A method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED includes a sensor having a plurality of filters arranged in a matrix and an output probe connected to the sensor, the output probe providing a color output and a brightness output in a single signal. The sensor may further include an input probe connected to the sensor providing power and a ground probe connected to the sensor providing a grounded connection to the sensor. The plurality of filters in the sensor are preferably configured in a matrix array of color receptors having different colors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for verifying a color of an LED in a printed circuit board.

2. Description of Related Art

Printed circuit boards often contain one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) used as external signals, internal diagnostics and for other suitable applications. Typically, verification of the operation  of a printed circuit board having LEDs required powering up a fully rendered printed circuit board and manually verifying the operation of the LEDs. Alternatively, a test fixture may be constructed including bulky and expensive fiber optics that extend between the printed circuit board to be tested and a test system.

Alternatively, verification of the operation of LEDs within a printed circuit board may be accomplished without a power supply such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,037, issued to Schmitt, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in a manner consistent with the present document

Determination of the color and brightness of the LEDs, beyond mere verification, typically requires extensive calibration and set-up to align sensors with the LEDs and run the wiring necessary for sending numerous signals to determine such parameters of the LEDs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for determination of a color and brightness of an LED according to a preferred embodiment of this invention eliminates much of the time-consuming and costly procedures required by manual determination and the equally costly test fixtures requiring time-intensive and complex set-up and calibration.

The apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of this invention includes a sensor having a plurality of filters arranged in a matrix array, similar to a checkerboard. Each filter is preferably a discrete optical filter or color receptor which permits only light from a target wavelength of the color to be detected to pass. The plurality of filters preferably include: a plurality of clear receptors; a plurality of red receptors; a plurality of blue receptors; and a plurality of green receptors. The different color receptors are preferably interspersed within the matrix.

Sensor further includes three probes, specifically, an output probe, an input probe and a ground probe. The output probe may be connected to the sensor to provide a color output and a brightness output in a single signal. The input probe may be connected to the sensor to provide power to the sensor and the ground probe accordingly may be connected to the sensor to provide an external ground.

A microprocessor is preferably connected between the filters and the output probe and to calculate the color and the brightness of the LED. The microprocessor is programmable to permit adjustments of the sensor based upon variables within the system to be tested such as LEDs having atypical colors, brightness, positions, ambient conditions and other parameters that may require customization and/or programming of the microprocessor.

A method for testing an output of an LED according to a preferred embodiment of this invention includes positioning the sensor adjacent an LED having an unknown color and brightness. A color and a brightness of the LED is thereby determined with the microprocessor and a single output signal is sent from the sensor to some form of operator interface such as a voltmeter, a counter, a multimeter or similar measuring device known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Specifically, a color and brightness of the LED is determined by sampling the output of the LED for a period of time. A count for each color receptor is then determined based upon the given period of time. Each sample or count across each color receptor is then compared to each other count to determine the color of the LED. A relationship of the count relative to the frequency of the single output signal is then calculated to determine the color of the LED. The frequency is further encoded with a pulse width and a DC average of the pulse width is measured to obtain the brightness of LED.

It is one object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for accurately and inexpensively determining a color and brightness of an LED.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED that can utilize a single output signal.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED in a printed circuit board without requiring advance calibration.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED wherein existing test fixtures can be adapted for use in connection with the apparatus.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED that does not require placement of optical cables.

One or more of the preceding objects may be accomplished with one or more of the various embodiments of the invention described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sensor according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective front view of a portion of a test fixture according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic of test apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, an apparatus and system for determining a color and brightness of LED 15 in printed circuit board 90 is shown in FIGS. 1-4. LEDs 15 are typically used in printed circuit boards 90 and require verification and determination of their operation in a different manner than the traditional manner of verification of the placement and operation of integrated circuits within printed circuit board 90. LEDs 15 are available in clear/white and several common colors such as red, green and blue. Beyond mere verification of the operation of LED 15, it is also preferable, and an object of this invention, to determine the color and brightness of LED 15, in part to confirm that such LED is in the desired position in printed circuit board 90 and functions as intended.

The apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of this invention includes sensor 10. As described in more detail below, sensor 10 comprises an assembly of components that may be used in connection with test systems and test fixtures for quickly and accurately determining a color and brightness of LED 15. Sensor 10, otherwise known as a SMART FINN? sensor, is preferably positioned in physical proximity to LED 15 to be tested.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown in FIG. 1, sensor 10 preferably includes a plurality of filters 20 arranged in a matrix. Each filter 20 is preferably a discrete optical filter or color receptor which permits only light in a range about the target wavelength of the color to be detected to pass. As such, each filter 20 is preferably designed to detect a certain range of color, e.g. blue, red, green and/or clear. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of filters 20 preferably include: a plurality of clear receptors 23; a plurality of red receptors 25; a plurality of blue receptors 27; and/or a plurality of green receptors 30. Preferably, the different color receptors 23, 25, 27 and 30 are interspersed within the matrix. An example of such a filter 20 is manufactured by TAOS Inc. of Plano, Tex., part number TCS230D.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, sensor 10 includes a minimum amount of connections, or probes, to minimize the necessary set-up and installation of sensor 10. Accordingly, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sensor 10 preferably includes three probes, specifically, output probe 40, input probe 50 and ground probe 60. Output probe 40 is preferably connected to sensor 10 and provides a color output and a brightness output in a single signal. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, this single signal is made possible by a method of operation described in more detail below. Such single signal through a single output probe 40 thereby simplifies the connections necessary to connect sensor 10 relative to LED 15 within the test system.

Input probe 50 is preferably connected to the sensor and provides power to sensor 10 from an external power source. Input probe 50 preferably accommodates an operating voltage between approximately 2.7 Vdc and 5.5 Vdc. Input probe 50 may draw power directly from a digital output. Ground probe 60 is preferably additionally connected to sensor 10 and is connected to an external ground.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, microprocessor 70 is preferably connected between filters 20 and output probe 40 and calculates the color and the brightness of LED 15. Microprocessor 70 may be programmable to permit modifications of sensor 10 based upon variables within the system to be tested such as LEDs 15 having atypical colors, brightness, positions, ambient conditions and other parameters that may require customization and/or programming of microprocessor 70.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention and depending upon the application, probes 40, 50 and/or 60 each may configured in a straight path, may each include a 90° bend, may be pre-formed into other configurations and/or may be bendable to permit forming into suitable configurations.

A method for testing an output of LED 15 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention includes positioning sensor 10 adjacent LED 15 having an unknown color and brightness. As discussed above, sensor 10 includes a plurality of color receptors arranged in a matrix. A color and a brightness of LED 15 is thereby determined with microprocessor 70 connected with respect to sensor 10 and a single output signal is sent from sensor 10 to some form of operator interface 100 such as a multimeter, a voltmeter, a counter or similar measuring device known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Specifically, a color and brightness of LED 15 may be determined by sampling the output of LED 15 for a period of time. The period of time may be dependent upon the brightness of LED 15 and/or the color of LED 15. A count for each color receptor 23, 25, 27 and/or 30 is then determined based upon the given period of time. A sample or count across each color receptor 23, 25, 27 and/or 30 is then compared to determine the color of LED 15. As such, sensor 10 sequentially compares the count for clear receptor 23 with the count for red receptor 25 with the count for blue receptor 27 with the count for green receptor 30 so that the count for each color receptor is compared with the count of each other color receptor. Comparison of the counts for each filter 20 thereby yields a wavelength and, thus, the color of LED 15.

The following table provides typical measurements for various colors of particular LEDs 15. TABLE 1 Characteristics of Specific Colors of LEDs LED Color Wavelength (nm) mcd Frequency (kHz) Vdc Red 635 150 12.0 3.5 Amber 608 10 10.6 1.0 Yellow 585 150 9.38 2.8 Green 565 150 8.68 2.0 Blue 430 100 6.90 3.4

In addition, the wavelength of the color is converted to a frequency. A relationship of the count relative to the frequency of the single output signal is then calculated to determine the color of LED 15. The frequency is further encoded with a pulse width and a DC average of the pulse width is measured to obtain the brightness of LED 15.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, sensor 10 may additionally detect white light and provide a signal indicating the presence of a broad range of colors in the light and/or the brightness of white light. If a dominant color is present within the white light, sensor 10 will preferably indicate such dominant color within the single output signal.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a method for determining a color and brightness of LED 15 may be used in connection with printed circuit board 90 having a plurality of LEDs 15. A corresponding plurality of sensors 10 may thereby be positioned on test fixture 80 and printed circuit board 90 is then preferably positioned within test fixture 80 so that each sensor 10 is positioned directly adjacent an LED 15. According to two common configurations of LEDs 15 on printed circuit boards 90, LEDs 15 are positioned so that a light emitting surface is either positioned on an edge of printed circuit board 90 and thus perpendicular to surface of printed circuit board 90 or positioned in an interior area of printed circuit board 90 and thus parallel to surface of printed circuit board 90. Depending upon such configuration, probes 40, 50 and 60 may be correspondingly configured to permit direct light access from LED 15 to adjacent sensor 10. As such, probes 40, 50 and 60 may include an entirely straight length, a partially straight length or an entirely bent and/or curved length and/or some combination thereof.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, whether a light emitting surface of LED 15 is parallel or perpendicular to printed circuit board 90, sensor 10 is positioned at least approximately 0.10″ away from the light emitting surface and up to approximately 0.20″ or more away from the light emitting surface of LED 15. Factors such as the strength of the light source, the intensity of the light source and the amount of ambient light may result in variations of a preferred position of sensor 10 relative to LED 15. A center of an active region of sensor 10, likely a center of the matrix of filters 20, is preferably aligned with a center of a lens of LED 15.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the method and apparatus according to this invention are susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

* * * * *
Other References

* Programmable Color Light-to-Frequency Converter (specification sheet), Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc., pp. 1-9, Feb. 2003.

作者:

行业:
图像设备, Manufacturing

产品:
NI 9401, LabVIEW, PCI-7811R, 图像开发工具包, FPGA模块, NI 9426, cRIO-9151

挑战:
用自动焊接路径修正来取代人工操作。这种方案采用优质不锈钢加工设备生产，它可以在两个月 的时间内，完成设计，原型制造，测试和部署一个能用来生产的完整系统。

解决方案:
开发三维机器视觉系统WiseWELDING，它通过机器人焊接路径来适应相邻零件 间几何变化。在工作窗口，它可以修复大的几何位移(50×40 mm)，同时可以感应无缝“对接”接头(差距大于或等于0.05 mm)。

关于机器人焊接

机器人焊接在生产过程中具有很多优势，如：运动平稳，快速，精确，可重复性好，灵活以及能够抗击危险环境。然而，对任何 成功的高级应用而言，最重要的先决条件是掌握焊接技术。这种解决方案的主要动机在于：在焊接过程中，零件的几何尺寸通常在一定程度上有所不同。因此，实际 的机器人焊接路径不得不为每一个特定零件进行修正。可以采用机器人工具提示和操作人员主观判断的方式对每个路径点进行修正，这种方法耗时，重复，而且容易 出现人为错误。

自动焊接路径修正可以通过附加的视觉模块来完成， 该模块能实现实际路径点的非接触式传感。这样，修正就会变得更精确，重复性更好，通常比人工方法快10倍。

选择开发平台时的注意事项

我们使用NI开发平台是因为它提供了高层次的快速应用开发程序设计，而且它还是一个非常灵活的硬件平台，易于实现硬件和 软件的紧密集成。

此外，NI PCI-7811R R系列多功能数据采集卡和 NI C 系列 I/O 模块NI 9151 R系 列扩展机箱能为机器人提供最灵活及通用化的I/O接口。我们在NI LabVIEW图形化编程环境下开发了这项应用：用于图像处 理的NI视觉开发模块，用于定制I/O的LabVIEW FPGA模块。通过使用第三方千兆位以太网驱动支持，我们可以方便地集成用于图像采集的高端视觉传感器。

