For Flaws Or Imperfections Patents (Class 356/430)
  • Patent number: 6922604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for adjusting clearing limits, defects in the yarn being cut out and a clearing limit separating defects which are to be cut out from defects which are not to be cut out. To achieve an improved, simplified and rapid adjustment of the clearing limit so the effect thereof in the end product can also be predicted more accurately, starting from the clearing limit, displays of defects in the end product are to be produced which make an effect of the defects in the end product visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Uster Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Höeller
  • Patent number: 6919557
    Abstract: A device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprises a conveyor (5) having two parallel guides, (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides. These belts form an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts. The belts in the pair have the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Marc Mergy, Jean-Luc Lecomte, Laurent Letellier, Jean-François Larue
  • Patent number: 6914679
    Abstract: An apparatus for directing uniform intensity light onto a surface where the light is provided at an acute angle with respect to the surface including a light source that generates initial light rays that are essentially perpendicular to the surface and a guidance member positioned between the source and the surface which receives the initial rays and redirects the rays such that redirected rays are parallel and form acute angles with respect to the surface, the source and guidance member juxtaposed with respect to the surface so that the redirected rays subtend the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Nettekoven, Darin Cerny
  • Patent number: 6897957
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring defects, film thickness, contamination, particles and height of a thin film disk or a silicon wafer. The system includes a processor for determining height. In addition to measuring the height the system can measure film thickness and defects through the measurement of the phase shift of optical signals. An optical profilometer is described which can measure topography on thin film disks, optical substrates or silicon wafers and whose output is independent of the reflectivity of the substrate. This material independent optical profilometer uses a retro-reflector to achieve reflectivity independence and to increase the height sensitivity to 8 times the height of the surface. The reflectivity independent optical profilometer achieves perfect cancellation of the slope of the surface while measuring the topography of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Candela Instruments
    Inventor: Steven W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 6842258
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for measuring the geometry of grooves in an elongated element, which grooves (2) extend as continuous grooves over the whole length of the elongated element (1), circling around the element, in which method the surface of the elongated element is scanned by of a camera (6). In order to achieve simple non-contact measurement, the elongated element (1) is arranged to travel at the vertex through an annular biconical minor or through a biconical bevelled mirror (3) comprising several plane mirrors, and through a plane mirror structure (4) arranged at an oblique angle relative to the direction of travel of the elongated element (1). An annular laser beam is directed to the plane mirror structure in such a way that the plane mirror structure (4) reflects the beam onto the surface of the elongated element (1) through the outer surface (3a) of the biconical mirror or bevelled cone mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nextrom Holdings S.A.
    Inventors: Joni Leinvuo, Jouko Viitanen, Juha Korpinen, Jani Uusitalo
  • Patent number: 6829516
    Abstract: Combined information exchanges systems and methods suitable for use in connection with a manufacturing production line constructing a composite product. Some of the disclosed combined systems and methods include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are combined systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are combined systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Kyle S. Allen, Jamie L. Bell, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott G. Chapple, Clinton David Clark, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Archie Dodds Morgan, Nicholas A. Popp, Shawn A. Quereshi, Erica C. Tremble
  • Patent number: 6809756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a process. The image information received from cameras monitoring various positions of the process is stored in digital form and various cameras positions are alternately selected for a display and analysis on the screen of a computer. The screen is also used for displaying an image variation graph representing the image variation data of images preceding and following the image to be analyzed. The system includes selector elements (5) for selecting a camera position representing the highest-level image variation for an automated display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell Oy
    Inventors: Mika Valkonen, Jorma Snellman, Juha Toivonen
  • Patent number: 6804381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automated defect detection in textured materials. The present invention utilizes linear Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters with optimized energy separation. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inspecting industrial products for defects. The method has steps of: automated design of optimized filters from samples of products, using these optimal filters to filter the acquired images of product under inspection, computing the energy of each pixel in a local region, and finally segmenting the defect by thresholding each pixel. The present invention also relates to a method of inspection of unknown (unsupervised) defects in web materials. In an unsupervised inspection, information from a finite number of optimal filters is combined using a data fusion module. This module attempts to nullify the false alarm associated with the information arriving from different channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Kwok-Hung Grantham Pang, Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 6801828
    Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding one or more web components in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Kyle S. Allen, Jamie L. Bell, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott G. Chapple, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Archie Dodds Morgan, Brian Robert Vogt
  • Patent number: 6784998
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet-material foreign-matter detecting method and apparatus capable of securely detecting foreign matter attached to a sheet material. That is, the foreign matter attached to the sheet material is detected by applying light emitted from a light source to a sheet material, by picking up a light-source image reflected to the surface of the sheet material by image pickup means, and by judging a difference between brightnesses of a reflected image due to a difference between reflectances of the sheet material and the foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Noda, Takayuki Kamikura
  • Patent number: 6757064
    Abstract: A device serves for optically scanning a moving material web. The device is formed by a CCD camera comprising a lens and a CCD receiving element, which is provided with photodiodes. So as to be able to exactly adjust the area of the material web scanned by means of the device, the CCD receiving element can be adjusted transversely in relation to the optical axis of the lens. For adjusting the CCD receiving element, a template with a structure is provided. This structure is detected by the photodiodes, and the signals emitted by the photodiodes act on a controlling device. The controlling device adjusts the CCD receiving element so that it is aligned with the structure of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Erhardt + Leimer GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Eisen, Stefan Zott
  • Patent number: 6750465
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating distinguishing authenticity features comprising diffraction elements on a document which is illuminated by an illumination source. The distinguishing authenticity element which is to be examined, diffracts the beam of the illuminating source and projects it onto an evaluating unit in the device. In order to be independent of the nature and location of the diffraction pattern, the diffraction pattern derived from the document to be examined is projected onto a screen and the image of the pattern recorded and evaluated by a camera (matrix or cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
    Inventors: Arnim Franz-Burgholz, Roland Gutmann, Harald Hoeppner, Thomas Löer, Detlef Märtens, Günther Dausmann, Zishao Yang, Robert Massen, Thomas Franz, Thomas Leitner, Jörg Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 6744515
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the heat-sealed interfaces of plastic film being fed into a machine includes a plurality of light sources opposed to a heat-sealed plastic film. The lights are spaced from each other in directions parallel and perpendicular to the direction in which the plastic film is fed. An optical sensor is opposed to the plastic film, and a cover plate is placed between the optical sensor and the plastic film, the cover plate including small hole or narrow slit through which light passes. The lights reflect from or permeate through the plastic film and then pass to the optical sensor. The optical sensor image-recognizes the reflected or permeated lights and reads the minutely rugged surface of the heat sealed portion to detect the heat sealed interface of the plastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 6744498
    Abstract: Yarn impurities are detectable by a method and device wherein a first diameterdependent signal is obtained in a first measurement of a linearly traveling yarn, the intensity of the light for a second measurement is set as a function of the first signal to compensate for the effect of the yarn diameter on the light reflected by the yarn and then the second electrical signal can be directly evaluated for detecting yarn impurities. The invention improves the detection of impurities, for example in connection with spinning and bobbin winding machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Herbert Henze, Olav Birlem
  • Patent number: 6734997
    Abstract: A method for detecting defects on a transparent film in a scanner is disclosed. The scanner has a light source for exposing the transparent film. The method includes using the light source to expose the transparent film for a first predetermined time to generate a first image, using the light source to expose the transparent film for a second predetermined time to generate a second image, and comparing differences between the first image and the second image according to a time ratio of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time so as to detect the defects on the transparent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Chin-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6697152
