3D Inspection Cameras Projectors Multiple-Line Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical inspection systems for electronic circuits require a large number of cameras to achieve high resolution and three-dimensional analysis, leading to increased costs and complexity, while also being inefficient in reducing image processing costs and adapting to three-dimensional image reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a photographic setup with multiple digital cameras having orthogonal pixel arrays inclined at specific angles, combined with projectors projecting patterns aligned with the cameras' optical axes, allowing for reduced camera numbers and enabling both two-dimensional and three-dimensional image analysis with improved resolution and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of cameras are used to achieve high resolution and three-dimensional analysis, then image resolution and analysis capability are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporal dimension by capturing multiple images at different time instances as the object moves along the conveyor belt. Instead of using multiple cameras simultaneously, a single camera captures a sequence of images, where each image corresponds to a different position of the object. This temporal sampling approach enables super-resolution reconstruction and three-dimensional analysis without increasing the number of cameras, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the dynamic movement of the object along the conveyor belt to its advantage. The camera captures images at different moments as the object passes through the inspection area, and the processing system correlates these temporal images based on the known conveyor speed and object position. This dynamic approach transforms the limitation of a single stationary camera into a capability for high-resolution and 3D analysis by leveraging motion-induced spatial variation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of cameras are used to achieve high resolution and three-dimensional analysis, then three-dimensional image reconstruction capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temporal dimension to capture three-dimensional information. By taking multiple images at different time instances as the object moves, the system obtains views from effectively different positions. The processing system uses this temporal sequence to reconstruct three-dimensional surface topology through correlation algorithms, eliminating the need for multiple simultaneously positioned cameras and simplifying the hardware configuration while maintaining 3D analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple virtual views of the object by capturing images at different temporal moments and then computationally synthesizing these into three-dimensional surface maps. Instead of using multiple physical cameras to capture simultaneous views, a single camera creates temporal copies of the object at different positions, which are then processed to generate accurate 3D surface representations
3Device complexity
If conventional camera systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but image resolution and processing efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing a sequence of images at standardized intervals as the object moves along the conveyor. These pre-captured images are stored and then processed using super-resolution algorithms that correlate information across multiple temporal frames. This preliminary temporal sampling enables efficient post-processing that achieves high resolution without requiring complex real-time hardware configurations, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving processing efficiency
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
This configuration simplifies the system, reduces the number of cameras needed, enhances image resolution, and facilitates three-dimensional image acquisition with reduced processing time and cost, while maintaining high accuracy and depth of focus.
Implementation Method 1
two projectors of determined patterns, these patterns being such that two straight lines projected by each of the projectors are aligned in the plane defined by the first two directions
Implementation Method 2
several digital cameras each comprising an orthogonal array of pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An installation of optical inspection of integrated circuits or the like includes a photographic system placed above a scene in a plane defined by a first and a second direction, the photographic system having several digital cameras each having an orthogonal array of pixels, all cameras having their respective optical axes inclined by a first angle with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the two others; and two projectors of determined patterns, these patterns being such that two straight lines projected by each of the projectors are aligned in the plane defined by the first two directions and are coplanar with a straight line interconnecting the optical centers of the two projectors.