End Face Inspection Apparatus with Computational Focus Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
End face inspection apparatuses for optical connectors require manual focus adjustment, which is time-consuming and costly due to the use of motorized focusing mechanisms based on ranging information.
Innovation Solution
An end face inspection apparatus with a focusing degree changing mechanism that adjusts the distance between the end face of the test object and the focal position of the optical system, acquiring image data at preset intervals to determine focus and select focused image data, allowing for automatic focus detection without the need for motorized focusing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual focus adjustment is performed, then focused image can be acquired, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operator performs focus adjustment in advance to capture a focused image of the end face, storing it for later inspection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time focus adjustment during inspection, reducing time consumption while maintaining focus accuracy.
2Extent of automation
If automatic focusing with motorized lens adjustment is used, then focus acquisition is automated, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex motorized lens system, the patent captures multiple images at different focal positions and uses image processing to generate a composite focused image. This copying approach creates a virtual focused image through data processing rather than physical lens adjustment, eliminating the need for expensive motorized focusing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens focusing system with a computational approach. By capturing images at multiple focal positions and processing them computationally, the system substitutes complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with simpler image processing algorithms, reducing device complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If multiple images at different focal positions are captured and processed, then focused image can be generated without motorized focusing, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images at multiple focal positions and uses computational copying techniques to generate a composite focused image. By processing multiple captured images through algorithms that identify and combine in-focus regions, the system achieves automated focusing without motorized mechanisms, managing processing complexity through efficient image synthesis methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the acquisition of focused image data with a simple and inexpensive configuration, reducing processing load and noise influence while ensuring accurate focus detection.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system which forms an image of an end face of a held test object on an image acquisition unit
Data Source
AI summary
An end face inspection apparatus which inspects an end face of an test object, and includes optical system causing an image acquisition unit to form an image of an end face of a held test object, focusing degree changing means for changing a distance between the end face of the test object and a focal position of the optical system, and a control unit processing image data acquired in the image acquisition unit. The end face inspection apparatus acquires a series of image data which is output from the image acquisition unit at a preset time interval while the distance between the end face of the test object and the focal position of the optical system is changed, determines whether or not each piece of the image data is focused, and selects focused image data as image data for end face inspection.