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting removable particulates initially on a test surface or surface to be inspected. The removable particles are transferred to a portion of a tacky surface on a carrier by adhering and then removing the portion of the tacky surface from the test surface. The carrier is received by a positioning means and passed through the field of view of a surface inspection means guided by a controller. Signals from the surface inspection means are combined with coordinates from the controller to produce particle coordinates, which indicate particulates initially on the test surface. Particle coordinates on the tacky surface measured before the tacky surface is adhered and removed from the test surface can be compared with particle coordinates measured after the tacky surface is adhered and removed from the test surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: John Samuel Batchelder
  • Patent number: 6683687
    Abstract: The assessment of the effects of yarn faults is carried out by simulating the fabric image. In a first step, the yarn is examined by a measuring member for parameters associated with the volume and/or the surface. In a second step, these parameters are converted into grey values or color values, and these values are assigned to image spots. Finally, the image spots are reproduced on a video display unit and/or a printer. An image is generated thereby, representing a simulation of a woven or knitted fabric produced from the examined yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Zellweger Luwa AG
    Inventor: Robert Hoeller
  • Patent number: 6671052
    Abstract: A multi-channel densitometer has a light sensor for each channel. The channels may be on a single circuit board, or may be on small, independently locatable probes. The outputs from the sensors are input to a single conveniently located controller circuit. The controller circuit provides power and control signals to the sensors, and processes the sensor outputs to obtain sample optical density. The multi-channel configuration saves space where the density measurements are needed, reduces the component count and cost, and facilitates calculation of multi-channel density functions, such as uniformity, transfer efficiency and color balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Allen Joseph Rushing
  • Patent number: 6668231
    Abstract: A measuring device useful for measuring mechanical properties of highly flexible or limp sheet materials. The device includes a base, a pair of clamping members, with one of the clamping members being movable away from and toward the second clamping member. A load sensor is mounted in one of the clamping means for measurement of the required mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: George Stylios
  • Patent number: 6661518
    Abstract: An analysis machine for analyzing the cleanness condition of perforated strips enables a direct non-destructive measurement, without image conversion, of pollution by particles on the surface of plastic strips that are relatively transparent and perforated. This is done by using an automatic analysis machine, and a supporting and guiding device of the strips to be analyzed. The supporting and guiding device comprises a transparent revolving cylinder provided with at least one groove of small depth in which are arranged opaque masks that practically superimpose with the perforations of the strip to be analyzed. This arrangement prevents the disturbance and deterioration of the recording due to the light rays emitted by a light source located near the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Guy M. Roulleau, Michel Sacksteder
  • Patent number: 6633383
    Abstract: A filament inspection method for detecting abnormalities in a wound yarn package includes illuminating the yarn package while sensing and recording an image of the illuminated yarn package. The method further includes evaluating the recorded image in accordance with predetermined criteria to determine thereby whether the recorded image indicates the presence of any abnormalities in the yarn package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Linetech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Jackson, James Knapp
  • Patent number: 6633377
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the detection and identification of light diverting and transparent defects with optical properties in a transparent medium. The apparatus has a light source with an aperture stop, a lens system focusing an image of the aperture stop at a plane, and means to pass the transparent medium through said column of light. The apparatus and method provide dark view images of the defects. The apparatus and method may be combined with a viewing area inspection system. The transparent medium may be curved, and especially face plates for cathode ray tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Image Processing Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Weiss, Alexandre Obotnine
  • Patent number: 6617603
    Abstract: An image of a scanning position on a faceplate on a light receiving region defined by an arrangement of n light receiving elements such that an amount of light received by the light receiving region becomes a peak at a center of the light receiving region in an arranging direction of the light receiving elements and is gradually reduced substantially symmetrically toward both ends thereof in the same direction. Therefore, if there is no defect in the surface of the faceplate, levels of light receiving signals of the light receiving elements arranged substantially symmetrically in position on both sides of the light receiving region with respect to the center thereof as a reference are substantially equal and there is no substantial difference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishiguro, Hiroshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6603540
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for examining a series of objects that are symmetrical in reference to a rotational axis, e.g., circular disks, during or after the manufacturing process of the disks. In particular, the invention pertains to the optical examination of circular data carriers, e.g., CD, DVDs, CD-Rs or the like. The invention proposes that each object contains at least one marking or is provided with at least one marking. The marking makes it possible to unequivocally determine the angular position of each object about the rotational axis in reference to the marking for objects manufactured in the same manufacturing process. At least one section of the objects is scanned by at least one scanning element, and the marking is detected during the examination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Basler, AG
