Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use the results of a plurality of defect detecting tests and adjust the result of each test in a manner that reflects the accuracy of the test that produced it. A manufactured unit can then be evaluated using a mathematical combination of the adjusted results.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical inspection are provided. At least one “invariant feature” of an object design is determined, and such invariant feature is used in inspecting objects having the corresponding design. An “invariant feature” is a feature that is invariant certain transformations occurring in a captured image of an object under inspection, such as brightness, color, and/or other transformations in the captured image. Accordingly, an inspection template may comprise information corresponding to at least one pre-selected invariant feature of an object's design. In certain embodiments, the template is a shape description of a feature that provides an intrinsic invariance to a specified set of basic transformations. Accordingly, the amount of pixel values stored in a template may be minimized, which minimizes the number of pixel comparisons made between a captured image of the object under inspection and the inspection template during the inspection analysis.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting positioning errors in a feature projected image set comprising projections of an object under inspection includes identifying at least one region of interest in at least one respective projection from the feature projected image set that substantially corresponds to a corresponding region of interest in a reconstructed image generated based on the feature projected image set, and estimating a respective corrective shift corresponding to the at least one respective projection and applying the respective corrective shift to generate a corresponding at least one corrected respective projection wherein the identified at least one region of interest in the corresponding at least one corrected respective projection is substantially coincident with the corresponding region of interest the reconstructed image. A corrected reconstructed image may then be generated using the at least one corrected respective projection.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a location of an eye of a user using an automated detection process, and automatically determining a position of a head of the user with respect to an object based on the detected location of the eye. A location of an eye of a user inside a vehicle is detected using the automated detection process, at least one of height and orientation information of the user is automatically determined based on the detected location of the eye, and a mechanical device inside the vehicle is controlled in accordance with the determined information. Moreover, an eye blinking pattern of a user is detected using an infrared reflectivity of an eye of the user, and messages are transmitted from the user in accordance with the detected eye blinking pattern of the user.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical inspection are provided. At least one “invariant feature” of an object design is determined, and such invariant feature is used in inspecting objects having the corresponding design. An “invariant feature” is a feature that is invariant certain transformations occurring in a captured image of an object under inspection, such as brightness, color, and/or other transformations in the captured image. Accordingly, an inspection template may comprise information corresponding to at least one pre-selected invariant feature of an object's design. In certain embodiments, the template is a shape description of a feature that provides an intrinsic invariance to a specified set of basic transformations. Accordingly, the amount of pixel values stored in a template may be minimized, which minimizes the number of pixel comparisons made between a captured image of the object under inspection and the inspection template during the inspection analysis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use the results of a plurality of defect detecting tests and adjust the result of each test in a manner that reflects the accuracy of the test that produced it. A manufactured unit can then be evaluated using a mathematical combination of the adjusted results.

Abstract: A tomographic system and method are provided which enable iterative processing of 2D image data for reconstructing 3D image data therefrom. In certain embodiments, a conjugate gradient algorithm is utilized to iteratively process captured 2D image data (e.g., pixels) for reconstructing 3D image data (e.g., voxels) therefrom. In one embodiment, a system for processing 2D image data for reconstructing 3D image data therefrom is provided. The system comprises an imaging system operable to capture a plurality of 2D images at different angles of view. The system further comprises a reconstruction processor communicatively coupled to the imaging system. The reconstruction processor is operable to receive the plurality of captured 2D images and iteratively process the received 2D images to reconstruct 3D image data therefrom in accordance with a conjugate gradient algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that utilize time-domain measurements of a nonlinear device produce or extract a behavioral model from embeddings of these measurements. The method of producing a behavioral model comprises applying an input signal to the nonlinear device, sampling the input signal to produce input data, measuring a response of the device to produce output data, creating an embedded data set, fitting a function to the embedded data set, and verifying the fitted function. The apparatus comprises a signal generator that produces an input signal that is applied to the nonlinear device, the device producing an output signal in response. The apparatus further comprises a data acquisition system that samples and digitizes the input and output signals and a signal processing computer that produces an embedded data set from the digitized signals, fits a function to the embedded data set, and verifies the fitted function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus correct for image brightness of images taken of an object with point source illumination in an imaging system. The brightness correction method and apparatus of the present invention correct for the non-object related brightness characteristics of a point source illumination in the observed or measured brightness of a relatively planar object being imaged by the imaging system. The method and apparatus are applicable to imaging and inspection systems used with a wide variety of planar and semi-planar objects including but not limited to X-ray inspection of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing an imaging system and an imaging system having automatic focusing use an image of an object created by the imaging system to determine an optimum focus position. The present invention employs one or both of an edge detection approach and an image comparison approach to automatic focusing. The edge detection approach comprises computing an edge density for each image of a set of images of the object, and using a focus position corresponding to an image of the set that has a greatest computed edge density as the optimum focus position. The image comparison approach comprises adjusting a focus position for the image of the object by a difference between focus positions for a reference image and a closely matched image of a typical object. The imaging system has a computer program comprising instructions that implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus correct for image brightness of images taken of an object with point source illumination in an imaging system. The brightness correction method and apparatus of the present invention correct for the non-object related brightness characteristics of a point source illumination in the observed or measured brightness of a relatively planar object being imaged by the imaging system. The method and apparatus are applicable to imaging and inspection systems used with a wide variety of planar and semi-planar objects including but not limited to X-ray inspection of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuits.