Patent ID: 6681037
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: G01N,G06T,H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:an image processor, said image processor being configured to send a plurality of commands to a digital camera causing the digital camera to obtain a plurality of digital images of an object without moving a location of the digital camera in relation to the object, said image processor being arranged to receive the digital images of the object from the digital camera, and said image processor being configured to control a level of illumination from at least one lighting source for illuminating the object, said image processor comprising: an illumination changer to change a level of illumination of any of the at least one lighting source, the at least one lighting source illuminating the object, while the position of the at least one lighting source remains the same; a subtracter to subtract at least a second digital image of the object from a first digital image of the object to produce a difference image of the object, the illumination changer changing a level of illumination of the object before said image processor sends a command to the digital camera to obtain the second digital image; an analyzer to analyze the difference image and to locate at least one feature of the object based on the difference image; and a controller to control and coordinate the illumination changer, the subtracter, and the analyzer.