having a base member and a thread region may include an image-recording device, which records a locally resolved image of the plastics material container. The image-recording device is arranged in such a way that it observes the plastics material container substantially along its longitudinal direction. The apparatus includes an illumination device, which illuminates at least one region of the plastics material container observed by the image-recording device, and an evaluation device, which on the basis of an image recorded by the image-recording device determines a rotary setting of the plastics material container with respect to its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A device for inspecting the external surfaces of containers using a radiation device which directs light onto a container to be inspected. The device includes a transport device for transporting the container with respect to the radiation device, and an image capturing device which captures the container illuminated by the radiation device, with a background being located behind the container with respect to the image capturing device, with respect which the container can be imaged. The background has both a lighter area and a darker area by comparison with this lighter area.

Abstract: A plurality of first multivalued images of non-defective items picked up by an image pickup device are obtained, and a plurality of characteristic amounts at least including a pixel value of a color component and edge intensities in two different directions are extracted for each pixel in the obtained first multivalued images. Selection of any one of the plurality of extracted characteristic amounts is received, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted, whereby a distribution range for determining the non-defective item is calculated. A second multivalued image of a determination target object is obtained, and the characteristic amount of which selection is received is extracted for each pixel in the obtained second multivalued image, whereby determination is made as to whether the characteristic amount is included in the distribution range corresponding to the extracted characteristic amount.

Abstract: A string emanating from a packaging machine is arranged in a slot by means of a feed inlet and placed in a winding shaft (12). This placement is assisted by the use of positioning brushes (4). After the initial introduction, winding up takes place upon rotation of the winding shaft and upon further engagement of the string in the slot (14) in the winding shaft. The winding shaft is provided on a carrying disc (5) and said carrying disc is also arranged so as to be rotatable. During the first stage, the section of the string emanating from the supply path is pulled with constant force. After the string has been separated from the remaining material, the winding is carried out. Subsequently, the rotating shaft with the string, through rotation of the carrying disc, reaches a next position in which pressing the reel and thus adhesion of the reel end moves the winding shaft out of the reel. The reel has already been checked prior to entering the winding device to determine whether it has to be inspected.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for identifying an embossed character, light of one color is directed in one direction across the embossed character to illuminate certain character parts and light of another color is directed in another direction across the embossed character to illuminate other character parts. Image data for the two colors are captured and are subjected to separate image processing to detect edges highlighted by the directed light. The processed images are combined and supplemented with OCR analysis before being compared with predicted characters. Based on the comparison, a determination is made as to the probable identity of the character.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognizing surface characteristics of metallurgical products, especially continuously cast products and rolled products. According to said method, a defined section of the product surface (12, 12?) is irradiated by at least two radiation sources of different wavelengths, from different directions, and the irradiated surface section is optoelectronically detected. Three light sources (21, 22, 23) are oriented towards the product surface (12, 12?), as radiation sources, under the same angle (a), the positions thereof being in three planes (E1, E2, E3) forming a 120 DEG angle and being perpendicular to the product surface (12, 12?). In this way, instructive information about metallurgical products can be determined and stored in a very short space of time such that the products can be determined in a perfectly identified manner for the reprocessing, in terms of the surface quality or surface structure thereof.

Abstract: A mask inspection system includes irradiation means for irradiating a sample with an electron beam, electron detection means for detecting a quantity of electrons generated from the sample, image processing means, storage means, and control means for determining divided areas in such a way that divided images adjacent to each other overlap with each other, and acquiring the divided images of the respective divided areas. The control means extracts two divided images adjacent to each other in a predetermined sequence, then detects an image of a same pattern formation area included in an overlap area, and determines the detected image to be a combination reference image. The control means then combines the two divided images adjacent to each other on the basis of the combination reference image to thereby form an entire SEM image of the observed area.

Abstract: A device to analyze and determine the movement characteristics of products moving in a determinate direction of feed (F) and emitting radiations, in particular products exiting from a casting line, comprises a camera to continuously acquire images of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) in at least two successive instants of time, and an electronic processing unit by means of which the comparison between at least two successive images acquired is carried out, using mathematical algorithms based on the image correlation principle, in order to determine the spatial displacement of the images and then the movement characteristics of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) are analyzed and determined.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of an additive, especially an additive that is not visible to a consumer, in an article with respect to a surface feature of the article is provided.

