Object to be measured

Abstract

It can sometimes be difficult to perform image measurements properly. [Solution] The object to be measured 110 has a pattern formed on its surface by paint, and the surface has a pattern, as well as areas where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of the mask that covers a part of the object to be measured when the pattern is formed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement object, a pattern forming method, a pattern forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Image measurement techniques such as an image correlation method for measuring displacement and strain by tracking the surface pattern of a measurement object using time-series image data are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for measuring parameters indicating deformation of the skin surface of a living human caused by a force acting on the skin surface. According to Patent Document 1, the method includes a step of preparing a first digital camera and a second digital camera, a step of providing a pattern on the skin surface of a person to create a skin surface on which the pattern is formed, and a step of capturing first data outputs from the first and second digital cameras indicating reference positions of the pattern-formed skin surface. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that as the pattern, a transfer pattern printed with ink and easily transferable to the skin surface is used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When performing image measurement, if a transfer pattern or similar method described in Patent Document 1 is not prepared in advance for the object to be measured, a trackable pattern may be formed by spraying paint onto it. When forming a pattern by spraying paint in this way, if the spray is too thin, the area where the paint adheres will be small, and a pattern with sufficient contrast for tracking will not be formed. On the other hand, if too much paint is applied locally, the area where the paint adheres will become dark, the area where the paint does not adhere will be small, the contrast will decrease, and tracking will become impossible. Thus, it has been difficult to form a pattern with appropriate contrast when forming a pattern using spray or similar methods. As a result, a problem has arisen in which it is sometimes difficult to perform image measurement properly.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a measurement target, a pattern formation method, a pattern formation apparatus, and a program that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this objective, the objects to be measured in this disclosure are: It has a pattern formed by paint on its surface. The surface has the pattern, and also has areas where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of the mask that covers a part of the object to be measured when the pattern is formed. This is the structure it takes.

[0008] Furthermore, the pattern formation method in this disclosure is The surface of the object to be measured is covered with a mask having a predetermined shape. By spraying paint onto the surface covered by the mask, a pattern is formed on the portion of the surface excluding the area covered by the mask. This is the structure it takes.

[0009] Furthermore, the pattern forming apparatus in this disclosure is The device has a pattern-forming section which, while covering the surface of the object to be measured with a mask having a predetermined shape, sprays paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask to form a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured. This is the structure it takes.

[0010] Furthermore, the program in this disclosure is In an information processing device, A pattern-forming unit that forms a pattern on the surface of an object to be measured by covering the surface of the object with a mask having a predetermined shape and then spraying paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask. This is a program designed to achieve that. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The configurations described above allow for more accurate image measurement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of how a pattern is formed on an object being measured. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pattern formed on an object being measured. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of how a pattern is formed on an object being measured. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an image measurement system. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a measuring device. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of image measurement. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of image measurement. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of how the measuring device works. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of how the measuring device works. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the pattern forming apparatus in the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the pattern forming apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] [First Embodiment] A configuration example of the processing system 100 in the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state when forming a pattern on the measurement object 110. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the pattern formed on the measurement object 110. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state when forming a pattern on the measurement object 110. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the mask 120. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the image measurement system 200. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the measurement device 300. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing an example of image measurement. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the measurement device 300. In the present disclosure, the drawings may be associated with one or more of the embodiments.

[0014] This disclosure describes a measurement target 110 having a pattern, such as a random pattern, formed by paint on its surface, and also having areas on its surface where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of a mask 120 that covers a part of the measurement target 110 when the pattern is formed. As described later, the measurement target 110 has a pattern, such as a random pattern, formed on the part of the surface excluding the part covered by the mask 120 by spraying paint onto the surface of the measurement target 110 while the surface of the measurement target 110 is covered with a mask 120 having a predetermined shape. For example, paint can be sprayed onto the measurement target 110 using any paint spraying means such as a spray 130. The paint spraying may be performed automatically using an information processing device or the like, or it may be performed by hand. As an example, a pattern can be formed on the measurement target 110 using an image measurement system 200, which will be described later and is capable of forming a pattern and performing image measurement. For example, the image measurement system 200 controls the position of the mask 120 and the position of the spray 130 to form a pattern, such as a random pattern, on the surface of the object to be measured 110 while the mask 120 covers the surface of the object to be measured 110. After that, the image measurement system 200 removes the mask 120 and acquires image data of the object to be measured 110 with the pattern formed on it. The image measurement system 200 then performs image measurement using the acquired image data.

