초록 ▼

A light source module for use with a multi-camera array in a video surface inspection system includes a first light emitter which extends lengthwise across the entire width of a sheet to be inspected. Light from the first light emitter, which preferably comprises one or more fluorescent lamps, is re

A light source module for use with a multi-camera array in a video surface inspection system includes a first light emitter which extends lengthwise across the entire width of a sheet to be inspected. Light from the first light emitter, which preferably comprises one or more fluorescent lamps, is received by a light guide and carried by the guide to uniformly illuminate a band extending entirely across the width of the moving sheet. The light guide comprises a transparent thermoplastic such that the light receiving end of the guide can be bent to define a plurality of sections which can be axially aligned with a corresponding plurality of fluorescent lamps. The fluorescent lamps may be powered by individual inverter ballasts which may be driven inturn by one or more variable dc power supplied to control the intensity of light emitted by the lamps. The light source module can also assist the inspection system in overcoming redundant data processing problems by providing second light emitters which illuminate the sheet in overlapping portions of the field of view of adjacent cameras of the multi-camera array to define data dividing points. Accordingly, duplicated data generated by the video cameras can be divided among the cameras at the defined data dividing points such that duplicated data is only processed once by the video surface inspection system.

대표청구항 ▼

A light source module for use with a multi-camera array in inspecting a moving sheet of material, said light source module comprising: first light emitter means for emitting light in response to applied power, said first light emitter means extending lengthwise across the entire width of a sheet to

A light source module for use with a multi-camera array in inspecting a moving sheet of material, said light source module comprising: first light emitter means for emitting light in response to applied power, said first light emitter means extending lengthwise across the entire width of a sheet to be inspected as measured in a direction transverse to the direction of sheet movement; housing means supporting said first light emitter means which is secured thereto, said housing means extending lengthwise across a distance greater than the entire width of a sheet to be inspected; and light guide means secured to said housing means for receiving light from said first light emitter means and for guiding the received light toward a sheet to be inspected such than the sheet is illuminated over a portion thereof extending across its entire width, said light guide means having a light receiving surface facing said first light emitter means for direct reception of light therefrom and a light ejecting surface facing the sheet.