JP2012040466A - System and method of imaging two or more objective side surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for effectively inspecting articles.SOLUTION: The system for obtaining a plurality of images of the articles includes four longitudinal directional transferring machines, three rotational modules, and an imaging device. The four longitudinal directional conveying machines has a plurality of tunnels through which the articles transmit to the four imaging areas, the four longitudinal directional conveying machines uses the difference of gas pressures for conveying an electric circuit through the tunnels, the at least one of the longitudinal directional conveying machines, when arranged in a certain location, has a movable part exposing at least a substantial part of the at least one of the tunnels. The three rotational modules is constituted so as to rotate the articles around the longitudinal directional axis of the articles such that the respective rotations is located between the two longitudinal directional conveying machines. The imaging device is constituted so as to obtain the image of the articles in the respective four imaging areas.

Description

  The present invention relates to systems and methods for inspecting objects such as electrical objects, and in particular, small and long electrical objects such as but not limited to capacitors.

  Appearance is one of inspection methods performed by comparing an image of an object to be inspected with a reference image. For example, when a wafer or printed circuit board is imaged on one or both sides, the image is taken from a vertical field or from a lower field for inspection, which is a simple task.

  For a six-sided object, the procedure is more complex. Although such testing is required for many products, some of such products are very small or bulky. For example, there is a need to inspect all aspects of electrical objects (ceramic capacitors, chips, and resistors) used in microelectronic products. That is, a wide range of defects such as dimensional measurements, ceramic defects, and termination defects can be recognized by using an automated optical inspection system.

  Without limitation, objects such as small capacitors can be damaged during or prior to the inspection process. Dirt as well as object pieces can cause the inspection device to fail.

  Measuring the absolute electrical properties of objects such as capacitors is a relatively long process that limits the throughput of the inspection process.

  There is an increasing need to provide efficient systems and methods for inspecting objects.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for acquiring multiple images of an object is provided. The system includes (a) a first longitudinal transporter that transports an object to a first imaging region, (b) a second longitudinal transporter that transports an object to a second imaging region, and (c). An imaging device for acquiring an image of an object located in each of the first and second imaging regions; and (d) removing the object from the first longitudinal transporter while the first side of the object faces the imaging device. A rotation module configured to receive and rotate each object about the longitudinal axis of the object so that the second side of the object faces the imaging device and to provide the object to a second longitudinal transporter; e) a gas supply unit, wherein each of the first and second longitudinal transporters comprises a plurality of tunnels, each tunnel comprising (i) an object propagation portion and (ii) an object access prevention gas Each tunnel is equipped with a transport part to prevent object access The gas carrying part is shaped to prevent obstruction and to facilitate the propagation of objects in the object propagation part in the longitudinal direction, the object propagation part has a millimeter width, and the gas supply unit is connected to each tunnel An object access prevention gas delivery portion is configured to supply gas, the gas supply assisting in the propagation of the object within the object propagation portion of each tunnel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for acquiring a plurality of images of an object is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) longitudinally transporting an object to a first imaging region through object propagation portions of a plurality of tunnels of a first longitudinal transporter, wherein the longitudinal transporting comprises: Supplying gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion, wherein each tunnel is shaped such that the object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion, and the object propagation portion has a millimeter width; and (b) ) Acquiring an image of the first side of the object in the first imaging region; (c) rotating the object with a first rotation module that rotates the object about the longitudinal axis of the object; ) Longitudinally transporting the object to the second imaging region through the object propagation portions of the plurality of tunnels of the second longitudinal transporter, the longitudinal transport being the object of the tunnel Supplying gas to the anti-access gas transport portion, wherein each tunnel is shaped such that the object does not block the object access gas transport portion, and the object propagation portion has a millimeter width; and (e) Acquiring an image of the second side surface of the object in the second imaging region.

  The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. With particular reference now to the drawings, it is emphasized that the details shown are for purposes of illustration and for illustrative description of various embodiments of the invention.

It is a figure which shows the system which images the object by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the system which images the object by embodiment of this invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two tunnels of a first longitudinal transferer according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two tunnels of a first longitudinal transferer according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two tunnels of a first longitudinal transferer according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tunnel of a first longitudinal transferer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tunnel of a first longitudinal transferer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tunnel of a first longitudinal transferer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 shows a portion of two longitudinal transferers and a plurality of stopping elements according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows portions of first and second longitudinal transferers according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a rotating element of a first rotating module according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a rotating element of a first rotating module according to various embodiments of the invention. 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a loading element of a bus and loader according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a bus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an unloading element of a bus and unloader according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

  In the following details, the invention will be described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

  Since the apparatus embodying the invention consists mostly of electronic objects and circuits known to those skilled in the art, it may be necessary to understand and recognize the underlying concepts of the invention and to obscure the teachings of the invention. Or, to avoid distracting from the teachings, circuit details will not be described to the extent deemed necessary, as indicated above.

  A plurality of sides of an object, such as an electric object, in particular a small and long electric object, are imaged. The length of a small, long electrical object usually does not exceed a few millimeters. The following description refers to such objects. Note that these objects are conveniently small, long electrical objects such as millimeter capacitors that later form part of an electrical circuit such as a PCB. These millimeter capacitors are 0.06 inch long and 0.03 inch wide multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), 0.04 inch long and 0.02 inch wide MLCC, 0.02 inch long and 0.012 inch wide. It can be, but is not limited to, MLCCs that are inches wide, MCLL that is 0.01 inches long and 0.005 inches wide, and millimeter resistors.

  Multiple side surfaces of the object are imaged and these images are then processed, for example, to determine the function of these objects. Conveniently, many objects can be imaged per second by illuminating multiple sides of the object and imaging these sides.

  A robust and high throughput imaging system includes multiple tunnels through which objects can propagate through. The tunnel is shaped to facilitate smooth propagation of objects through the tunnel by directing gas through the object access prevention gas transport portion of the tunnel.

  Referring to FIG. 1 a, which is a schematic illustration of the system 10, the system 10 includes an imaging device 30, a first longitudinal transfer device 110, a first rotation module 210, a second longitudinal transfer device 120, and a second rotation module. 220, a third longitudinal transfer device 130, a third rotation module 230, a fourth longitudinal transfer device 140, a delay element 150, a sorting unit 170, and a processor 160.

  The imaging device 30 can acquire images of objects located in the first imaging area 510, the second imaging area 520, the third imaging area 530, and the fourth imaging area 540. The imaging device 30 can acquire these images in series or in parallel.

  Each one of the first longitudinal transporter 110, the second longitudinal transporter 120, the third longitudinal transporter 130, and the fourth longitudinal transporter 140 includes a plurality of tunnels. Objects propagate through these tunnels, in particular through the object propagation portions of these tunnels. The object propagation portion is slightly wider than the object, but may be sufficiently narrow to prevent the object from rotating about its longitudinal axis during propagation. For example, when the cross section of each object is T × T millimeters, the width of the object propagation portion exceeds T, but may be narrower than the diagonal line (T × √2) of the cross section.

  Each tunnel also includes one or more object access prevention gas transport portions that are not occluded by the propagating object and are configured to provide a gas that assists in the propagation of the object. The object cannot enter the object access prevention gas transport part or otherwise cannot completely block the passage of gas through the object access prevention gas transport part.

  Conveniently, the system 10 operates in a pipeline. That is, the group of elements moves from the imaging area to another imaging area, and images from multiple imaging areas can be acquired during each imaging cycle.

  Table 1 shows the initialization of the pipeline process in which the system 100 operates. “Cycle” refers to an inspection cycle during which a certain stage occurs. LTS1 to LTS4 are first to fourth longitudinal transfer devices 110 to 140, and “image” indicates which image is acquired. Sx (Gy) means an image of the xth side of the yth group of the electrical circuit. For ease of explanation, the rotating module of the electrical circuit is not shown.

The system 10 may include a plurality of image sensors each disposed on one or more imaging regions, but acquires images from the imaging regions one after another from one imaging region to another. Note that one image sensor (shown in FIG. 1) may be included.

  The imaging device 30 can move from one imaging area to another in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1b, the imaging device 30 is along a support element 11 including an inclined portion 12, at least one movement control component such as a rail 13 coupled to the inclined portion 12, and at least one movement control component. In combination with the movable element 14 that moves in a moving manner, it can move from one place to another. The movable element 14 supports the imaging device. When the movable element 14 supports the imaging device, the center of gravity of the combination of the movable element 14 and the imaging device is arranged on or near the inclined portion. An example of such a combination of elements is shown in PCT patent application WO 2008/090559, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING A MOVING OPTIONAL COMPONENT ON A SLOPED PORTION”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of tunnel 5101 of first longitudinal transfer device 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of tunnel 5101 of first longitudinal transfer device 110, according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view of tunnel 5101 of first longitudinal transfer device 110, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2a-2c are cut along a virtual plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel.

FIG. 2a shows the tunnel 5101 as having a T-shaped cross section. Tunnel 510
1 includes an object propagation portion 5111 and a pair of object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131. The pair of object access preventing gas transfer parts 5121 and 5131 is located in the vicinity of the upper part of the object propagation part 5111.

  Tunnel 5101 is shaped so that objects do not block object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131. The reason is that these parts (5121 and 5131) are narrower than the object and located on both sides of the object propagation part 5111 so that the object cannot enter the parts 5121 and 5131.

  Note that each tunnel may have one single object access prevention gas delivery portion or more than two object access prevention gas delivery portions. One or more object access prevention gas transport portions may be located at the bottom of the tunnel, the top of the tunnel, or one or more sides of the tunnel.

