System and method for detecting flaws in objects using machine vision
First Claim
1. A system for flexibly detecting flaws in an object comprising:
- an imaging device having a processor that performs a global registration of a model image with respect to a runtime image;
a flexible flaw detection and repositioning procedure within the processor that identifies a displacement of predetermined image features in the model image with respect to the runtime image and that computes a relative displacement therebetween so that local positioning of predetermined image features on the model image can be transformed with respect to the runtime image to determine if the relative displacement results in a better fit for the model image relative to the runtime image and, if not, the relative displacement is marked invalid; and
an inspection procedure that performs inspection of the runtime image using the model image subsequent to the transformation of the predetermined image features.
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Abstract
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for flexibly detecting flaws in the acquired runtime/live images of objects based upon an inspection process that employs a training or model image of the object. This system and method enables predetermined flaws, and other predetermined features, within predetermined tolerances, to be disregarded as a flaw at inspection time. Typically, flexible flaw detection and repositioning of the model image occurs locally with respect to predetermined flaws and imperfections, and is undertaken after the image is acquired and the model image has undergone a global affine transformation/positioning with respect to the runtime image. Subsequent inspection then occurs with a locally repositioned model image that subsumes any imperfection or variation that is to be disregarded.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for flexibly detecting flaws in an object comprising:
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an imaging device having a processor that performs a global registration of a model image with respect to a runtime image; a flexible flaw detection and repositioning procedure within the processor that identifies a displacement of predetermined image features in the model image with respect to the runtime image and that computes a relative displacement therebetween so that local positioning of predetermined image features on the model image can be transformed with respect to the runtime image to determine if the relative displacement results in a better fit for the model image relative to the runtime image and, if not, the relative displacement is marked invalid; and an inspection procedure that performs inspection of the runtime image using the model image subsequent to the transformation of the predetermined image features. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for flexibly detecting flaws in an object comprising the steps of:
implementing one or more processors to perform the following steps; performing a global registration of a model image with respect to a runtime image; after global registration, identifying a displacement of predetermined image features in the model image with respect to the runtime image and computing a relative displacement therebetween so that local positioning of predetermined image features on the model image can be transformed with respect to the runtime image and thereafter determining if the relative displacement results in a better fit for the model image relative to the runtime image and, if not, the relative displacement is discarded or marked invalid; and inspecting the runtime image using the model image subsequent to the transformation of the predetermined image features. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for inspecting an object comprising the steps of:
implementing one or more processors to perform the following steps; performing a global registration of a runtime image of the object with respect to a model image; performing a flexible local repositioning of at least enclosed segment features and edge features and deriving respective displacement vectors therefor and thereafter determining if the respective displacement vectors result in a better fit for the model image relative to the runtime image and, if not, the respective displacement vectors are discarded or marked invalid; inspecting the runtime image using the model image with the enclosed segment features and the edge features of the model image being locally repositioned within predetermined threshold values so that flaws falling within the locally repositioned model image are disregarded and flaws falling outside the locally repositioned model image are indicated.
Specification