[0015] In this disclosure, the object to be measured 110 may be any object that is subject to image measurement, such as displacement measurement or strain measurement, using methods such as image correlation. For example, the object to be measured 110 may be any test specimen used for testing, such as a load test. Generally, when using area-based image search methods such as image correlation or feature-point-based image search methods, tracking is performed using the surface pattern, so it is desirable that the surface has a clear contrast between light and dark. The object to be measured 110 may be any object that has few traceable patterns (low contrast) unless a pattern is formed using spray 130 or the like. For example, whether or not to treat an object to be image measured 110 as an object that forms a pattern may be determined based on the ease of image measurement when no pattern is formed, such as the presence or absence of a traceable pattern. Furthermore, while it is desirable that the shape of the object to be measured 110 be planar, it may be any shape, and the object to be measured 110 may be other than those exemplified above.

[0016] Figure 1 shows an example of how a pattern is formed on the object to be measured 110. Referring to Figure 1, a pattern such as a random pattern can be formed on the object to be measured 110 using a mask 120 having an arbitrary shape such as a mesh shape, a spray 130 for spraying paint, etc.

[0017] The mask 120 is a component that covers the surface of the object to be measured 110 when spraying paint onto the object to be measured 110. For example, the mask 120 can have any shape, such as a mesh shape. For example, the mask 120 may be a wire mesh or a string-shaped net. The mask 120 may also have a shape other than those exemplified above that can cover a part of the surface of the object to be measured 110. For example, the mask 120 may be a plate material with multiple circular or rectangular through holes formed therein.

[0018] The spray 130 is a paint spraying means that sprays paint onto the object to be measured 110. The color of the paint sprayed by the spray 130 may be determined according to the color of the object to be measured 110. For example, if the color of the object to be measured 110 is white or light-colored, it is desirable to use black paint as the paint to be sprayed. On the other hand, if the color of the object to be measured 110 is black or dark-colored, it is desirable to use white paint as the paint to be sprayed. In this way, it is desirable that the color of the paint to be sprayed is a color that corresponds to the color or brightness of the surface of the object to be measured 110 in order to make it easier to obtain contrast.

[0019] For example, using the configuration described above, paint is sprayed onto the surface of the object to be measured 110 using the sprayer 130 while the surface of the object to be measured 110 is covered with the mask 120. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the sprayed paint creates areas where the paint is partially adhered and areas where it is not, forming a pattern such as a random pattern on the surface of the object to be measured 110. In addition, areas that were covered with the mask 120 during the paint spraying process are not painted, and therefore areas where no pattern is formed are created. Note that the areas where no pattern is formed are created by covering the surface of the object to be measured 110 with the mask 120, and therefore depend on the shape of the mask 120. For example, if the shape of the mask 120 is a mesh shape, areas where the mesh-shaped pattern is not formed will be formed on the surface of the object to be measured 110, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0020] Furthermore, it has been observed that when paint is sprayed with a distance of more than 3 cm between the object to be measured 110 and the mask 120, the paint tends to wrap around to the back of the mask 120, reducing the contrast. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, it is desirable to adjust the distance between the object to be measured 110 and the mask 120 to meet a predetermined standard, such as 3 cm or less. Similarly, to suppress paint wrapping, when using the spray 130, it is desirable to spray the paint from a perpendicular direction to the object to be measured 110 and the mask 120.

[0021] Furthermore, when spraying paint using a spray can 130 or the like, shortening the distance between the object to be measured 110 and the spray can 130 increases the area on the surface of the object to be measured 110 where paint adheres, causing the paint to overlap and the color to become darker, making it easier to obtain contrast with areas where no paint adheres. On the other hand, if the distance between the object to be measured 110 and the spray can 130 is too close, it may result in over-painting in certain areas, leaving fewer or no areas where no paint adheres, which may reduce the contrast in those areas. The method described in this disclosure makes it possible to create areas on the surface of the object to be measured 110 where no pattern is formed, thereby suppressing the reduction in contrast due to over-painting. Therefore, compared to the case where the mask 120 is not used, the distance between the object to be measured 110 and the spray can 130 can be shortened even further, and as a result, it becomes easier to obtain contrast.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the size and spacing of the areas where no pattern is formed by the mask 120 should be appropriate to the size of the area being tracked when performing image measurement using image data of the object to be measured 110. For example, the mesh size should preferably be approximately 100 pixels × 100 pixels in terms of pixel size on the surface of the object to be measured 110. For example, when performing image measurement using the principle of area-based image search, such as the image correlation method described later, we assume a case where an area surface of approximately 128 pixels × 128 pixels in terms of pixel size on the surface of the object to be measured 110 is being tracked. In this case, by making the size and spacing of the areas where no pattern is formed smaller than the size of the area being tracked, the risk of tracking only areas with low contrast can be reduced, and a decrease in measurement accuracy can be suppressed. Note that the size and spacing of the areas where no pattern is formed may be determined according to the size of the area being tracked when measuring displacement or rotation, or according to the size of the area (subset) being tracked when measuring in-plane displacement distribution.

[0023] <Example of spray coating configuration> As described above, the application of paint using the spray 130 or any other paint spraying means may be performed automatically using an information processing device or the like, or it may be performed manually. For example, a pattern can be formed on the object to be measured 110 using an image measurement system 200 that is capable of forming a pattern and performing image measurement.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example configuration of the image measurement system 200. Referring to Figure 5, the image measurement system 200 has a measurement device 300, which is an information processing device that controls the mask 120 and spray 130, and acquires image data using the imaging device 400.

[0025] The imaging device 400 acquires image data of the object to be measured 110, etc., in response to control from the measuring device 300. The imaging device 400 may be any camera or the like.

[0026] The measuring device 300 sprays paint onto the object to be measured 110 by controlling the mask 120 and spray 130 using an arbitrary robotic arm or the like. The measuring device 300 also acquires image data of the object to be measured 110 that has been sprayed with paint and performs image measurement. Figure 6 shows an example of the main configuration of the measuring device 300. Referring to Figure 6, the measuring device 300 has as its main components, for example, an operation input unit 310, a screen display unit 320, a communication interface unit 330, a storage unit 340, and an arithmetic processing unit 350.

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates a case where the functions of the measuring device 300 are realized using a single information processing device. However, at least some of the functions of the measuring device 300 may be realized using multiple information processing devices, for example, by being implemented on the cloud. For example, the measuring device 300 may consist of a pattern forming device, which is an information processing device that forms a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured 110, and an image measuring device that acquires image data and performs image measurement. Furthermore, the measuring device 300 may not include some of the configurations exemplified above, such as not having an operation input unit 310 or a screen display unit 320, and may have configurations other than those exemplified above.

[0028] The operation input unit 310 consists of an operation input device such as a keyboard or mouse. The operation input unit 310 detects the operation of the operator operating the measuring device 300 and outputs it to the calculation processing unit 350.

[0029] The screen display unit 320 consists of a screen display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display. The screen display unit 320 can display various information stored in the storage unit 340 on the screen in response to instructions from the arithmetic processing unit 350.

[0030] The communication interface unit 330 consists of data communication circuits and the like. The communication interface unit 330 performs data communication with the robot arm, imaging device 400, and other arbitrary external devices connected via a communication line.

[0031] The storage unit 340 is a storage device such as a hard disk or memory. The storage unit 340 stores processing information and programs 342 necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit 350. The programs 342 are read into the arithmetic processing unit 350 and executed to realize various processing functions. The programs 342 are pre-read from external devices or recording media via data input / output functions such as the communication interface unit 330 and stored in the storage unit 340. The main information stored in the storage unit 340 includes, for example, image data information 341.

[0032] Image data information 341 includes image data acquired by the imaging device 400. For example, image data information 341 may include time-series image data of at least the surface of the object to be measured 110, which has a pattern formed on its surface by paint and areas where no pattern is formed. Image data information 341 can be updated in response to image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 353, etc.

