Parameterized Edge Detection for Material Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging methods struggle to precisely detect closely spaced material interfaces, such as thin coatings and cracks, due to blurring effects, which impairs the accuracy of material boundary detection and quality assurance in workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a parameterized edge finding operator that distinguishes between single and multiple material interfaces by applying different edge detection algorithms based on parameterization, allowing for sub-pixel precision and efficient detection of closely adjacent interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional edge detection operators are used to determine material interfaces, then the detection process is computationally efficient, but closely spaced material interfaces cannot be distinguished precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary single-edge detection operator to identify potential multiple edge locations before applying the more computationally intensive multiple edge detection operator. This preliminary action filters the search space, allowing the complex multiple edge detection to be applied only where needed rather than across the entire image, thus resolving the contradiction between detection precision and computational effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the edge detection process into two distinct stages: first applying a simple single-edge detection operator to identify candidate regions, then applying a complex multiple edge detection operator only in those specific regions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high detection precision for closely spaced interfaces while minimizing overall computational effort by avoiding unnecessary complex processing in regions with single edges.
2Measurement precision
If multiple edge detection operators are applied to all measurement points, then closely spaced material interfaces can be detected precisely, but the computational effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different detection operators to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. The single-edge detection operator is applied in regions where simple interfaces are expected, while the multiple-edge detection operator is applied only in regions identified as containing closely spaced interfaces. This localized approach ensures high detection precision where needed while maintaining computational efficiency in other regions.
3Measurement precision
If thin structures such as coatings and cracks are detected using conventional methods, then the imaging process is fast, but the detection accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a preliminary single-edge detection pass to quickly identify regions containing potential thin structures such as coatings and cracks. Only in these identified regions is the more time-consuming multiple edge detection operator applied. This preliminary action significantly reduces the overall processing time compared to applying the complex operator universally, while still achieving the necessary detection accuracy for thin structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining material interfaces of an object by means of at least one measurement of the object, a rasterized representation of the object having a plurality of pixels being produced by means of the measurement, each pixel having at least one piece of image information, which indicates a value of a measurement variable for the object at the position of the measurement point. The method comprises the determining of a parameterization of the rasterized representation of the object, the parameterization assigning at least one parameter to each of the measurement points of a subset of the measurement points of the representation, and the applying of at least one parameter-dependent edge-detection operator to the measurement points of the rasterized representation, an edge-detection operator being designed to determine the location of at least one material interface in the rasterized representation. In the determination of the location of a material interface from the image information of a measurement point, the edge-detection operator takes into consideration at least the image information of a subset of the measurement points adjacent to the measurement point in the rasterized representation. At least one of the edge-detection operators is a multiple edge-detection operator that is designed, when applied to a measurement point, to determine the location of at least two directly adjacent material interfaces in the object. The multiple edge-detection operator is applied to a measurement point if and only if at least one of the parameters of the measurement indicates that a plurality of material interfaces are arranged directly adjacent to each other within the surroundings of the measurement point.