Component Data Handling Device for Automated Terminal Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In component mounting systems, terminals with similar sizes and pitches can be misrecognized due to unclear reflections or glare, leading to incorrect identification, especially when the number of terminals differs between components.

Innovation Solution

The system extracts and displays comparative component data with similar terminal sizes and pitches, and adds virtual terminal definitions to indicate non-existent terminals, allowing for accurate recognition by distinguishing between actual and virtual terminal positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If terminal recognition is performed based on captured images and component data, then component identification can be automated, but misrecognition occurs when terminal sizes and pitches are similar but terminal numbers differ

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated component identificationVSAvoidcomponent recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary extraction of comparative component data that has similar terminal sizes and pitches but different terminal numbers before the actual recognition process. This preparatory step creates a reference dataset that helps distinguish between similar components during recognition, preventing misidentification while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component data extraction mechanism that acts as a mediator between the captured image and the final recognition decision. By extracting and comparing component data with similar characteristics, the system creates an intermediate reference layer that resolves ambiguities in terminal recognition, thereby improving reliability without reducing automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If image processing is used to recognize terminals, then recognition speed can be improved, but misrecognition occurs due to unclear reflections or glare from component markings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition speedVSAvoidterminal detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by comparing the captured image against extracted component data that includes information about similar components. This feedback mechanism allows the recognition system to verify detected terminals against expected patterns, correcting errors caused by reflections or glare while maintaining rapid processing speeds through efficient data comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before performing image processing for recognition, the system preliminarily extracts component data including terminal positions, sizes, and counts. This preliminary preparation creates a reference framework that guides the image processing, allowing faster recognition while improving accuracy by comparing detected features against pre-established component characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If component data with similar terminal characteristics is stored, then recognition flexibility is improved, but data complexity increases making it harder to distinguish between components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent data management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary distinguishing features from component data, specifically focusing on terminal number differences while maintaining information about similar terminal sizes and pitches. This selective extraction reduces data complexity by removing redundant information while preserving the adaptability needed to handle various component types with similar characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by organizing component data to highlight specific distinguishing characteristics (such as terminal count) while maintaining similarity in other aspects (terminal size and pitch). This localized differentiation approach allows the system to store diverse component data with high adaptability while managing complexity through focused comparison on key distinguishing features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3177130B1Component data handling device, component data handling method, and component mounting system
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 FUJI CORP
  • EP3177130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3177130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3177130B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A virtual terminal definition which defines that a terminal does not exist with respect to component data on one side, at a position of the terminal which does not exist in the component data on one side, and exists in the component data on the other side, among plural pieces of component data in which a positional coordinate between the existing terminals, and the terminal size are substantially the same as each other, and the number of terminals is different, is added. In a case where image process is performed with respect to a captured image of a component P by using the component data to which the virtual terminal definition is added, it is recognized that the terminals exist at all certain positions of the terminal definition, and in a case where it is recognized that the terminals do not exist at all certain positions of the virtual terminal definition, it is determined that the image process is successful. Accordingly, it is possible to discriminate a plurality of components which are similar to each other, and to prevent the misrecognition of the component.