    Inventor: Ansgar Kaupp
  • Patent number: 6597455
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for detecting faults in the exterior surface of elongate material especially enamel coated wire (W). The apparatus (20) comprises an optical head (22) through which the material (W) passes, the optical head (22) including means (35) to emit light onto the material; means (45) to collect reflected light from the material and means to monitor changes in the reflected light to indicate the presence of faults. A computer (60) is used to record the faults, their characteristics and position on a length of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: CRC for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems and Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Wojciech Wlodarski, Hatim Abdul Hamid, Alexander Zylewicz, Sergio A Stefani
  • Publication number: 20030112439
    Abstract: An apparatus for directing uniform intensity light onto a surface where the light is provided at an acute angle with respect to the surface including a light source that generates initial light rays that are essentially perpendicular to the surface and a guidance member positioned between the source and the surface which receives the initial rays and redirects the rays such that redirected rays are parallel and form acute angles with respect to the surface, the source and guidance member juxtaposed with respect to the surface so that the redirected rays subtend the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Nettekoven, Darin G. Cerny
  • Patent number: 6573983
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a type and/or a condition of a note passing through the apparatus includes a note transport (12) which moves the note past sensing assemblies (18). Each sensing assembly includes emitters (32). Each of the emitters produces radiation at a different wavelength. The sensing assemblies include a reflectance detector (20) and a transmission detector (22) which are disposed on opposed sides of the passing note. The emitters direct radiation onto test spots (34) on the passing note. Reflectance values are generated from radiation reflected from each type of emitter to the reflectance detector. Transmission values are generated from radiation transmitted from an emitter through each test spot to the transmission detector. A control circuit produces a sensed value set including the reflectance and transmission values from each of the emitters in each of the sensing assemblies. The control circuit also determines an angle of skew of the passing note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward L. Laskowski
  • Patent number: 6570651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the optical quality of and detecting faults in flat glass (2) and other transparent materials, especially in float glass, wherein a video camera (1) is arranged to monitor an illuminating device (3) either through the glass (2) or by observing the reflection thereof, the focus being on the glass (2) and the sheet, respectively, and the video camera (1) generates signals in dependence on the quality of the glass (2) and these signals are evaluated, wherein use is made of at least one illuminating device (3), comprising a pattern (4) of adjacent partial portions (5a,5b) alternately different at least in color and/or in intensity, an observation spot of the video camera (1) picks up the pattern (4), two video signals U1,U2 are assigned to the signal of the pattern (4), and a change of the intensity of the video signals U1,U2 is used for evaluating the quality of the glass (2) and the sheet, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Lasor AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haubold, Josef Droste, Edmund Paneff
  • Patent number: 6542240
    Abstract: A defective roll in a strip processing line, e.g. an aluminum alloy strip cleaning line, may create an undesirable mark on the strip material. Where a plurality of rolls are in use, the defective roll is identified by providing a downstream inspection station which includes a data processor. When a mark on the strip passes the inspection station, the processor is activated whereby the rolls go through a timed opening and closing sequence. During this sequence, if no mark is observed on the strip at the time when a repeat of the mark would be expected, the lapsed time is compared to a data base and the defective roll is thereby identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Helene P. Lagace
  • Patent number: 6531707
    Abstract: A machine vision method and system for inspecting a material. The system comprises a light source arranged to illuminate the material and an imaging device configured to acquire image data corresponding to at least one characteristic of the material while the material is being illuminated by the light source. An image processor is configured to normalize the image data and to control adjustment of an exposure control level for the imaging device based upon the normalized image data. An exemplary method of implementing the machine vision system may include illuminating a material using a light source and obtaining image data corresponding to the material using an imaging device. The image data may be normalized and the adjustment of an exposure control level of the imaging device may be controlled based on the normalized image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Patrice Favreau, Jeffrey Wolinsky, Markku E. Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 6521906
