Raymond J Hebert

US Patent:

41490894, Apr 10, 1979

Filed:

Jul 22, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/818252

Inventors:

Jerome M. Idelsohn - Detroit MI
Paul A. Mueller - Detroit MI
M. David Freedman - Southfield MI
Raymond T. Hebert - Saratoga CA

Assignee:

The Bendix Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

G01N 2132

US Classification:

250563

Abstract:

An electro-optical scanner system for generating digital flaw data for a lumber inspection and optimization system is disclosed. The electro-optical scanner system includes an optical scanner generating analog scan data having frequency components indicative of the surface characteristics of the material being scanned. A dual quantizer separates the high frequency components of the scan data indicative of cracks, checks or splits from the low frequency components and converts both the high and low frequency components to a digital format. A digital filter removes extraneous noise from the digital high frequency scan data and a scanner interface encodes the digital high frequency and digital low frequency data in a predetermined multi-bit data byte format which simplifies data manipulation for subsequent flaw analysis by a computer.

US Patent:

42074720, Jun 10, 1980

Filed:

Aug 14, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/933393

Inventors:

Jerome M. Idelsohn - Detroit MI
Paul A. Mueller - Detroit MI
M. David Freedman - Southfield MI
Raymond T. Hebert - Saratoga CA
Edward A. King - Orinda CA

Assignee:

The Bendix Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

G01N 2132

US Classification:

250563

Abstract:

A lumber inspection and optimization system is disclosed combining the speed of electro-optic scanning for flaw detection with electronic data manipulation and computation for optimizing the utilization of the lumber in accordance with an order entry list specifying the dimensions, grade and priority of boards desired to cut from each piece of lumber inspected by the system. The system receives input data from an order entry device and an electro-optical scanner. The digital scan data from the electro-optical scanner is electronically processed to form a flaw data buffer containing the edge location of all the detected flaws enlarged to compensate for defective material usually surrounding each flaw. Optimization of the material is accomplished by electronically comparing the order entry data with the location of the flaws in the flaw buffer to generate cut line data indicative of where the board is to be cut. The cut line data may be used to either actuate a saw to cut the lumber at the locations specified by the cut line data or actuate a marker to mark the lumber at the specified locations.