Image Inspection Apparatus Using Dual Camera Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The usability of image inspection apparatuses is compromised by the increased search time required when high magnification cameras are used, as the narrowed visual field range necessitates longer searches for positioning workpieces on an XY stage, thereby increasing inspection burden.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of high-magnification and low-magnification cameras, along with a bird's eye view camera, to generate a joined image that encompasses the entire workpiece, allowing for efficient detection of the workpiece position and orientation, and enabling the high-magnification camera to focus on specific inspection points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the magnification of the camera is increased to measure smaller workpieces or smaller measurement points, then the measurement precision is improved, but the search time for locating the workpiece on the XY stage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into two segments: a low-magnification camera for wide-field workpiece location and a high-magnification camera for detailed measurement. This segmentation allows each camera to optimize its function, resolving the contradiction between search speed and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The low-magnification camera acts as an intermediary that first locates the workpiece and provides positioning information to the high-magnification camera. This intermediary function eliminates the need for the high-magnification camera to perform time-consuming searches, thereby reducing search time while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If the magnification of the camera is increased, then the ability to measure smaller workpieces is improved, but the visual field range is narrowed requiring longer search times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visual field coverage into two layers: a wide visual field from the low-magnification camera for workpiece location and a narrow visual field from the high-magnification camera for detailed measurement. This resolves the contradiction by having each camera operate in its optimal field range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the imaging process, using the low-magnification camera first to establish workpiece position, then using that information to guide the high-magnification camera. This dimensional approach allows the system to effectively utilize both wide and narrow fields of view without compromise
Data Source
AI summary
The image inspection apparatus includes a camera that images a workpiece placed on a stage and generates a workpiece image, and a second camera having an imaging field-of-view wider than that of the camera, which images the workpiece and generates a bird's eye view image. The apparatus detects a position of the workpiece based on the bird's eye view image, and positions the workpiece based on the position of the workpiece so that the workpiece is located in or near an imaging field-of-view of the camera, thereby imaging the workpiece with the camera to generate the workpiece image. The apparatus specifies a detailed position and an orientation of the workpiece in the workpiece image generated by the camera, and determines an inspection point of the workpiece in the workpiece image based on the detailed position and the orientation of the workpiece specified, thereby executing a predetermined inspection process.