    Abstract: Method of measuring a distortion angle between the longitudinal extent of the weft threads or rows of stitches in a textile strip (T) that is being continuously transported in a transporting apparatus (M) and the perpendicular to the transport direction, by means of a lighting arrangement (100A), a photoelectric sensor arrangement (107) with a plurality of sensor elements and an evaluation device (115) connected to the sensor arrangement for processing the values sampled from the sensor fields in order to obtain the distortion angle, wherein an arrangement of sensor elements with a plurality of rows and columns is used in which individual elements can be accessed as desired, and in a sequence of scanning steps different predetermined groups of sensor elements are interrogated, each of which is situated substantially on a sensor-field line, the groups involved in each scanning step being determined such that the scanned sensor-field lines are positioned at progressively altered angles with respect to the trans
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mahlo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Beying, Gunter Abelen, Helmut Klaehsen
  • Publication number: 20030020914
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting a substrate feature. A sensor is secured opposite the substrate. The sensor emits a signal onto the surface of the substrate. The sensor detects the amount of signal reflected from the substrate. The sensor is programmed with the relative signal reflective properties for a surface of the substrate. The sensor compares the expected signal reflection rates for a surface of the substrate to the actual signal reflection rate. The sensor generates an output signal to an output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: John Charles Jackson
  • Patent number: 6510734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assessing the effect of yarn defects on textile fabrics, which are to be produced from a given yarn, by simulating an image of the fabric. So that assessment of simulated textile fabrics may be carried out with greater reliability and more easily, a first image (51) of the fabric is generated by simulation based on parameters or measured signals of the given yarn. A second image (52) of the fabric is generated by simulation based on parameters of a reference yarn and finally the first image is compared with the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Zellweger Luwa AG
    Inventor: Peter Feller
  • Patent number: 6483587
    Abstract: This invention relates to gap/edge bead detection systems. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of fiber optic sensor assemblies positioned at the edges of the web and/or between gaps in the sheets in order to detect the absence of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: John Charles Jackson
  • Publication number: 20020154307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optical inspection with a scanner which is arranged for detection and measurement of defects in or on a material which is inspected, with said inspection taking place in successive sweeps essentially in the transverse direction of the material, with each respective sweep corresponding to a plurality of pixels in said scanner. The invention is characterized in that it comprises storage of a rolling buffer comprising at least one sweep which precedes the sweep which is stored, by means of at least one pixel indicating triggering corresponding to a detected defect in the material. The invention also relates to a device for such inspection. By means of the invention, an improved measurement accuracy is obtained when detecting defects using the measurement system described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Svante Bjork
  • Patent number: 6463170
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for web breaks in a paper machine. A web (W) is monitored by means of a number of cameras (1) and the image data of various camera positions is used for compiling focused image regions (12). Camera-specific image processing equipment (2, 12) is adapted to compile image change data by comparing the change between sequential images as far as the focused image region (12) is concerned. The image change data is compared with a normal level of image change and an alarm message (3a) is delivered if the image change level has a deviation from the reference level which exceeds a preset threshold value. A break alarm is set off, in case said alarm message (3a) is delivered by image change data comparators (3) of one or more pre-selected camera positions (P1-Pn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell Oy
    Inventors: Juha Toivonen, Jorma Snellman, Mika Valkonen
  • Patent number: 6461035
    Abstract: A device for contactless testing of structural and/or surface defects of large-surface bodies, especially of slab-shaped materials includes a conveying device with an unsupported area; a source of heat arranged above the plane of conveyance and extending transversally to the direction of conveyance and which radiates heat in lines or strips onto the plane of conveyance; a thermographic camera having at least one camera line aligned transversally to the direction of conveyance and arranged above the plane of conveyance and after the source of heat in the direction of conveyance; and a computer connected to the camera that has a monitor and generates a separate heat image pattern from every camera line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Meinlschmidt, Joerg Sembach
  • Patent number: 6462820
