Sample Container Viewpoint Detection Using Label-Gap Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated testing systems face challenges in accurately determining the optimal viewpoint for inspecting samples within sample containers due to variations in container orientation and label defects, which can impact the accuracy of sample analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves rotating the sample container or sensor to capture images from multiple viewpoints, generating an unwrapped image of the container and label, and using a segmentation network to identify the optimal viewpoint for inspection by determining the center of the label gap, allowing for accurate optical analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a sensor captures image data of a sample container with a label, then the label provides identification information, but the label scatters light and obscures the sample, reducing inspection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the label before the optical inspection of the sample. The label is imaged first to obtain identification information, then the system determines an optimal inspection viewpoint that accounts for the label's position and light scattering effects, allowing the sample to be inspected with minimized interference from the label.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational step that processes label image data to determine the optimal inspection viewpoint. This intermediary processing layer analyzes the label's position, orientation, and light scattering characteristics, then uses this information to calculate the best angle for sample inspection that minimizes label interference while maintaining identification capability.
2Loss of information
If the sample container is rotated to capture complete label information, then label characterization is improved, but the inspection process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by rotating the sample container only to the extent necessary to capture sufficient label information for identification and characterization, rather than completing a full 360-degree rotation. The label imaging captures the essential information needed, and the system then determines the optimal inspection viewpoint based on this partial rotation, avoiding unnecessary rotation time while maintaining adequate label characterization.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured from different viewpoints, then the optimal inspection viewpoint can be determined, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the label characterization function from the sample inspection function. By independently processing label images to determine viewpoint information, then using this extracted viewpoint data to guide sample inspection, the system avoids the complexity of processing multiple complete sample images from different angles. Only the necessary label images are processed to obtain viewpoint parameters, simplifying the overall processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method of determining a viewpoint for optically inspecting a sample within a sample container is provided that includes (a) employing a sensor to capture image data of a sample container including a sample, wherein a portion of the sample container includes a label having first and second ends; (b) rotating at least one of the sample container and the sensor about a central axis of the sample container so that the sensor capture s image data including at least the first and second ends of the label; (c) employing the captured image data to generate an unwrapped image of the sample container; (d) processing the unwrapped image to characterize the label and produce label characterization information; and (e) employing the label characterization information to identify a viewpoint through which to optically inspect the sample within the sample container. Numerous other aspects are provided.