[0033] The arithmetic processing unit 350 includes a arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits. The arithmetic processing unit 350 reads and executes a program 342 from the storage unit 340, thereby realizing various processing functions by having the hardware and the program 342 work together. Examples of the main processing functions realized by the arithmetic processing unit 350 include a mask adjustment unit 351, a pattern formation unit 352, an image acquisition unit 353, an image measurement unit 354, and an output unit 355.

[0034] The arithmetic processing unit 350 may have a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPU (Floating Point Number Processing Unit), PPU (Physics Processing Unit), TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), quantum processor, microcontroller, or a combination thereof, instead of the CPU described above.

[0035] The mask adjustment unit 351 adjusts the position of the mask 120. The mask adjustment unit 351 may adjust the position of the mask 120 using a robot arm or the like connected via the communication interface unit 330.

[0036] For example, the mask adjustment unit 351 adjusts the position of the mask 120 so that it covers the surface of the object to be measured 110. Alternatively, the mask adjustment unit 351 may adjust the position of the mask 120 so that the distance between the object to be measured 110 and the mask 120 is 3 cm or less, or to satisfy a predetermined standard.

[0037] The mask adjustment unit 351 may be configured to perform adjustments other than those exemplified above. For example, the mask adjustment unit 351 may be configured to move the mask 120 away from the object to be measured 110 after the paint spraying by the pattern forming unit 352, which will be described later, is completed.

[0038] The pattern forming unit 352 controls a paint spraying means such as a spray bottle 130 via a robotic arm or the like to spray paint onto the surface of the object to be measured 110. As a result, the pattern forming unit 352 forms patterns such as random patterns on the surface of the object to be measured 110.

[0039] For example, the pattern forming unit 352 sprays paint over the entire surface of the object to be measured 110 with the mask 120 positioned by the mask adjustment unit 351. At this time, the pattern forming unit 352 may control the spray 130, etc., according to predetermined conditions, etc., so that the surface has as much contrast as possible and a random pattern is formed on the surface. In this case, it is desirable for the pattern forming unit 352 to control the spray 130, etc., so that the paint is sprayed from a direction perpendicular to the object to be measured 110.

[0040] The image acquisition unit 353 acquires image data of the object to be measured 110, on which a pattern has been formed, from the imaging device 400. For example, the image acquisition unit 353 can acquire time-series image data of the object to be measured 110 when a predetermined load is applied to it. The image acquisition unit 353 also stores the acquired image data as image data information 341 in the storage unit 340.

[0041] The image measurement unit 354 performs predetermined image measurements using time-series image data included in the image data information 341. For example, the image measurement unit 354 measures three-dimensional displacements of the imaging surface or measures in-plane displacement distributions by comparing a reference image and a comparison image from the time-series image data.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the image measurement unit 354 measures three-dimensional displacement using time-series image data by treating the image data at a reference time as a single plane and tracking where it moved at other times. The image measurement unit 354 may generate graphs showing time-series vertical displacement (deflection), in-screen displacement (lateral sway), in-screen rotation angle, etc., by performing the above measurements.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the image measurement unit 354 can measure the in-plane displacement distribution by tracking the position of each local region within the image data at different times. For example, the image measurement unit 354 may measure the displacement of each local region when a predetermined load is applied, or it may be configured to detect cracks and calculate the amount of crack opening and closing using the results of the above measurements.

[0044] The image measurement unit 354 can perform at least some of the image measurements described above. The image measurement unit 354 may also be configured to perform processing other than those exemplified. For example, if the mesh size of the mask 120 is known, the size of the area on the surface of the object to be measured 110 where no pattern is formed will also be known. Therefore, the image measurement unit 354 may use this known size when calculating parameters for real-scale conversion. For example, the image measurement unit 354 may be configured to estimate depth by calculating the difference between image data acquired while changing the magnification.

[0045] The output unit 355 outputs information indicating the results of image measurement performed by the image measurement unit 354. The output unit 355 may display the above information on the screen display unit 320, or it may transmit it to an external device via the communication interface unit 330 or the like. In addition to information indicating the results of image measurement performed by the image measurement unit 354, the output unit 355 may also output image data included in the image data information 341.

[0046] The above is an example of the configuration of the measuring device 300.

[0047] The measuring device 300 may have configurations other than those exemplified above. For example, the measuring device 300 may have a load control unit that controls the load applied to the object to be measured 110. The measuring device 300 may also be configured to acquire image data of the object to be measured 110 before pattern formation and to determine the necessity of pattern formation according to the acquired image data. In other words, the measuring device 300 may have a determination unit that determines the necessity of pattern formation according to the image data. For example, the determination unit checks the number and distribution of trackable patterns on the surface of the object to be measured 110 in the image data. The determination unit can then be configured to determine whether to perform pattern formation using the mask adjustment unit 351 or the pattern formation unit 352 if it is determined that certain conditions are met, such as when it is determined that there are few patterns or when it is determined that there are areas that cannot be tracked due to a bias in the distribution. In this case, the mask adjustment unit 351 or the pattern formation unit 352 is used to form a pattern according to the determination by the determination unit that pattern formation is necessary. The image acquisition unit 353 can then acquire time-series image data. On the other hand, in response to the determination unit's determination that pattern formation is unnecessary, the image acquisition unit 353 may acquire time-series image data without performing pattern formation using the mask adjustment unit 351 or the pattern formation unit 352. For example, the measuring device 300 may have modifications as illustrated above, or it may have modifications other than those illustrated above.

[0048] Next, an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figures 9 and 10 show examples of the operation of the measuring device 300. The operation of the measuring device 300 may differ from those exemplified in Figures 9 and 10, for example, by omitting some of the processes shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0049] Figure 9 shows an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 when forming a pattern on the object to be measured 110. Referring to Figure 9, the measuring device 300 determines whether or not pattern formation is necessary (step S101). The measuring device 300 may make the above determination depending on the ease of image measurement when no pattern is formed.

[0050] If it is determined that pattern formation is necessary (step S101, YES), the mask adjustment unit 351 adjusts the position of the mask 120 (step S102). The mask adjustment unit 351 may adjust the position of the mask 120 using a robot arm connected via the communication interface unit 330.

[0051] The pattern forming unit 352 controls a paint spraying means such as a spray bottle 130 via a robot arm or the like to spray paint onto the surface of the object to be measured 110 (step S103). As a result, the pattern forming unit 352 forms patterns such as random patterns on the surface of the object to be measured 110.

[0052] The above is an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 when forming a pattern. Note that the process in step S101 may be omitted. Alternatively, the mask 120 may be separated after the process in step S103.

[0053] Next, with reference to Figure 10, an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 when performing image measurement will be described. Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 when performing image measurement. Referring to Figure 10, the image acquisition unit 353 acquires image data of the object to be measured 110 on which a pattern has been formed from the imaging device 400 (step S201). For example, the image acquisition unit 353 can acquire time-series image data of the object to be measured 110 on which a predetermined load has been applied.

[0054] The image measurement unit 354 performs a predetermined image measurement using the time-series image data included in the image data information 341 (step S202). For example, the image measurement unit 354 may measure the three-dimensional displacement of the imaging surface or measure the in-plane displacement distribution by comparing a reference image data and a comparison image data from the time-series image data.

[0055] The above is an example of the operation of the measuring device 300 when performing image measurement. Note that the device may be configured to output the image measurement results after the processing in step S202.

[0056] Thus, the object to be measured 110 has a pattern, such as a random pattern, formed by the paint on its surface, and also has areas on its surface where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of the mask 120 that covers a part of the object to be measured 110 when the pattern is formed. With this configuration, even if there is localized over-painting, contrast can be obtained from the areas where the pattern is not formed. As a result, it becomes possible to acquire image data with more appropriate contrast, and to perform image measurement more accurately.

[0057] Furthermore, the shape of the mask 120 can be a mesh shape with a size corresponding to the size of the area to be tracked. With such a configuration, the possibility of tracking areas without mesh when performing tracking using image data can be suppressed. As a result, a decrease in measurement accuracy can be suppressed, and more appropriate image measurement can be performed.

[0058] [Second Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figures 11 and 12, a pattern forming apparatus 500, which is a modified version of the measuring apparatus 300, will be described. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the pattern forming apparatus 500. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pattern forming apparatus 500.

