Automated Image Contrast Optimization for Electronic Component Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image generating apparatuses for inspecting electronic component orientation on substrates face challenges with low contrast images, leading to inaccurate determinations due to operator skill variability and time-consuming manual adjustments of lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automated image generating apparatus comprising a lighting apparatus, imaging apparatus, and image processing unit that adjusts luminance to maximize the difference in average luminance between designated and comparison areas, generating high-contrast optimal images for accurate component inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of lighting conditions and shutter speed is performed by operator, then image contrast can be increased, but time consumption increases and detection accuracy varies depending on operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts lighting conditions and image processing parameters without operator intervention. The control unit autonomously determines optimal lighting intensity, color temperature, and shutter speed based on real-time image analysis, eliminating manual trial-and-error adjustments and ensuring consistent detection accuracy regardless of operator skill level
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters including lighting intensity, lighting color, shutter speed, and image processing parameters to optimize image contrast. By automatically adjusting these parameters based on detected image quality metrics, the system resolves the contradiction between achieving high detection accuracy and minimizing time consumption
2Illumination intensity
If manual adjustment of lighting conditions is performed by trial and error, then image contrast can be increased, but detection accuracy varies depending on operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors image contrast metrics and uses this feedback to automatically adjust lighting conditions and processing parameters. The control unit analyzes the captured images in real-time, determines whether contrast thresholds are met, and iteratively adjusts parameters until optimal contrast is achieved, ensuring consistent detection accuracy without relying on operator skill
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of lighting and camera settings with automated electronic control. The control unit electronically adjusts lighting intensity, color temperature, and shutter speed based on algorithmic decision-making, eliminating the variability introduced by manual operator skill differences and ensuring consistent image contrast and detection accuracy
3Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls lighting apparatus parameters, adjusts imaging apparatus settings, processes captured images, and determines optimal processing conditions. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single integrated control system, the patent achieves high automated processing speed while minimizing the complexity increase that would result from multiple separate devices
Data Source
AI summary
An image generating apparatus includes: a lighting apparatus that emits illumination light to an imaging area where at least a part of an electronic component is located; an imaging apparatus that images the imaging area irradiated with the illumination light; and an image processing apparatus that processes a captured image obtained by the imaging. The image processing apparatus generates a before-adjustment image based on the captured image, generates an adjusted image by adjusting luminance of the before-adjustment image, and generates an optimal image by setting a difference in average luminance between a designated area and a comparison area in the adjusted image largest.