  In FIG. 2a, the tunnel 5101 includes a bottom surface 5101 (1), two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (3) extending from two ends of the bottom surface 5101 (1), and two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101. Two horizontal walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) extending from the upper end of (3), and two vertical walls 5101 (6) and 5101 extending from the tips of the two vertical walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) (7) is included. The tunnel 5101 also has an upper wall 5101 (12). This top wall is removable and may be removed from other walls of the tunnel 5101. This wall may be removed and the tunnel may be easily cleaned.

  Walls 5101 (1), 5101 (2), and 5101 (3) define an object propagation portion 5111, while 5101 (4) -5101 (7) define an object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 and 5131. To do. The virtual boundary between the object propagation portion 5111 and the object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131 is indicated by a broken line extending from the upper end of the vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (3).

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these walls may be oriented with respect to each other at an angle other than 90 °, and that some walls (or combinations of walls) may be replaced with curved surfaces. to understand.

The lower part of FIG. 2 a shows the object 5 located in the object propagation part 5111.
FIG. 2 b shows the tunnel 5101 as having a “+” shaped cross section. The pair of object access preventing gas transfer parts 5121 and 5131 is located near the center of the object propagation part 5111.

  In FIG. 2b, the tunnel 5101 has a bottom surface 5101 (1), two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (3) extending from two ends of the bottom surface 5101 (1), and two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101. Two horizontal walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) extending from the upper end of (3), two vertical walls 5101 (6) and 5101 (2) extending from the tips of the two horizontal walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) 7), two horizontal walls 5101 (8) and 5101 (9) extending from the upper end of the walls 5101 (6) and 5101 (7), and 2 extending from the inner ends of the walls 5101 (8) and 5101 (9) It includes two vertical walls 5101 (10) and 5101 (11). The tunnel 5101 also has an upper wall 5101 (12). This top wall is removable and may be removed from other walls of the tunnel 5101. This wall may be removed and the tunnel may be easily cleaned.

Walls 5101 (1), 5101 (2), 5101 (3), 5101 (10), and 51
01 (11) defines an object propagation portion 5111, while 5101 (4) -5101 (9) define object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131. The virtual boundaries between the object propagation part 5111 and the object access prevention gas transport parts 5121 and 5131 are between the walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (10) and between the walls 5101 (3) and 5101 (11). Indicated by the dashed line between.

The lower part of FIG. 2 b shows the object 5 located in the object propagation part 5111.
FIG. 2c shows the tunnel 5101 as having an inverted T-shaped cross section. A pair of object access prevention gas transfer parts 5121 and 5131 is located at the bottom of the object propagation part 5111.

  In FIG. 2c, the tunnel 5101 has a bottom surface 5101 (1), two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (3) extending from two ends of the bottom surface 5101 (1), and two vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101. Two horizontal walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) extending from the upper end of (3), and two vertical walls 5101 (6) and 5101 extending from the tips of the two horizontal walls 5101 (4) and 5101 (5) (7) is included. The tunnel 5101 also has an upper wall 5101 (12). This top wall is removable and may be removed from other walls of the tunnel 5101. This wall may be removed and the tunnel may be easily cleaned.

  Walls 5101 (1), 5101 (2), and 5101 (3) define an object propagation portion 5111, while 5101 (1) -5101 (5) define object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131. To do. The virtual boundary between the object propagation portion 5111 and the object access prevention gas transport portions 5121 and 5131 is indicated by a broken line extending from the upper end of the vertical walls 5101 (2) and 5101 (3).

The lower part of FIG. 2 c shows the object 5 located in the object propagation part 5111.
2a-2c show a pair of object access prevention gas transport portions located at the same height, this need not be the case, but different object access prevention gas transport portions may be located at different heights. Note that it is also good.

  FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel 5101 of the first longitudinal transfer device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a tunnel 5101 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3a and 3b are cut along a virtual plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel.

  FIG. 3 a shows the object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 as extending through the entire object propagation portion 5111. Object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 is shown as being parallel to bottom surface 5101 (1).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 may be toward the bottom surface 5101 (1).
The object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 may have a curved shape, a zigzag shape, or any other shape different from the linear shape. The shape (and / or size) of the object access prevention gas transfer portion 5121 may be different from the shape (and / or size) of the object access prevention gas transfer portion 5131.

FIG. 3 b shows the object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 as extending through the entire object propagation portion 5111. Object access prevention gas transport portion 5121 is shown as including a series of openings 5141. These apertures may have the same shape and size, or may have different shapes and / or sizes. Although FIG. 3b shows the openings 514 as being located at the same height, this need not be the case. The opening 514 is smaller than the object. The plurality of openings may be located in a region smaller than the object, but this is not necessarily so. The broken line shows the structure of the object access preventing gas transport portion 5121. FIG. 3 b also shows the opening 5151 of the object access prevention gas transport portion 5131.

