Patent · US Expired

Pattern inspection method and apparatus

US6865288B1 · kind B1 · utility

35Cited by
3References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 7, 2000
Grant dateMar 8, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 8, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06T2207/30148
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A pattern inspection method and apparatus are disclosed, the method has the steps of generating a reference digital image signal to be compared with a detection digital image signal detected continuously from the desired band-shaped inspection area on an object to be inspected, determining zero or one or more candidate , matching positions between the detection digital image signal and the reference digital image signal for each block unit area sequentially cut out and calculating a mass of candidate matching positions over the entire band-shaped inspection area, determining an accurate matching position between the detection digital image signal and the reference digital image signal for each block unit area based on the continuity of the block unit areas from the calculated mass of candidate matching positions over the entire band-shaped inspection area, and determining a defect by matching the positions based on the determined accurate matching position for each block unit area and comparing the images.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.