Optical Leather Area Detection Using Strip Continuity Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leather processing plants rely on manual or empirical methods for determining the spatial geometric parameters of leathers, such as count and area, which are inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing optical detection means to generate vectors representing the presence of leathers on parallel strips, processing these vectors to identify continuity and assign identifiers, and creating an identifiers vector to determine the number and area of leathers, automating the geometric parameter determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual or empirical methods are used for determining the number and area of leathers, then the process is simple to implement, but the efficiency is low and human error occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting and measurement methods with an optical detection system using cameras and digital image processing. The system captures images of leathers on the conveyor belt, processes them through algorithms to identify boundaries and calculate areas, and automatically determines the number of leathers, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the physical leathers and processes these copies to determine geometric parameters. By working with digital representations rather than physical measurements, the system achieves automated, repeatable, and error-free parameter determination without direct human interaction with the physical objects
2Measurement precision
If optical detection means are used to automatically determine leather parameters, then efficiency and accuracy improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex task of leather parameter determination into distinct processing blocks: image acquisition, preprocessing to enhance boundaries, contour detection to identify leather edges, area calculation, and number counting. This segmentation allows each sub-task to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system accuracy and manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate processing steps including image preprocessing and boundary detection algorithms that serve as mediators between the raw optical data and the final parameter measurements. These intermediaries transform complex image data into simplified representations (contours, boundaries) that are easier to measure accurately
3Reliability
If manual counting and area evaluation are performed, then the system complexity remains low, but errors and inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the processed images and calculated parameters are continuously monitored and validated. The digital representation allows for repeated verification of measurements, and the automated system can adjust processing parameters based on detected variations in leather appearance, ensuring consistent and reliable results across different conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for determining one or more parameters of one or more leathers (L1-L5). The method comprises the steps of: - generating a surfaces vector S; (a) acquiring a representation constituted by a first vector R0 of N positions of values related to a first strip (F1) affected by the presence of said one or more leathers (L1-L5), each value of the first vector R0 representing a value of presence or absence of said one or more leathers (L1-L5) detected at N areas aligned within the first strip (F1); (b) acquiring a representation constituted by a second vector R1 of N positions of values related to a second strip (F2) affected by the presence of said one or more leathers (L1-L5), each value of the second vector R1 representing a value of presence or absence of said one or more leathers (L1-L5) detected at N areas aligned within the second strip (F2); - in a first processing block, checking the continuity of said one or more leathers (L1-L5) by comparing the values of the two vectors R0, R1 and in case of continuity assigning a corresponding common leather identifier within the second vector R1 and updating the surfaces vector S; - in a second processing block assigning an identifier to the positions of the second vector R1 with presence value but lacking common identifier; - in a third processing block, creating an identifiers vector of said one or more leathers (L1-L5), determining an end-of-leather event, providing the values of said one or more parameters and updating the surfaces vector S again.