FIG. 3c shows a plurality of tunnels and a gas supply element 920 that supplies gas to these tunnels.
In FIG. 3c, each tunnel (such as 5101, 5102, 51015, and 51016) has an object propagation portion (5111, 5112, 51115, and 51116) and two object access prevention gas transport portions (5121, 5131, 5122, 5132, 51215, 51315, 51216, and 51316).

The gas supply element 920 provides gas to all object access prevention gas transport portions via the opening 922.
The gas supply element 920 may include one or more gas inlets that may be located on the side walls of each side transfer. One or more gas inlets may be included in the system and each side transfer may include one or more inlets.

  The gas supply element 920 may be located under the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer 510, but this is not necessarily so. The gas supply element 920 may be formed as one or more narrow tunnels, but this is not necessarily so. The gas supply element 920 may have various shapes, various sizes, and may include various components such as values. An example of a gas inlet located on the side wall of a side transfer is shown in PCT patent application WO 2009/098688, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  FIG. 4 shows stop elements 148 and 149. One element is located immediately after the third rotation module 230 and the other element is located at the opposite end of the fourth longitudinal transferor 140 towards the tunnel ending with the delay unit 150.

  These stop elements can be pins that can be raised and lowered. That is, when raised, the pin prevents the object from passing through the tunnel. The upper part of each stop element is clearly shown in FIG. These stop elements may be located in recesses that are also shown in FIG.

  Note that the lower portions 112, 122, 132, and 142 may be transparent, allowing images to be acquired through the lower portion. Such images can be acquired in parallel with images acquired by the imaging device 30 located on the longitudinal transporters 120 and 130.

  Conveniently, the system 10 includes first, second, and third rotation modules 210, within the first, second, third, and fourth longitudinal transporters 110, 120, 130, and 140, respectively. Stop elements (not shown) that may be located near 220 and 230 and near the delay unit 150 are included. These stop elements pop into the tunnel (or otherwise) and temporarily prevent the propagation of objects from one module to the other. These stop elements may be valves.

FIG. 5a shows the rotating elements 212 (1) -212 (16) of the first rotating module 210 and parts of the first and second longitudinal transferers 110 and 120 according to the invention.
The rotation module 210 includes 16 rotation elements 212 (1)-212 (16) —one rotation element for each tunnel of the first longitudinal transfer device 110. The tunnel 5101 is connected to the tunnel 5201 through the first rotating element 212 (1). Tunnel 5201 is connected to tunnel 5202 via second rotating element 212 (2), etc., and eventually tunnel 5116 is connected to tunnel 5216 via rotating element 212 (16).

FIG. 5b shows a rotating element 212 (1) according to an embodiment of the invention.
The rotating element 212 (1) includes a helical groove 213 (1) that performs a rotation of about 90 °. The object from the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer 110 enters one end of the spiral groove and rotates about 90 ° about its longitudinal axis before exiting the spiral groove 213 (1), resulting in a second Enter the corresponding tunnel of the longitudinal transporter 120.

FIG. 5c shows a rotating element 212 ′ (1) according to another embodiment of the invention.
The rotating element 212 ′ (1) allows the object to propagate through a helical tunnel 213 ′ (1) and a helical tunnel 213 ′ (1) that includes an object rotating portion 214 (1) that performs a rotation of about 90 °. It includes two object access prevention gas transport portions 215 (1) that provide gas to be guided.

  An object from the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer 110 enters one end of the spiral groove 213 (1) or spiral tunnel 213 ′ (1) and exits the spiral groove 213 (1) or spiral tunnel 213 ′ (1). Before, it rotates about 90 ° about its longitudinal axis and enters the corresponding tunnel of the second longitudinal transfer device 120.

The spiral tunnel 213 ′ (1) may have various shapes, some of which are shown in FIGS.
c and 3a-3b.
FIG. 6 illustrates a system 2000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The system 2000 of FIG. 6 includes a lateral transporter 310 that laterally transports an object to a further imaging area 250. The imaging device 30 is configured to acquire images of two opposing side surfaces of an object different from the side surfaces of the object imaged in the four imaging regions 510, 520, 530, and 540.

  Conveniently, the further imaging area comprises an illumination tilting mirror arranged such that an object is placed between the tilting mirrors. Light scattered or reflected from opposite sides of the object is guided from these tilted mirrors towards the imaging device.

  The side transfer device 310 has a plurality of devices connected to an electrical tester that can electrically test the object while the object is being transferred (or simply supported) by the side transfer device 310. Electrical contacts may be provided.

  The system 2000 includes various push-pull stripes 2010 referred to as a bus, a motor 2020, a multi-clutch 2030, a container 2040, a bus platform 2050, a load element 2060 such as a load bus, a further imaging area 550, a bus unloader 2065, a first longitudinal direction. Transporter 110, first rotating element 210, second longitudinal transporter 120, second rotating element 220, third longitudinal transporter 130, first rotating element 230, fourth longitudinal transporter 140, a delay unit 150, a processor 160, and a sorting unit 170.