Abstract: A color-unevenness inspection apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an inspection target for a color-unevenness inspection; an image generation section generating an uneven-color image by determining one or more uneven-color regions existing in the picked-up image of the inspection target obtained by the image pickup section, and by classifying unit regions included in each of the uneven-color regions into a plurality of color groups; a calculation section calculating, on the uneven-color regions in the uneven-color image, an evaluation parameter to be used in the color-unevenness inspection; a correction section making a correction to the calculated evaluation parameter in consideration of a difference of color-unevenness visibility between the color groups; and an inspection section performing the color-unevenness inspection, based on a resultant evaluation parameter obtained by the correction.

Abstract: A method of acquiring an image of a pharmaceutical in a colored, transparent pharmaceutical vial includes the steps of: providing a generally cylindrical, colored, transparent pharmaceutical vial having a closed lower end, the lower end having a radially outward lower section, a radially inward upper section, and a transition section that merges with the upper and lower sections; identifying the transition section of the vial with a vision system; detecting the color of the transition section; illuminating the vial; acquiring an image of the vial and pharmaceutical; and adjusting the colors of the image based on the color of the transition section. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of comparing the image to a pre-stored image of an expected pharmaceutical to determine whether the identity of the pharmaceutical in the vial matches the identity of the expected pharmaceutical. This method can improve the reliability and consistency of the images produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and controlling a glass container forming process. The radiation emitted by each hot glass container is measured with measurement unit immediately after the forming machine. The described method normalizes the measurement from glass container to glass container and thereby removes the effects of overall temperature variations between glass containers, changing ambient conditions, and other variations affecting the measurements, which provides a unique quality reference for each glass container. By reviewing this reference for each produced glass container, the quality of the produced containers can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and mark verification systems for evaluating the quality of a two-dimensional matrix dot peen mark on an object are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes scanning a two-dimensional matrix dot peen mark disposed on a surface of an object with a laser displacement sensor to generate three-dimensional scanned data for the mark, the mark including a plurality of dots disposed in a plurality of rows and columns on the surface; and determining whether the mark passes a verification test based on the scanned data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatic application and monitoring of a structure to be applied onto substrate. A plurality of cameras positioned around an application facility are utilized to monitor the automatic application of a structure on a substrate by means of a stereometry procedure. Three-dimensional recognition of a reference contour position results in the overlapping area to be used for gross adjustment of the application facility prior to applying the structure.

Abstract: This solution relates to machine vision computing environments, and more specifically relates to a system and method for selectively accelerating the execution of image processing applications using a cell computing system. The invention provides a high performance machine vision system over the prior art and provides a method for executing image processing applications on a Cell and BPE3 image processing system. Moreover, implementations of the invention provide a machine vision system and method for distributing and managing the execution of image processing applications at a fine-grained level via a PCIe connected system. The hybrid system is replaced with the BPE3 and the switch is also eliminated from the prior in order to meet over 1 GB processing requirement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.

Abstract: A method comprises projecting a light and shade pattern defined by preset optic parameters through a body, detecting an image of the light and shade pattern through the body to obtain a detected image, processing the detected image to highlight any irregularities of the light and shade pattern in the detected image; an apparatus comprises a light-source for projecting a light and shade pattern defined by preset optic parameters through a body, an image-detecting device for detecting an image of the light and shade pattern through the body to obtain a detected image and a processing device for processing the detected image in such a way as to highlight any irregularities of the light and shade pattern in the detected image.

Abstract: A method and system for container identification are disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of digital images of a character sequence on the container, extracting the character sequences from the images, combining the character sequences into at least one identification code candidate, and selecting one of the candidates as the identification code. The system comprises at least one camera and a computer system that is electrically coupled to the camera, whereby when the computer system receives a trigger signal, said computer system takes a plurality of digital images from the camera, produces character sequences as partial recognition results for the plurality of digital images, and combines the partial recognition results together to produce the identification code.

Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers rotating at an inspection station. A camera images an area of interest on the glass container (the finish for example) and the area is imaged at angular increments. An anomalous object is analyzed in each image and the deviation of its center relative to a datum is measured. A deviation less than a maximum enables the control to identify the object as a blister.