An incremental real-time pattern tracking algorithm for line-scan camera application

• Published in: Mechatronics (Oxford) Vol. 4; no. 5; pp. 503 - 516
• Main Authors: King, T.G., Tao, L.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.1994; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Material handling, hoisting. Storage. Packaging; Transfert equipment, manipulators; industrial robots; Computer vision; Tracking task; Scanning; Real time; Algorithm; Textile industry
• ISSN: 0957-4158; 1873-4006
• DOI: 10.1016/0957-4158(94)90013-2

A map based algorithm for tracking a pre-defined arbitrary path across a surface with a known pattern but with an unknown, variable, degree of distortion is described. The approach is intended for use with a line-scan camera receiving data line-by-line from a moving web which is continuously patterned. The intended application is in separating ribbons of textile lace by laser cutting. Emphasis is placed on minimising data manipulation to enable control information to be derived in real-time. Tests are described which investigate the robustness of the approach when used with noisy signals and web patterns which are geometrically distorted from their nominal form, laterally and/or longitudinally, by up to ±10%. A practical real-time implementation of the algorithm using DSP hardware is described.