Visual inspection system for leather hide
First Claim
1. A visual inspection system for non-rigid materials, comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning means for tensioning an area of the sample, an imaging means for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension, processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist, drive and support means for supporting and moving the material sample relative to the imaging means whereby to tension and obtain images of a plurality of areas of the sample, wherein the tensioning means is arranged to apply tension to the area of the sample being imaged at any time in a first direction and in a second, different direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visual inspection system particularly designed for imaging relatively non-rigid materials. In order to identify defects and the position of defects and the position of defects on the material. The arrangement is particularly designed for handling leather hide. Defects in leather hide are presently identified by manual inspection. The present invention provides a visual inspection system for non-rigid materials comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning means for tensioning at least an area of the sample, an imaging means (3) for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension and processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist.
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Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A visual inspection system for non-rigid materials, comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning means for tensioning an area of the sample, an imaging means for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension, processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist, drive and support means for supporting and moving the material sample relative to the imaging means whereby to tension and obtain images of a plurality of areas of the sample, wherein the tensioning means is arranged to apply tension to the area of the sample being imaged at any time in a first direction and in a second, different direction.
- 15. A visual inspection system for non-rigid materials, comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning mean for tensioning at least an area of the sample, an imaging means for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension and processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist, the processing means being arranged to statistically analyze gray levels of pixels imaged by the imaging device, by applying a normal distribution on either side of a medial gray level which is defined as undefected leather, and determining an extreme or extremes of the normal distribution as defining defected areas of leather.
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21. A visual inspection system for non-rigid materials, comprising a mounting means for mounting a sample of the material, tensioning means for tensioning at least an area of the sample, an imaging means for obtaining an image of the area of the sample under tension, processing means for processing the image to provide information on any defects which may exist, a former being substantially elongate in shape and defining a longitudinal axis, the former having a first surface, over which the material sample is to pass, formed by a plurality of at least partially convex or flat areas separated by depressions in the surface, and the tensioning means includes means for forcing portions of the sample material into the depressions as the material sample is passed over the former, whereby to tension the material sample over the convex or flat areas in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the former.
Specification