[0059] The pattern forming apparatus 500 is an information processing device that forms patterns, such as random patterns, on the surface of a measurement target, such as the measurement target object 110, by spraying paint. Figure 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the pattern forming apparatus 500. Referring to Figure 11, the pattern forming apparatus 500 has the following hardware configuration as an example. ·CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501 (computing unit) ROM (Read Only Memory) 502 (Storage Device) • RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 (storage device) • Program group 504 loaded into RAM 503 • Storage device 505 for storing the program group 504 • Drive device 506 for reading and writing to the recording medium 510 outside the information processing device. • Communication interface 507 connecting to the communication network 511 outside the information processing device. • Input / output interface 508 for data input and output. • Bus 509 connecting each component

[0060] Furthermore, the pattern forming apparatus 500 can realize the function of the pattern forming unit 521 shown in Figure 12 by having the CPU 501 acquire the program group 504 and execute it. The program group 504 is, for example, stored in advance in a storage device 505 or ROM 502, and the CPU 501 loads it into RAM 503 or the like and executes it as needed. Alternatively, the program group 504 may be supplied to the CPU 501 via a communication network 511, or it may be stored in advance in a recording medium 510, and the drive device 506 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 501.

[0061] Figure 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the pattern forming apparatus 500. The hardware configuration of the pattern forming apparatus 500 is not limited to the case described above. For example, the pattern forming apparatus 500 may consist of only a part of the configuration described above, such as not having a drive device 506. Also, the CPU 501 may be a GPU or the like as exemplified in the first embodiment.

[0062] The pattern forming unit 521 covers the surface of the object to be measured, such as the object to be measured 110, with a mask having a predetermined shape, and then sprays paint onto the surface of the object to be measured covered by the mask. In this way, the pattern forming unit 521 forms a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured.

[0063] The mask may be controlled by an information processing device such as a pattern forming device 500 to cover the surface of the object to be measured, or it may be covered by a person's hand or other means.

[0064] Thus, the pattern forming apparatus 500 has a pattern forming unit 521. With this configuration, the pattern forming unit 521 can form a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured by spraying paint onto the surface of the object to be measured, which is covered with a mask. As a result, the pattern forming apparatus 500 can form patterns such as random patterns on the surface of the object to be measured, and at the same time, it can form areas on the surface of the object to be measured where no pattern is formed due to the presence of the mask. This makes it possible to acquire image data with more appropriate contrast and to perform image measurement more appropriately.

[0065] The pattern forming apparatus 500 described above can be realized by incorporating a predetermined program into an information processing device such as the pattern forming apparatus 500. Specifically, another form of the program of this disclosure is a program for realizing a pattern forming unit in an information processing device such as the pattern forming apparatus 500, which forms a pattern on the surface of an object to be measured by covering the surface of the object with a mask having a predetermined shape and then spraying paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask.

[0066] Furthermore, the pattern forming method performed by the information processing device such as the pattern forming device 500 described above is a method in which the information processing device such as the pattern forming device 500 covers the surface of the object to be measured with a mask having a predetermined shape, and sprays paint onto the surface covered by the mask, thereby forming a pattern on the part of the surface excluding the part covered by the mask.

[0067] Even a program having the above-described configuration, or a recording medium readable by a computer containing the program, or a pattern forming method, can achieve the same effects and benefits as the pattern forming apparatus 500 described above, and thus the objectives of this disclosure described above can be achieved.

[0068] <Note> Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. The outline of the pattern forming apparatus and the like in this disclosure is described below. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following configurations.

