GB1597564A - Electro-optical gauging system - Google Patents

Description

(54) ELECTRO-OPTICAL GAGING SYSTEM (71) We, BETHLEHEM STEEL CORPORATION, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18016, United States of America, Incorporated in the State of Delaware, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates broadly to electro-optical gaging methods and systems. More particularly, this invention relates to an electro-optical method and system for gaging one or more dimensions of an object either at a stationary position or at various peripheral positions to determine the profile of the object.The invention may be used to determine one or two lateral dimensions and lateral profile of a moving hot bar during bar rolling in a steel mill as is disclosed herein. Similarly, the invention may be used to gage one or more dimensions and profile of other shaped objects and in other environments as well. In addition, the invention may be used to determine, and plot if desired, a gaging system histogram.

Description of the prior art Generally, in steel mills where hot round bars are rolled, productivity demands require that a variety of bars be rolled at speeds of up to 1219 m:/min. (4000 ft./min.) and sizes of up to 7.62 cm. (three inches) in diameter while the bar rolling temperature is about 930"C.

(1700IF.). Further demands require that the specifications on finished cold bar size and out-of-roundness be within one-half existing commercial tolerances. In order to meet these requirements, a computer-controlled rolling process must be implemented that will combine order data with operating measurements to produce mill control signals that will maximize productivity while minimizing, or desirably eliminating, off-specification product.

Some of the operating data used in mill control computer calculations and referred to herein are: desired bar diameter, or aim size; aim size full-and half-commercial tolerances; and bar grade, or percent carbon composition of the bar to be rolled. Some of the operating measurements mentioned above and of particular importance are: actual bar diameter, or bar size; actual bar lateral profile, or bar profile; and a histogram of bar size measurements.

Another operating measurement is bar temperature, a parameter used to correct hot bar shrinkage in both bar measurement and computer control aspects of mill operation.

In order that the mill control computer may be programmed to meet the strict requirements of mill speed, bar size and size half-tolerances, it is desirous that all operating measurements have the following characteristics. Bar size measurements be made when the bar vibrates in a lateral plane while moving longitudinally during rolling: be made at repetitive rates of about 300 Hz.; have a resolution of 0.0127 mm. (.0005"); have an absolute accuracy equivalent to one-quarter commercial tolerance; maintain a high degree of reliability; all measurements made under the severe environment normally present in a steel rolling mill. Bar temperature measurements should have similar characteristics. A histogram of bar measurements is also provided by the system.

Several types of electro-optical gaging systems are available to measure bar size. One early type of bar size gaging system operates on the self-illumination principle in which chopped infrared radiation from the hot bar is imaged through a lens onto an infrared detector. Elementary edge-detection circuitry was used in an attempt to define raw detector pulses in relation to bar edges.

Three more recent electro-optical systems applicable to bar size measurements operate on the principle of back-lighting a test object to be measured and imaging a shadow of the object through a lens onto the face of an electronic camera. In a second such gaging system, a stationary light source of fixed intensity illuminates the test object and the lens system focuses the object shadow onto a phototransistor. In a second such gaging system, a stationary light source of fixed intensity illuminates the test object and the lens system focuses the object shadow onto an electronically scanned image orthicon tube having two-axis unidirectional scanning. In the third such system, the image orthicon tube is replaced by a self-scanning photodiode array.

The photoresponsive device in each of the three back-lighted gaging systems generates a raw camera pulse having a width that approximates the object dimension between shadow edges. Raw camera pulses are processed in edge detection circuitry having either plain differentiators or gated differentiators which further attempt to more closely define camera pulse width in relation to the object dimension.

Two additional types of electro-optical gaging systems are available which combine the above features to measure bar lateral profile. One type of profile gaging system combines two self-illuminated cameras fixedly disposed orthogonally perpendicular to the bar mill pass line. This system in fact produces only two bar diameter measurements 90 apart but not bar profile measurements. The other type of electro-optical bar profile gaging system incorporates two back-lighted cameras mounted orthogonally on a scanner, whereby two bar diameter measurements and a scanner position measurement are indicated separately and/or recorded on a multichannel recorder during peripheral scanning of the bar.

Each of the foregoing prior art-electro-optical bar size and bar profile gaging systems has met with varying degrees of success in certain types of installations. However, none of these gaging systems is entirely satisfactory to use as a bar dimension and profile gaging system in the environment of a contemporary high-speed hot steel bar rolling mill. Such gaging systems fail to meet the foregoing measurement requirements for one or more of the following reasons.

Difficulties with prior art gaging systems are first, the object to be measured must be confined to a given position in the camera field-of-view. Second, inability to provide sufficient camera speed-of-response and/or camera resolution. Third, inability to meet system accuracy at high repetitlon rates because considerable switching noise occurs at such measuring speeds and differentiator noise is also particularly troublesome. In addition, some environmental electrical noise is present in varying degrees which further compounds the problem of making definitive bar measurements at high speeds and high reliability.

Fourth, inability or insufficient capability to correct for such error sources as optical and electronic nonlinearities, all of which affect gaging system accuracy. Fifth, instability which causes drift in system calibration. Sixth, inability to provide a meaningful plot and display of cold bar diameters and profile information at various peripheral positions to either a rolling mill operator or a rolling mill control computer. Seventh, inability to provide a bar gaging system histogram. Eighth, inability to compensate or correct size for distortion resulting from high frequency lateral vibration of the bar.

Summary of the invention A main object of electro-optical gaging methods and systems embodying this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system.

One other object of at least preferred embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which has a high response speed, a high repetition rate of measurement, a high accuracy, a high stability and/or a high reliability in the environment of a contemporary high-speed hot steel bar rolling mill.

Another object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and apparatus which permits accurate measurement of an object when placed at any position in a camera field-of-view, including while the object is vibrating in an orbit lateral to longitudinal movement of the object.

Another object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which determines both object size and object variable position in a camera field-of-view.

Still another object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which processes a camera signal to remove noise combined with an object size pulse in the camera signal, thereby permitting precise definitions of the object size pulse and/or object position in the camera field-of-view.

Yet another object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging -method and system which corrects camera object size signals for optical and electronic nonlinearities and/or other sources of error.

A further object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which plots and displays and/or records one or two orthogonal dimensions of an object and/or the object's profile at one or more peripheral positions of the object.

Still a further object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which plots the profile of an object and displays and/or records the plot overlaid on one or more commercial tolerance references of the object.

Another object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which plots and displays and/or records one or more histograms of the gaging system.

A final object of such embodiments of this invention is to provide an improved electro-optical gaging method and system which plots a profile of an object and/or a gage histogram suitable for use by a computer controlled process.

According to the present invention there is provided an electro-optical system for gaging a lateral dimension of a moving bar, characterized by measuring means including electronic camera means for converting an image of the bar into a raw camera signal having noise and subject to one or more other sources of errors, electronic circuit means including means for processing the raw camera signal to remove noise and produce a bar size pulse subject to said one or more sources of other errors, programmed computer means processing said bar size pulse and a corresponding number of error-compensating signals from error measurement or monitoring sources to compensate the bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the one or more error-compensating signals, thereby producing a corrected bar size pulse, said programmed computer means being adapted to store the corrected bar size pulse, and means for utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record the corrected bar size.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electro-optical method of gaging a lateral dimension of a moving bar, characterized by imaging the bar upon electronic camera means and converting the bar image into a raw camera signal having noise and subject to one or more sources of errors, processing the raw camera signal to remove the noise and produce a bar size pulse subject to said one or more sources of errors, processing the bar size pulse and a corresponding number of error-compensating signals from external sources into programmed computer means, said programmed computer means calculating a correction factor to compensate the bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the corresponding number of said error-compensating signals, and subsequently producing and storing a corrected bar size pulse, and utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record corrected bar size.

The foregoing electro-optical system and method may advantageously be used in a hot bar rolling mill, for example, to provide a computerized electro-optical system and method respectively for gaging either one- or two-orthogonal dimensions of a moving and vibrating hot bar either at a stationary position or at various peripheral positions. One or more back-lighted electronic camera heads are used and these are mounted at 900 apart on a scanner for two dimensions being gaged. Each camera head is provided with electronics which include camera AGC and a common digital bidirectional sweep generator for one-axis scan of each camera simultaneously. Additional electronics process a bar shadow pulse in pulse edge-detection circuitry having an autocorrelator to remove noise.Other electronics include a digital accumulator which provides a digital bar size and bar position-in-field-of-view signals.

Each camera's bar size and bar position signals, a scanner position signal, bar temperature and other signals are assimilated by a digital computer which is programmed to perform the following functions either off-line or on4ine. First, correct each bar size signal by digitally compensating for field-of-view errors, other optical and electronic non linearities, bar temperature and other souces of errors, thereby providing highly accurate bar diameter measurements anywhere in the f.o.v. Second, calibrate the gage off-line and automatically recalibrate the gage on-line to offset calibration drift and slope errors. Third, either pemit manual operation or automatically control scanner drive and incremental digital storage of corrected bar diameter measurements for each camera during scanning.

Fourth, facilitate interaction with CRT and printing terminals to indicate and/or record: (a) each camera's bar diameter measurement anywhere in the scanning field; (b) using stored bar diameter data and operating data header, plot bar profile deviation from aim gage where the plot is overlaid on full- and half-commercial tolerance references; and (c) a histogram for each gage and a gage difference histogram. The computer is adapted to communicate profile and histogram data to a rolling mill control system when requested by the control system.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of an overall computerized electro-optical system for gaging a given dimension according to one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 1A is a block diagram of the overall computerized electro-optical system for gaging two dimensions which includes dual cameras on a scanner for determining lateral profile and shows a second embodiment of this invention. The scanner may also be used with the Figure 1 embodiment.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a bar cross-section showing maximum and minimum tolerance limits in dotted circles, and includes a four-plane overlay related to bar profile orientation.

Figure 3 is a computer printout of bar profile deviation vs. scanner angular position in relation to the four-plane overlay of Figure 2 produced in the Figure 1A embodiment, and includes an operating data header. A similar printout of bar profile may be achieved with the Figure 1 embodiment using the scanner shown in Figure 1A.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of camera electronics for each camera head of the one and two camera systems shown in the Figure 1 and 1A embodiments.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a masked photo-cathode used in an image dissector tube used in Figure 4 camera electronics.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the masked photocathode shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of a bidirectional sweep generator used in the camera electronics shown in Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a timing diagram of pulses generated by the bidirectional sweep generator, master clock, window pulse generator, and AGC blanking circuits shown in the camera electronics of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a block diagram of the camera pulse processor used in the camera electronics shown in Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of an autocorrelator used in the camera pulse processor shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a timing diagram of various raw camera signal, differentiator, autocorrelator and bar pulses occurring in the pulse processor shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a circuit diagram of a P.M. (photo-multiplier tube) AGC (automatic gain control) circuit shown in a camera self-balancing measuring loop incorporated in the camera electronics shown in Figure 4.

Figure 13 is a block diagram of a bar size and position accumulator used in the camera electronics shown in Figure 4.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of the computer shown in the one-dimension gaging system shown in the Figure 1 embodiment and includes references to computer programs associated therewith.

Figure 14A is a block diagram of the computer shown in the two-dimension gaging system having a scanner shown in the Figure 1A embodiment and incudes references to computer programs associated therewith. The profile and position programs may also be used for scanning in the Figure 1 embodiment.

Figure 15 is a computer DISC MAP for both Figure 1 and 1A embodiments.

Figure 16 is a computer CORE MAP for the Figure 1 embodiment.

Figures 16A and 16B are computer CORE MAPS for the Figure 1A embodiment.

Figure 17 is a typical histogram table printout for use in either the Figure 1 or 1A embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a typical profile table used in printing the Figure 3 profile of Figure 3 in the Figure 1A embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a typical flow chart showing the computer in Figure 1 and 1A communicating with a control system which utilizes one or two histogram tables of the present invention as needed in either of the Figure 1 or 1A embodiments, and further includes a profile table for use in the Figure 1A embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One-dimension gaging system Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, there is shown a computerized electro-optical system for gaging one bar dimension which has a back-lighted camera mounted in a hot steel bar rolling mill. The gaging system measures the diameter of bar 10, for example, at one lateral position fixed beyond the exit side of roll stand 11. As explained below, the bar diameter signal is fed to a computer which plots the lateral dimension of bar 10. Ultimately, the bar diameter data is displayed, recorded and transmitted to a rolling mill control system which uses this data to set the lateral gap of the rolls in stand 11 to establish the aim size of bar 10.

More specifically, light box 30 is located opposite electronic camera head 31 so that when bar 10 intercepts light from box 30 a bar shadow having a width proportional to bar diameter at a lateral position will be imaged on electronic camera head 31. A typical arrangement of a back-lighted camera head is shown in Figure 4 and described below.

Light box 30 is arranged to produce a light source perpendicular to bar 10 larger than the largest size bar 10 to be gaged in the camera field-of-view. For example, the camera field-of-view referred to below is 7.62 cm. (three inches) and the light source used therewith is 10.16 cm. (four inches). In addition, the wavelength and intensity of light box must be compatible with the sensitivity characteristics of electronic camera head 31. Typically, blue light from a D.C. fired fluorescent light source is preferred for the electronic camera head described below.

The shadow of bar 10, together with excess light beyond bar 10 edges directed from back light box 30, causes electronic camera head 31 to generate a camera signal. This signal consists of a raw camera pulse mixed with noise which is fed over wire 34 to first camera electronics 35. As described below in connection with Figure 4, the camera signal is processed to remove the noise and produce digital bar size and bar position signals which are fed over cable 36 to computer 27. Gage enable and other signals are fed over cable 37 from computer 27 to camera electronics 35.

Computer 27 in the present electro-optical bar gaging system also receives bar 10 aim size digital signals from thumbwheel selector 42 by way of cable 43. Aim size signals, exemplified as 4.445 cm. (1.7500 inches), are used to determine bar 10 size deviation and other purposes described below. In addition, computer 27 also receives a bar 10 composition digital signal from thumbwheel selector 44 by way of cable 45. Composition signal, which is exemplified as 0.230% represents percent carbon in the bar 10, is used as a factor in correcting hot bar 10 size for shrinkage and other purposes described below.

Further, computer 27 also receives appropriate order data signals, including date, time and size tolerances for bar 10, from source 46 by way of cable 47. Alternatively, any one or all of the aim size signals, composition signals, and other data signals may be supplied by a control system directly associated with rolling bar 10, depending upon the preference of the bar gaging system user.

In order to make temperature corrections to the diameter measurements of moving hot bar 10, a Land Co. optical pyrometer head 48 is provided adjacent scanner 12 and aimed at moving hot bar 10. Optical pyrometer head 48 is adapted to generate a high-response raw temperature signal which is fed over cable 49 to Land Co. pyrometer electronics 50. The raw temperature signal is corrected by scaling and linearizing circuits in pryometer electronics 50 and the corrected temperature signal, exemplified as 1670IF (910"C.), is fed over cable 51 to digital indicator 52. In addition, the corrected temperature signal is fed over cable 53 to computer 27 where it is used to compensate for hot bar 10 shrinkage.

Installation problems may preclude a Land Co. optical pyrometer head 48 and pryometer electronics 50 from providing a corrected temperature signal to computer 27 and indicator 52 with desired accuracy and rate of response. If such is the case, an alternative to the Land Co. pryometer arrangement may be to replace it with an optical field scanning pryometer system as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,015, 476 which issued April 5, 1977 to J.J.Roche et al, titled "Scanning Pyrometer System". Briefly, the optical field scanning pyrometer system consists of a rapidly oscillating mirror mounted in a pryometer head and aimed at a field-of-view through which hot bar 10 will travel. The hot bar is imaged through a slit and onto a high-response infrared detector in the pryometer head.The infrared detector feeds a peak detector and sample-and-hold circuits to measure and store a nonlinear signal of bar 10 temperature. The stored nonlinear signal may be fed over cable 53 to computer 27 where it must be scaled and/or linearized. The stored temperature signal is updated every scan of the oscillating mirror, for example every 20 ms., by a busy-ready flag pulse fed over dotted-line cable 54. In addition, the stored temperature is scaled and linearized with less frequent up-dating and may be fed to bar temperature indicator 52. Provisions are made for adjusting field scanning frequency and width of field-of-view to suit a variety of installations.

One other feature of the present bar gaging system is an automatic recalibration system.

As described below, this feature is initiated each time the trailing end of hot bar 10 is detected leaving mill rolls 11. For this reason, hot metal detector 55 detects the presence and absence of hot bar 10 and feeds a corresponding signal over wire 56 to hot metal detector electronics 57. A presence/absence signal is fed over cable 58 to computer 27 where it initiates the automatic recalibration system mentioned above.

All camera signals, aim size signal, composition signal, other signals, temperature signal and hot metal presence/absence signal fed over respective cables 36, 43, 45, 47, 53 and 58 are assimilated by computer 27 to perform a variety of functions under control of a group of computer off-line and on-line programs referred to below. One of these functions is to feed bar diameter data, bar deviation data overlaid on commercial tolerance references from computer 27 over cable 59 to CRT (display) terminal 60, and to accept interaction between a standard keyboard on terminal 60 and computer 27 by way of cable 61.

Another function of computer 27 is to feed bar diameter data and operating header data from computer 27 over cable 62 to printing terminal 63, and to accept interactions between a standard keyboard on terminal 63 and computer 27 by way of cable 64. Printing terminal 63 produces printout 65 such as a data log. Still another function of computer 27 is to feed bar 10 diameter data and a gaging system histogram over cable 66 to control system 67 in response to corresponding request signals fed back to computer 27 by way of cable 68.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the lateral profile of bar 10. Dotted circular lines 69 and 70 are illustrative of maximum and minimum standard commercial tolerances for aim size diameter. Bar aim size is 4.450 cm. (1.7500 inches) for illustrative purposes. Other features of Figure 2 will be described below with reference to the Figure 1A embodiment.

It should be noted that the display on CRT terminal 60 is substantially the same as computer printout 65. Thus, CRT terminal 60 displays bar diameter information in a form that is unique and quite useful to an operator of the bar gaging system as well as an operator of a rolling mill where the bar gage is used.

Electronic camera head A typical back-lighted electronic camera head used in the Figure 1 electro-optical bar gaging system is shown in Figure 4 as camera head 31 placed along an optical axis on the opposite side of bar 10 from light box 30. This arrangement illuminates field-of-view 80 and produces bar shadow 81 that varies vertically proportional to the lateral dimension between hot bar edges 82, 83. An end view of hot bar 10 makes it appear stationary but in actual practice bar 10 vibrates in orbit 84 while traveling longitudinally at speeds up to 1219 m./min. (4000 ft./min.). For this reason, hot bar shadow 81 not only varies vertically proportional to bar size, but is also displaced horizontally and vertically within the confines of about a 7.62 cm. (three inch) diameter bar orbit 84.This phenomenon requires a larger field-of-view 80 than does a stationary bar, thereby increasing the problems of precision bar measurements.

Because the bar shadow 81 varies vertically and its position varies both horizontally and vertically, camera head 31 is provided with telecentric lens system 85 which is designed to admit only parallel light rays with a focal plane extending from at least the nearest horizontal edge of bar orbit 84 to at least the farthest horizontal edge of bar orbit 84. This is accomplished by seven-element lens 86 having a 10.16 cm. (four inch) field-of-view 80 within which 7.62 cm. (three inch) bar orbit 84 is centered vertically. Other properties of lens 86 include an image size reduction of 1:2 and a telecentric lens stop 87 having a very narrow horizontal optical aperture 88 through which bar shadow 81 passes.Transmission of bar shadow 81 is limited by optical filter 89 to pass only blue light from light box 30, thereby eliminating undesirable effects of other light sources in the field-of-view which have different wavelengths.

Accordingly, telecentric lens system 85 produces a horizontally-oriented bar shadow 81 that varies vertically between bar edges 82, 83 and remains sharply in focus while bar 10 vibrates in orbit 84. Bar shadow 81 is the same size along the optical axis, but as it is displaced vertically away from the optical axis in either direction it becomes larger according to a nonlinear function. This phenomenon is caused by a combination of electronic, coil and lens nonlinearities and is referred to as field-of-view error which will be corrected by computer 27 as described below.

Bar shadow 81 transmitted by telecentric lens system 85 is imaged upon image responsive device 90 which is capable of being scanned at 300 Hz., has a resolving power of at least 1 part in 10,000, and has a high sensitivity to blue light. Preferably, device 90 is an image dissector (I.D.) tube having photocathode electrode 91 with a central image translating area which receives the bar shadow 81 image. Photocathode electrode 91 is located behind a light-transmitting face in the drift section of I.D. tube 90. Photoelectrons emitted by photocathode electrode 91 are focused by external means to pass through electron aperture 92 so that they can enter the photomultiplier (P.M.) section of image dissector tube 90.

Preferably, device 90 is an ITT Co., U.S.A., high resolution image dissector tube No.

F4052RP.

Camera head 31 also includes cylindrical deflection and focus coil assembly 93 surrounding the cylindrical body of image dissector tube 90. Coil assembly 93 includes separate Y-axis and X-axis deflection coils and a focus coil, each energized from separate external sources. Standard mu metal shielding surrounds the exterior cylindrical wall of coil assembly 93, thereby providing effective shielding against radial magnetic fields. A preferred coil assembly 93 designed for use with the above noted I.D. tube 90 is Washburn Laboratory, Inc., U.S.A., No. YF2308-CC3C.

Occasionally, the standard mu metal shielding in the Washburn Laboratory, Inc. coil assembly 93 may not provide enough shielding against both radial and axial magnetic field sources. For example, when I.D. tube 90 is operating at a high sensitivity level and electrical equipment generating strong magnetic fields located near the gage is moved, the I.D. tube 90 output may change. If this condition is encountered in practice, an alternative solution exists which requires modifying the Washburn standard mu metal shielding to improve the attenuation of axial magnetic fields. Essentially, this involves extending the standard Washburn cylindrical mu metal shield axially toward lens system 85 and closing down the end at filter 89, except for an optical aperture to image bar shadow 81 onto photo-cathode electrode 91 in tube 90.Additional axial magnetic field attenuation may be achieved by a second cylindrical mu metal shield surrounding the extended standard shield.

Moreover, the standard coil shield may be used without extension, but axial field attenuation may be achieved by adding a second and possibly a third cylindrical mu metal shield extending axially as in the first instance.

Still referring to Figure 4, the present electro-optical bar gaging system may experience other calibration drift and variations in optical, image dissector tube, and other electronic nonlinearities inherent in the bar gaging system. These drift and variable gaging conditions may be identified by providing on-line calibration checks and subsequently correcting the calibrated bar signals as described below. These calibration checks are made possible by modifying image dissector tube 90 to provide a masked photocathode electrode 91 as shown in Figure 5.

As can be seen in Figure 5, masked photocathode electrode 91 includes patterned image non-translating areas adjacent image translating areas. More specifically, calibration masks 94, 95 are made by selectively depositing the usual photoresponsive material of photocathode electrode 91 onto image transmitting glass face 96 using a precision mask to form the calibration reference patterns. For example, calibration mask 94 may consist of a single 6.35 mm. (0.250 inch) wide mask centered on the right side of photo-cathode electrode 91. Calibration mask 94 is referred to as "right mask" and may be used for on-line checking of bar gaging system calibration drift under RTMASK computer program described below. Calibration mask 95 may consist of five 2.54 mm. (0.100 inch) wide masks spaced 2.54 mm. (0.100 inch) apart on the left side of photocathode electrode 91.

Calibration mask 95 is referred to as "left mask" and may be used for on-line checking of variations in bar gaging system optical and electronic nonlinearities under LFTMSK computer program described below. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken through Figure 5 to show the right mask 94 void in masked photocathode electrode 91, the void extending to glass face 96 of image dissector tube 90.

During all bar gaging system operations a single-axis bidirection sweep signal is applied to the Y-axis deflection coil and a fixed amount of current applied to the focus coil, both as described below. Under normal bar gaging operations, there is no current applied to the X-axis deflection coil. This causes the Y-axis scan to traverse the "C" scan, or central image translating area of photo-cathode electrode 91 as shown in Figure 5. Whenever detector 55 determines there is no bar 10 in the camera field-of-view, computer 27 may select either right or left calibration mask 94, 95 by applying a positive or negative bias current which is applied to the X-axis deflection coil. This X-axis bias shifts the Y-axis scan of photocathode electrode 91 to corresponding "R" scan and "L" scan positions on opposite sides of "C" scan as shown in Figure 5.

The X-axis bias has the effect of shifting the right calibration mask 94, or the left calibration mask 95, over electron aperture 92 in the image dissector tube 90. When the single Y-axis scan voltage is applied to the Y-axis deflection coil, the image of right or left calibration mask 94, 95 is effectively moved up and down across electron aperture 92 in the same manner as actual bar shadow 81 is moved at the "C" scan position.

It should be noted that the raw camera pulse on wire 34 has the same pulse width when either the right or left calibration mask 94, 95 is selected by computer 27 as occurs when a bar shadow 81 having a corresponding size and position is imaged on the central area of photocathode electrode 91. Hence, the masked photocathode electrode 91 affords an effective way of on-line checking of bar gaging system drift as well as changes in optical and electronic nonlinearities.

Camera electronics Typical camera electronics used in the Figure 1 electro-optical bar gaging system is shown in Figure 4 as camera electronics 35. Details of camera electronics 35 may best be understood by referring to Figures 4 and 7 through 13. All electronic components therein are conventional solid-state devices and include TTL (transistor-transistor-logic) logic elements where logic symbols indicate or imply their use.

Generally, Figure 4 shows bidirectional sweep generator 97 which is shown in Figure 7 and reference to Figure 8 timing diagram. Sweep generator 97 includes a 12 MHz. crystal oscillator 124 that provides a train of basic square wave clock pulses 8A for the entire electro-optical bar gaging system. Except for actual measurement of processed bar pulses, all digital operations are synchronized with clock pulse 8A in addition to bidirectional sweep signal 8E and sweep reset pulse 8D, the latter two pulses being generated in sweep circuitry at approximately 300 Hz. Clock pulse 8A and bidirectional sweep signal 8E are synchronized by sweep reset pulse 8D every sweep cycle so that sweep signal 8E may be divided for any purpose by using the appropriate sub-multiple of clock pulse 8A.Clock pulse 8A is used for actual measurements, while pulses for other bar gaging system requirements are derived by dividing clock pulse 8A down all the way to the frequency of bidirectional sweep signal 8E. It should be noted that the absolute frequency value of clock pulse 8A and bidirectional sweep signal 8E is not critical because the bar gaging system is calibrated by actually placing standard size bars in each camera's field-of-view. However, sweep stability and sweep linearity are highly critical, since they directly affect the bar gaging system accuracy.

Master clock 98 shown in Figure 4 receives a train of the 12 MHz, clock pulse 8A and the 300 Hz. sweep reset pulses 8D from bidirectional sweep generator 97. Master clock 98 includes buffers, digital counter, divider and logic circuits to supply all synchronized pulses used throughout camera electronics 35 for timing and measuring purposes. These include buffered 12 MHz. clock pulses 8A, buffered 300 Hz. sweep reset pulses 8D. Additional pulses generated within are a 300 Hz. fast strobe pulse 8H of short duration and a data ready pulse similar to pulse 8H but longer in duration. The data ready pulse is outputed on wire 99 and the other pulses carry their same identity to other circuits shown in Figure 4.

Window generator 100 receives the 12 MHz. clock pulse 8A from master clock 98 and, by means of gates and logic circuitry, generates window pulse 8F once every half of each bidirectional sweep cycle as shown in timing diagram Figure 8. An inverted window pulse 8F is also generated. Both window pulses 8Fs 8F are fed to other circuits described below.

The width and timing of window pulses 8F, 8F are determined by a control pulse on wire 101 fed from computer 27. Briefly, the width of window pulses 8F, 8F is related to the time required for sweep signal 8E to sweep only the photocathode electrode 91, this being only a major portion of each up or down half of an entire 300 Hz. sweep cycle. For example, if the camera field-of-view is 7.62 mm. (three inches) and the lens is 10.16 cm. (four inches), as they are herein, then the 7.62 cm. (three inch) field-of-view is imaged down centrally to cover the entire face of photocathode electrode 91. Over-scanning of photocathode electrode 91 results in each up and down half of bidirectional sweep cycle 8E. This over-scanning is equally divided into two time intervals at the beginning and ending of each up and down half of bidirectional sweep cycle 8E.Thus, the sum of the durations of window pulse 8F (about 75%) and the overscan (about 25%) equal the duration of each up and down half of bidirectional sweep cycle 8E. As an alternative arrangement, window pulse width may be established manually by selective gating means not shown to replace the computer 27 control signal on wire 101.

During computer 27 programs RTMASK, LFTMSK, GAGRCL, and CALIBR described below, window generator 100 is programmed by way of wire 101 to modify the normal size and timing of window pulses 8F, 8F. During RTMASK and GAGRCL, window pulse size and timing are set for the size and location of right calibration mask 94 in Figure 5. During LFTMSK, five window pulses sized and timed for each size and location of left calibration mask 95 elements are generated one at a time to selectively cover the entire left calibration mask 95. During CALIBR, window pulse size and timing are selectively set for size and location of right calibration mask 94 and each of the five left calibration masks 95.

The size of the normal window pulses 8F, 8F is set by subroutine GAGEIN described below.

Still referring to Figure 4, bidirectional sweep signal 8E is fed from bidirectional sweep generator 97 to Y-coil deflection driver 102 and into the vertical or Y-deflection coil in coil assembly 93. Constant current from focus coil current source 103 is fed to the focus coil in coil assembly 93. The magnitude of focus current is adjusted to focus all electrons emitted from each point on the photocathode surface 91 to a corresponding single point in the plane of the electron aperture 92.

X-coil driver 104 is connected to the horizontal or X-deflection coil in coil assembly 93.

Under normal bar gaging operations there is no effective current applied to X-deflection coil. Therefore, the vertical single-scan of the Y-axis may occur as the "C" scan centrally in the image translating area of photocathode electrode 91 as shown in Figure 5. During calibration checks by computer 27 under programs RTMASK and LFTMSK described below, positive and negative bias is applied alternately by control wires 105 and 106 from computer 27 to X-coil driver 104. This will cause the vertical single scan of the Y-axis to shift to either the "R" scan or "L" scan position corresponding to the right mask 94 or the left mask 95, depending on which bias control wire 105, 106 is energized. As an alternative arrangement, the positive and negative bias currents may be selected manually from a source not shown instead of computer 27 supplying them.

In summarizing the image dissector tube 90 scanning effected by coil assembly 93, only single-scan Y-axis, or vertical, bidirectional scanning is present at any time, this occurring continuously as an up and down sweep with no blanking. Under normal bar gaging operations there is no X-axis sweep, there being only a positive or negative bias applied to check gage system calibration when not measuring bar shadow 81.

As bar shadow 81 is scanned over the camera field-of-view, output current from image dissector tube 90 drops sharply as bar shadow 81 is met, then rises again when the bar shadow is past. This current change, together with electrical noise from the mill environment, is converted to voltage, amplified in a preamplifier not shown in Figure 4 and is the raw camera signal output from camera head 31 and appears on wire 34. This is, the raw camera signal at this point consists of a not-too-well defined bar pulse mixed with noise.

Image dissector tube 90 in camera head 31, operates in a self-balancing measuring loop 107 together with camera pulse processor 108, photomultiplier (P.M.) AGC circuit 109 which produces a variable control voltage on wire 110, and a voltage controlled high voltage source 111 for P.M. section of tube 90. The drift section of tube 90 is also fed from a separate but stable drift section high voltage source 112.

Camera pulse processor 108 is shown in Figures 9 and 10 with Figure 11 illustrating the processor timing pulses. Included are a buffer, double differentiators, level detectors, zero-crossing detectors and an autocorrelator to remove noise from the raw camera signal and from differentiators. Signals so treated are combined with inverted window pulse 8F in processor logic to ensure that only bar pulses of proper amplitude and occurring at the correct time, will be passed outward for measurement purposes. This also prevents passage of bar pulses when the window is not open. Camera pulse processor 108 produces a buffered camera signal 11A and precision square wave bar pulses 11P, 11P generated by an internal flip-flop. Bar pulse width varies proportional to bar shadow 81 and therefore proportional to bar dimension between bar edges 82 and 83.

P.M. AGC circuit 109, which is shown in Figure 12, and described below, receives buffered camera signal 11A and includes a comparator, a swtiched-integrator and an amplifier for producing a switched variable control voltage on wire 110. This control voltage is fed to P.M. section high voltage source 111 for the purpose of varying the gain of image dissector tube 90. The comparator establishes a reference gain level and an internal logic circuit generates an AGC blanking pulse 8G by combining window pulse 8F with inverted bar pulse 11P. The AGC blanking pulse effectively defines the time intervals when the camera signal should be sampled.

Action of the self-balancing measuring loop 107 will now be described. When there is no bar 10 in the gaging system, only light from box 30 is imaged on photo-cathode electrode 91.

This causes the P.M. section in image dissector tube 90 to generate a current to flow on wire 34 which is proportional to the intensity of light from box 30. The gain of P.M. section in tube 90 is adjusted to a high level initially by the effective level of AGC control voltage produced by circuit 109. As light intensity deteriorates, or the image dissector tube 90 ages, AGC circuit 109 automatically compensates for this by adjusting the level of P.M. section high voltage from source 111 to vary the gain of the P.M. section of tube 90 and thereby maintain a constant amplitude of the camera signal.

When bar 10 is imposed in the path of light from box 30, AGC circuit 109 also functions to maintain a constant output amplitude from image dissector tube 90. Self-balancing measuring loop 107 thereby permits operation of image dissector tube 90 at a high sensitivity level while maintaining a reasonably high signal-to-noise ratio which is desirable for effective raw camera pulse processing.

Still referring to Figure 4, precision bar pulses 11P, clock pulses 8A, clock reset pulses 8D and fast strobe pulses 8H are fed to display timing 113. Logic circuits therein are arranged to count clock pulses 8A for the duration of each of two bar pulses 11P occurring during a bidirectional sweep cycle, then dividing by two. Counting is synchronized by clock reset pulse 8D which occurs at the bottom of each bidirectional sweep signal 8E. Logic circuits are strobed by fast strobe pulse 8G in preparation for a binary bar size signal being outputed on wire 114 for display purposes. In order to avoid display flicker, the binary bar size signals are averaged over a predetermined number of bidirectional sweeps, such as 4, 32, 512 sweeps, by means not shown.

Binary bar size signals are fed over wire 114 to digital indicator 115. This device includes integrated counter-decoder-display modules calibrated to display in decimal digits the uncorrected size of bar 10 obtained anywhere in the camera field-of-view. The term uncorrected bar size is applied to bar dimensions at this part of the bar gaging system because no correction for optical and/or electronic nonlinearities, bar temperature and bar composition has been made.

Computer 27 does make corrections to the uncorrected bar size signals and feeds a corrected binary bar size signal over wire 116 to corrected bar size digital indicator 117. This digital indicator is structured the same as digital indicator 115. Both bar size indicators 115, 117 have visual displays adapted to be synchronized and updated every 512 sweeps under control of clock reset pulses 8D and fast strobe pulses 8H. It is to be noted that the difference between readings on bar size indicators 115, 117 signifies to a bar gage operator, and to a rolling mill operator, that (a) the correction features of the bar gaging system are working as required, and (b) that the rolling mill is rolling aim size product.

Computer correction of bar pulses 11P is based upon accurately determining not only bar size but also bar centerline position in the camera field-of-view with respect to the optical axis of camera head 31. To do this, bar pulses 11P, clock pulses 8A, clock reset pulses 8D and fast strobe pulses 8H are fed to bar size and position accumulator 118 which is illustrated in block diagram Figure 13 and the timing of pulses is shown in Figure 8. Two separate counter and latch circuits, each under control of a common control gate, provide binary bar size output signals on wire 119 and binary bar centerline position output signals on wire 120. The binary bar size signals on wire 119 are developed similarly to the uncorrected bar size signals associated with display timing circuits 113 described above.The binary bar position signals permit corrections to be made of the bar size signals to an accuracy of 1 part in 256 of the camera field-of-view.

Transfer of all data between the computer 27 and other parts of the bar gaging system is carried out by gage-computer data transfer logic circuit 121. Logic circuit 121 receives a command signal over wire 122 which is indicative of computer 27 being of such state as to permit data transfer. Command signal 122 is logically combined with the "data ready" pulse on wire 99, which is generated by master clock 98 as described above. Their combined presence causes logic circuit 121 to generate a "request to send" signal on wire 123 and synchronize the timing of the gaging system with computer 27.

Bidirectional sweep generator Reference wil now be made to bidirectional sweep generator 97 shown in Figure 7 block diagram and Figure 8 timing diagram. In order to make bar size measurements to a system accuracy of quarter commercial tolerance in a 7.62 cm. (three inch) field-of-view, the bidirectional sweep of the Y-axis in image dissector tube 90 must be extremely linear and repeatable. Conventional analog sweep circuits are generally difficult to design and maintain to the level of linearity required herein. But if a sacrifice in system accuracy is acceptable for some gaging systems, then analog sweep circuits may be considered.

However, to meet the high accuracy requirements of the present gaging system, the bidirectional sweep of the Y-axis is generated by digital means with a crystal oscillator for a time base, digital counters, and a fourteen-bit digital-to-analog converter that develops the actual bidirectional sweep waveform 8E. Digital provisions are made to modify sweep waveform 8E as described below.

The time base provided is a highly stable 12 MHz. crystal clock oscillator 124 having a square wave output. Buffer 125 prevents nonuniform loading of time base 124 during sweep operations and feeds a train of clock pulses 8A to differential line driver 126. Output from driver 126 is fed as clock pulse 8A to master clock 98 in camera electronics 35. Buffer 125 output also feeds clock pulses 8A to digital divider 127 which has counting and logic devices that generate waveforms 8B and 8C. Waveform 8B is an input to up-down counter 128, a 14-bit binary reversing counter. Waveform 8B is 5/12 of the basic clock frequency, or 5MHz. Waveform 8C is a timing pulse fed to counter reversing logic circuit 129 and occurs twice in a 12 clock cycle period. Waveform 8B uses 5 pulse locations in a period of 12 clock cycles and waveform 8C uses two locations.This leaves five unused pulse locations of the 12 clock cycles in the bidirectional sweep period.

When the counter reversing logic circuit 129 senses that up-down counter 128 has reached a full count of all 1's, it gates a count down enable signal back to counter 128. The timing of the count down enable occurs at the first timing pulse 8C after the full count is reached.

When counter 128 senses the count down enable signal, it begins down counting on the next clock pulse 8B. When the counter reversing logic circuit 129 senses all 0's in counter 128, it generates a count-up enable signal on the next occurrence of timing pulse 8C. Counter 128 will begin counting up on the next clock pulse 8B.

Up-down counter 128 as a 14-bit binary output which is fed over wire 130 to 14-bit binary digital-to-analog converter 131. Digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 131 tracks counter 128 and produces an extremely linear analog bidirectional sweep signal 8E. This signal is buffered in sweep circuit buffer 132, to prevent overloading of D/A converter 131, and then fed as sweep signal 8E to Y-coil driver 102 in camera electronics 35.

When up-and-down counter 128 reaches the last down bit, it generates reset pulse 8D which resets logic circuit 129 and D/A converter 131. Differential line driver 133 feeds the reset signal to master clock 98 in camera electronics 35.

As mentioned above, there are five unused pulse locations in a period of 12 clock cycles.

These may be used to provide an accurate nonlinear modification to the extremely linear sweep signal 8E by incorporating digital multiplier 134 in series between digital divider 127 and up-down counter 128 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 7. Digital multiplier 134 will receive waveform 8B instead of up-down counter 128 and by means of a suitable multiplier generate modified waveform 8B'. Up-down counter 128 will receive modified waveform 8B' and, together with the timing pulse 8C influence on the command signal, will alter the total up-count or total down-count depending on the specific value of the multiplier. This modification will still produce a triangle sweep with slightly curved sides as indicated by modified sweep signal 8E'.

The multiplier for digital multiplier 134 is fed over wire 135 and may originate at computer 27. Alternatively, the digital multiplier may be set by manual means not shown.

Regardless of its source the multiplier may be used to make sweep corrections for overcoming optical and/or electronic errors for which no other correction provisions have been made herein.

Camera pulse processor The camera pulse processor 108 is shown in Figures 9, 10 block diagrams, and Figure 11 timing diagram. Camera pulse processor 108 converts the raw camera pulse on lead 34 into a precise bar output pulse on lead 11P that has a width with well-defined edges that accurately represents the dimensional relationship between bar edges 82 and 83. Because of the differentiator, autocorrelator and other design features described below, camera pulse processor 108 is very well suited to produce the raw camera pulses at the camera scanning rate of up to about 300 Hz., yet eliminate the effects of camera signal and differentiator noises.

Turning now to Figure 9, camera pulse processor 108 is shown in block diagram form where alphabetical designations refer to Figure 11 waveforms. The raw camera signal from lead 34 is buffered and amplified by buffer 136 to produce signal 11A. The 11A signal is differentiated by first differentiator 137 which has an output 11B. The first differential signal 11B is fed to low and high threshold detectors 138, 139 which have respective outputs 11C and 11D. Threshold detectors 138, 139 produce output signals when their plus (+) input has a lower voltage than their minus (-) input.

The first differentiated signal 11B is differentiated again in second differentiator 140 to produce output 11E. The second differentiated signal 11E is fed to start and stop zero cross-over detectors 141, 142. These detectors are set up to trigger on positive and negative zero crossing transitions greater than 1 millivolt (mv.), thereby producing bar pulse start zero and stop zero outputs 11F and 11G, respectively. The bar pulse start zero and stop zero outputs 11F and 11G, together with low and high threshold signals 11C and 11D, are fed to fixed-delay autocorrelator 143. Bar pulse start zero and stop zero signals 11F and 11G are processed internally in respective autocorrelator circuits as will be described below.Low and high threshold signals 11C and 11D define narrow windows during which the bar pulse start and stop signals 11M and 11"0' are triggered, thereby establishing precise timing for the leading and trailing edges of bar output pulse 11P.

As mentioned above, electronic camera 31 signal on lead 34 may also contain electrical noise. This may be high frequency, low amplitude noise which is frequently coupled magnetically into the electronic camera signal from high-current, SCR(semiconductor rectifier)-fired, mill drive motor controllers located near electronic camera 31. Without fixed-delay autocorrelator 143, this noise will cause false triggering of bar output pulse 11P.

For example, when a transition of camera signal 11A produces a first differentiated voltage 11B lower than a -3 volt threshold of detector 138, a low threshold signal 11C would be enabled which will allow zero crossing detector 141 to generate a bar output pulse start trigger signal. Since the gain of differentiators 137 and 140 increases with input frequency, a low-amplitude, high-frequency noise spike may produce a first differentiator 137 output signal 11B lower than the -3 volt threshold of detector 138. This is precisely what will happen in rolling mill environments without enhancement of bar pulse generating circuitry.

For this reason, the fixed-delay autocorrelator 143 included in raw camera pulse processor 108 actually includes separate autocorrelator bar pulse start and stop circuits 144 and 145, respectively, as shown in Figure 10. Bar pulse start and stop circuits 144 and 145 are provided to discriminate between second differentiated signals 11E generated by high frequency noise from those generated by valid bar pulse signals. During the falling edge of camera signal 11A, the second differentiated signal 11E rises to a positive voltage for about 10 microseconds before swinging to a negative voltage. For illustrative reasons, this detail is not shown to scale in Figure 11 signal 11E waveform.Zero crossing detection of the second differentiated signal 11E by detectors 141 and 142 is the trigger point for the start and stop bar pulses of signals 11M and 11"0", thereby establishing the leading and trailing edges of bar output pulse 11P.

Autocorrelator bar start and stop circuits 144 and 145 take advantage of the respective 10 microsecond rise and fall period of second differentiated signal 11E. This is done by generating autocorrelator enable start and stop signals 11L and 11N as described below.

Autocorrelator start enable signal 11L is generated when second differentiated signal 11E is continuously positive for at least one-half of this 10 microsecond period before swinging negative. Similarly, autocorrelator stop enable signal 11N is generated when second differentiated signal 11E is continuously negative for at least one-half of the 10 micro-second period before swinging positive.