The bus push-pull stripe 2010 is a plurality of side transfer elements that form a side transfer that moves electrical objects to the right (as imaged) and then to the left (after being imaged); Push-pull stripes move these buses to the left and right. These bus push-pull stripes may be equipped with a plurality of electrical contacts.

  The bus motor 2020 and the multi-clutch 2030 move the stripe 2010 to the left and right, and the multi-clutch 2030 converts the mechanical motion of the bus motor 2020 into left and right motion. Container 2040 contained an electrical object. The bus platform 2050 includes a plurality of buses, each bus having a long base and a series of equally spaced protrusions, each pair of adjacent protrusions defining a space that can support one electrical object. did. The load bus 2060 loads an electrical object onto the bus so that the longitudinal axis of the electrical object is perpendicular to the transport axis of the bus. The bus unloader 2065 unloads the electrical object after it has been imaged by the imaging device 30 and rotates it (by 90 °) to the first longitudinal transferer 110 (conveniently the first imaging area). (Under).

  The object is provided in a further imaging area 550 and then returned to this pre-imaging position, unloaded and provided to the first longitudinal conveyor 110 (conveniently under the bus).

  Two different sides of the object are acquired with different imaging areas. For example, assuming that six side surfaces are referred to as side surfaces A, B, C, D, E, and F, side surfaces A and C are imaged in a first imaging region and side surfaces B and D are second Images are captured in the imaging region, and the side surfaces E and F are captured in the third imaging region. These images are shown in boxes 305 and 306, while the images acquired in the other four imaging areas 510-540 are shown in boxes 301, 302, 303, and 304.

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, and 8 show a bus 820, a loader 2060 loading element, and an unloader 2065 unloading element, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Assume further imaging area 550 is located to the right of bus 820.

FIG. 7a shows loading elements 812 and 824 that load objects onto the bus before imaging occurs, with the bus 820 (loaded with an object, such as object 802 ') moved to the right.
When imaging is complete, bus 820 returns to its initial position (moves to the left as shown in FIG. 8), and unloading elements 832 and 834 unload the imaged object from bus 820.

  The loading element 812 is a tunnel that starts near the container 2040 and the loading element 824 draws the element toward the bath 820 (by introducing a low gas pressure).

  The unloading element 832 is a tunnel that extends toward the first longitudinal transporter 110 (preferably under the bus 820). The unloading element 834 generates a gas pulse that pushes the object from the bus 820 toward the unloading element 832.

Bus 820 carries the object such that the longitudinal axis of the object is substantially perpendicular to the movement of the bus.
The bus 820 or other transport element can be part of a conveyor belt, can include multiple partitions, or can be moved toward a further imaging area 550 by mechanical, magnetic, or gas pressure based means.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the loading and unloading elements may operate in parallel to remove an already imaged object from the bus while loading the object being imaged.

The bus 820 includes a plurality of walls 822 extending from the lower portion 821 and the bottom portion 821 for defining a plurality of spaces 823 in which an object is disposed. The object 802 ′ is arranged in a predetermined space so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the wall 822.

Figures 7a and 7b and 8 show various configurations of electrical contacts. For example, the electrical contacts 9001 and 9002 are located at the bottom 821 of the bus and near the boundaries 823 and 824, so that both ends of the object 802 ′ disposed in the space 823 are connected to the electrical contacts 9001 and 902.
02 will come into contact. In yet another embodiment, electrical contacts 9003 and 9004 are located within wall 822 (connected to wall 822).

  Note that all spaces 823 may have one or more electrical contacts to facilitate electrical testing of all objects. Note that only some of the spaces 823 may be equipped with electrical contacts to sample the object.

Electrical contacts 9001-9004 are connected to an electrical test circuit such as electrical tester 2222. FIG. 7b shows an object 802 ′ in one of the spaces, but it is further noted that when loaded, all spaces 823 (or multiple spaces) are partially filled with objects. The

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a method 1500 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 1500 begins with a stage 1510 that provides a plurality of objects to a first longitudinal transferer.
These objects are aspirated (or otherwise provided) at the inlet of the supply element, allowing the object to go through the outlet of the supply element towards the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer. To do.

  Following stage 1510 is a stage 1520 that longitudinally transports an object through a plurality of tunnels of a first longitudinal transporter to a first imaging region. The longitudinal transfer includes providing gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion of the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer. Each tunnel is shaped so that the object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion. The object propagation portion has a millimeter width. Since the object is too small and fragile, it may not be able to move by contacting the object propagation part and applying force.

Conveniently, stage 1530 may occur following stage 1520 when sufficient objects have been collected.
Stage 1520 may include positioning the stop element of the first longitudinal transporter in a stop position such that the stop element prevents an object from being sent to the first rotation module. Subsequent to this arrangement, the objects are aspirated to form a row of objects for one tunnel. Arrangement may include moving these stop elements into the tunnel of the first longitudinal transporter.

