Circuit Board Inspection Reference Data Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for generating reference data for circuit board inspection are inefficient as they rely on the time-consuming process of creating CAD information, which needs to be repeated if errors occur, and do not account for distortions in the circuit board shape during inspection.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a compensation matrix using pad coordinate information from image data and prestored design data to produce reference data without requiring CAD information, allowing for efficient inspection by applying this matrix to the image information of the bare circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CAD information is generated for circuit board inspection, then reference data can be obtained for inspection, but time consumption increases significantly and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidCAD information generation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing design data including pad coordinate information before inspection is needed. This allows the system to skip the time-consuming CAD information generation step during actual inspection, as the necessary reference data is already prepared and can be quickly retrieved and applied to generate reference data from captured images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating reference data through transforming captured image information using a compensation matrix, rather than generating reference data from scratch through CAD processes. The system captures an image of the circuit board, extracts pad coordinates, generates a compensation matrix, and applies it to create reference data that copies the essential geometric information needed for inspection without requiring full CAD generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If traditional reference data generation methods are used, then inspection can be performed, but the process requires repeated CAD generation which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the inspection system to generate its own reference data autonomously from captured images and pre-stored design data, without requiring external CAD information generation processes. The system automatically extracts pad coordinates from images, generates compensation matrices, and creates reference data independently, eliminating the need for repeated manual or automated CAD generation and significantly improving inspection productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If CAD information is generated to account for circuit board distortions, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistortion compensation accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by isolating and using only the essential pad coordinate information from design data, rather than requiring complete CAD information including all circuit patterns, holes, and other features. By extracting just the pad coordinates needed for distortion compensation and reference data generation, the system achieves accurate distortion correction with a simplified process that avoids the complexity of full CAD generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3046405B1Reference data generating method for circuit board inspection
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 KOHYOUNG TECH
  • EP3046405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3046405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3046405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of generating reference data for inspecting a circuit board. The method comprises steps of scanning a bare circuit board to obtain image information of the bare circuit board, generating a compensation matrix using pad coordinate information extracted from the image information and pad coordinate information prestored in design data, and generating, by applying the compensation matrix to the image information, a reference data including coordinate information of a distinctive object. According to the method, inspection efficiency may optimized through quickly generating reference data without CAD information necessary for circuit board inspection.