US 12,461,039 B2
Method and system for determining the location of artefacts and/or inclusions in a gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof
Roland Fleddermann, Bruce (AU); Jong Hann Chow, Bonner (AU); Adrian Paul Sheppard, Fisher (AU); Timothy John Senden, Acton (AU); Shane Jamie Latham, Griffith (AU); and Keshu Huang, Turner (AU)
Assigned to Australian National University
Filed by Australian National University, Acton (AU)
Filed on Jan. 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/402,383.
Application 18/402,383 is a continuation of application No. 16/977,622, granted, now 11,898,962, previously published as PCT/AU2019/050182, filed on Mar. 4, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2018900677 (AU), filed on Mar. 2, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0133822 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 21/87 (2006.01); G01B 9/02091 (2022.01); G01B 11/00 (2006.01); G01B 11/30 (2006.01); G01N 21/88 (2006.01); G01N 23/046 (2018.01); G01N 23/083 (2018.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); G06T 7/521 (2017.01); G06T 7/73 (2017.01)
CPC G01N 21/87 (2013.01) [G01B 9/02091 (2013.01); G01B 11/005 (2013.01); G01B 11/30 (2013.01); G01N 21/8851 (2013.01); G01N 23/046 (2013.01); G01N 23/083 (2013.01); G01N 33/389 (2024.05); G06T 7/521 (2017.01); G06T 7/74 (2017.01); G01N 2021/8861 (2013.01); G01N 2223/04 (2013.01); G01N 2223/3304 (2013.01); G01N 2223/419 (2013.01); G01N 2223/646 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10028 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10081 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10101 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for determining a location of artefacts and/or inclusions in a gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof, the method comprising:
surface mapping a gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof to determine surface geometry associated with at least a portion of a surface of the gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof using one or more of X-ray computed tomography, optical coherence tomography, laser scanning, and structured illumination;
sub-surface mapping the gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof using an optical beam that is directed at the surface along an optical beam path, wherein the optical beam is generated by an optical source using one or more of optical coherence tomography and optical projection tomography;
determining a surface normal at the surface at an intersection point between the optical beam path and the determined surface geometry;
determining relative positioning between the surface normal and the optical beam path; and
determining the location of artefacts and/or inclusions in the gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof based on the sub-surface mapping step and the determined relative positioning,
wherein the surface of the gemstone, mineral, or sample thereof is untreated and the surface mapping step and the sub-surface mapping step are performed without refractive index matching.