  Stage 1530 includes obtaining an image of the first side of the object in the first imaging region. The first imaging region may correspond to the entire first longitudinal transporter or a portion of the first longitudinal transporter. Thus, all or only a part of the object located in the longitudinal transporter can be imaged.

Stage 1530 includes imaging one side of the electrical object. Stage 1530 includes acquiring an image through the transparent portion of the first longitudinal transporter.
Following the stage 1530 is a stage 1540 where the object is rotated by a first rotation module that rotates the object about the longitudinal axis of the object.

  Stage 1540 may include rotating the object by 90 °, but this is not necessarily so. Rotation can include rotating by an angle that is less than 90 °, an angle that is greater than 90 °, and the like.

  Before the stage 1540, changing the position of the stop element of the first longitudinal transferer in order to allow the object imaged in the first imaging area to move to the first rotation module Can happen. This relocation may include removing these stop elements from the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer.

  Following stage 1540 is a stage 1550 that longitudinally transports the object through the plurality of tunnels of the second longitudinal transporter to the second imaging region. Transferring in the longitudinal direction includes supplying gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion of the tunnel of the second longitudinal transferer. Each tunnel is shaped so that the object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion. The object propagation portion has a millimeter width. Since the object is too small and fragile, it may not be able to move by contacting the object propagation part and applying force.

  Stage 1540 may include placing the stop element of the second longitudinal transporter in a stop position so that the stop element prevents an object from being sent to the second rotation module. Subsequent to this arrangement, the objects are aspirated to form a row of objects for one tunnel. Arrangement may include moving these stop elements into the tunnel of the second longitudinal transferer. Usually the stop element is placed in the stop position before the object is sent from the first longitudinal transporter.

Following stage 1550, stage 1560 occurs where an image of the second side of the object is acquired in the second imaging region.
Following stage 1560 is a stage 1570 in which the object is rotated by a second rotation module that rotates the object about the longitudinal axis of the object.

  Before the stage 1560, changing the position of the stop element of the second longitudinal transferer in order to allow the object imaged in the second imaging area to move to the second rotation module Can happen. This relocation may include removing these stop elements from the tunnel of the second longitudinal transporter.

  Following stage 1570, stage 1580 occurs where the object is longitudinally transferred through the plurality of tunnels of the third longitudinal transporter to the third imaging region. Transferring in the longitudinal direction includes supplying gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion of the tunnel of the third longitudinal transferer. Each tunnel is shaped so that the object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion. The object propagation portion has a millimeter width. Since the object is too small and fragile, it may not be able to move by contacting the object propagation part and applying force.

  Stage 1580 may include placing the stop element of the third longitudinal transporter in a stop position so that the stop element prevents an object from being sent to the third rotation module. Subsequent to this arrangement, the objects are aspirated to form a row of objects for one tunnel. Arrangement may include moving these stop elements into the tunnel of the third longitudinal transporter.

Following the stage 1580, a stage 1590 occurs where an image of the third side of the object is acquired in the third imaging region.
Following stage 1590 is a stage 1600 where the object is rotated by a third rotation module that rotates the object about the longitudinal axis of the object.

  Before the stage 1590, changing the position of the stop element of the third longitudinal transporter in order to allow the object imaged in the third imaging area to move to the third rotation module Can happen. This relocation may include removing these stop elements from the tunnel of the third longitudinal transporter.

  Following stage 1600 is a stage 1610 that longitudinally transports an object through a plurality of tunnels of a fourth longitudinal transporter to a fourth imaging region. Transferring in the longitudinal direction includes supplying gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion of the tunnel of the fourth longitudinal transferer. Each tunnel is shaped so that the object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion. The object propagation portion has a millimeter width. Since the object is too small and fragile, it may not be able to move by contacting the object propagation part and applying force.

  Stage 1610 may include placing the stop element of the fourth longitudinal transporter in a stop position so that the stop element prevents an object from being sent to the fourth rotation module. Subsequent to this arrangement, the objects are aspirated to form a row of objects for one tunnel. Arrangement may include moving these stop elements into the tunnel of the fourth longitudinal transporter.

Following stage 1610, stage 1620 occurs where an image of the fourth side of the object is acquired in the fourth imaging region.
Following stage 1620, stages 1630 and 1640 occur. Stage 1630 includes processing images acquired during at least one of stages 1540, 1570, and 1620 to evaluate the object. Stage 1630 may include searching for visible defects, searching for deviations from expected sizes or shapes, and the like. Stage 1630 determines the function of the object, and in particular, the object may include, but is not limited to, “functional”, “defective”,
Or it may include classifying into functional classes such as “questionable functionality”. This classification will determine how these objects will be sorted.

Stage 1640 includes delaying the object before sorting the object. The delay allows a sorting decision to be made.
Following stages 1640 and 1630 is a stage 1650 that sorts objects taking into account the results of stage 1630.

The at least one longitudinal transferer may have a movable portion that, when installed at a position, exposes at least a substantial portion of the at least one tunnel.
Conveniently, stages 1520, 1540, 1550, 1570, 1580, and 1610 each include transferring an object laterally through a plurality of tunnels each including a substantially vertical sidewall.

Conveniently, stages 1520, 1540, 1550, 1570, 1580, and 1610 include transferring objects through multiple tunnels of four longitudinal transferers that form four imaging regions, and four longitudinal transfers. Each vessel is much longer than each rotating module.

  Conveniently, stages 1530, 1560, 1590, and 1620 each include acquiring an image of one side of the object, and these stages project two or more side fields per object toward the imaging device. It does not include tilting mirrors or other optical elements that can help.

  The difference in gas pressure can be introduced in a pulsed manner. Normally, the above-described stage is performed in a pipeline to allow acquisition of images of multiple groups of electrical circuits located in different imaging areas. These gas pulses can be applied in synchronism with the movement of the stop element.

Any one of the stages may include imaging an object through a transparent portion (whether movable or not) of the longitudinal transferer.
Conveniently, the above-described stages are performed in a pipeline. For example, while one group of objects is imaged in the first imaging area, another group of objects is imaged in another imaging area. These groups of objects should move to the next imaging area (after imaging is complete) while the fourth group is being sent to the delay unit or sorting unit. This requires moving a group that is placed on a later stage of the system before another group of objects can occupy the place. Conveniently this can be achieved by maintaining a time difference between the arrangement of the stop elements of the different longitudinal transporters. For example, the method 1500 includes (i) a stage that places the stop element of the fourth longitudinal transporter in a non-stop position and allows the electrical element to be aspirated toward the delay unit or the sorting unit; (Ii) The stop element of the fourth longitudinal transfer device is installed at the stop position, the stop element of the third longitudinal transfer device is installed at the non-stop position, and the electrical element is moved from the third imaging region to the fourth position. A stage that allows the imaging area to be aspirated, and (iii) a stop element of the third longitudinal transporter is placed in the stop position and the stop element of the second longitudinal transporter is in the non-stop position Installing a stage that allows an electrical element to be aspirated from the second imaging area to the third imaging area; and (iv) installing a stop element of the second longitudinal transferer in the stop position; Non-stop position of stop element of first longitudinal transferer A stage allowing electrical elements to be aspirated from the first imaging area to the second imaging area, and (v) installing a stop element of the first longitudinal transporter in the stop position. A stage that allows the electrical element to be aspirated from the second imaging area to the first imaging area.

  Transferring an object into a stage such as 1520 may require negative pressure and the tunnel should be substantially sealed. Thus, the movable part should return to its previous position to facilitate further iterations of stages 1520-1630. This can be accomplished by pressing the movable part against other parts of the system, such as using elastic members or other sealing elements.

Conveniently, the movable part is rigid and is fastened to other parts of the system by clips.
FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1800 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 1800 allows to image six sides of the object. In addition to stages 1620-1730 of method 1600, method 1800 includes stages 1810, 1820, 1840, and 1850.

Although FIG. 10 shows stages 1810-1850 as preceding stage 1620, this is not necessarily so.
Stage 1810 includes providing a plurality of objects to a side transfer device. This allows electrical objects to propagate along multiple tunnels in the longitudinal direction and exits these tunnels to provide electrical objects to the lateral transport. It may include sucking an electrical object from an inlet formed in the side to a side transfer. This may include placing these objects on a bus with a regularly spaced trajectory that separates one object from another.

  An example of such a lateral transfer device is shown in PCT patent application WO2007 / 129322 entitled “System and method for imaging objects”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Following stage 1810 is a stage 1820 where the object is laterally transferred through the multiple tunnels of the lateral transferer to a further imaging area. This can be achieved by a bus that receives objects one after another until the bus places electrical objects in different imaging areas.

Stage 1820 may include transferring the object laterally between a pair of tilting mirrors that allow imaging of two opposing sides of the object.
Following the stage 1820, a stage 1830 occurs where images of two opposing side surfaces of an object that is different from the side surfaces of the object imaged in the four imaging regions are acquired.

  Conveniently, the stage 1830 (i) directs light toward opposite sides of the object and at least a pair that directs light reflected or scattered from the opposite side of the object towards the imaging device. (Ii) illuminating an object from multiple angles; (iii) illuminating an object with multiple illumination schemes, which may include different wavelengths, different polarizations, different intensities, etc. (iv) ) For each longitudinal transporter, a pair of tilted mirrors that guide light towards the opposite side of the object and guide light reflected or scattered from the opposite side of the object towards the imaging device Illuminating, (v) illuminating a plurality of tilted mirrors oriented at 45 °, or at least one or a combination thereof.

Following stage 1830 is a stage 1840 that provides objects to the tunnel of the first longitudinal conveyor.
Stage 1840 may include moving the bus to its initial position while an electrical object is being propagated toward the tunnel of the first longitudinal transferer.

