This document describes VISpION, an optical sensor system that uses fractal analysis to summarize complex materials or processes. It offers advantages over traditional sensors like working in ambiguous environments. The system calculates fractal dimensions to represent criteria like surface texture. Several potential applications are described, like engine block casting inspection. The document outlines purchase conditions and contact information.
3. INTRODUCTION
• VISpION is a fractal-structured optical sensor system that uses a new algorithm for
the analysis of materials or processes. Because of this, it offers many important
advantages over traditional optical imagery.
• VISpION is especially useful in amorphous or difficult-to-interpret applications
where subtlety, apparent chaos, disturbing environmental factors, or ambivalence
can confuse other sensor systems or cause them to fail.
• VISpION does not have to take the time, nor to demand processing overhead, to
construct a pixelized image and to engage in pixel analysis.
• VISpION may operate with visual light, or with a more limited light spectrum, or
with infra-red, ultra-violet, with acoustic wavelength, magnetic wavelength, with
hologram, etc.
The illumination may be reflected or transmitted through the object(s) or process.
In some applications, even ambient light will provide sufficient illumination.
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4. COMPETITVE ADVANTAGES
VISpION fractal analysis offers:
• easy to use in a wide range of applications and industries with maximum flexibility in the
choice of optical or electro-magnetic front end
• exponentially improved ratio of cost to value compared to traditional optical sensors
• abstraction of data from extremely ambiguous or difficult-to-read objects or
processes
• extremely fine resolution from microscopic to macroscopic
• the ability to analyse the in real time with no upper limit on the speed of analysis
• excellent performance in harsh environments
• a much reduced digital overhead
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5. HOW IT WORKS
The principle:
VISpION is designed to recognize certain patterns in specimens and processes.
These patterns are created by: surface texture, shape, color, gloss, opacity,
consistency of features, resolution, plasticity, elasticity, surface tension, etc.
VISpION then calculates a fractal component, a real number, to represent any
selected criterion, or group of criteria. The fractal dimension is then compared to
previously calculated tolerance parameters.
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6. HOW IT WORKS
The technology:
a
b
c
1 Object to be examined
The object is illuminated to reveal the critical characteristics
2 Vispion- signal generation
Scaling geometry is applied using at least two channels (three shown here: a,b,c)
each employing a different sized field of the object characteristics
3 Extract filter
Standardization of the channels and determination of structure code
4 Box- Operation
Calculation using the VISpION fractal algorithm to interpret the structure code as a single
real number
5 Numeric structure code
Numerical comparison to base-line quality control parameters
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7. HOW IT WORKS > SAMPLE CONFIGURATION 1
The functional principle of the VISpION sensor lies in the operation of two or more modules
that create similar signals and perform a mapping function that is varied by scaling
instructions. The following examples illustrate just a few of the unlimited applications of the
VISpION sensor system.
In this example, different sized, but geometrically similar receptors on the receiver (photo
converter), match the shape and area of the scanned areas on the object surface, as
transmitted by the optics, except for distortions as a result of surface topography.
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8. HOW IT WORKS > SAMPLE CONFIGURATION 2
In this example, an object which is transparent in part, with inlayed and attached characteristics,
passes through the sensor. Each of two receivers create separate signals based on a fractal
interpretation of contrasting characteristics of the surface as revealed by the light transmitted through
the object.
Two areas of light reception, each the same shape and size, receive illumination in two differently-sized
areas.
A movement of the object typically results in gradients of brightness within the areas of scanner
inspection.
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9. HOW IT WORKS > SAMPLE CONFIGURATION 3
This example shows an anisotropic bar pattern on the specimen, with light reflection interpreted in
binary fashion. The creation of the signal takes place with only one converter. Adequate contrast is
created even in diffuse reflected light.
The size of the scanned area A is defined by the active area of the converter within the receiver. The
acitve exposure is alternately increased to accommodate scanning area B. In addition, the occurance
of scanned area B is a function of the speed of object movement.
The scanned areas have the same width, but specifically different lengths (a function of exposure and
velocity) such that for example scanned areas A and B, B/A = 2.
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10. HOW IT WORKS
Two of the many possible hardware configurations:
4 cm x 4 cm 2 cm x 2 cm
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11. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE
The VISpION system is extremely versatile and has been tested in many different
applications. A few examples follow:
1 Engine Block Castings >>
2 Spectrum Analysis in Flame >>
3 High-speed Textile Manufacturing >>
4 Bulk Granular Material >>
5 Crystalline Structure Formation >>
6 Quality control on Printing >>
A more detailed explanation of VISpION uses can be found in the document
“VISpION Field Tests”.
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12. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
1 Engine Block Castings
VISpION examines engine block castings for Daimler AG.
Sample A
Sample B
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13. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
2 Combustion Analysis
The system analyses the wavelength, and thereby the temperature, and also the
continuity of a flame process.
The VISpION receiver unit can also be modified to conform geometrically to the
shape and appearance of examined objects, objects flows, or processes.
The system can demonstrate continued “learned” refinement of fractal geometry.
This capability permits extremely economical and instant analysis of inconsistent
processes, not possible optically, and is thus ideal, for example, for monitoring the
development and flow of a combustion process.
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14. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
3 Textile Coating
The system performs quality control on a high-speed textile fleece coating production
line: One sample shown below within and one sample outside parameters.
Within parameters Outside parameters
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15. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
4 Bulk Granular Coffee
The system performs quality control on bulk coffee and recognizes all aberrations
including colour, grain size, clumping and the presence of any impurities.
Sample A
Sample B
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16. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
5 Crystalline Structure Formation
The system reports on the integrity of the process of crystalline structure formation,
indicating rate of crystal formation, structure, shape, consistency, colour and opacity.
Before crystallisation
After
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17. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL USE << back to overview examples
6 Quality control of Printing
VISpION detects integrity of printed piece and will recognize any abnormalities
including colour, resolution, registration, opacity, brightness, whiteness, ink density
and paper composition.
Printing specimen
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18. CONDITIONS FOR PURCHASE
• The purchaser will receive outright ownership of the U.S. patent of the sensor
system, which includes the ownership of developed hardware and VISpION
software, and rights to market exploitation.
• The ideal purchaser will be experienced in the field of detection technology
engineering, manufacturing and sales. The purchaser should be in a position to
manufacture, or to contract the manufacturing of the sensor system in quantity.
• Anticipated revenue stream for the purchaser will be in direct sales, end-user
training, programming, engineering, and licensing of distributors and/or end-
users.
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19. CONTACT
• Adelheid Birkle
info@7colours.de
mobile 0049 (0)160 755 768 1
Tel 0049 (0)40 - 50 69 32 38
Fax 0049 (0)40 - 36 19 06 41
Hoisbütteler Dorfstrasse 2
22949 Ammersbek/ Germany
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