Autocorrelator start and stop signals 11L and 11N are locially "anded" in circuits 144 and 145 with respective low threshold signals 11C and 11D and bar pulse start and stop zero crossing signals 11F and 11G to generate bar pulse start and stop signals 11M and 11"0".

These signals cause the precise generation of bar output pulse 11P. It will now be apparent that high frequency noise which causes respective positive and negative excursions of the second differentiated signal 11E of less than 5 microseconds duration will not generate autocorrelator enable start and stop signals 11L and 11N, thus preventing triggering of bar output pulse 11P.

Still referring to Figure 10, operation of auto-correlator bar pulse start circuit 144 will now be described. Operation of autocorrelator bar pulse stop circuit 145 is identical to circuit 144 with the exception that it responds to a second differentiated signal llE which is continuously negative for 10 microseconds before swinging positive. Both circuits 144 and 145 employ conventional logic devices.

Low threshold signal 11C is inverted in amplifier 146 and fed to one of three inputs of NAND gate 147, the latter providing the bar pulse start signal 11M under proper logic conditions.

Bar pulse start zero crossing signal 11F is conditioned to Schmitt trigger 148 and inverted in amplifier 149, thereby producing trigger signal 11H which is fed to NAND gate 147 and one-shot delay device 150. A negative going transition of signal 11H triggers one-shot delay device 150 which produces a 5 microsecond logic "1" pulse 11I at Q output, and a 5 microsecond logic "0" pulse 11J at Q output. Pulse 11I is fed to one of two inputs to AND gate 151. Schmitt trigger 148 output is also fed to the other input of AND gate 151 as well as to the reset input of flip-flop device 152. Pulse 11J is fed to the clock input of flip-flop device 153.The high threshold signal 11D is wired to the data input of flip-fop 152 to enable the autocorrelator start circuit 144 during the falling edge of camera signal 11A and disable this circuit during the rising edge of signal 11A.

If signal llH is going negative, the input to inverter 149 is going positive. This positive going action removes the reset condition on flip-flop 152 and puts a logic "1" on one input of AND gate 151. Gate 151 will now pass pulse 11I to the clock input of flip-flop 152, thus forcing a logic "1" pulse 11K at Q output. After a 5 microsecond delay, one-shot delay 150 will time out, thereby causing output Q to change state and go to a logic "1" pulse 11J. This action also clocks the input of flip-flop device 153 which has its data input fed by signal 11K from the Q output flip-flop device 152.

If signal 11K is a logic "1", flip-flop 153 output Q will be set, thereby producing start enable signal ilL. Sinal ilL, which was generated from signal llH, is logically combined with signals 11H and 11C, the inverted low threshold signal, in NAND gate 147 to produce the bar pulse start signal llM. Thus, it will now be readily recognizable that a bar pulse signal is delayed, then combined with itself to perform a fixed-delay autocorrelation function.

If during the 5 microsecond period controlled by one-shot delay device 150, the output of Schmitt trigger 148 goes low, indicating that the second differentiated signal 11E is too narrow to be a valid bar signal, the reset of flip-flop 152 goes low and forces signal 11K to a logic "0". When one-shot delay device 150 times out after 5 microseconds, signal 11J will clock flip-flop 153 with its data input in a low state. This will force the Q output of flip-flop 153 to a logic "0" and prevents any further processing of the bar signal.

One-shot delay device 150 is retriggerable so that it may accommodate consecutive triggering pulses 11H. If multiple trigger pulses having a short duration of less than 5 microseconds trigger one-shot delay device 150, Q output signal 11I will stay high for all pulses and finally time-out 5 microseconds after the last triggering pulse. AND gate 151 allows flip-flop 152 to re-clock itself on each pulse. Since the output of one-shot delay device 150 stays high continuously during these multiple triggering pulses, the combining of signal 11I with the Schmitt triggering pulse in AND gate 151 guarantees that the clock line on flip-flop 152 will undergo a logic transition from "0" to "1" for each triggering pulse.

As noted above, the bar pulse stop circuit 145 was identical with circuit 144, the exception being that stop circuit 145 is triggered by a continuous negative going second differentiated signal 11E before swing positive. For this reason, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that inverter 154, NAND gate 155, Schmitt trigger 156, inverter 157, one-shot delay 158, AND gate 159, flip-flop 160, and flip-flop 161 devices have construction and operating features the same as their counterpart in circuit 144. Therefore, it is felt an explanation of these devices is unnecessary to show how NAND gate 155 produces the bar pulse stop signal 11"0".

Having eliminated both the electrical noise in the raw camera bar pulse signal and the noise produced by differentiators 137 and 140, the bar pulse start and stop signals 11M and 11"0" produced in respective circuits 144 and 145 now precisely define the timing of bar pulse leading and trailing edges in relation to bar edges 82 and 83. Therefore, signals llM and 11"0" are fed resPectively to the set and reset inputs of flip-flop device 162. An inverted window pulse 8F shown in Figure 8 and fed from window generator 100 is fed to the clock input of flip-flop device 162. The data input of flip-flop 162 is tied to 0 volts. This will enable device 162 to produce the bar output pulse only during the presence of a window pulse 8F.The width and timing of the window pulse is different for bar gaging operations than in calibration checking operations as explained above.

During bar gaging operations the Q output of device 162 provides a precise bar output pulse 11P whose leading and trailing edges are free of noise and accurately define the lateral dimension of bar 10. During calibration checking operations where computer 27 selects RTMASK or LFTMSK programs, bar pulse 11P will accurately define right and left masks 94 and 95 dimensions.

P. M. AGC circuit The AGC circuit 109 for the photomultiplier (P.M.) section of image dissector tube 90 is shown in Figure 12. P.M. AGC circuit 109, which is an essential portion of self-balancing measuring loop 107, includes comparator 163, switched integrator 164 and driver amplifier 165. Amplifier 165 drives P.M. section high voltage source 111 with a switched variable control voltage by way of wire 110. The switched variable control voltage acts as an automatic gain control for tube 90. This is done by varying P.M. section high voltage source 111 to maintain anode current in tube 90 at a constant reference value.

Buffered camera signal llA is applied to one input of comparator 163 through summing resistor 166 to summing junction 167. Summing junction 167 is limited to positive-going inputs by diode 168. A comparator reference voltage from source 169 is adjusted at potentiometer slider 170 for the purpose of offsetting the bar pulse and establishing a nominal value of the switched control signal that will ultimately set high voltage source 111 at a nominal gain-producing value.

The buffered and offset bar pulse at summing junction 167 is to electronic switch 171 in switched integrator 164. The window pulse 8F and the inverted bar pulse liP are logically combined in AND gate 172 to produce AGC blanking pulse 8G shown in Figure 8. When a window pulse is present and a bar pulse is absent, the AGC blanking pulse 8G causes electronic switch 171 to conduct current to integrator amplifier 173 and to charge integrating capacitor 174. When both window pulse 8F and bar pulse 11P are present, electronic switch 171 opens and allows integrator output at junction 175 to maintain the nominal value input to driver amplifier 165.

Driver amplifier 165 consists of summing resistor 176 connected at one end to integrator output junction 175 and the other end to the input of operational amplifier 177. Feedback resistor 178 controls the gain of driver amplifier 165. Zener diode 179 limits the gain of driver amplifier 165 so as not to produce too high a switched control voltage on wire 110 that would overdrive high voltage power supply 111. In summary, when an AGC blanking pulse 8G is absent the buffered camera signal llA is conducted through AGC circuit 109 and varies the P.M. section high voltage supply 111. During the presence of an AGC blanking pulse, 11A is inhibited and the output of P.M. AGC circuit 109 maintained at a constant reference value determined by the charge on capacitor 174 in integrator 164.

Bar size and position accumulator The size and position accumulator 118 is shown in Figure 13 with reference being made to Figures 8 and 11 timing diagrams. In the present bar gaging system uncorrected digital bar size and bar position data fed to computer 27 are developed similar to, but separately and independently from, uncorrected digital bar size data displayed on indicator 115.

Accumulator 118 is provided with control gate 180 which assimilates bar pulse 11P, clock pulse 8A, clock reset pulse 8D and fast strobe pulse 8H in bar size accumulator circuit 181 and bar position accumulator circuit 182. Circuit 182 determines the bar centerline anywhere in the camera field-of-view. Both circuits 181, 182 are synchronized by clock reset pulse 8D and both are strobed by fast strobe pulse 8H every complete sweep cycle.

Control gate 180 detects the leading and trailing edges of each bar pulse llP and divides by two the number of clock pulses 8A occurring during the two bar pulses present during the up and down halves of the sweep cycle. Control gate 180 directs these clock pulses to the clock input of 14 bit binary counter 183 in bar size circuit 181 where a count of two bar pulses divided by two is registered. At the end of a first sweep cycle this size pulse count in counter 183 is transferred into the data input of 14-bit binary latch 184, presuming a previous application of the fast strobe pulse 8H has been applied to the latch's clock input.

At the beginning of the second cycle, counter 183 is cleared by clock reset pulse 8D and is ready to receive a new pulse count.

Fourteen-bit digital data, representing uncorrected bar size between bar edges 82 and 83, from the first sweep cycle, is stored in latch 184 for a second sweep cycle. During the second sweep cycle this data is transferred over cable 119 to computer 27 for correction under computer program CMPNST described below. At the end of the second sweep cycle, counter 183 data is strobed into latch 184 by pulse 8H, thus repeating the cycle. The counting of bar size pulses is always one sweep cycle ahead of the latched bar size data in bar size accumulator circuit 181.

Control gate 180 also detects the first llP bar pulse edge at 185 during the up-half of a sweep cycle and the first 11P bar pulse edge at 186 during the down-half of the same sweep cycle as shown in waveform 8G in Figure 8. Control gate 180 determines the sweep time between pulse llP leading edges 185 and 186 and divides this time by two, thereby establishing what will be referred to as the bar centerline position sweep time.In addition, control gate 180 also includes a bar position time base developed by dividing the train of 12 MHz. clock pulses 8A by a factor of 160 in divider 187, thereby generating 8A/160 clock pulses. 8A/160 clock pulses are directed to the clock input of 8-bit binary counter 188 in bar position accumulator 182 for the duration of the bar centerline position sweep time. The count registered in counter 188 represents centerline position of bar 10 located anywhere in the camera field-of-view. This bar centerline position was determined totally independently of the bar size measurement made in size accumulator 181 or elsewhere.

At the end of a first sweep cycle the bar centerline position count in counter 188 is transferred into the data input of 8-bit binary latch 189, presuming a previous application of fast strobe pulse 8H has been applied to the latch's clock input. At the beginning of the second cycle, counter 188 is cleared by clock pulse 8D and is ready to receive a new bar centerline position pulse count.

Eight-bit data representing bar centerline position in the camera field-of-view is stored in latch 189 for a second sweep cycle. During the second sweep cycle this data is transferred over cable 120 to computer 27 for use in making optical error corrections to the bar size data in accumulator 181 under computer program CMPNST described below. At the end of the second sweep cycle, counter 188 data is strobed into latch 189 by pulse 8H, thus repeating the cycle. Counting of bar centerline position pulses is always one sweep cycle ahead of the latched data in bar position accumulator 182.

Bar position accumulator 182 divides one-half of a sweep cycle into 256 increments at 0.046 mm. (0.016 inch) per increment. The optical centerline of camera head 31 is at the 128th increment. The incremental total represents 10.404 cm. (4.096 inches) of Y-axis swee applied to the Y-axis deflection coil with a usable field-of-view of approximately 7.62 cm. (three inches). The unusable field-of-view is 2.784 cm. (1.096 inches), the distance the Y-axis deflection coil sweeps off the top and bottom edges of photocathode electrode 91.

Computer A block diagram of Figure 1 electro-optical bar gaging system computer 27 is illustrated in Figure 14. Computer 27 is a digital system programmed to perform the various functions described below. A commercially available Fortran programmable, or hardwired, microcomputer may be used, or if desired, computer 27 may be shared in overall rolling mill control computer installation. Computer 27 is exemplified herein as a Westinghouse Electric Co., U.S.A., model W-2500 with an operating system for accommodating various levels of tasks as noted below.

Computer 27 is provided with conventional main components including input buffer 190, output buffer 191, disc storage 192, disc switches 193, core storage 194, all communicating by various channels with data processing unit 195. Computer 27 operations are controlled sequentially according to off-line and on-line computer programs 196. These comprise: computer maps 197 shown in Figures 15 and 16, service prorams 198, bar gage data program 199, compensation programs 200, calibration program 201, recalibration programs 202, and histogram programs 24, all described below.

All communications with the bar gaging system computer 27 from external sources are by way of input buffer 190 which includes means for converting input analog and digital signals to digital form. These include signals fed by wires or cables into the computer as follows: camera electronics 35 on cable 36; hot metal detector 57 on wire 58; bar temperature 50 on cables 53, 54; bar aim size 42 on wire 43; bar composition 44 on wire 45; other data 46 on cable 47; control system 67 on cable 68; CRT terminal 60 on cable 61; and printing terminal 63 on cable 64.

All communications with bar gaging system computer 27 to external sources are by way of output buffer 191 which also includes means for converting output signals to digital and analog form. These include signals fed by wires or cables from the computer as follows: control system 67 on cable 66; and camera electronics 35 on cable 37.

Individual wires in signal cables have been used through the drawings and these have been cabled according to their source and function as described above.

CRT terminal 60 includes a keyboard for operator interaction with computer 27.

Printing terminal 63 includes a keyboard for operator interaction with computer 27.

Terminal 63 computer printout 65 includes a plot of bar diameter deviation, as well as tabular data listed below.

Generally, it is permissible for both terminals 60 and 63 to plot the same data. All interactions from either keyboard are by way of program mnemonics listed, for example, as follows: GAGE OFFLINE SYSTEM MNEMONICS ARE AS FOLLOWS: HS - HISTOGRAM FOR EACH HEAD MP- BUILDS FIELD OF VIEW COMPENSATION MAPS CL - PERFORMS A CALIBRATION CHECK ON LEFT AND RIGHT MASKS TY - PRINTS MAPS, SLOPE & OFFSET FACTORS, AND MASK VALUES OF- ALLOWS ENTRY OF SLOPE AND OFFSET CORRECTION FACTORS ZE - ZEROES ALL MAPS AND CORRECTION FACTORS !!!CAUTION!!! LF - LEFT MASK DRIFT TEST RT- RIGHT MASK DRIFT TEST (ALSO ALLOWS ENTRY OF WINDOW) TR- DISK TRANSFER OF GAGE COMMON TO CONTROL SYS. AREA XT- EXITS TO MONITOR AND ATTEMPTS TO WRITE COMMON AREA CONTAINING MAPS, SLOPE AND OFFSET CORRECTION FACTORS, MASK VALUES, AND WINDOW VALUES TO THE DISK. THE DISK FILE WILL ONLY BE UPDATED IF DISK SWITCH 12 IS UP.THIS FILE IS READ FROM THE DISK WHEN THIS TASK (20) IS CALLED BY THE MONITOR.

Disc switches 193 include switches designed "switch 10" and "switch 12" in the programs below. These switches must be turned to "Write Enable" to update programs or data on the disc.

Computer programs The following table lists individual and groups of programs associated with computer programs 196 used herein.

COMPUTER PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION USED OFF-LINE ON-LINE MAPS (197) DISC MAP X CORE MAP X X SERVICE PROGRAMS (198) IDL HANDLER M:IDL X X CD:IDL X X EB:IDL X X GAGTSK X SUBCLL X GAGTRN X BAR GAGE DATA PROGRAM (199) GAGEIN X X COMPENSATION PROGRAMS (200) GAGMAP X CORDAT X ZERO X MAPRNT X GAGTPC X X CMPNST X X CALIBRATION PROGRAM (201) CALIBR X RECALIBRATION PROGRAMS (202) RTMASK X GAGRCL X LFTMSK X HISTOGRAM PROGRAM (204) GAGHST X HISTOGRAM INTERFACE WITH CONTROL SYSTEM X Maps (197) DISC MAP, See Figure 15: Program address in disc storage 192.

CORE MAP, see Figure 16: Program address in hexadecimal core storage 194.

Service Programs (198) IDL Handler, M:IDL routine handles all data transfers between the IDL hardware (channels 30 and 32) and the gage data input subroutine GAGEIN. It communicates to the IDL hardware via the IDL channel driver CL-IDL. A double buffering scheme is used to speed up the total transfer time by initiating an additional IDL transfer on both channels to a second data buffer just before exiting from the handler. In this way data can be transferred into this second buffer by the IDL hardware using service request interrupts (SRI's) executed in the out-of-sequence range while the gage software is busy processing data from the first buffer. When this processing is completed, the handler is re-entered.If the data transfer on the second buffer is not complete, the task is suspended until the IDL external MACRO routine detects two buffer overflow interrupts. The task is unsuspended by the IDL external MACRO routine EB:IDL when 2 buffer overflows have been counted.

If the data transfer on the second buffer is complete, or after the task is unsuspended by EB:IDL, the buffers are effectively switched and a data transfer using buffer 1 is initiated and an exit is made from the handler. The gage software now processes the data in buffer 2 and repeats the above sequence.

A watchdog timer with a .5 second timeout is set before initiating each IDL transfer. If two buffer overflows are not returned within this time period, the clock routine will unsuspend the task and sets the variable ISTAT=1 to indicate an IDL transfer timeout error.

The variable IBUF is set by this routine to indicate which buffer, 1 or 2, contains data from the last IDL transfer. The variable IRSTRT must initially be set to 0 by the calling task so that this routine knows when entry has been made for the first time. When IRSTRT=0, the double buffering mechanism is initialized. This routine then sets IRSTRT=1 to indicate that the double buffering operation is in progress. If entry to the handler is made with IRSTRT= -1, an abort IDL comment is sent to both IDL channels to stop any transfer in progress. This command is usually initiated by the calling task before doing a call exit so that all IDL transfers are stopped.

This routine calls the IDL channel driver CD:IDL and utilizes the IDL external MACRO routine EB:IDL. Therefore, these routines must be linked with the IDL handler M:IDL.

IDL handler, CD:IDL routine is used to transfer data from the handler control blocks (HCB) defined in the IDL handler M:IDL to the IDL hardware (channels 30 and 32).

Control is transferred to this routine by loading the address of the HCB into the B register and jumping to CD:IDL (CD:IDL must be declared external). The HCB is a 9 word table having the following format: Word Example Using No. Explanation Channel 30 0 Forced Buffer Input IDL Code DAT X'B30' 1 Abort IDL Code DAT X'F30' 2 Return Address - 1 ADL RTR1-1 3 Blank DAT 0 4 Buffer Input IDL Code DAT X'530' 5 Core Location Containing Addr. to data DAT X'11FB' 6 Number of Words to be Transferred DAT 20 7 Address of Data Buffer SIZE 1 8 SRI Address Vector (100+SR1 x 2) DAT 354 This routine performs three functions using the HCB table. First, an abort code (HCB word 1) is sent out on the I/O (input/output) subsystem. The lower seven bits of this word define the channel number to be aborted.Second, a forced buffer input (HCB - word 0) is sent out on the I/O subsystem. This command initializes the IDL hardware on the selected channel. Third, the buffered input transfer code is sent out on the I/O subsystem to initate the data transfer. The data is transferred into core memory from the selected IDL channel via service request interrupts (SRI). The pointers and counters used by the SRI's are set up by this routine using data supplied in the HCB's.

IDL Handler, EB:IDL routine is called by the POS/1 buffer overflow service request interrupt routine in the out-of-sequence instruction range in response to buffer overflow interrupts which occur when a buffered input data transfer on any of the IDL channels 30 and 32 are completed. Each entry to this routine causes the buffer overflow count word (ECB7) in the external MACRO contro block to be incremented. When this count reaches 2, the task which was suspended by the IDL handler M:IDL is unsuspended. If this count is not 2, return is made to the POS/1 buffer overflow exit routine M:BOX and the stae of the suspended task is unchanged. Thus, when the IDL handler M:IDL requests data from both four IDL channels it clears the buffer overflow count and suspends the task. It will be unsuspended when the IDL external MACRO routine counts two completion buffer overflow interrupts.

GAGTSK, a disc resident task (Task 20), is an off-line task designed to read disc resident off-line gage subroutine overlays into core, transferring control to them. GAGTSK calls a particular subroutine into core in response to mnemonic parameters passed to it by the operator interactive subroutine caller overlay SUBCLL described below. All programs and their mnemonics are described in the listing of the subroutine SUBCLL. GAGTSK also transfer a disc resident common area into core, and, if disc sector switch 12 is write enabled, writes the updated common area back to the disc when exiting from the task.

An off-line busy flag IGAGOF is set on entry to this task, and is cleared upon exit.

SUBCLL, a disc resident subroutine as an overlay, is run in the off-line mode by means of which an operator may interact with the gage off-line system to run any of the available off-line bar diameter gage pro rams. It is transferred from disc to core and run by the off-line gage task GAGTSK task 20) by means of a system monitor disc-read-andtransfer-control routine. Operator entered mnemonics determine subroutine disc sectors which are returned as subroutine parameters to GAGTSK, which in turn transfers and runs the desired subroutine overlay. Subroutine functions are described in this program listing, and are available to the operator in response to his request for assistance.

GAGTRN program runs in the gage off-line system. It transfers a 572 word gage data block from one predetermined disc area to another area designated for control system 67. It performs a disc-core-disc transfer using the gage common storage area for intermediate storage. Disc switch 10 must be write enabled.

Bar gage data program (199) GAGEIN, an auxiliary subroutine, is always appended to any subroutine requiring bar gage data. It calls the IDL handled (M:IDL, CD:IDL, EB:IDL), also appended, to actually acquire the bar position and diameter data, and the compensate subroutine (CMPSNT), also appended, if compensation is required. It averages the good readings returned, both bar position and diameter, calculates deviations, and stores the results in common tables.

Validity tests are made and error flags set as needed.

Compensation programs (200) GAGMAP, a disc resident subroutine as an overlay, is run in the off-line mode which generates a compensation table used by an on-line bar diameter gage tasks and sub-programs, and those off-line gage programs requiring compensated size data. The tables reside in a common area and are used to compensate for image-tube nonlinearity across its field-of-view. The tables are formatted and output to printer 63. This program is required to be run before any bar-diameter data can be considered valid. It is invoked by the subroutine SUBCLL, and requires operator interaction.

The compensation map consists of 256 entries corresponding to the 256 possible bar positions. Element one represents the bottom of the total 10.404 cm. (4.096") field and element 256 represents the top of the field. Each element contains correction data to be subtracted from the measured bar size based on the positions of the top and bottom edges of the bar. The actual correction is performed by subroutine CMPNST. Using the edge 82, 83 positions rather than the center position allows the map to be used for all size of bar 10.

During the map building procedure, a 12.7 mm. (1/2") machined sample bar 10 is moved +47.1 mm. (1.5") back and forth in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. While bar 10 is being moved, GAGMAP is executed in the off-line calibration system. This program processes 10,000 measurements and calculates the average deviation at each increment of bar position. These intermediate results are stored in a 256 element table called ISUM.

The final compensation map based on bar edge 82, 83 positions is generated from the ISUM table by the following steps: 1. The compensation map is cleared.

2. A computer simulation is performed in which an imaginary 12.7 mm. (1/2") bar 10 is positioned at 0.406 mm. (0.016") above the center of the field-of-view (slot 129). The positions at the top and bottom bar edges 82, 83 are calculated metrically as follows: Top Edge 83= [field-of-view center position + 0.406 + bar size/2] (Eq. 1) 0.406 Bottom [field-of-view center position +0.406 - (bar size/2] (Eq.2) Edge 82= 0.406 Example: Top Edge 83= (52.018 + 0.406 + 12.7/2) -: 0.406 = 144 (Eq.3) Bottom Edge 82= (52.018 + 0.406 - 12.7/2) + 0.406 = 113 (Eq.3) 3.The value stored in the map at the uper edge 83 position (144) is the sum of the deviation stored in ISUM table corresponding to the position of the center of bar 10 (129) and the value stored in the map at the lower edge 82 position (113).

IMAP (upper edge 83 position) = ISUM (center bar position) + IMAP (lower edge position) (Eq.5) IMAP (144) = ISUM (129) + IMAP (113) (Eq.6) 4. Steps 2 and 3 are repeated by incrementing the center position of the bar 10 to 0.812 mm. (0.032") above the center of the field-of-view, then 1.218 mm. (0.048"), 1.624 mm.

(0.064"), etc. This is repeated until the upper edge 83 of bar 10 goes beyond +47.1 mm.

(+1.5") above the center of the field-of-view.

IMAP (145) = ISUM 130 + IMAP 114 IMAP (1465 = ISUM 131 + IMAP 115 IMAP (147) = ISUM 132) + IMAP 116 IMAP 220 = ISUM (205)+ IMAP (189) IMAP 221 = ISUM (206)+ IMAP (190) The upper half of the map is now complete.

5. The lower half of the map is filled in the same manner. Based on the same 12.7 mm.

(1/2") sample bar 10 located at the center of the field-of-view (128) the positions of the upper and lower edges 83, 82 are calculated metrically: bar Edge 83 = (field-of-view center + bar size Top Edge 83 = (field-of-view center + 2 + 0.406 (Eq.7) Bottom bar size Edge 82 = (field-of-view center ~ bar SiZe ) 0 0.406 (Eq.8) Top Edge 83 = (52.018 + 12.7/2)/0.406 = 143 (Eq.9) Bottom Edge 82 = (52.018 - 12.7/2)/0.406 = 112 (Eq.10) 6. The map value for lower edge 82 of the bar (112) is the sum of the deviation stored in ISUM corresponding to the position of the center of the bar (128) and the map value stored at upper edge 83 of bar 10 (143).

IMAP (lower edge 82 position = ISUM (center bar position) + IMAP (upper edge 83 position) (Eq.11) IMAP (112) = ISUM (128) + IMAP (143) (Eq.12) 7. Steps 5 and 6 are repeated by successively decrementing bar 10 position by 0.406 mm (0.016") from the center of the field-of-view until the lower edge 82 of bar 10 goes beyond -47.1 mm (1.5") from the center of the field-of-view.

IMAP 111 = ISUM (127 + IMAP (142) IMAP 110 = ISUM 126 + IMAP j141) IMAP 109 = ISUM 125 + IMAP (140) IMAP ( 36 = ISUM ( 52 + IMAP ( 67) IMAP ( 35 = ISUM ( 53 + IMAP ( 68 The lower half of the map is now complete.

8. Map positions above 221 and below 35 are not used. These positions correspond to the unused portion of the field-of-view in the shadow of the photocathode tube illustrated in Figure 5.

9. Map elements 111 to 143 are zero. This corresponds to an area + 6.35 mm. (0.25") from the center of the field-of-view.

10. The map corresponding to camera head 31 is stored in a common data area storage labeled FCOMP1.

CORDAT is a program run under the gage off-line system. Its purpose is to allow the operator to enter the slope and offset correction factors for camera head 31. The two variables are: IMULTI - Slope correction factor for camera head 31.

IOFSTI - Offset correction factor for camera head 31.

Slope correction is added to all bars by the field-of-view compensation subroutine CMPNST based on the following formula: Size = (12.7 mm.-Size)*IMULTI Offset correction is added to all bar sizes by the field-of-view compensation subroutine CMPNST based on the following formula: Size = Size - IOFSTI ZERO is a program run in the off-line gage system. Its purpose is to zero the compensation map, all slope and offset correction factors, and the right mask calibration constant.

MAPRNT is another program run under the off-line gage system. It does not require operator intervention. Its purpose is to print the field-of-view compensation map, slope and offset correction factors, and left and right mask values.

GAGPTC program calculates hot aim size based on an internally stored compensation equation. Three variables are required for this equation. First, the % carbon is obtained from IGRADE in common area BDCCOM. Second, the bar temperature is obtained from ITMP22 in common area SYSCOM. Third, the cold aim size is obtained from ICDAIM in common area BDCCOM. The calculates hot aim size is stored in a predetermined area in common storage BDCCOM.

CMPNST, an auxiliary subroutine, is appended to any subroutine requiring gage diameter data compensation. Specifically, this subroutine linearizes the bar measurement data for its position in the gage field-of-view, corrects the measurement data for slope and offset data per subroutine CORDAT and performs automatic calibration from right mask data generated by subroutine GAGRCC.

Bar 10 size data from camera head 31 is linearized by the CMPNST subroutine using compensation map FCOMP1 generated by off-line program GAGMAP. Compensation is performed by the following steps.

1. The bar size and position data from accumulator 118 are used to determine the positions of the upper and lower edges 83, 82 of the bar 10 in the compensation map metrically as follows: Upper edge 83 position (center bar position + bar size/2)/0.406 Lower edge 82 position (center bar position - bar size/2 /0.406 If the center of a 25.4 mm. (1") bar is positioned 19.05 mm. (3/4") above the center of the field-of-view, the position of the bar center is 52.018 mm. (2.048") + 19.05 mm. (0.75") = 71.07 mm. (2.798".The upper and lower bar edge positions are determined as previously described.That is: Upper Edge 83 Position = (71.07 + 25.4/2) + 0.406 = 203 (Eq.13) Lower Edge 82 Position = (71.07 - 25.4/2) + 0.406 = 140 (Eq.14) 2. The compensation values corresponding to the upper and lower bar edges 83, 82 are obtained from the map and assigned values ICOR1 and ICOR2 respectively.

