Non-visible radiation imaging and inspection

• US 7,208,733 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Original Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Inventors: Mian, Zahid F., Mullaney, Jeremy C., Spoor, Ryk E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher; Constantine
• Application Number:
  US11/121,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20060043296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330, 378/63
• US Class Current: 250/330
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0219 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0233 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/4061 by injecting details from different spectral ranges

Abstract

A non-visible radiation imaging system is provided in which an image is obtained based on non-visible radiation of an object. The image can be enhanced to increase its resolution. Additionally, the image can be combined with another image based on visible light for the object. Further, a non-visible radiation inspection system and method are provided that perform an inspection of the object using one or more of the images.

Claims

1. A non-visible radiation imaging system comprising:

means for obtaining a radiation image of an object based on non-visible radiation of the object;

means for obtaining a visible light image of the object;

means for generating an enhanced image based on the radiation image, wherein the enhanced image has a higher resolution than the radiation image;

means for generating an object image by fusing the visible light image with the enhanced image; and

means for displaying at least one of the radiation image, the enhanced, or the object image.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for obtaining at least one characteristic of the object, wherein the enhanced image is further based on at least one characteristic of the object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the enhanced image is further based on the visible light image.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for managing at least one of the radiation image or the enhanced image.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for performing an inspection based on the radiation image and a set of inspection parameters.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for performing an inspection includes means for generating object data based on the radiation image.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for performing an inspection includes means for determining a situation based on the radiation image.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the means for performing an inspection includes means for performing an action in response to the situation.

9. A handheld imaging system comprising:

means for obtaining an infrared light image of an object;

means for obtaining a visible light image of the object;

means for generating an object image by fusing the infrared light image and the visible light image;

means for displaying the object image; and

means for managing at least one of the infrared light image, the visible light image or the object image.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for performing an inspection based on at least one of the infrared light image, the visible light image or the object image.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for performing an inspection includes means for determining a situation based on the at least one of the infrared light image, the visible light image or the object image.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for performing an action in response to the situation.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for generating temperature data based on the infrared light image.

14. A non-visible radiation inspection system comprising:

means for obtaining a radiation image of an object being inspected based on non-visible radiation of the object;

means for obtaining a visible light image of the object;

means for generating an enhanced image based on the radiation image, wherein the enhanced image has a higher resolution than the radiation image;

means for generating an object image of the object by fusing the radiation image and the visible light image; and

means for determining a situation based on the radiation image and a set of inspection parameters.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for displaying the radiation image.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for managing the radiation image.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for generating object data based on the radiation image, wherein the situation is further based on the object data.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for performing an action in response to the situation.

19. A method of inspecting an object, the method comprising:

obtaining a radiation image of the object based on non-visible radiation of the object;

obtaining a visible light image of the object;

generating an object image of the object by fusing the radiation image and the visible light image; and

performing the inspection based on the object image and a set of inspection parameters.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the performing step includes:

displaying the object image to a user; and

receiving inspection data from the user.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the performing step includes automatically determining a situation based on the object image.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the performing step further includes automatically performing an action in response to the situation.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the performing step includes generating object data for the object based on at least one of the radiation image or the object image.