Method for planning an inspection path for determining areas that are to be inspected

• US 20070122026A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isra Vision Systems AG
• Original Assignee: Isra Vision Systems AG
• Inventors: Wienand, Stephan, Ersue, Enis
• Granted Patent: US 8,059,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9515 Objects of complex shape, e.g. examined with use of a surface follower device measuring contours and curvatures G01B11/24
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37208 Vision, visual inspection of workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37441 Use nc machining program, cad data for measuring, inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37563 Ccd, tv camera

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for planning an inspection path (2) for at least one optical picture-taking device (4), particularly a camera, for inspecting a three-dimensional object (3). The picture-taking device (4) and the object (3) are movable relative to each other by means of a displacement device (5, 6). To ensure that the method for planning inspection paths and for determining areas to be inspected is easy to use and reliably covers all areas to be inspected, it is provided that, based on the design data (8), particularly CAD data and/or data determined by a sensor, relating to the object (3) and/or an area (12) to be inspected on the object, and based on the optical imaging characteristics of the picture-taking device (4), stored in electronic form, and using an arithmetic logic unit (10), the inspection path (2) for the optical picture-taking device (4) is automatically determined by specifying a specific geometric relationship between the picture-taking device (4) and the surface to be inspected.

Claims

1. A method for planning an inspection path (2) for at least one optical picture-taking device (4), particularly a camera, for inspecting a three-dimensional object (3), with which the picture-taking device (4) and the object (3) are movable relative to each other using a displacement device (5, 6), wherein,

based on the design data (8), particularly CAD data and/or data determined by a sensor, of the object (3) and/or an area (12) to be inspected on the object, and based on the optical imaging characteristics of the picture-taking device (4), stored in electronic form, and by using an arithmetic logic unit (10), the inspection path (2) for the optical picture-taking device (4) is automatically determined by specifying a specific geometric relationship between the picture-taking device (4) and the surface to be inspected.

2. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

the optical picture-taking device (4) is guided over the stationary or moving object (3).

3. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

picture-taking positions of the picture-taking device (4) are determined by covering the entire three-dimensional object (3) or all areas (12) to be inspected on the object with pictures that were taken.

4. The method as recited in claim 3,

wherein

points in time for taking pictures are determined with consideration for displacement information (11) of the displacement device (5, 6) and the picture-taking positions of the picture-taking device (4).

5. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

an illumination device is assigned to the picture-taking device (4), and the inspection path (2) is determined by specifying a specific geometric relationship between the picture-taking device (4), the illumination device, and the surface to be inspected.

6. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

a motion sequence for the relative motion between the object (3) and the picture-taking device (4) and/or the illumination device is determined from the inspection path (2).

7. The method as recited in claim 6,

wherein

the inspection time and/or inspection path are kept as short as possible in the determination of the motion sequences.

8. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

an area (12) to be inspected within the picture is assigned to each picture of the optical picture-taking device (4).

9. The method as recited in claim 8,

wherein

a check is carried out based on the area (12) to be inspected and the inspection path (2) to determine whether the object (3) defined by the design data (8) or the entire area (12) to be inspected on the object (3) defined by the design data (8) is completely covered.

10. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

the inspection path (2) and/or the areas (12) to be inspected and that have been defined on an object (3) are visualized on a display means, particularly a screen.

16. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

features in the areas (2) to be inspected and that were determined from the design data (8) are compared with the features recognizable in the pictures that were taken, and a position correction is carried out, if necessary, based on the results of the comparison.

17. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein

the optical picture-taking device (4) is calibrated three-dimensionally.

18. The method as recited in claim 17,

wherein

a fine-positioning of the object (3) in the picture is carried out.

11. A method for determining areas (12) to be inspected on a surface of a three-dimensional object (3) based on design data (8) available in electronic form, particularly CAD data, relating to the object (3),

wherein

it is specified for certain areas (12, 13) on the object whether and in which manner these areas (12, 13) are to be inspected, and that, during the inspection with a picture-taking device (4), these areas (12) to be inspected are assigned to the pictures that were actually taken.

12. The method as recited in claim 11,

wherein

areas (12) to be inspected, areas (13) not to be inspected, and/or areas (12) to be inspected in a certain manner are determined automatically based on the design data (8), particularly by determining geometric shapes or other parameters.

13. The method as recited in claim 11,

wherein

the areas (12) to be inspected are stored and/or visualized as calculated pictures (14).

14. The method as recited in claim 12,

wherein

the automatically generated areas (12) to be inspected are capable of being processed manually.

15. The method as recited in claim 11,

wherein

the calculated pictures (14) with the areas (12) to be inspected and/or a visualization of the areas (12) to be inspected are displayed in the pictures that were actually taken.