Calibration of a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in production stream
First Claim
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1. A method of calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in a production stream on a conveyor having a plurality of articles of products, wherein the method comprises:
- a) placing a calibration color tile having a calibration color on a platform elevated above the conveyor in a field of view of an imaging unit;
b) obtaining light absorption data of the calibration color using the imaging unit;
c) calculating a component color intensity of the light absorption data of the calibration color using a processor;
d) normalizing the component color intensity of the calibration color;
e) removing the platform out of the field of view of the imaging unit; and
f) obtaining light absorption data of the articles using the imaging unit;
wherein the method further comprises;
transporting a continuous flow of the production stream on the conveyor, wherein the platform is elevated above the production stream; and
performing steps a)-f) without interrupting the continuous flow of the product stream on the conveyor.
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Abstract
A system and method for calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for the detection of defects in a moving product stream. The system has an elevated platform above a conveying unit for receiving a reference color tile. The elevated platform allows for the passage of products to be inspected on the below conveying unit surface such that calibration and re-calibration processes during image capturing may be accomplished on a continuous basis without interruption of the product stream.
26 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in a production stream on a conveyor having a plurality of articles of products, wherein the method comprises:
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a) placing a calibration color tile having a calibration color on a platform elevated above the conveyor in a field of view of an imaging unit; b) obtaining light absorption data of the calibration color using the imaging unit; c) calculating a component color intensity of the light absorption data of the calibration color using a processor; d) normalizing the component color intensity of the calibration color; e) removing the platform out of the field of view of the imaging unit; and f) obtaining light absorption data of the articles using the imaging unit; wherein the method further comprises; transporting a continuous flow of the production stream on the conveyor, wherein the platform is elevated above the production stream; and performing steps a)-f) without interrupting the continuous flow of the product stream on the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in a production stream of products comprising:
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a conveyor unit having a first frame extending along at least a portion of a width of a conveyor unit; a platform elevated above the conveyor unit by a first support movably coupled to the first frame; and a reference color tile placed on the platform; wherein the platform is configured to provide a clearance between the conveyor unit and the platform; and wherein the platform is configured so that, when the platform is used to calibrate the dynamic digital imaging system, the clearance is sufficiently large that the production stream can pass below the platform without interrupting a continuous flow of the production stream on the conveyor unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification