Automated system and method for clarity measurements and clarity grading
View Patent ↗A computer-based system and method for taking clarity measurements of a gem, and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, are provided and include receiving a pixilated image of a gem and identifying pixels representing an inclusion. The method and medium further include determining characteristics of the inclusion as a function of the pixels representing the inclusion, and providing a clarity grade based upon the determined characteristics. Also provided is a method for mapping a gem, and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which include receiving a pixilated image of a gem having facet edges, and identifying pixels representing the facet edges. The method and medium further include generating a diagram of the gem, such that the diagram is a function of the pixels representing the facet edges, and superimposing the diagram onto the pixilated image.
1. A method of obtaining a clarity grade for a gemstone, comprising:
by a computer, receiving a pixelated image of a gemstone;
by the computer, mapping, using the pixilated image of the gemstone, facets of the gemstone;
by the computer, correcting the mapped facets of the gem using a vision detection algorithm;
by the computer, creating an outline of corrected, mapped facets from the pixelated image of the gemstone;
by the computer, receiving an indication of a region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
by the computer, analyzing pixels in the region of interest;
by the computer, identifying any inclusions or inclusion reflections within the pixels in the region of interest; and
by the computer, determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising,
by the computer, determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the region of interest, based on the analysis.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the analysis of pixels includes counting a number of identified inclusions within the area of interest.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising,
by the computer, determining an area of the identified inclusions within the area of interest;
by the computer, determining a location for each of the identified inclusions within the area of interest;
by the computer, determining a relief for each of the identified inclusions within the area of interest, and
wherein the analysis of pixels includes area, location, and relief data.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of pixels includes at least one of brightness thresholds, hole filling routines, particle size filters, and edge detection filters.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of pixels includes,
quantifying a brightness of the pixels corresponding to the inclusion,
quantifying a brightness of pixels in a designated area adjacent the pixels corresponding to the inclusion, and
determining a relief characteristic for the inclusion as a function of the brightness of the pixels corresponding to the inclusion and of the pixels in the designated area.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising,
by the computer, generating a gemstone structure diagram for the gemstone from the pixilated image of the gemstone.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising,
by the computer, superimposing the gemstone structure diagram onto the pixelated image.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the pixelated image of the gemstone is generated from a digital camera and dark field illumination apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the dark field illumination apparatus includes intensity controls, a pivoting reflector unit, and a table.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable media to execute the method comprising:
by a computer, receiving a pixelated image of a gemstone;
mapping, using the pixilated image of the gemstone, facets of the gemstone;
correcting the mapped facets of the gem using a vision detection algorithm;
receiving an indication of a region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
analyzing pixels in the region of interest;
identifying any inclusions or inclusion reflections within the pixels in the region of interest; and
determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 further comprising,
determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the region of interest, based on the analysis.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein the analysis of pixels includes counting a number of identified inclusions within the area of interest.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 2 further comprising,
determining an area of the identified inclusions within the area of interest;
determining a location for each of the identified inclusions within the area of interest;
determining a relief for each of the identified inclusions within the area of interest, and
wherein the analysis of pixels includes area, location, and relief data.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein the analysis of pixels includes at least one of brightness thresholds, hole filling routines, particle size filters, and edge detection filters.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein the analysis of pixels includes,
quantifying a brightness of the pixels corresponding to the inclusion,
quantifying a brightness of pixels in a designated area adjacent the pixels corresponding to the inclusion, and
determining a relief characteristic for the inclusion as a function of the brightness of the pixels corresponding to the inclusion and of the pixels in the designated area.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 further comprising,
generating a gemstone structure diagram for the gemstone from the pixilated image of the gemstone.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17 further comprising, superimposing the gemstone structure diagram onto the pixelated image.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein the pixelated image of the gemstone is generated from a digital camera and dark field illumination apparatus.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19 wherein the dark field illumination apparatus includes intensity controls, a pivoting reflector unit, and a table.