[0069] (Note 1) It has a pattern formed by paint on its surface. The surface has the pattern, and also has areas where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of the mask that covers a part of the object to be measured when the pattern is formed. The object to be measured. (Note 2) The aforementioned pattern is formed by paint sprayed while covered with a mask having a predetermined shape. The object to be measured as described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The size and spacing of the areas where the pattern is not formed are determined according to the size of the area to be tracked when performing image measurement using image data of the object to be measured. The object to be measured as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 4) The aforementioned paint has a color that corresponds to the color or brightness of the surface of the object being measured. The objects to be measured as described in Appendix 2. (Note 5) The object to be measured is a test specimen used in a load test. The object to be measured as described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 4. (Note 6) The surface of the object to be measured is covered with a mask having a predetermined shape. By spraying paint onto the surface covered by the mask, a pattern is formed on the portion of the surface excluding the area covered by the mask. A method for forming patterns for image measurement. (Note 7) When covering the surface of the object to be measured with the mask, the distance between the object to be measured and the mask is adjusted to satisfy predetermined conditions. The paint is sprayed onto the surface covered by the mask while the distance between the object to be measured and the mask satisfies predetermined conditions. The pattern formation method described in Appendix 6. (Note 8) The device has a pattern-forming section which, while covering the surface of the object to be measured with a mask having a predetermined shape, sprays paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask to form a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured. Pattern forming device. (Note 9) The mask adjustment unit has a mechanism that adjusts the position of the mask so that the distance between it and the object to be measured satisfies predetermined conditions. The pattern forming unit sprays paint onto the surface covered by the mask while the distance between the object to be measured and the mask has been adjusted by the mask adjustment unit. The pattern forming apparatus described in Appendix 8. (Note 10) In an information processing device, A program for realizing a pattern-forming unit that forms a pattern on the surface of an object to be measured by covering the surface of the object with a mask having a predetermined shape, and then spraying paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask.

[0070] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 5, which are dependent on the object to be measured as described in Appendice 1, may also be dependent on the pattern forming method described in Appendices 6 and 7, the pattern forming apparatus described in Appendices 8 and 9, the program described in Appendice 10, etc., through a similar dependency relationship. Moreover, not limited to Appendices 6 to 10, some or all of the configurations described in the appendices may also be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means, methods, or systems for recording software, without departing from the embodiments described above.

[0071] The programs described in each of the above embodiments and appendices can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). Programs may also be supplied to a computer using various types of transient computer-readable media. Examples of transient computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer-readable media can be supplied to a computer via wired communication channels such as electric wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication channels.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 110 Objects to be measured 120 masks 130 sprays 200 Image Measurement Systems 300 measuring devices 310 Operation Input Section 320 Screen display section 330 Communication Interface Section 340 Storage section 341 Image data information 342 Programs 350 Arithmetic Processing Unit 351 Mask adjustment section 352 Pattern forming section 353 Image acquisition unit 354 Image Measurement Unit 355 Output section 400 Imaging device 500 Pattern forming device 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 Program Groups 505 Storage device 506 Drive unit 507 Communication Interface 508 Input / Output Interfaces Bus 509 510 Recording media 511 Communication Network 521 Pattern forming section

Claims

1. It has a pattern formed by paint on its surface. The surface has the pattern, and also has areas where the pattern is not formed, corresponding to the shape of the mask that covers a part of the object to be measured when the pattern is formed. The object to be measured.

2. The aforementioned pattern is formed by paint sprayed while covered with a mask having a predetermined shape. The object to be measured according to claim 1.

3. The size and spacing of the areas where the pattern is not formed are determined according to the size of the area to be tracked when performing image measurement using image data of the object to be measured. The object to be measured according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned paint has a color that corresponds to the color or brightness of the surface of the object being measured. The object to be measured according to claim 2.

5. The object to be measured is a test specimen used in a load test. The object to be measured according to claim 1.

6. The surface of the object to be measured is covered with a mask having a predetermined shape. By spraying paint onto the surface covered by the mask, a pattern is formed on the portion of the surface excluding the area covered by the mask. A method for forming patterns for image measurement.

7. When covering the surface of the object to be measured with the mask, the distance between the object to be measured and the mask is adjusted to satisfy predetermined conditions. The paint is sprayed onto the surface covered by the mask while the distance between the object to be measured and the mask satisfies predetermined conditions. The pattern forming method according to claim 6.

8. The device has a pattern-forming section which, while covering the surface of the object to be measured with a mask having a predetermined shape, sprays paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask to form a pattern on the surface of the object to be measured. Pattern forming device.

9. The mask adjustment unit has a mechanism that adjusts the position of the mask so that the distance between it and the object to be measured satisfies predetermined conditions. The pattern forming unit sprays paint onto the surface covered by the mask while the distance between the object to be measured and the mask has been adjusted by the mask adjustment unit. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. In an information processing device, A program for realizing a pattern-forming unit that forms a pattern on the surface of an object to be measured by covering the surface of the object with a mask having a predetermined shape, and then spraying paint onto the surface of the object covered by the mask.

Images