초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for automatically identifying faults in the operation of a machine vision measuring systems provides an improved self-diagnostic capability for machine vision based metrology and tracking systems. The method and apparatus validate performance of tracking operations, and detec

An apparatus and method for automatically identifying faults in the operation of a machine vision measuring systems provides an improved self-diagnostic capability for machine vision based metrology and tracking systems. The method and apparatus validate performance of tracking operations, and detect deterioration that may be caused by electronic noise, environmental contamination, etc. A mathematical model of the target visualized by the system is created and stored. A target is imaged in the field and fiducials of the target are identified. Centroid positions of detected fiducials of the imaged target are compared to the centroid positions of fiducials in the mathematical model. When a fiducial is obscured or dirty, its geometric characteristics (such as centroid, brightness, edge smoothness, area, or shape) differ from the true or idealized values of the characteristics. Values representing detected fiducials are discarded when the offset exceeds predetermined criteria, or when its properties vary from ideal. If the remaining number of detected fiducials is below a predetermined threshold, a warning message is displayed or an error is generated. Thus, when a fault is detected that degrades performance beyond a preset tolerance, the fault is flagged for attention and a suggested corrective action is displayed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for detecting a fault of a machine vision measuring system comprising:a memory that stores an image formed by a camera of a target having a plurality of fiducials;a data processor coupled to the memory and having stored instructions which, when executed by

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for detecting a fault of a machine vision measuring system comprising:a memory that stores an image formed by a camera of a target having a plurality of fiducials;a data processor coupled to the memory and having stored instructions which, when executed by the data processor, cause the data processor to carry out the steps of:creating and storing a list of values representing detected fiducials of the target based on the image;comparing the values representing the detected fiducials to a plurality of second values representing true fiducials of the target in a stored model of the target;based on the comparing step, selectively removing one or more of the detected fiducials from the list that fail to satisfy pre-determined criteria;generating a warning message using the machine vision measuring system when fewer than a first pre-determined number of detected fiducials remain in the list.