Title: Automatic object counter

• Summary
• Claims
• Description
• View all

Abstract: An automatic counter which can scan either micro or macro sized objects in a field and provide both a visual display of the scanned objects as well as a digital count or measurement of the objects. A video camera is focused onto the sample and produces a video output signal which is processed and ultimately displayed on a video display together with an appropriate flag signal on each object identified. An aperture generator generates an electronic aperture signal whereby a particular area can be selected as to both size and shape and the selected area is displayed on the monitor screen of the video display. A compensation circuit provides additional counts to compensate for those cases where the entire area of a sample is not counted. An absolute area circuit provides a silhouette around each identified object and can provide an absolute measurement of the area within the silhouettes as well as a measurement of the total area of the selected aperture. A percent area circuit provides the area ratio count of the objects detected relative to the total aperture area. A size discriminating circuit allows selectivity of objects to be counted based on their size. A density circuit allows selectivity of objects to be counted or measured based on their optical absorption parameters. A special circuit determines and automatically adjusts to the optimum operating level. A circuit is available to provide size histograms of objects in the field of view. Further a three-way illuminating system is provided and utilized when operating in the macro mode.


Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now: