초록 ▼

A video detection system detects the edge line of a microcircuit component that is to be trimmed by a laser trimming apparatus. The components (46, 48, 50, 52) to be trimmed are darker than the substrate (44) upon which the components are formed. The system generates a video signal corresponding to

A video detection system detects the edge line of a microcircuit component that is to be trimmed by a laser trimming apparatus. The components (46, 48, 50, 52) to be trimmed are darker than the substrate (44) upon which the components are formed. The system generates a video signal corresponding to the image of the part (26) that carries the circuit. The brightness level of a selected point in the video signal is monitored. The position of the selected point corresponds to a point on the part image and is adjustable to be aligned with the point where the laser beams (24) contacts the surface of the part (26). The image is moved relative to the selected point, and as the edge of the relatively darker component to be trimmed crosses the selected point, the corresponding change in the monitored brightness level provides an indication that the edge of the component has been detected. Also provided is an alignment symbol for superimposition on the displayed image. The selected point (90) is incorporated into the alignment symbol. The alignment symbol is preferably cross hairs (88). The symbol brightness level is automatically adjustable to contrast with the brightness level of the portions of the part image over which the symbol is superimposed.

대표청구항 ▼

A video detection system for detecting the common edge line of adjacent first and second portions of an article in a predetermined orientation, comprising: video means for generating a video signal corresponding to a video image of the article, the video signal including a brightness level of changi

A video detection system for detecting the common edge line of adjacent first and second portions of an article in a predetermined orientation, comprising: video means for generating a video signal corresponding to a video image of the article, the video signal including a brightness level of changing magnitude in response to differences in a brightness of the image of the first and second portions of the article; comparison means in communication with the video means for comparing a reference brightness magnitude with the magnitude of the video signal brightness level and for providing a brightness status signal that assumes first and second states whenever the magnitude of the video signal brightness level is, respectively, greater than and less than the reference brightness magnitude; and detection point means for establishing within the video image a detection point at a selectable position that is independent of the orientation of the common edge line, the detection point means cooperating with the video means so that the detection point is movable from one of the first and second portions to the common edge line, whereby the state of the brightness status signal changes whenever the detection point moves from one of the first and second portions to the common edge line and the change in the state of the brightness status signal represents detection of the common edge line.