Machine vision

US6983066B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MV Research Limited · IE

Inventors

• James Mahon · Dublin, IE
• Niall Burke · Sallins, IE
• Adrian Boyle · Monasterevin, IE
• Karl R. Stanley · Dublin, IE
• Brian M. Farrell · Town of West Hartford, US
• Peter Conlon · Dublin, IE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 12, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 25, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2201/0626
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An illumination head (1) for machine vision has an annular support (2) with first, second, third, and fourth illumination sections (3, 4, 5, and 6). The third section (5) has three sets of LEDs (12, 13, 14) arranged in a pattern so that each set illuminates at approximately the same angle. Each set is driven in succession so that a series of three monochrome images at the same angle are captured. These are superimposed by an image processor to provide a color image, although the camera is monochrome. More information can be obtained in such a color image and the high resolution and robustness of monochrome cameras is availed of.