Streamlining an automatic visual inspection process
Embodiments of the invention provide automatic detection of same-type objects on an inspection line and automatically capture and/or display an image of the object once it is detected. Additionally, embodiments of the invention automatically provide the outline of an object to a user, enabling the user to either confirm or easily correct the outline. The confirmed or corrected outline is then automatically applied to all images of inspected items of the same-type, allowing optimization of inspection tasks such as defect detection, for all inspected items, based on a short, possibly a one-time, input, from the user.
1. A method for automatic visual inspection, the method comprising:
displaying to a user, in a first image, an outline surrounding a first item on an inspection line;
receiving input from the user via a user interface device;
changing the outline surrounding the first item to create an adjusted outline, based on the input from the user;
detecting a same-type item on the inspection line in a second image;
causing the adjusted outline to be applied to the same-type item in the second image; and
controlling, by a controller, at least one of a defect detecting module and a camera obtaining images of the first item and the same-type item;
performing inspection tasks on the same-type item based on at least one of the controlled defect detecting module and the controlled camera obtaining images of the first item and the same-type item, the inspection tasks relating to an area within the adjusted outline in the second image.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the same-type item is positioned on the inspection line at an angle relative to a position of the first item.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
receiving input that the first item is defect-free;
acquiring additional images of same-type objects items on the inspection line; and
after a plurality of additional images are acquired, displaying to the user images of same-type items that differ from the first image, thereby minimizing an amount of time required from the user to review images.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the same-type items in the images that differ from the first image have suspected defects, are in a wrong position or location, are not well detected or are not accurately surrounded by the first item's outline.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
controlling the camera, via the controller, such that imaging parameters relating to the area within the adjusted outline are optimized.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying a previously or subsequently obtained image of the inspection line, with the adjusted outline surrounding a same-type item in the previously or subsequently obtained image.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
displaying the second image to the user.