ICOR1 - IMAP (Upper Edge 83 Position) (Eq.15) ICOR2 = IMAP (lower Edge 82 Position) (Eq. 16) 3. If both upper and lower edges 83, 82 are above the center of the field-of-view, then: Corrected Bar Size = Uncorrected Size - ICOR1 + ICOR2 (Eq.17) 4. If both upper and lower edges 83, 82 are below the center of the field-of-view, then: Corrected Bar Size = Uncorrected Size + ICOR1 - ICOR2 (Eq.18) 5. If upper edge 83 is above the centre of the field-of-view and lower edge 82, below, then: Corrected Bar Size = Uncorrected Size - ICOR1 - ICOR2 (Eq.19) Calibration Program (201) CALIBR is a program run in the off-line gage system. It does not require operator intervention. Its purpose is to establish a performance log for the gage on printer 63. It performs the following functions: 1.Deflect to each left and right mask 95, 94 and: a. Measure and print size of each mask; b. Calculate and print deviation from stored mask value; c. Measure and print (+) slope value; d. Measure and print (-) slope value; e. Print window value used for each mask.

2. Measure and print analog test size, + and - slope values.

3. Measure and print digital test.

4. Print calibration update values used by recalibration.

Recalibration Programs (202) RTMASK, a disk resident subroutine is an overlay, is run in the off-line mode by means of which any of the following bar diameter gage functions may be exercised: 1. Right deflect electronic window gates may be changed to accommodate changes in image-dissector 90 parameters.

2. Right deflect diameter reference values, stored in common tables, may be updated to compensate for drift, component aging, etc.

3. If no changes are desired, the program can be run cyclicly, with a deviation printout on printer 63 to observe electronic and temperature related drift.

Upon return from this subroutine, the image-dissector 90 sweep is returned to the center, a full electronic window gate is restored, and the current through the back-light source lamps is reversed to prolong lamp life. This program is designed primarily as a long-term drift check tool, with the additional capability of updating the window gate and reference table value. It is invoked by the subroutine SUBCFLL, and requires operator interaction.

GAGRCL is a program run under the on-line system. It requires no operator interaction.

Its purpose is to automatically recalibrate the bar diameter gage periodically by updating the drift correction term ITMP1 described above. It deflects the camera sweep to scan the right mask 94 and equate the drift term with any deviations from an initial calibration reference value. Before exit, the sweep is returned to the center with a normal window, and the back-light-source is reversed.

The automatic recalibration system provides the means to maintain gage accuracy by checking the calibration whenever bar 10 is not in the gage field-of-view. This recalibration system is implemented after bar 10 clears the gage, and before the next one passes through, as determined by a signal from hot metal dectector electronics 57. This is accomplished using software to calculate a scaling factor based on the differences between an on-line measurement of a known internal reference, such as right mask 94, and an off-line measurement of the same internal reference made during system calibration. Following a recalibration, the measurements on the next bar 10 in the gage field-of-view is corrected using this scaling factor.

The key to the recalibration measurement is masked photocathode electrode 91 on the front of the image dissector tube 90. The mask pattern is shown in Figure 5. The photocathode electrode 91 has five 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) wide masks spaced 2.54 mm. (0.1 inch) apart on the left side and a single 6.35 mm. (0.25 inch) mask centred on the right side.

Construction and operating features of image dissector tube 90 and photocathode 91 are described above in Figures 4, 5, 6. There are "C" scan, "R" scan and "L" scan positions estalished by X-axis bias. There is no distinction between right mask camera signals and bar camera signals. If no adjustments are made to the electronics, the measurement of the right mask at time T1 should be the same as the measurement at time T2. Any differences are assumed to be electronic drift.

The recalibration system only uses right mask 94 to calculate the correction factors. The five left masks 95 are only used in the off-line calibration system for linearity checks. The right mask for camera head 31 is measured and saved on the disc by executing the right mask program "RT" in the off-line calibration system. The variable is stored in core in common data area MSKCOM under the name IMASK1. The data is transferred from disc to common area MSKCOM in core when the control system is activated.

The on-line measurement of right mask 94 is performed by the GAGRCL task. After hot metal detector 55 detects the tail end of bar 10 being rolled clearing the gate, GAGRCL deflects the dissector tube image to the right and measures mask 94. The difference between the measured value from camera 1 and IMASK1 is stored in variable ITMP1 in common data area TMPOFF. This value represents changes in the gage measurement from the initial calibration to the on-line calibration.

The on-line correction function is performed in subroutine CMPNST using variable ITMP1. A slope correction is applied to each measurement based on the following metric formula: For Camera Head 31: - Bar Size X ITMP1 Corrected Bar size = Bar size ( 12.7 (Eq.20) As an example for ITMP1 = 0.01524 mm. (0.0006"): The corrected size for a 12.7 bar = 12.7 [ 12 7 ] = 12.6847 12.7 (Eq.21) The corrected size for a 25.4 bar = 25.4 - 12 7 ] = 25.3694 12.7 (Eq.22) The corrected size for a 38.10 bar = 38.10 [ 12 7 ] = 38.0451 12.7 (Eq.23) The amount of correction for a 12.7 mm (1/2") bar is equal to the value ITMP1. Similarly, the correction is 2 x ITMP1 for a 25.4 mm. (1.0 inch) bar and 3 x ITMP1 for a 38.10 mm (1.5 inch) bar. This is because lens 86 reduction if 1/2.Thus a 12.7 mm (1/2") bar is projected as a 6.35 mm. (0.25 inch) shadow on photocathode electrode 91 which is the approximate width of right mask 94.

LFTMSK, a disc resident subroutine as an overlay, is run in the off-line mode by means of which any of the following bar diameter gage functions may be exercised.: 1. Left-deflect electronic window gates, used to select each of the five left-deflect bar references on left mask 95, may be changed to accommodate changes in image-dissector tube 90 parameters.

2. Left-deflect diameter reference values, stored in a common table, may be updated to compensate for drift, component aging, etc.

3. If no changes are desired, the program can be run cyclicly, with a deviation printout on printer 63 of each of the five left-deflect etched bar references, to observe electronic and temperature related drift. Maximum cycle time is 32,000 seconds.

Upon return from this subroutine, the image-dissector tube 90 sweep is returned to the center, a full electronic window gate is restored, and the current through the back-light source lamps is reversed, to prolong lamp life. This problem is designed as a field-of-view and electronic drift check tool, with the additional capability of updating the window gates and the reference table value. It is invoked by the subroutine SUBCLL, and requires operator interaction.

Histogram Program (204) GAGHST is a program run under the off-line gage system. It requires operator intervention. Its purpose is to gather a number of readings from camera head 31, store in core 194 table IBDGI2, and print a histogram table for camera head 31 binned at 0.0051 mm (0.0002 inch) increments for a range of +0.127 to -0.127 mm. (+.005 to - .005 inches) shown typically in Figure 17. In addition, it calculates and prints the mean and standard deviation of all readings. The operator must enter the number of readings desired, the bar aim size, and request the use of the histogram table with control system 67 as shown partially in Figure 19.

Two-dimension and profile gaging system Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figure 1A, there is shown a computerized electro-optical system for gaging two bar dimensions and profile having dual back-lighted cameras mounted on a scanner in a hot steel bar rolling mill. This embodiment of the invention is similar to that shown in Figure 1, but includes the further improvement of using two gaging camera systems and a scanner as shown in Figure 1A. Camera #2 electronics 39 is the same as that for camera #1 electronics 35 shown in Ffigures 4 to 13, except that all reference numerals for devices, circuits, waveforms, timing diagrams, computer programs, and the like have a prime (') identification for designating second camera electronics.The gaging system measures two orthogonal diameters and profile of bar 10, for example, beyond the exit side of roll stand 11 while the scanner is either stationary or scans the peripheral surface of bar 10 a prescribed angular displacement. As explained below, the two diameter signals and a scanner position signal are fed to a computer which plots the lateral profile of bar 10. Ultimately, the bar profile data is displayed, recorded and transmitted to a rolling mill control system which uses this data to control size and shape of bar 10 by (a) setting the lateral gap of the rolls in stand 11, (b) setting the vertical alignment of the rolls in stand 11 and (c) setting the lateral gap of the rolls in the stand immediately preceding stand 11.

More specifically, dual head scanner 12 consists of reversible scanner mechanism 13 driven by motor 14 which is energised over wire 15 by variable speed controller 16.

Two-mode selector switch 17 provides for either manual or automatic scanner operation as signalled over wire 18 to controller 16. This depends on whether a gaging system operator or the computer is to exercise optional manual or automatic scanner 12 control. Under manual control mode, manual speed, start-stop and scanner 12 direction control originates in control device 19 and these signals are fed over wire 20 to controller 16. Under automatic control mode, the manual control signal sources are disabled and scanner controller 16 receives corresponding signals from the computer as will be explained below.

Scanner position encoder 21 is coupled to mechanism 13 and generates an analog signal representing the absolute position of scanner 12 rotation. The encoder signal is fed over wire 22 to scanner position electronics 23 where it is converted to both analog and digital scanner position signals. The analog scanner position signals are fed over wire 24 to scanner position indicator 25 which may be observed by the gage operator when the scanning operation is under manual control. The digital scanner position signals are fed over wire 26 to computer 27' where they are assimilated with computer command signals under automatic control mode of scanner 12. Computer 27' then generates start-stop signals and speed control signals as described below. These signals are fed over respective wires 28 and 29 to scanner controller 16.During the automatic control mode, the digital scanner position signals are used in bar profile determining operations, also described below.

Mechanism 13 of dual head scanner 12 is adapted to mount first and second backlighted electronic camera heads, orthogonally to each other so as to be perpendicular to bar 10 during peripheral scanning of bar 10 through a prescribed angular displacement. Bar 10 profile plot scan is shown in Figures 1A and 2 as 90" rotation by scanner 12. This will gather enough camera signals to permit later plotting of 1800 lateral profile of bar 10. A 1800 profile plot is quite useful to a mill operator and a mill control computer as described below.

Under other scanning requirements for bar size measurements, the scanning angular displacement may be other than 900. For example, light box 30 and camera head 31 of the one-dimension gaging system shown in Figure 1 may be mounted on scanner 12 and rotated to provide another type of profile plot of bar 10.

First light box 30 is located opposite first electronic camera head 31 so that when bar 10 intercepts light from box 30 an bar shadow having a width proportional to bar diameter at a first lateral position will be imaged on first electronic camera head 31. Similarly, second light box 32 is located opposite second electronic camera head 33 so that when bar 10 intercepts light from box 32 a bar shadow having a width proportional to bar diameter at a second lateral position, orthogonal to the first, will be imaged on second electronic camera head 33. The arrangement of first back-lighted camera head, shown in Figure 4, and described below, is typical of both camera heads.

Each light box 30, 32 is arranged to produce a light source perpendicular to bar 10 larger than the largest size bar 10 to be gaged in the camera field-of-view. For example, the camera field-of-view referred to below is 7.62 cm. (three inches) and the light source used therewith is 10.16 cm. (four inches). In addition, the wavelength and intensity of light boxes 30, 32 must be compatible with the sensitivity characteristcs of electronic camera heads 31, 33. Typically, blue light from a DC fired fluorescent light source is preferred for the electronic camera head as described above.

The first shadow of bar 10, together with excess light beyond bar 10 edges directed from back light box 30, causes first electronic camera head 31 to generate a first camera signal.

This signal consists of a raw camera pulse mixed with noise which is fed over wire 34 to first camera electronics 35. As described above in connection with Figure 4, the first camera signal is processed to remove the noise and produce digital bar size and bar position signals which are fed over cable 36 to computer 27'. Gage enable and other signals are fed over cable 37 from computer 27 to first camera electronics 35.

Simultaneously, the second shadow of bar 10, together with excess light beyond bar 10 edges directed by back light box 32, causes second electronic camera head 33 to generate a second camera signal. Similarly, this signal consists of a raw camera pulse mixed with noise which is fed over wire 38 to second camera electronics 39. The second camera signal is processed to remove the noise and produce digital bar size and position signals the same as the first camera signal and these arefed over cable 41, to computer 27'. Gage enable and other signals are fed over cable 40 from computer 27' to second camera electronics 39.

Computer 27' in the Figure 1A electro-optical bar gaging system also receives bar 10 aim size digital signals from thumbwheel selector 42 by way of cable 43. Aim size signals.

exemplified as 4.445 cm. (1.7500 inches), are used to determine bar 10 profile deviation and other purposes described below. In addition, computer 27' also receives a bar 10 composition digital signal from thumbwheel selector 44 by way of cable 45. Composition signal, which is exemplified as 0.230% and represents percent carbon in the bar 10, is used as a factor in calculating hot bar aim size from cold bar aim size and other purposes described below. Further, computer 27' also receives appropriate order data signals, including date, time and size tolerances for bar 10, from source 46 by way of cable 47.

Alternatively, any one or all of the aim size signals, composition signals, and other data signals may be supplied by a control system directly associated with rolling bar 10, depending upon the preference of the bar gaging system user.

In order to make temperature corrections to the diameter measurements of moving hot bar 10, a Land Co. optical pyrometer head 48 is provided adjacent scanner 12 and aimed at moving hot bar 10. Optical pyrometer head 48 is adopted to generate a high-response raw temperature signal which is fed over cable 49 to Land Co. pyrometer electronics 50. The raw temperature signal is corrected by scaling and linearizing circuits in pyrometer electronics 50 and the corrected temperature signal, exemplified as 910 C. (1670IF.) is fed over cable 51 to digital indicator 52. In addition, the corrected temperature signal is fed over cable 53 to computer 27' where it is used to compensate for hot bar 10 shrinkage.

Installation problems may preclude a Land Co. optical pyrometer head 48 and pyrometer electronics 50 from providing a corrected temperature signal to computer 27' and indicator 52 with desired accuracy and rate of response. If such is the case, an alternative to the Land Co. pyrometer arrangement may be to replace it with an optical field scanning pyrometer system disclosed as noted above in the Figure 1 embodiment.

One other feature of the Figure 1A bar gaging system is an automatic recalibration system. As described below, this feature is initiated each time the trailing end of hot bar 10 is detected leaving mill rolls 11. For this reason, hot metal detector 55 detects the presence and absence of hot bar 10 and feeds a corresponding signal over wire 56 to hot metal detector electronics 57. A presence/absence signal is fed over cable 58 to computer 27' where it initiates the automatic recalibration system mentioned above.

All of the scanner position signals, first and second camera signals, aim size signal, composition signal, other signals, temperature signal and hot metal presence/absence signal fed over respective cables 26, 36, 41, 43, 45, 47, 53 and 58 are assimilated by computer 27' to perform a variety of functions under control of a group of computer off-line and on-line programs referred to below. One of these functions is to generate the scanner start-stop signal on cable 28 and the scanner speed control signals on cable 29, both under automatic scanning mode control. Another function is to feed bar diameter data, bar profile deviation data overlaid on commercial tolerance references and operating header data from computer 27' over cable 59 to CRT terminal 60, and to accept interaction between a standard keyboard on terminal 60 and computer 27' by way of cable 61.

