IP Library Granted Patent US 12,620,082
Granted Patent B2
US 12,620,082 · App. 18/223,479 · Granted May 5, 2026

Inspection apparatus and method for calibrating inspection apparatus

Inventors: Masakazu Umehara (Toyota, JP); Shingo Mori (Kurokawa-gun, JP); Naoya Kishimoto (Nagoya, JP)
Assignees: TOYOTA BATTERY CO., LTD.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA; PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
G06T7/001G06T7/0006G06T2207/30164
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,620,082
App. No.
18/223,479
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inspection apparatus includes a support, an image capturing unit, and a controller. The support supports a workpiece. The image capturing unit generates captured image data including an image of the workpiece. The controller executes image processing on the captured image data to evaluate the workpiece. The support includes an engraved portion, including a groove and serving as a reference for inspection, on a surface of the support in a non-contact region that is free from contact with the workpiece. The engraved portion is included in an image capturing range of the image capturing unit. The controller evaluates the workpiece using a dimension of the engraved portion that is stored in the controller in advance and a reference image that is an image of the engraved portion.

Claims (30)

1 . An inspection apparatus, comprising:

a support that supports a workpiece;

an image capturing unit that generates captured image data including an image of the workpiece; and

a controller that executes image processing on the captured image data to evaluate the workpiece; wherein

the support includes an engraved portion, including a groove and serving as a reference for inspection of the workpiece, on a surface of the support in a non-contact region that is free from contact with the workpiece, wherein the groove of the engraved portion includes grooves shaped to form a pattern of regular polygons, the regular polygons are identical in shape, and the regular polygons are arranged next to one another in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,

the engraved portion is included in an image capturing range of the image capturing unit, and

the controller evaluates the workpiece using a dimension of the engraved portion that is stored in the controller in advance and a reference image that is an image of the engraved portion.

2 . The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the support is a conveyor roller, and

the engraved portion is formed at an end, in an axial direction, of the conveyor roller.

3 . The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the groove of the engraved portion includes grooves extending diagonally to a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

4 . The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the support is a conveyor roller, and

the engraved portion extends continuously over the conveyor roller in a circumferential direction of the conveyor roller.

5 . The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the support is a conveyor roller, and

the engraved portion is formed in a number of positions in a circumferential direction of the conveyor roller.

6 . The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a lighting device that emits inspection light toward the workpiece and the support from a plurality of directions, wherein

the engraved portion diffuses the inspection light emitted from the plurality of directions, and

the controller detects, using the captured image data, the reference image that has a region with a lower tone than other regions.

7 . A method for calibrating an inspection apparatus, wherein:

the inspection apparatus includes a support that supports a workpiece, an image capturing unit that generates captured image data including an image of the workpiece, and a controller that executes image processing on the captured image data to evaluate the workpiece, the method comprising:

providing an engraved portion, including a groove and serving as a reference for inspection of the workpiece, on a surface of the support in a non-contact region that is free from contact with the workpiece, wherein the groove of the engraved portion includes grooves shaped to form a pattern of regular polygons, the regular polygons are identical in shape, the regular polygons are arranged next to one another in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the engraved portion is included in an image capturing range of the image capturing unit; and

evaluating, by the controller, the workpiece using a dimension of the engraved portion and a reference image that is an image of the engraved portion.

8 . A method for calibrating an inspection apparatus, wherein:

the inspection apparatus includes a support that supports a workpiece, an image capturing unit that generates captured image data including an image of the workpiece, and a controller that executes image processing on the captured image data to evaluate the workpiece; and

the support includes an engraved portion, including a groove and serving as a reference for inspection of the workpiece, on a surface of the support in a non-contact region that is free from contact with the workpiece, and the engraved portion is included in an image capturing range of the image capturing unit; the method comprising:

detecting, by the controller, a reference image that is an image of the engraved portion;

identifying, by the controller, a dimension corresponding to one pixel in the captured image using a number of pixels in the reference image and an actual dimension of the engraved portion stored in the controller in advance; and

evaluating, by the controller, the workpiece using the identified dimension.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 16, 2025
From: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
To: TOYOTA BATTERY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 070226/0103 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2023
From: UMEHARA, MASAKAZU; MORI, SHINGO; KISHIMOTO, NAOYA
To: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA; PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 064319/0075 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-117164 · Jul 22, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240029236A1 · Jan 25, 2024
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