Image Measuring System Strobe Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In non-stop image measurement modes, wider strobe illumination pulse widths or longer exposure times lead to increased movement of the measurement stage, compromising measurement accuracy, while ensuring sufficient lighting is necessary for accurate image capture.

Innovation Solution

An image measuring system and method that allows users to select between measurement accuracy prioritized and measurement speed prioritized modes, adjusting strobe pulse width and stage movement speed to balance image quality and efficiency, using a computer-controlled system with processors for stage movement, illumination adjustment, and image processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the strobe illumination pulse width is widened or exposure time is increased to ensure sufficient lighting for accurate image capture, then the quantity of illuminating light increases, but the amount of movement of the measurement stage during image acquisition increases, worsening measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of illuminating lightVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the strobe illumination pulse width and stage movement speed based on real-time conditions. The control unit varies the illumination duration and stage velocity to optimize both image quality and measurement accuracy for different measurement scenarios, rather than using fixed parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters (strobe pulse width, exposure time, stage speed) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can provide sufficient illumination while minimizing stage movement during capture, thus maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If the duration of capturing image information is increased to ensure sufficient exposure for measurement, then the quantity of illuminating light increases, but the amount of movement of the stage increases, compromising measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure timeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the exposure time and stage movement speed based on real-time conditions. The control unit varies these parameters to optimize both image quality and measurement accuracy for different measurement scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters (exposure time, stage speed) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can provide sufficient exposure while minimizing stage movement during capture, thus maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the measurement stage moves continuously without stopping at measurement positions to improve throughput, then productivity increases, but the amount of movement during image acquisition increases, worsening measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement throughputVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic strobe illumination synchronized with the continuous stage movement. The strobe light captures images at specific intervals during the continuous motion, allowing throughput improvement while maintaining measurement accuracy through precise timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement stage moves continuously without stopping at measurement positions, maintaining constant productive action. The strobe illumination and shutter mechanism enable image capture during this continuous motion, eliminating idle time while preserving measurement quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 efficient image measurements by optimizing stage movement speed and illumination parameters, maintaining high accuracy and throughput by allowing users to prioritize either measurement accuracy or speed based on specific requirements.

Implementation Method 1

This image measuring machine irradiates the measuring object with strobe illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrobe illumination:

Implementation Method 2

captures instantaneous image information at designated measurement positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1729086B2Image measuring system, image measuring method and image measuring program
Publication Date: 2015.09.23 MITUTOYO CORP
  • EP1729086B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1729086B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1729086B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Within a prioritized mode selection dialog, either a measurement accuracy prioritized mode or a measurement speed prioritized mode is selected. If the measurement accuracy prioritized mode is selected, then processing for entering a tolerable amount of movement is executed. Then, a relative movement speed of a CCD camera to a measurement stage is calculated from the entered amount of movement. Finally, image information is captured at a lower speed than the calculated relative movement speed to execute image measurement. If the measurement speed prioritized mode is selected, then processing for entering a relative movement speed is executed, and image information is captured at the entered relative movement speed to execute image measurement.