IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,891,724
Granted Patent B2
US 10,891,724 · App. 16/351,406 · Granted Jan 12, 2021

Automated system and method for clarity measurements and clarity grading

Inventors: Marc Verboven (Vloeiende, BE); Troy Blodgett (Flagstaff, AZ); Dirk Nuyts (Dr. van de Perrestraat, BE)
Assignee: Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA)
G06T7/0004G01N21/87G01N21/88G01N2021/8809G06T2207/30108
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,891,724
App. No.
16/351,406
Granted
Jan 12, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (45)

1. A method for determining clarity of a gem comprising:

at a computer with a processor and memory,

receiving a pixilated image of the gem including facets in the gem;

mapping, using the pixilated image of the gem, the facets of the gem;

generating a gem structure diagram using the mapped facets;

superimposing the gem structure diagram onto the pixelated image of the gem;

allowing a user to correct the gem structure diagram;

receiving a region of interest, the region of interest including pixels within the pixilated image of the gem;

for the received region of interest,

isolating the pixels within the region of interest within the gem;

identifying characteristics of any inclusions, within the pixels in the region of interest;

wherein the characteristics includes determining a location for each of the identifying inclusions within the area of interest;

determining data for the gemstone including pixel-related inclusion data and proportion data; and

determining a clarity grade for the gem, based on the characteristics within the regions of interest in the gem, and the superimposed gem structure diagram.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying any inclusions is by using a plurality of scripts on the isolated pixels within the region of interest.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristics further includes counting a number of identified inclusions within the area of interest.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristics further includes determining an area of the identified inclusions within the area of interest.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristics further includes determining a type for each of the identified inclusions within the area of interest and wherein the type is either an internal inclusion or surface reaching inclusion.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of scripts include at least one of the following filters: brightness thresholds, hole filling routines, particle size filters, and edge detection filters.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the clarity grade for the gem includes determining a ratio between a size of the gem and an area of the identified inclusion.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the clarity grade for the gem includes using calibrated pixel data, from the pixelated image of the gem.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, correcting the mapped facets of the gem using a vision detection algorithm.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein a characteristic is at least one of a size, position, and relief.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon for a method of for determining clarity of a gem, the method comprising:

at a computer with a processor and memory,

receiving a pixilated image of the gem including facets in the gem;

mapping, using the pixilated image of the gem, the facets of the gem;

generating a gem structure diagram using the mapped facets;

superimposing the gem structure diagram onto the pixelated image of the gem;

allowing a user to correct the gem structure diagram;

identifying a region of interest, the region of interest including pixels within the pixilated image of the gem;

for the received region of interest,

isolating the pixels within the region of interest;

identifying characteristics within the pixels in the region of interest;

determining data for the gemstone including pixel-related inclusion data and proportion data; and

determining a clarity grade for the gem, based on the characteristics within the regions of interest in the gem and the superimposed gem structure diagram.

12. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 wherein the characteristics are types of either an internal inclusion or surface reaching inclusion.

13. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12 wherein the characteristics includes determining a location for each of the identifying inclusions within the area of interest.

14. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12 wherein the identifying any inclusions is by using a plurality of scripts on the isolated pixels within the region of interest.

15. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 14 wherein the plurality of scripts include at least one of the following filters: brightness thresholds, hole filling routines, particle size filters, and edge detection filters.

16. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 wherein the determining the clarity grade for the gem includes determining a ratio between a size of the gem and an area of the identified inclusion.

17. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 further comprising, correcting the mapped facets of the gem using a vision detection algorithm.

18. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 15 wherein the determining the clarity grade for the gem includes calibrated pixel data, from the pixelated image of the gem.

19. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 wherein the determining the clarity grade for the gem includes using calibrated pixel data, from the pixelated image of the gem.

20. The method of non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 wherein a characteristic is at least one of a size, position, and relief.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2020
From: VERBOVEN, MARC; BLODGETT, TROY; NUYTS, DIRK
To: GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. (GIA)
Reel/Frame 053232/0107 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15918932 · Mar 12, 2018
Continuation 12287186 · Oct 7, 2008
Related Publication 20190213732A1 · Jul 11, 2019