Monochromatic Camera Imaging for Board Work Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In board work systems, target objects recognized by cameras often suffer from color bleeding or false colors when generating color images, leading to inefficient imaging processes, as high-resolution color images require combining monochrome images from red, green, and blue lights, prolonging processing time.

Innovation Solution

The system allows selective use of one or multiple monochromatic lights to obtain either a monochrome or composite image, with the option to combine monochrome images from red, green, and blue lights for high-resolution color images, reducing processing time by choosing the appropriate image type based on the target object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a color image is generated by combining monochrome images from red, green, and blue lights, then high-resolution color information is obtained free from color bleeding, but imaging time is unnecessarily long for target objects that can be recognized by monochrome images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor recognition precisionVSAvoidimaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the imaging mode (monochrome or color) based on the specific recognition requirements of each target object. The control unit determines whether color information is necessary for accurate recognition, and only activates the full color imaging process when needed, thereby optimizing imaging time while maintaining recognition precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the imaging parameters (number of light sources activated, image combination process) based on the target object's characteristics. For objects recognizable in monochrome, only single-wavelength imaging is performed; for objects requiring color differentiation, multi-wavelength combination imaging is executed, thus adapting the imaging process to the specific needs of each target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If monochrome images are used for all target objects, then imaging time is reduced, but target objects that require color information cannot be adequately recognized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging timeVSAvoidtarget object recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between monochrome and color imaging modes based on real-time assessment of target object characteristics. The control unit evaluates whether color information is necessary for accurate recognition and adjusts the imaging strategy accordingly, ensuring both speed and accuracy are optimized for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging parameters are changed based on target object requirements. The system adjusts the number of wavelengths used, the combination processing level, and the final image output format to match the specific recognition needs of each target, thereby achieving both time efficiency and recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If color information is generated by using four pixels as one unit, then color images can be obtained, but recognition precision deteriorates due to color bleeding or false colors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor informationVSAvoidtarget object recognition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the color imaging process into independent single-wavelength imaging steps. Instead of using color filters that cause pixel interference, the system captures separate monochrome images at different wavelengths and combines them computationally, eliminating color bleeding while preserving color information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses computational processing as an intermediary between light capture and final image generation. By processing separate monochrome images through algorithms that combine wavelength information without physical pixel mixing, the system produces accurate color images free from the color bleeding that plagues conventional color camera systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enables efficient image processing by selecting between monochrome and high-resolution composite images, improving recognition precision and reducing overall processing time, especially for objects that can be adequately recognized in monochrome.

Implementation Method 1

Light reflected by the PCB and/or light passing through the PCB is detected separately according to basic colours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a monochromatic camera to obtain a monochromatic image of a target object which is illuminated with the one monochromatic light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4007481B1Substrate work system
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 FUJI CORP
  • EP4007481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4007481B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4007481B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A board work system includes a moving device configured to move over an XY-plane, a lighting device attached to the moving device, a monochromatic camera attached to the moving device, and an image processing device. The image processing device selects one or multiple monochromatic lights from at least two monochromatic lights based on a target object and, in the case that the image processing device selects one monochromatic light, the image processing device causes the lighting device and the monochromatic camera to capture a monochromatic image of the target object which is illuminated with the one monochromatic light and sets the monochromatic image of the target object as a target object inspection image. On the other hand, in the case that the image processing device selects multiple monochromatic lights, the image processing device causes the lighting device and the monochromatic camera to capture monochromatic images of the target object which is illuminated independently with the multiple monochromatic lights and sets a composite image into which the monochromatic images are combined as a target object inspection image.