WiseWELDING

使用WiseWELDING自适应焊接的第一步是用视觉系统对无缝化机器人平台进行升级。接着，使用机器视觉检测的方法 确定制造好的零件的主要几何尺寸。由于它的非接触性，这一过程只需一次，而且通常很快。这之后就可以进行焊接了，系统会自动地适应相邻零件间几何变化。

所有的接缝布局都包括在内：衔接，V型衔接，重叠，角接，定制接缝以及它们的各种启动/停止装置。NI高层次快速开发工 具在该领域的价值是无可估量的。无论是为了实现实时性能的机器人通信，自触发和I/O接口，还是设计、制造定制视觉的原型和数据采集算法，我们都可以在短 短几个小时内展开，测试，优化，最终确定并实现要求的功能。LabVIEW仪器I/O助手，现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)执行模拟目标，NI视觉助手和信 号处理库快速地获得可用代码，这大大节省了我们本应该用来实现期望功能而进行编码的宝贵时间。这项工作和使用诸如“高级边缘探测器”之类NI高级视觉功能 得到了定制开发图像和信号处理功能的进一步支持，这样就可以将由成像模块，段和寄存功能得到的多模数据相关联，而且可以在不同的环境下实现强大的实时性 能，无论是黑色金属还是不锈钢，配对零件或是拉毛的，抑或是因刮痕，谬误和周围条件而导致的混合表面反射率。

结论

目前的系统在一台多核的带有 Windows操作系统的PC机处理单元中运行，但是，由于时间、可靠 性以及形式等制约因素，我们正在考虑为下一个任务使用NI实时操作系统平台，例如NI EVS-1464RT。有了选择好的NI硬件和软件开发平台，我们可以方便地对当前产品设想进一步的开发、优化和用户化。

产品:
实时模块, FPGA模块, Single-Board RIO, LabVIEW

挑战:
有效控制和监视能量参数和企业关键基础设施和资产的消耗，特别是有多个设施分布分步在不同 地理位置的情况下。

解决方案:
创建坚固灵活的嵌入式功率电源监视与控制系统，用于基于NI单板RIO和NI LabVIEW的设施管理，减少大型设施的能量消耗。

Saara Embedded Systems作为一个嵌入式技术的集成服务与解决方案供应商，为全球的客户提供嵌入式设计与产品开发服务。我们提供先进的设计和验证服务、研发支持、解 决方案设计、工程、项目管理、专用技术和系统集成解决方案。因为我们是NI联盟合作伙伴，我们能够利用NI提供的支持和我们自己的设计能力，为我们的客户 构建效率高成本低的端到端解决方案。

嵌入式功率监视与控制系统

我们的远程设施管理系统（RFMS）精确地监视和控制设备或是基础设施的总能量消耗。它提供了对参数的无限制实时访问， 从内燃机发电机、HVAC、指示牌、安全系统、冷藏设备、照明系统、非间断电源、打印机、饮料售货机设置基于单开关活阀门的设备。我们的客户利用嵌入式远 程终端单元（RTU）的灵活性能够在他们的基础设施上监视和控制不同的目标，从而将RFMS变成有效的能量消耗与优化的理想系统。

自从印度引进RFMS之后，它将我们的一个客户的能量消耗降低了15％。使用RFMS，因为燃料补充是基于主动需求系统 的，所以燃料补充的频率大大降低了，燃料消耗统计变得更为精确，燃料丢失问题也得到了解决。远程控制特性提供了数字指示牌和空调的统一开关控制。随着安装 的RTU分支的增加，能量消耗也节省的越多。由于办公室统一政策，在客户服务质量上获得了巨大的提高，我们的客户也在能源节省方面起到了先锋作用。此外， 因为RFMS的性能，我们的客户通过节省能源，在六个月内回收了这个方案开发的成本。

为功率监视和控制设计RTU

基于NI单板RIO的硬件解决方案

我们基于NI单板RIO和LabVIEW设计了这个定制的嵌入式控制与监视系统。NI单板RIO是多功能高性能平台，具 有开放式体系结构和构建专用定制I/O模块的灵活性，从而可以满足我们应用程序专用I/O和通信的需求。我们正在使用NI sbRIO-9601设备，将板载实时处理器、现场可编程门阵列（FPGA）和数字I/O线路与以太网、RS232端口和用于数据记录的板载存储器整合在 一起。RS232端口与能量仪表进行通信，从远程系统得到的数据可以通过多种通信协议送入中央服务器中，这些协议包括TCP/IP或是包括ZigBee、 GPRS和CDMA的安全无线模式。

由于NI单板RIO的灵活性和设计，我们创建了定制中间子卡并将它直接连接到终端数字I/O接头上。子卡包含定制的信号 调理，可以满足一系列传感器的I/O要求。这些传感器监视和测量来自不同系统参数的信号，包含照明、空调、自动售货机、内燃机发电机设备和燃料库。RTU 可以处理模拟I/O和数字I/O，从多个传感器和源采集数据。我们还为NI单板RIO设备创建了外壳，子卡可以方便地部署到任何环境中。此 外，LabVIEW和NI Single-Board  RIO还让我们可以方便地在功率监视和控制嵌入式解决方案中添加高级特性，用于包括基于网页接口的Google地图、无线连接和与多种模拟数字传感器的 连接。

基于LabVIEW的软件解决方案

我们的认证LabVIEW开发员成功地创建了完整而简单的GUI，确保了方便的部署，降低了客户工程团队学习的时间。使 用LabVIEW的高效工具和LabVIEW的内建UI功能，我们在短时间内设计了我们的系统软件。

我们使用LabVIEW实时模块和LabVIEW FPGA模块对在NI Single-Board RIO中的实时处理器和FPGA进行编程。使用LabVIEW FPGA，我们可以快速地对FPGA进行编程，提供了定制数字信号接口访问子卡。使用LabVIEW和LabVIEW实时模块的网页发布功能，我们添加了 可以通过行业标准的ASP.NET，用来在网页上远程查看数据的高级功能（数据包括能量消耗参数和地方特定数据）。这个GUI可以在集成的仪表板中进行查 看，并且可以从任何远程位置通过英特网进行控制。

NI解决方案的优点

最初，我们的公司设计团队创建了定制RTU满足功率监视和控制应用需求，但是因为项目的动态特性和可扩展解决方案的需 求，我们与NI进行了合作。利用来自NI的商业硬件和软件技术，我们实现了可靠坚固的解决方案，因为NI嵌入式工具的灵活性和高性能，能够方便地进行扩 展。

此外，因为硬件的可靠性和坚固性以及NI提供的全天候支持，我们创建的RTU解决方案能够在不同天气状态下工作，并且在 次大陆内与多种通信服务提供商兼容。NI硬件与软件还具有用于网页发布的内建特性，允许部署系统的远程更新和编程，这对于远程嵌入式控制和监视解决方案是 个巨大的优势。

稳定的NI系统满足了我们客户的动态需求。利用商用NI硬件和软件以及Saara Embedded Systems传感器、子卡与软件集成的设计，我们在破纪录的时间内，设计并集成了一个综合的能量管理解决方案。

Author(s):
Ed Terrel – GRAS Sound & Vibration

Industry:
Consumer Goods, Manufacturing

Products:
Digital I/O Real-Time Devices, PCI-4461, LabVIEW

The Challenge:
Developing a fully automated, traceable microphone calibration system that is reliable enough to be used by in-house production and external calibration labs.

The Solution:
Programming a microphone calibration system using the NI LabVIEW graphical programming environment with automated analog measurements, output to an electrostatic actuator, digital control of a switch box, and RS232 communications to a pistonphone.

G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration designs and manufactures an extensive range of products covering virtually all the front-end equipment needed for the precise, reliable measurement and recording of acoustic signals. Calibrating microphones is complex, time consuming, and critical to the quality of the measurements. Therefore, when we needed to develop an automated system to calibrate our microphones, we looked for an option that provided a high level of accuracy and measureable results.

