System and method for single image focus assessment
First Claim
1. A focus assessment method for determining a focus classification for a workpiece feature image, the focus classification usable to determine whether the image is sufficiently focused, such that a machine vision inspection system may perform useful machine vision inspection operations on the workpiece feature image, the method comprising:
- acquiring a first image of a workpiece feature for which an image focus classification is to be determined;
determining a plurality of focus classification features based on the first image; and
determining the focus classification based on processing the determined plurality of focus classification features using at least one classifier, wherein;
the at least one classifier comprises at least a first respective classifier that operates on a first respective plurality of classification features; and
the focus assessment method does not require the acquisition of an additional image of the workpiece feature that is differently focused than the first image.
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Abstract
An image focus assessment method is provided that works reliably for images of a variety of relatively dissimilar workpieces or workpiece features. The focus assessment method is based on analysis of a single image (without the benefit of comparison to other images). The robustness of the focus assessment method is enhanced by the use of at least one classifier based on a plurality of focus classification features. In one application, a primary advantage of assessing focus from a single image is that an overall workpiece inspection time may be reduced by avoiding running an autofocus routine if an image is already in focus. In various embodiments, the focus assessment method may include an ensemble of classifiers. The ensemble of classifiers can be trained on different training data (sub)sets or different parameter (sub)sets, and their classification outcomes combined by a voting operation or the like, in order to enhance the overall accuracy and robustness of the focus assessment method.
70 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A focus assessment method for determining a focus classification for a workpiece feature image, the focus classification usable to determine whether the image is sufficiently focused, such that a machine vision inspection system may perform useful machine vision inspection operations on the workpiece feature image, the method comprising:
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acquiring a first image of a workpiece feature for which an image focus classification is to be determined;
determining a plurality of focus classification features based on the first image; and
determining the focus classification based on processing the determined plurality of focus classification features using at least one classifier, wherein;
the at least one classifier comprises at least a first respective classifier that operates on a first respective plurality of classification features; and
the focus assessment method does not require the acquisition of an additional image of the workpiece feature that is differently focused than the first image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for operating a machine vision inspection system based on a single-image focus assessment, the method comprising:
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acquiring a first image of a workpiece feature;
performing a single-image focus assessment method comprising;
determining a plurality of focus classification features based on the first image, and determining a focus classification for the first image based on processing the determined plurality of focus classification features using at least one classifier, wherein the at least one classifier comprises at least a first respective classifier that operates on a first respective plurality of classification features and the focus assessment method does not require the acquisition of an additional image of the workpiece feature that is differently focused than the first image;
determining whether the first image is sufficiently focused based on the determined focus classification, such that a machine vision inspection system may perform useful machine vision inspection operations on the workpiece feature image; and
performing an autofocus operation and acquiring a second image of the workpiece feature if the first image of the workpiece feature is not sufficiently focused.
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15. A machine vision inspection system comprising:
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a vision system components portion; and
a control system portion comprising;
an image focus assessment portion comprising an image focus classification portion and a classifier training portion;
a display device; and
a graphical user interface that can be displayed on the display device, the graphical user interface including at least one display area including control widgets operable to control operations of the classifier training portion, wherein;
the image focus assessment portion includes a routine operable for performing a single-image focus assessment method comprising;
determining a plurality of focus classification features based on a first image of a workpiece feature, and determining a focus classification for the first image based on processing the determined plurality of focus classification features using at least one classifier, wherein the at least one classifier comprises at least a first respective classifier that operates on a first respective plurality of classification features and the focus assessment method does not require the acquisition of an additional image of the workpiece feature that is differently focused than the first image. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A recording medium that stores a control program, the control program executable on a computing device usable to receive data corresponding to images workpiece features for which an image focus classification is to be determined, the control program including instructions for performing a single-image focus assessment method, the single-image focus assessment method instructions comprising:
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instructions for determining a plurality of focus classification features based on a first image of a workpiece feature for which an image focus classification is to be determined; and
instructions for determining a focus classification based on processing the determined plurality of focus classification features using at least one classifier, wherein;
the at least one classifier comprises at least a first respective classifier that operates on a first respective plurality of classification features; and
the focus assessment method instructions do not require the acquisition of an additional image of the workpiece feature that is differently focused than the first image.
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Specification