Gemstone Inclusion Detection via Segmented Illumination Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting inclusions in cut diamonds lack commercial viability and repeatability, hindering their use in automatic clarity grading systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an illumination system that selectively illuminates multiple light entrance areas of a gemstone, an image acquisition device, and an image processing system to identify inclusions based on non-uniformities in internal illumination patterns, utilizing 3D modeling and ray tracing for optimized illumination patterns and exclusion of false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used for detecting inclusions in diamonds, then the detection process can be performed, but the repeatability and commercial viability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the diamond into multiple light entrance areas and light exit regions, using ray tracing to calculate specific illumination patterns for each entrance area. This segmentation allows targeted illumination of specific regions to highlight inclusions while maintaining repeatable detection across multiple measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes illumination parameters by selectively illuminating different combinations of light entrance areas to create varying illumination patterns. The image processing system analyzes changes in illumination uniformity across different patterns to detect inclusions, providing repeatable results that meet commercial viability requirements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple illumination patterns are used to improve detection accuracy, then inclusion detection precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ray tracing calculations to determine optimal illumination patterns before actual detection. This preliminary action pre-computes the illumination paths and entrance area combinations needed to illuminate specific exit regions, simplifying the actual detection process while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the illumination system and image acquisition device, coordinating the sequential illumination patterns and capturing corresponding images. This intermediary role manages the complexity of multiple illumination patterns without requiring simultaneous operation of all components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If selective illumination of specific light entrance areas is used, then internal uniform illumination of light exit regions is achieved, but the illumination system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively illuminating specific light entrance areas based on ray tracing calculations. Each entrance area is illuminated with tailored parameters to achieve uniform illumination of specific exit regions, rather than using uniform illumination across the entire diamond surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by sequentially applying different illumination patterns in a predetermined sequence. Each pattern illuminates a specific combination of entrance areas, and the system cycles through multiple patterns to achieve comprehensive coverage and uniform illumination across all exit regions.
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 accurate and repeatable detection of inclusions within gemstones, facilitating their clarity grading and providing a mapped illustration of detected inclusions, thereby improving the reliability of gemstone evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
illumination system configured to selectively illuminate each of a plurality of spaced apart light entrance areas of the gemstone from corresponding illumination directions
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the one or more predetermined light exit regions comprises at least one facet of the gemstone
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
There are provided method for detecting inclusions in a gemstone comprising illuminating the gemstone by successively producing illumination patterns on the gemstone each selected so as to simultaneously provide an internal uniform illumination of one or more predetermined light exit regions of the gemstone, and each being defined by a unique combination of spaced apart light entrance areas illuminated simultaneously from corresponding illumination directions. The method further comprises capturing a plurality of images of the gemstone when illuminated as indicated above, processing the images and identifying inclusions in the images based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images. The illumination patterns can be produced by an illumination system configured to selectively illuminate the spaced apart light entrance areas of the gemstone from corresponding illumination directions. The illumination system can be controlled by a controller configured to cause the system to successively produce the illumination patterns. The images of the gemstone can be captured by an image acquisition device and processed by an image processing system configured for identifying inclusions based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images.