Image Sensing Apparatus Automatic Condition Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image sensing apparatuses face difficulties in easily setting and accurately configuring image sensing conditions for visual inspections, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in defect detection due to reliance on human subjective evaluation.

Innovation Solution

An image sensing apparatus and method that utilize an evaluation value based on the ratio of contrast values and areas of defective and non-defective regions to optimize image sensing conditions, including illumination intensity and position adjustments, to enhance detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple image sensing conditions are tested to find optimal settings, then defect detection accuracy is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically evaluates multiple image sensing conditions and selects optimal settings without requiring manual user intervention. The evaluation unit autonomously assesses different illumination conditions, sensing positions, and other parameters, then the selection unit automatically chooses the best conditions based on evaluation results, eliminating the need for complex manual operations while maintaining high detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system systematically varies multiple image sensing parameters including illumination intensity, illumination position, sensing position, and sensing angle to evaluate their effects on defect detection. By automatically testing and comparing different parameter combinations, the system identifies optimal settings without requiring users to manually adjust and evaluate each parameter, thus improving accuracy while simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual evaluation of image sensing conditions is performed, then detection accuracy can be optimized, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical evaluation processes with automated computational evaluation. The evaluation unit uses image processing algorithms to automatically assess defect detection quality under different sensing conditions, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and subjective judgment. This automated approach rapidly evaluates multiple conditions and identifies optimal settings without time-consuming human intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automated evaluation of multiple image sensing conditions before actual defect detection begins. By pre-assessing and selecting optimal sensing conditions in advance through automated evaluation, the system avoids time-consuming manual adjustments during actual inspection operations, thus reducing overall time consumption while maintaining high setting accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2173087B1Improved setting of image sensing conditions for defect detection
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 CANON KK
  • EP2173087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2173087B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2173087B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention is directed to easily set the image sensing conditions of an image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus includes a first control means for controlling to change the image sensing conditions, an image sensing means to sense an image sensing target at every first time interval, and to calculate the evaluation value of the sensed image, and a second control means for controlling to change the image sensing conditions within the range where the evaluation value obtained by the first control means changes from increase to decrease, the image sensing means to sense the image sensing target at every second time interval smaller than the first time interval, and to calculate the evaluation value of the sensed image.