    Abstract: A moving fabric web vision inspection system. The apparatus includes at least two electronic cameras on one side of the moving fabric web for measuring the light intensity of a predetermined area of the moving fabric web. A high frequency, backlight, contrast panel on the other side of the moving fabric web provides reference point for the cameras to detect a defect. A controller connected to each of the electronic cameras generates a stop signal if the light intensity of the predetermined area of the moving fabric web deviates from a predetermined value. The predetermined value corresponds to a detected defect in the moving fabric web. Finally, a repair station downstream from the cameras allows an operator to repair a defect detected by the vision inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund L. Pace, Glenn R. Pierce, John R. Everhart, David L. Kamp, Jimmy F. Plyler, Dennis Starnes, James Moore Schenck, George S. Noonkester
  • Patent number: 6445452
    Abstract: A device for checking sheet packaging, whereby all the defects of packaged articles or sheets are easily and highly accurately detected based on the density or color distribution of reflection and transmission images. Defects such as deformation, discoloration, foreign matters and contamination of an article (16) packaged with a sheet and the sheet are detected by forming a density distribution code image or color code distribution image or by executing inter-image calculation based on a reflection image, a transmission image, or density or color images thereof. The upper and lower light sources are simultaneously turned on to separately form a reflection image and a transmission image from the input image in order to enhance the checking efficiency. Furthermore, a reflector (17) is disposed under a packaging sheet to enhance image contrast and to improve checking efficiency and stability. Optimum conditions for the kind and position of the reflector are clarified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Yuki Engineering System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Kondou, Minoru Ito
  • Patent number: 6437312
    Abstract: An illumination system including at least one reflector subtending an angle with respect to a location on a surface of an article, and first and second light sources, the first and second light sources each providing a light output, the light outputs from both of the first and second light sources being directed to impinge on the location on the surface of an article within the angle, at least one of the light outputs being reflected by the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Orbotech, Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Adler, Moshe Ben Shlomo
  • Patent number: 6437357
    Abstract: An inspection system for a sheet of glass. The system comprises a first laser and a second laser, each of which provide a sheet of light, a cylindrical lens system, and a first light detection system and a second light detection system. The first laser is located at the focal point of the lens system. The second laser is located at a distance from the lens system that is greater than that of the first laser, and off of the axis of the lens system. The first light detection system receives light from the first laser and the second light detection system receives light from the second laser. The inspection system is adapted to position a sheet of glass between the lens system and the detection systems. A method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Photon Dynamics Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Weiss, Alexandre Obotnine
  • Patent number: 6388749
    Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus for preventing paper breakage. For this monitoring apparatus, a light source 9 is disposed on the upper side of a wet paper 1, and a light emitting face thereof faces downward. An operation-side camera 5a and a drive-side camera 5b are disposed on the side opposite to the light source 9 with respect to the wet paper 1, and a lens face thereof faces upward. Light 9a of the light source 9 passes through the wet paper 1 after being reflected from a mirror 11, and is caught by the cameras 5a and 5b. Thus, the cameras 5a and 5b photograph a silhouette (image) of the light 9a of the light source 9, which has passed through the wet paper 1. This image is sent to an image processing unit 6, where the image is processed. The coordinates of a boundary line such that the wet paper 1 separates from a center roll 2 is detected from the images photographed from two directions. This coordinate value is sent to a computer 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamashita, Hiroshi Iwata, Setsuo Suzuki, Toshihiro Tokudome, Masayuki Ogawa, Isao Kodaka, Masatoshi Kaku, Hisao Usogoe
  • Publication number: 20020054293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automated defect detection in textured materials. The present invention utilizes linear Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters with optimized energy separation. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inspecting industrial products for defects. The method has steps of: automated design of optimized filters from samples of products, using these optimal filters to filter the acquired images of product under inspection, computing the energy of each pixel in a local region, and finally segmenting the defect by thresholding each pixel. The present invention also relates to a method of inspection of unknown (unsupervised) defects in web materials. In an unsupervised inspection, information from a finite number of optimal filters is combined using a data fusion module. This module attempts to nullify the false alarm associated with the information arriving from different channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kwok-Hung Grantham Pang, Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 6369896
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for visually inspecting tubular garments such as socks, sleeves, stockings, panties or the like. The article is loaded onto or unloaded from a support or stretcher, and the article is checked or inspected by means of a computer-aided vision system during the loading onto or unloading off of the support or stretcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Cognivision Research, S.L.