Automating Microphone Calibration with Graphical System Design

We selected the NI PCI-4461 dynamic signal acquisition board with two 24-bit analog inputs and two 24-bit analog outputs for the core of the measurement system. With sampling rates of up to 204.8 kS/s, the PCI-4461 board, when coupled to an electrostatic actuator, can determine the frequency response of the microphone from 20 Hz to 90 kHz. A key reason for selecting National Instruments modular hardware over traditional boxed instrumentation for our application was the ease of integration with LabVIEW, which shortened our overall development time.

We use LabVIEW for taking measurements, performing the analog signal processing, and controlling a precision G.R.A.S. pistonphone (Type 42AP) over an RS232 connection for level calibration of the microphone using the insert-voltage technique to determine the open-circuit sensitivity. The system provides additional automation with the NI PCI-6503 digital I/O board controlling a switch box for the various preamplifier signal routing.

We made this system available to external calibration labs and other engineers and scientists who need to calibrate various IEC-standardized measurement microphones. With the measurements and processing fully controlled by the G.R.A.S. Calibration Software SW0002, an application based on LabVIEW, users can be confident their microphone calibrations are accurate and reliable. In addition to the automated calibration procedure, the system also includes data storage management and easy generation of custom-designed calibration certificates.

应用于手表制造业的高精确武器

毫无缺陷

瑞士微晶作为Swatch集团内的一家公司，自其1978年成立时起就只设定了一个目标：最大化精确度。作为世界领先的钟表和手机以及其他商品的石英晶体制造商，最不能出现的就是质量缺陷。除了要在生产过程中确保振荡石英和SMD的质量之外，优化包装对于客户满意度也是同样的重要。帖片和位置不正确的SMD，必须从包装有7,000到16,000个SMD的条带中探测并清除。这同样适用于有间隙的SMD载带包装。

只有最佳才能达到最终的效果

自2007年下半年以来，该公司一直使用In-Sight 5401光学载带终端控制器，以达到包装质量的进一步完善。与薄膜切割台类似，未经检查的SMD带卷被引到一个工作台，在该工作台上,In-Sight 5401将对仅毫米级和包含有重要石英的每个单独的小型包装进行自动光学检测。

检查以下各项标准，并将结果传送到连接的计算机显示器上：

1.)   包装中是否含有一个SMD？

2.)   SMD的当前位置是否正确？

3.)   SMD的陶瓷封装面上是否有激光标识批号？如果有，该批号是否能够很好地读取？

满足挑战要求的视觉工具

使SMD多年来具有令人信服的质量，是由于其小瓷套上没有电线连接，因此零件所需的空间比较小，同样也使其质量检测极具挑战性。迎接这一挑战的是康耐视In-Sight 5401的PatMax技术。康耐视PatMax是一种使用图案匹配技术的革命性图形定位工具。即使PatMax定位的对象有着各种不同的尺寸、位置参差不齐、外观特征较差，甚至是其中部分已被覆盖，PatMax定位工具都能可靠地进行定位。

通过使用LED灯光，康耐视视觉系统的全部效用得以实现。使用PatMax工具，即使是轮廓不清晰的激光标记批号也可以完全可靠地探测到。

可靠的零件定位

PatMax使用几何测量来确认图像中最重要的各个特征，而不是通过像素矩阵。随后它会确定所获图像各个中心特征相对于实时图像的空间关系。通过分析几何图形信息，PatMax能够清楚地确定对象的位置。

未来的视觉应用－包装过程的防误

辨别批号并非一件简单的事情。根据瑞士微晶的包装规范，瓷套的黄金接触面必须始终位于与摄像头相背的一边，这样视觉系统就不容易探测到它们。如果康耐视系统发现在灰色瓷表面由黄金区域引发的亮度出现波动，光学带端控制器就会报警。然后存在缺陷的部件将被移送到预先设定的加工点进行手动清除。

瑞士微晶对有光学检测功能的SMD检测系统的工作结果十分满意，瑞士微晶已经做出进一步的考虑，从2008年起，In-Sight和PatMax工具将被用于SMD自身包装的前道工序。利用这种方式，他们希望能够在包装过程中尽早地发现并且消除故障。