Another function of computer 27' is to feed bar diameter data, bar profile data overlaid on commercial tolerance references and operating header data from computer 27' over cable 62 to printing terminal 63, and to accept interactions between a standard keyboard on terminal 63 and computer 27' by way of cable 64. Printing terminal 63 produces printout 65 which is illustrated in Figure 3. Still another function of computer 27' is to feed bar 10 profile data and gaging system histograms over cable 66 to control system 67 in response to corresponding request signals fed back to computer 27' by way of cable 68.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the lateral profile of bar 10. Dotted circular lines 69 and 70 are illustrative of maximum and minimum standard commercial tolerances for aim size diameter. Also illustrated by dotted straight lines are planes A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D which are of particular interest to a rolling mill operator and a control computer for determining the roll gap and alignment relationships of mill rolls 11 shown in Figure 11A. During non-scanning operations, it is preferred to bring scanner 12 to rest, at least temporarily so that first camera head 31 and second camera head 33 will measure the diameters at planes C-C and A-A, respectively.The A plane dimension of bar 10 is illustrated at 71 as 4.450 cm. (1.7520 inches) and the C plane dimension of bar 10 is illustrated at 72 as 4.442 cm. (1.7490 inches), the aim size being 4.445 cm. (1.7500 inches) for illustrative purposes.

During bar scanning operations, it is preferred that second camera head 33 start profile plot scan 73 at plane B-B, continue counter-clockwise 90" through plane C-C, and stop at plane D-D. At the same time, first camera head 31 starts scanning at plane D-D, continues counter-clockwise 90" through plane A-A and stops at plane B-B. In this manner, first and second camera heads 31, 33 scan a 1800 lateral peripheral surface of bar 10 and this scan is plotted from plane B-B to C-C, D-D, A-A and ends back at B-B. Other methods of scanning may be used. For example, scanning rotation may be clockwise instead of counter-clockwise.Also, scanner 12 may start at any plane or point in between, then scan 90" and return to the starting position, thereby permitting any 1800 portion of bar 10 to be plotted by rotating cameras 31, 33 only 90".

The resulting profile plot of bar 10 corrected to cold size is computer printout 65 shown in Figure 3. Here bar profile 74 is overlaid on a specific size, size tolerance and bar position format generated by computer 27 shown in Figure 1A. The computer-generated format includes an operating data header; bar profile deviation from the actual cold aim size, selected by device 42 in Figure 1A, is the Y-axis variable; and the scanner 12 angular position is the Y-axis variable. The Y-axis printout is graduated in 0.0254 mm. (0.0010 inch) increments above and below aim size dotted baseline 75 and extends beyond maximum and minimum full-commercial tolerance reference lines 76, 77. Reference lines 76, 77 are printed as dashed lines across the X-axis.In addition, maximum and minimum half-commercial tolerance reference lines 78, 79 are printed across the X-axis as alpha-numeric lines at fifteen angular degree increments of the 1800 bar profile plot. At zero and each 45" increment, the Figure 2 cross-section plane designations B, C, D, A and B are printed, while the intervening 15 and 30 increments are so printed relative to the A and C positions.

It should be noted that the display on CRT terminal 60 is substantially the same as computer printout 65, with two exceptions. That is, in addition to the bar profile deviation plot and computer-generated format, computer 27' also generates an additional display format of the Figure 2 dotted-line scanning planes A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D as well as the actual numerical bar sizes A and C shown as items 71 and 72 in Figure 2. Second, full tolerance limits are not displayed if half tolerance is the aim of the system. Thus, CRT terminal 60 displays bar profile, bar diameter and bar scanning plane information in a form that is unique and quite useful to an operator of the bar gaging system as well as an operator of a rolling mill where the bar gage is used.

Electronic Camera Head A typical back-lighted first electronic camera head used in the Figure 1A electro-optical bar gaging system is also shown in Figure 4 as camera head 31 placed along an optical axis on the opposite side of bar 10 from from light box 30. Camera head 33 and light box 32 are the same as 31, 30 and comprise the second electronic camera head. Depending on installation requirements and user preference, each first and second electronic cameras may include a telecentric lens 85', an image dissector tube 90', photocathode calibration masks 94', 95', focus and deflection coil assembly 93', and additional shielding, all as described above with respect to Figure 4.

Camera Electronics Typical camera electronics used in the present electro-optical bar gaging system is also shown in Figure 4 as first camera electronics 35. The second camera electronics 39 is a duplicate of first camera electronics 35 except for bidirectional sweep generator 97 which is shared by both camera electronics 35, 39. Details of camera electronics 35, 39 may be best understood by referring to Figures 4 and 7 through 13 and the descriptions above for the Figure 1 gaging system. As a result, first and second camera electronics 35, 39 separately process respective raw camera signals and produces first and second digital bar size pulses and bar centerline position pulses which are fed over wires 36 and 41 to computer 27' under control of respective signals on wires 37 and 40. Computer correction of each of the bar pulses is described below.

Computer A block diagram of the Figure 1A electro-optical bar gaging system computer 27' is illustrated in Figure 14A. Computer 27' is a digital system programmed to perform all of the Figure 14 functions and the various other functions described below. As noted above, a commercially available programmable, or hardwired, mini-computer may be used, or if desired, computer 27' may be shared in overall rolling mill control computer installation.

Computer 27' is examplified herein as a Westinghouse Electric Co., U.S.A., model W-2500 with an operating system expanded to handle a second bar size pulse and correction thereof, the scanner position control and profile plot, and for accommodating various levels of tasks as noted below.

Computer 27' is provided with conventional main components including input buffer 190', output buffer 191', disc storage 192', disc switches 193', core storage 194', all communicating by various channels with data processing unit 195'. Computer 27' operations are controlled sequentially according to off-line and on-line computer programs 196'. These comprise: computer maps 197' shown in Figures 15, 16A and 16B, service program 198', bar gage data program 199', compensation programs 200', calibration program 201', recalibration programs 202', profile and position programs 203, and histogram programs 204', all described below.

All communications with the bar gaging system computer 27' from external sources are by way of input buffer 190' which includes means for converting input analog and digital signals to digital form. These include signals fed by wires or cables into the computer as follows: first camera electronics 35 on cable 36; second camera electronics 39 on cable 41; mechanical scanner position 23 on wire 26, hot metal detector 57 on wire 58; bar temperature 50 on cables 53, 54; bar aim size 42 on wire 43; bar composition 44 on wire 45; other data 46 on cable 47; control system 67 on cable 68; CRT terminal 60 on cable 61; and printing terminal 63 on cable 64.

All communications with bar gaging system computer 27' to external sources are by way of output buffer 191' which also includes means for converting output signals to digital and analog form. These include signals fed by wires or cables from the computer as follows: scanner start-stop 16 on cable 28; scanner speed reference 16 on cable 29, control system 67 on cable 66; first camera electronics 35 on cable 37; and second camera- electronics 39 on cable 40.

Individual wires in signal cables have been used through the drawings and these have been cabled according to their source and function as described above.

CRT terminal 60 includes a keyboard for operator interaction with computer 27'.

Printing terminal 63 includes a keyboard for operator interaction with computer 27'.

Terminal 63 computer printout 65 includes a plot of bar profile deviation shown in Figure 3, as well as tubular data listed below.

Generally, it is permissible for both terminals 60 and 63 to plot the same data. All interactions from either keyboard are by way of program mnemonics listed, for example, as follows: GAGE OFFLINE SYSTEM MNEMONICS ARE AS FOLLOWS: HS - HISTOGRAM FOR EACH HEAD MP - BUILDS FIELD OF VIEW COMPENSATION MAPS PR - ROTATES SCANNER 90 DEGREES AND BUILDS PROFILE TABLE PL - PLOTS PROFILE TABLE RP - BUILDS PROFILE TABLE ON RIGHT MASK DATA CL - PERFORMS A CALIBRATION CHECK ON LEFT AND RIGHT MASKS TY - PRINTS MAPS, SLOPE & OFFSET FACTORS, AND MASK VALUES SC - ROTATES SCANNER TO DESIRED ANGLE OF - ALLOWS ENTRY OF SLOPE AND OFFSET CORRECTION FACTORS ZE - ZEROES ALL MAPS AND CORRECTION FACTORS !!!CAUTION!!! LF - LEFT MASK DRIFT TEST RT - RIGHT MASK DRIFT TEST (ALSO ALLOWS ENTRY OF WINDOW) TR - DISK TRANSFER OF GAGE COMMON TO CONTROL SYS.AREA XT - EXITS TO MONITOR AND ATTEMPTS TO WRITE COMMON AREA CONTAINING MAPS, SLOPE AND OFFSET CORRECTION FACTORS, MASK VALUES, AND WINDOW VALUES TO THE DISK. THE DISK FILE WILL ONLY BE UPDATED IF DISK SWITCH 12 IS UP.

THIS FILE IS READ FROM THE DISK WHEN THIS TASK (20) IS CALLED BY THE MONITOR.

Disc switches 193' include switches designated "switch 10" and "switch 12" in the programs below. These switches must be turned to "WRITE ENABLE" to update programs or data on the disc.

Computer Programs The following table lists flow charts of individual and groups of programs associated with computer programs 196' used herein.

COMPUTER PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION USED OFF-LINE ON-LINE MAPS (197') DISC MAP X CORE MAP X X SERVICE PROGRAMS (198') IDL HANDLER M:IDL X X CD:IDL X X EB:IDL X X GAGTSK X SUBCLL X GAGTRN X BAR GAGE DATA PROGRAM (199') GAGEIN X X COMPENSATION PROGRAMS (200') GAGMAP X CORDAT X ZERO X MAPRNT X GAGTPC X X CMPNST X X CALIBRATION PROGRAM (201') CALIBR RECALIBRA TION PROGRAMS (202'j RTMASK X GAGRCL X LFTMASK X PROFILE & POSITION PROGRAMS (203) ENCNGL X X GAGPOS X X PROFIL X RTPROF X PLOT X GAGPLT X HEADER X X GAGPRO X HISTOGRAM PROGRAM (204') GAGHST X PROFILE & HISTOGRAM INTER FACE WITH CONTROL SYSTEM X X Maps (197') DISC MAP, See Figure 15: program address in disc storage 192' is expanded to handle the additional operating features noted above.

CORE MAP, see Figure 16A, B: Program address in hexadecimal core storage 194' is also expanded to handle the additional operating features noted above.

Service programs (198') IDL Handler, including M:IDL, CD:IDL and EB:IDL, and GAGTSK, SUBCLL and GAGTRN routines are all as described above for Figure 14, except they are simply expanded to handle the additional operating features noted above for Figure 14A.

Bar gage data program (199') GAGEIN is an auxiliary subroutine the same as described above, except is expanded to accommodate the additional bar gage data from second camera electronics 39.

Compensation programs (200') GAGMAP, CORDAT, ZERO, MAPRNT, GAGTPC and CMPNST programs are also the same as described above, except each is expanded to accommodate the additional bar gage data and correction requirements from second camera electronics 39.

Calibration program (201') CALIBR is an off-line program the same as described above, except is expanded to accommodate the additional bar gage data and calibration requirements from second camera electronics 39.

Recalibration program (202') RTMASK, GAGRCL and LFTMSK subroutines are also the same as described above, except each is expanded to accommodate the additional bar gage data and automatic recalibration requirements from second camera electronics 39.

Profile and position programs (203) ENCNGL is a new auxiliary subroutine appended to any subroutine requiring the angular position of the bar diameter gage heads. It reads the position encoder electronics 23, checks validity, puts both the binary and decimal values of position into common area, and sets an error flag in the event in encoder failure.

GAGPOS, a new disc resident subroutine as an overlay, run under the off-line system and requires operator interaction. It is invoked by the subroutine SUBCLL through the mnemonic SC. Its purpose is to drive the scanner to an angular position input through the terminal keyboard 60, 63. The following outline will aid in understanding the program: 1. If the target angle is greater than 10 degrees away from the scan position, full speed voltage is fed over cable 29 to scan motor controller 16 to drive toward the target angle.

Less than 10 degrees, go to step 3.

2. Continue full speed until scanner is within 10 degrees of target.

3. When within 10 degrees of the target angle, output 16 is reduced to half-speed voltage.

4. When within 0.3 degrees of the target angle, apply zero volts to controller 16, and exit.

The operator is required to enter the target angle via the keyboard.

PROFIL is another new program run under the gage off-line system. It requires operator intervention. Its purpose is to scan the camera through a complete 90 degree cycle and a build profile table Figure 18 containing the deviations for each 2 degree increment IBDGTL (194'). It does not plot this data. The PLOT routine PL run under the off-line system performs this task.

There are three possible error conditions generated.

1. Scan motor failure - indicates that the motor didn't start, or an end of the scan cycle was not found (0 or 90 degrees).

2. Encoder failure - generated if the ready bit was not generated by the encoder.

3. IDL failure - generated if an IDL transfer time-out occurs.

RTPRQF is still another new program run under the gage off-line system. Its purpose is to deflect to the right mask on both cameras while scanning the cameras through a complete 90 degrees cycle and building a profile table containing the deviations for each 2 degree increment IBDGT1(94). It does not plot this data. The plot routine PL run under the off-line system performs this task.

There are three possible error conditions generated.

1. Scan motor failure - indicates that the motor didn't start, or an end of the scan cycle was not found (0 or 90 degrees).

2. Encoder failure - generated if the ready bit was not generated by the encoder.

3. IDL failure - generated if an IDL transfer time-out occurs.

The program deflects each electronic "R" scan to right masks 94 in Figure 5 before beginning the profile and deflects back to electronic "C" center scan after the "R" scan is complete.

PLOT is another new program run under the off-line gage system. It does not require operator intervention. Its purpose is to plot the data contained in the profile table IBDGT1 stored in fore 194'. The Y-axls is set to 10 rows above the axis and 10 rows below the axis.

The scale is floating with a minimum of 0.0051 mm. (0.0002 inch). Deviation is plotted along the Y-axis and angular position of the scanner is plotted along the X-axis in increments of 4 degrees per column. Data points which are blank or out of range are represented by a "#".

GAGPLT, another new on-line program, takes the 90 element profile table IBDGT1 stored in core 194' from a common area designated MASGAG and compresses it to a 60 element table for use as shown in Figure 19. Each table entry now represents 3 degrees. It scans the table and determines what Y-axis scale increments to use based on the maximum and minimum values in the profile table. This increment is either 0.0254 mm. (0.001") or 0.0508 mm. (0.002"). Next, it writes the aim size tolerance lines on CRT and printing terminals 60, 63. The program then calculates the Y displacement position of each 3 degree table entry and writes a "*" on the CRT and printing terminals 60, 63 corresponding to this X and Y location. Finally, it calls the HEADER program and exits.A bar profile display using the GAGPLT program is illustrated in Figure 3 as printout 65 from printing terminal 63.

HEADER, another new on-line program, writes the bar cold aim size, carbon and temperature on CRT 60. Next, it writes the data, time, maximum tolerance, minimum tolerance, and out-of-round tolerance on CRT 60 also. Next, it scans the profile table IBDGT1 and calculates the over, under and out-of-round performance based on the respective tolerance limits. It then prints these values as in Figure 3 and exits.

GAGPRO is yet another new program run under the gage on-line system. It requires no operation intervention. It purpose is to scan camera heads 31 and 33 through a complete 90 degree cycle and build a profile table containing the deviations for each 2 degree increment IBDGT1 (194). It does not plot this data.

There are three possible error conditions generated.

1. Scan motor failure - indicates that the motor didn't start, or an end of the scan cycle was not found (0 or 90 degrees).

2. Encoder failure - generated if the ready bit was not generated by the encoder.

3. IDL failure - generated if an IDL transfer time-out occurs.

Histogram program (204') GAGHST is an additional new program run under the on-line and off-line gage system. It is actually a modified version of program 204 and requires operator intervention. Its purpose is to gather a number of readings from each camera head 31, 33 while positioned along planes "A-A" and "C-C" in Figure 3 or other location, store the readings in core 194' tables IBGDT2 and IBGDT3, and print a histogram for each camera head 31, 33 binned at 0.0051 mm. (0.0002 inch) increments for a range of +0.127 to -0.127 mm. (+.005 to -.005 inches) as shown typically in Figure 17. In addition, it calculates and prints the mean and standard deviation of all readings from each camera head 31, 33.The operator must enter the number of readings desired, the bar aim size, and request the use of each histogram table IBGDT2 and IBGDT3, as well as profile table IBGDT1, with control system 67 as shown in Figure 19.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electro-optical system for gaging a lateral dimension of a moving bar, characterized by measuring means including electronic camera means for converting an image of the bar into a raw camera signal having noise and subject to one or more other sources of errors, electronic circuit means including means for processing the raw camera signal to remove noise and produce a bar size pulse subject to said one or more sources of other errors, programmed computer means processing said bar size pulse and a corresponding number of error-compensating signals from error measurement or monitoring sources to compensate the bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the one or more error-compensating signals, thereby producing a corrected bar size pulse, said programmed computer means being adapted to store the corrected bar size pulse, and means for utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record the corrected bar size.

2. An electro-optical system according to claim 1 wherein more than one lateral dimensions of the moving bar is gaged, characterized by the electronic camera means being modified to convert a separate image of each bar dimension into a corresponding number of said raw camera signals each having noise and at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of other errors, the electronic circuit means being modified to process each raw camera signal and produce a corresponding mlmber of noise-free bar size pulses at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of said other errors, the programmed computer means being modified to assimilate each bar size pulse and compensate at least one said bar size pulse in response to one or more corresponding error signals received from external sources by the programmed computer means to produce and store a corresponding number of corrected bar size-pulses, and the utilization means being modified to use the stored data to indicate and/or record each said corrected bar size.

3. An electro-optical gaging system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein one or more lateral dimensions of a moving bar at various peripheral positions of the bar is gaged, characterized by the fact that the measuring means includes scanner means adapted to controllably move a corresponding- one or more electronic cameras in the camera means about a lateral profile of the bar while generating a scanner position signal, said programmed computer means being adapted to further plot and store bar profile as a function of the one or more corrected bar size pulses and the scanner position signal, and said utilization means being adapted to use the stored data to indicate or record bar profile with or without corrected bar size.

4. An electro-optical system according to claim 3, characterized by said scanner means including a controller responsive to a scanner movement control signal.

5. An electro-optical system according to claim 4, characterized by said programmed computer means being adapted to automatically control the scanner means reversingly through a prescribed periphery of the bar in response to an appropriate command signal.

6. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims which produces one or more variable bar size pulses requiring correction for any one or a combination of linear or nonlinear errors from optical or electronic sources, characterized by the programmed computer means being modified to compensate one or more of the variable bar size pulses for the aforesaid errors in response to assimilating a corresponding error-compensating signal received by the programmed computer means from an external source to effectively produce the one or more corrected bar size data.

7. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims which produces one or more variable bar size pulses requiring correction for any one or a combination of errors including camera field-of-view, offset factor, drift factor, bar temperature or bar composition effect on bar temperature as relates to cold bar size, characterized by further including sources of bar temperature and bar composition signals when required, and the programmed computer means being modified to compensate one or more of the bar size pulses for any one or a combination of the aforesaid errors in response to respective error-compensating signals from external sources received by the programmed computer

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (36)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Histogram program (204') GAGHST is an additional new program run under the on-line and off-line gage system. It is actually a modified version of program 204 and requires operator intervention. Its purpose is to gather a number of readings from each camera head 31, 33 while positioned along planes "A-A" and "C-C" in Figure 3 or other location, store the readings in core 194' tables IBGDT2 and IBGDT3, and print a histogram for each camera head 31, 33 binned at 0.0051 mm. (0.0002 inch) increments for a range of +0.127 to -0.127 mm. (+.005 to -.005 inches) as shown typically in Figure 17. In addition, it calculates and prints the mean and standard deviation of all readings from each camera head 31, 33.The operator must enter the number of readings desired, the bar aim size, and request the use of each histogram table IBGDT2 and IBGDT3, as well as profile table IBGDT1, with control system 67 as shown in Figure 19. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electro-optical system for gaging a lateral dimension of a moving bar, characterized by measuring means including electronic camera means for converting an image of the bar into a raw camera signal having noise and subject to one or more other sources of errors, electronic circuit means including means for processing the raw camera signal to remove noise and produce a bar size pulse subject to said one or more sources of other errors, programmed computer means processing said bar size pulse and a corresponding number of error-compensating signals from error measurement or monitoring sources to compensate the bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the one or more error-compensating signals, thereby producing a corrected bar size pulse, said programmed computer means being adapted to store the corrected bar size pulse, and means for utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record the corrected bar size.

2. An electro-optical system according to claim 1 wherein more than one lateral dimensions of the moving bar is gaged, characterized by the electronic camera means being modified to convert a separate image of each bar dimension into a corresponding number of said raw camera signals each having noise and at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of other errors, the electronic circuit means being modified to process each raw camera signal and produce a corresponding mlmber of noise-free bar size pulses at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of said other errors, the programmed computer means being modified to assimilate each bar size pulse and compensate at least one said bar size pulse in response to one or more corresponding error signals received from external sources by the programmed computer means to produce and store a corresponding number of corrected bar size-pulses, and the utilization means being modified to use the stored data to indicate and/or record each said corrected bar size.

3. An electro-optical gaging system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein one or more lateral dimensions of a moving bar at various peripheral positions of the bar is gaged, characterized by the fact that the measuring means includes scanner means adapted to controllably move a corresponding- one or more electronic cameras in the camera means about a lateral profile of the bar while generating a scanner position signal, said programmed computer means being adapted to further plot and store bar profile as a function of the one or more corrected bar size pulses and the scanner position signal, and said utilization means being adapted to use the stored data to indicate or record bar profile with or without corrected bar size.

4. An electro-optical system according to claim 3, characterized by said scanner means including a controller responsive to a scanner movement control signal.

5. An electro-optical system according to claim 4, characterized by said programmed computer means being adapted to automatically control the scanner means reversingly through a prescribed periphery of the bar in response to an appropriate command signal.

6. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims which produces one or more variable bar size pulses requiring correction for any one or a combination of linear or nonlinear errors from optical or electronic sources, characterized by the programmed computer means being modified to compensate one or more of the variable bar size pulses for the aforesaid errors in response to assimilating a corresponding error-compensating signal received by the programmed computer means from an external source to effectively produce the one or more corrected bar size data.

7. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims which produces one or more variable bar size pulses requiring correction for any one or a combination of errors including camera field-of-view, offset factor, drift factor, bar temperature or bar composition effect on bar temperature as relates to cold bar size, characterized by further including sources of bar temperature and bar composition signals when required, and the programmed computer means being modified to compensate one or more of the bar size pulses for any one or a combination of the aforesaid errors in response to respective error-compensating signals from external sources received by the programmed computer

means to effectively produce the one or more corrected bar size data.

8. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one back-lighted electronic camera in said camera means.

9. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one electronic camera in said camera means including a telecentric lens system to permit imaging of bar movement anywhere in a prescribed field-of-view.

10. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one electronic camera in said camera means including an image responsive device adapted to be scanned electronically, and the electronic circuit means further including a sweep generator for driving the scanning of each image responsive device.

11. An electro-optical system according to claim 10, characterized by the sweep generator circuited for a single axis scan of the image responsive device.

12. An electro-optical system according to claim 10, characterized by the sweep generator circuited for a linear bidirectional sweep cycle having equal unsweep and downsweep half-cycles.

13. An electro-optical system according to claim 10, characterized by the sweep generator having a nonlinear bidirectional sweep cycle.

14. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the electronic camera means including a variable-gain image responsive device, and the electronic circuit means including a self-balancing measuring loop having an automatic gain control circuit for varying image devices gain to maintain output current constant.

15. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the means for processing a raw camera signal having noise including an autocorrelator for removing raw camera signal noise.

16. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the means for processing a variable raw camera signal having noise including differentiating pulse edge detection circuitry for each said raw camera signal and an autocorrelator to remove noise from each differentiated raw camera signal.

17. An electro-optical system according to claim 10, characterized by the electronic circuit means being modified to include means responsive to a leading edge of each one or more variable bar size pulses for producing respective bar centerline position signals referenced to the camera optical axis for each bar image, and the programmed computer means being modified to also assimilate the respective bar centerline position signals and to effectively compensate the one or more variable bar size pulses for off-axis optical errors.

18. An electro-optical system according to claim 17, characterized by each bar centerline position data being produced in response to detecting successive variable bar size leading edges in respective upsweep and downsweep halves of a bidirectional sweep cycle for the camera means and determining the bar centerline position to be half of the distance between the successive bar size pulse leading edges.

19. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, particularly claim 3, characterized by further including a source of bar aim size data, further modifying the programmed computer means to plot and store bar deviation from aim size as a function of the bar size and the aforesaid data in response to an appropriate command signal, and the utilization means uses the stored data to indicate and/or record bar size deviation from aim size.

20. An electro-optical system according to claim 19, characterized by further including a source of bar size tolerance data the programmed computer means plot and store being modified to overlay the bar size tolerance data from said source in response to an appropriate command signal, and the utilization means uses the stored data to indicate and/or record bar size tolerance overlaid on bar deviation from aim size.

21. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further including a source of operating data associated with and stored in the programmed computer means in response to an appropriate command signal, and the utilization means uses the stored operating data to indicate and/or record operating data with and without the aforesaid other data.

22. An electro-optical system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the programmed computer means being modified to provide for calibrating the system using a standard bar to build a storage map or recalibrating the gaging system without using a bar, both in response to an appropriate command signal.

23. An electro-optical system according to claim 10, characterized by the image responsive device including one or more calibration masks therein, the electronic circuit means further includes means for offsetting at least one scan from a central bar image sweep to one of the calibration masks, and further including means to recalibrate the gaging system without a bar by controlling the selection of use of each calibration masks.

24. An electro-optical system according to claim 23, characterized by the programmed computer means being modified to provide the selection and use of each calibration mask in response to an appropriate command signal.

25. An electro-optical method of gaging a lateral dimensions of a moving bar, characterized by imaging the bar upon electronic camera means and converting the bar image into a raw camera signal having noise and subject to one or more sources of errors, processing the raw camera signal to remove the noise and produce a bar size pulse subject to said one or more sources of errors, processing the bar size pulse and a corresponding number of error-compensating signals from external sources into programmed computer means, said programmed computer means calculating a correction factor to compensate the bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the corresponding number of said error-compensating signals, and subsequently producing and storing a corrected bar size pulse, and utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record corrected bar size.

26. An electro-optical gaging method according to claim 25 wherein more than one lateral dimension of the moving bar is gaged, characterized by imaging more than one bar dimension upon modified electronic camera means and converting each bar image into a corresponding number of raw camera signals each having noise and at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of errors, processing each raw camera signal to remove said noise and produce a corresponding number of bar size pulses at least one of which may be subject to said one or more sources of errors, assimilating each bar size pulse and one or more corresponding error-compensating signals in the programmed computer means, calculating a correction factor to compensate each bar size pulse for each said source of error in response to the corresponding number of said error-compensating signals, and subsequently producing and storing each corrected bar size pulse, and utilizing the stored data to indicate and/or record each corrected bar size.

27. An electro-optical gaging method according to claim 25 or 26 wherein one or more lateral dimensions of a moving bar at various peripheral positions of the bar is gaged, characterized by further including the step of controllably scanning one or more electronic cameras in the camera means about a lateral profile of the bar while generating a scanner position signal, modifying the assimilating step of the programmed computer means to plot and store in the programmed computer means bar profile as a function the one or more corrected bar size pulses and the scanner position signal, and modifying the utilizing step to use the stored data to indicate and/or record bar profile with or without corrected bar size.

28. An electro-optical gaging method according to claim 27, characterized by reversingly controlling the scanning of said bar either manually or automatically in response to a scanner movement control signal.

29. An electro-optical gaging method according to any of the preceding method claims, characterized by modifying the assimilating step of the programmed computer means to compensate one or more of the bar size pulses for any one or a combination of linear or nonlinear errors from optical or electric sources.

30. An electro-optical gaging method according to any of the preceding method claims, characterized by further including the step of generating a bar temperature signal and, if desired, the additional step of generating a bar composition signal and modifying the assimilating step o the programmed computer means to calculate one or more correction factors and compensates one or more of the variable bar size pulses for any one or a combination of errors including camera field-of-view, offset factors, drift factor, bar temperature, or bar composition effect on bar temperature as relates to cold bar size.

31. An electro-optical gaging method according to any of the preceding method claims, characterized by further including the step of generating one or more signal sources including the bar aim size, bar size tolerance or operating data, modifying the assimilating step to plot and store bar size deviation from aim size and, if desired, store bar size tolerance and/or operating data in the programmed computer means in response to an appropriate command signal, and further modifying the utilizating steps so as to use the stored data to indicate, and/or record bar size deviation from aim size, overlay of bar size tolerance data, and/or operating data.

32. An electro-optical gaging method according to any of the preceding method claims, characterized by the further step of calibrating the gaging operation using one or more standard size bars to provide a calibrating bar- image for subsequent conversion into a calibrating bar size pulse, and modifying the assimilating step to build a storage map in the programmed computer means in response to an off-line command signal, thereby permitting effective comparison of instantaneous calibrating bar size pulses with stored values in response to an on-line command signal.

33. An electro-optical gaging method according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more image responsive devices in the electronic camera means have one or more calibration masks therein adjacent a central bar image portion where imaging of either an unknown bar or a calibration bar occurs, characterized by electronically scanning the central bar image portion of an image responsive device previously calibrated using a known bar, recalibrating the gaging operation off-line without a calibration bar by offsetting the electronic scan of an image responsive device to a given calibration mask by an appropriate command signal, and modifying the programmed computer means assimilating step to determine drift in gaging operation calibration by comparing image responsive means output at recalibration with that of a known standard bar.

34. An electro-optical system according to Claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

35. An electro-optical method according to Claim 25 substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

36. An electro-optical system whenever operated by a method according to any one of Claims 25 to 33 and 35.