    Inventors: Antoni Llorens Castello, Albert Sanfeliu Cortes
  • Publication number: 20020030819
    Abstract: An analysis machine for analyzing the cleanness condition of perforated strips enables a direct non-destructive measurement, without image conversion, of pollution by particles on the surface of plastic strips that are relatively transparent and perforated. This is done by using an automatic analysis machine, and a supporting and guiding device of the strips to be analyzed. The supporting and guiding device comprises a transparent revolving cylinder provided with at least one groove of small depth in which are arranged opaque masks that practically superimpose with the perforations of the strip to be analyzed. This arrangement prevents the disturbance and deterioration of the recording due to the light rays emitted by a light source located near the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Guy M. Roulleau, Michel Sacksteder
  • Patent number: 6335978
    Abstract: A method and system for verifying the intended imaging produced by a printer allow this task to be accomplished in essentially real-time, and utilizing relatively inexpensive, and high speed (e.g. about 200 feet per minute or greater) components. A computer control commands a raster image processor (RIP) to generate electronic print data (e.g. a bitmap) that is sent to an electronic digital printer (such as an inkjet cartridge array) and also to a print monitor. The printer images the bitmap onto a web or sheet, then a linear digital photosensor (e.g. photodiode) array scans essentially every pixel across the width of the web or sheet image area and transmits the scanned data to the print monitor system, which compares it to the bitmap produced by the RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Moscato, Michael A. Graziano, Steven R. Bridon, Timothy D. Collins, Anthony B. DeJoseph
  • Publication number: 20010050772
    Abstract: A device for contactless testing of structural and/or surface defects of large-surface bodies, especially of slab-shaped materials includes a conveying device with an unsupported area; a source of heat arranged above the plane of conveyance and extending transversally to the direction of conveyance and which radiates heat in lines or strips onto the plane of conveyance; a thermographic camera having at least one camera line aligned transversally to the direction of conveyance and arranged above the plane of conveyance and after the source of heat in the direction of conveyance; and a computer connected to the camera that has a monitor and generates a separate heat image pattern from every camera line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewan dten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Meinlschmidt, Joerg Sembach
  • Publication number: 20010030749
    Abstract: A certification system and method for inspecting of a roll of web material through a web inspection system which includes the inspection of the roll of web material to determine the number, type and location of one or more detectable flaws along the web material. This data “object” representation of the roll map is recorded, and then compared to predetermined product set-up parameters and machine vision hardware integrity data to determine the accuracy of the web inspection. The generated “certification” assures with a substantial degree of precision that the machine vision hardware is calibrated and operating correctly, and that the correct system setup parameters for the particular web product being inspected are being applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Morris D. Ho, Stuart R. Dole, Warren Berkholtz, Jason Berry
  • Patent number: 6303938
    Abstract: A method for detecting untextured or defectively textured yarn segments in textured filament yarns during the texturing process, in which the textured yarn is continuously measured by the measurement, conditioning and evaluation of high-frequency measurement signals as evidence of untextured or defectively textured yarn segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Deutsche Institute fur Textil-und Faserforschung, Stiftung des Offentlichen Rechts
    Inventors: Helmut Weinsdorfer, Beiheng Cui
  • Patent number: 6299730
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring web defects along a moving web of paper involves determining a dimension of a web defect as the paper web moves along an established paper path in a machine direction. A distance from a side edge of the paper web to a location of the web defect is also determined as the paper web moves along the established paper path. A value indicative of a likelihood of paper web failure at the web defect is then established based at least in part upon both the determined dimension and the determined distance. A determination of whether to stop the moving paper web for repair of the web defect can then be made based at least in part upon the determined failure likelihood indicative value. An alternative technique involves establishing a plurality of paper web width regions. A dimension of a web defect is determined as the paper web moves along an established paper path in a machine direction. The web defect is categorized as falling into one of the established paper web width regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: David Broek, Dirk Everett Swinehart, Kevin Paul Connolly