Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing – Local trick play processing – With randomly accessible medium
Utility Patent
1993-01-25
2001-01-02
Tran, Thai (Department: 2715)
Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing
Local trick play processing
With randomly accessible medium
C386S349000, C386S349000
Utility Patent
active
06169840
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to record a series of picture signals on a moving magnetic tape and subsequently reproduce the picture signals at essentially the same rate of recording to create a motion picture on a video or television screen for visual observation. My patent application Ser. No. 688,348, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,777, describes means for recording a video signal of a single frame or screen sweep of the video scanning beam of a camera or flying spot scanner. The video signal may be reproduced thereafter and used to provide a still image picture on a video monitor screen.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,441, a method and an apparatus are disclosed for obtaining the average or mean dimensions of small particles by counting pulses generated in scanning a large number of small particles. In this particular disclosure, it is necessary to mathematically calculate the average or mean particle size and possibly the area covered by the particles by using mathematical formulas. However, it is not possible to specifically pick out a particular particle and measure its size or area directly by using this prior art method and apparatus.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,731,202, an apparatus is provided for counting the number of particles appearing in a field of view against a background contrasting in appearance with the particles. In this particular prior art structure, a beam is impinged on the viewing field. Whenever there is a change in the beam intensity, an electrical pulse is produced and counted. That is, this prior-art method and apparatus merely provides a simple counting technique. There is absolutely no disclosure for digitizing the image on the field of view to provide its location or the specific dimensions thereof.
PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved automatic scanning and inspection apparatus.
Another object is to provide an automatic image field scanning apparatus which is capable of automatically determining various characteristics of the field being scanned or any predetermined portion thereof.
Another object is to provide an automatic inspection apparatus employing one or more electron beams which apparatus is highly versatile and may be used to perform a plurality of different scanning and inspection functions without major modification to said apparatus.
A further object is to provide an automatic inspection apparatus including beam scanning means for analyzing an image or field with said apparatus capable of providing the results of scanning directly in coded form which may be used by a computer.
Another object is to provide an automatic inspection apparatus for automatically comparing or measuring a plurality of different dimensions in an image field in a substantially shorter time interval than possible by conventional inspection means.
Another object is to provide an improved means for electrically controlling and selecting portions of an image field being inspected.
A still further object is to provide an improved electro-optical comparator means employing beam scanning which does not require masking an image field for effecting selective area scanning.
Another object is to provide an automatic inspection apparatus employing beam scanning to determine dimensions and other characteristics of articles of manufacture, whereby both the work and the beam scanning means may be positionable by numerically controlled manipulators to present predetermined portions of the articles to be inspected in the field of the beam scanning means.
Another object is to provide automatic inspection beam scanning means for scanning and inspecting a plurality of different image fields which may comprise different areas of a workpiece.
Still another object is to provide means whereby a video picture signal may be used to effect automatic quality control by the investigation of part of said signal.
Another object is to provide a means for effecting automatic measurement and quality control functions using two video picture signals. One is a standard signal of known characteristic and the other is a sample or test signal whereby all or parts of said signals are investigated and compared by their simultaneous reproduction from a magnetic recording medium on which they are recorded in a predetermined relative position.
Another object is to provide automatic means for reproducing a specific or predetermined part or parts of a video picture signal for computing, measurement or control purposes.
Another object is to provide automatic means for reproducing that part of a video signal derived during the scanning of a specific area of a total image field without the need to control the scanning beam of a video scanning device.
Another object is to provide means for operating on video picture signals and for modifying or changing specific portions of said signals whereby the altered picture signal may be used to produce a video image or still picture of modified image characteristics.
Another object is to provide a recording arrangement including analog signals with digital pulse code signals recorded adjacent thereto for identifying portions of said signals.
Another object is to provide automatic scanning and control means for effecting measurement or inspection of an article of manufacture on a production line for determining the dimensional or other physical characteristics thereof.
Another object is to provide new and improved apparatus which may be used to effect various inspection, control and digitizing functions.
Another object is to provide automatic apparatus for measuring an object or surface including means for selectively measuring predetermined parts of said object and for providing information in code form resulting from said measurement which code may be utilized by a digital computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As described herein, an apparatus and a method are provided for digitizing an image field. Code signals such as binary digital signals are generated when the image field is scanned. The code signals indicate information such as location of a line, the border of an object, the distance between lines or borders, and areas. It would be possible to indicate information related to volumes when appropriate mechanism is provided to scan in all directions.
In one embodiment of this invention, a beam scanning apparatus includes an electron beam which may be moved relative to a workpiece or image field to provide information or a picture field from a code signal which has been generated within the beam scanning apparatus. The apparatus further includes means for analyzing the code signal to determine certain characteristics of the image field such as the presence or absence of images or image portions such as components of an assembly, flaws, or other objects in the field, and the location and/or dimension thereof.
The apparatus of this invention is applicable for the inspection of articles of manufacture. In addition, the apparatus may be used to automatically analyze a field such as a drawing, photograph, map or electronic picture as found on an oscilloscope. The analysis provides a determination of the degree of certain characteristics of the field such as light or dark areas which are indicative of certain known conditions.
Such characteristics are obtainable in code form in one aspect of the invention and are thus capable of being analyzed by a computer or other device. In another form of the invention, apparatus is presented for automatically analyzing a changing condition in an image field.
In another specific embodiment, the digitizing can be effected either automatically by a flying spot scanner or by a cathode ray tube or by manual techniques which currently use a photoelectric cell or some other form of sensing device. Therefore, the digitizing may be accomplished either in constant speed or variable speed. That is, it can be done either by timing of a constant speed scanner or in proportion to the degree of movement of an allied digital converter such as a wheel having codes associated therewith.
DEFINI
Niro Scavone Haller & Niro
Tran Thai
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