Note that stage 1630 may also be responsive to images acquired during stage 1830.
It is further noted that the method 1800 may include moving at least one movable part of the side transfer to expose at least one tunnel of the side transfer so that it can be cleaned.

  FIG. 11 shows a method 1900 according to an embodiment of the invention. Method 1900 includes stages 1610-1730 of method 1600, but also includes stage 1910 for electrically testing the object. Stage 1910 precedes stage 1630. Stage 1910 may follow stage 1620, but this is not necessarily so.

Stage 1630 may respond to the results of these electrical tests.
Stage 1910 includes a stage 1912 that electrically tests the electrical object by comparing the electrical characteristics of the object with the electrical characteristics of the reference object to obtain electrical test results.

  If the object is a capacitor, stage 1910 may include comparing the capacitance of the capacitor with the capacitance of the reference capacitor. This comparison can be performed in a very short time, in particular compared to absolute volume measurements.

Note that stage 1910 can be included in method 1800.
Note also that the electrical test may be performed on only a portion of the object based on its function. Thus, the electrical test can be omitted if the image analysis indicates that the object is faulty. However, in another embodiment, an object can be classified as functioning only after both image processing and electrical testing indicate that the object is functioning.

  Stage 1910 may be performed by utilizing electrical test points located within the system that generated the image. These electrical test points may be located in the lateral transporter, in the longitudinal transporter, in the sorting unit, in the rotating module, etc. These test point locations determine the relative order of electrical testing and image acquisition stages.

  Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between the functions of operation described above are only examples. The functions of multiple operations may be combined into one operation and / or the functions of one operation may be distributed to additional multiple operations. Further, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of the multiple operations may be changed in various other embodiments.

As such, it is understood that the architecture shown herein is exemplary only, and in fact that many other architectures that achieve the same functionality can be implemented. In an abstract but still clear sense, any arrangement of components that accomplish the same function is effectively “associated” such that the desired function is achieved. Thus, any two components combined herein to accomplish a particular function are “associated with” each other so that the desired function is achieved, regardless of architecture or intermediate components. Can be seen as a thing. Similarly, any two components so related may also be "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to achieve a desired function. Can be considered.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to physical devices or units implemented with non-programmable hardware, but applies to programmable devices or units that can perform desired device functions by operating according to suitable program code. sell. Further, the devices may be physically distributed across multiple devices while functionally operating as one device.

However, other changes, variations, and alternatives are possible. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Further, within the description and claims, the term “front”
``, `` Back '', `` top '', `` bottom '', `` over '', `` under '', etc. are used for illustration, if any And not necessarily used to describe a permanent relative position. The terminology thus used is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the invention described herein operate in orientations other than those shown, for example, or otherwise described herein. It is understood that it is possible.

Further, terms that do not limit a number as used herein are defined as one or more. Similarly, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in a claim is the use of an indefinite article to introduce another claim element, even if such claim is introductory. Limit any particular claim, including an introduced claim element, to an invention containing only one such element, even if it includes the phrase “one or more” or “at least one” and the indefinite article Should not be considered to mean that. The same is true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. As such, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate a temporary or other order of preference for such elements. The fact that several measures are re-cited in different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (14)

A system for acquiring multiple images of an object,
A first longitudinal transporter for transporting the object to a first imaging area;
A second longitudinal transporter for conveying the object to a second imaging region;
An imaging device for acquiring an image of an object located in each of the first and second imaging regions;
Receiving the object from the first longitudinal transporter while the first side of the object is facing the imaging device and centering the longitudinal axis of the object so that the second side of the object is facing the imaging device A rotation module configured to rotate each object and to provide the object to the second longitudinal transferer;
A gas supply unit,
Each of the first and second longitudinal transporters comprises a plurality of tunnels;
Each tunnel comprises an object propagation part and an object access prevention gas transport part,
Each tunnel is shaped to prevent an object from blocking the object access prevention gas transport portion and to facilitate the propagation of the object in the object propagation portion in the longitudinal direction;
The object propagation portion has a millimeter width;
The gas supply unit is configured to supply gas to the object access prevention gas transport portion of each tunnel;
The gas supply assists in the propagation of the object within the object propagation portion of each tunnel.   The system of claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit is further configured to supply gas to the object propagation portion of each tunnel.   The system of claim 1, wherein the object access prevention gas transport portion is narrower than each object.   The system of claim 1, wherein a pair of object access prevention gas transport portions extends from both sides of each object propagation portion.   The system of claim 1, wherein a pair of object access prevention gas transport portions is located near an upper portion of the object propagation portion.   The system of claim 1, wherein a pair of object access prevention gas transport portions is located near a center of the object propagation portion.   The system of claim 1, wherein each object access prevention gas transport portion extends through the tunnel.   The system of claim 1, wherein each object access preventing gas transport portion terminates with a plurality of spaced openings formed in a wall of the object propagation portion.   The system of claim 1, wherein the rotation module comprises a plurality of object access prevention gas transport portions and a plurality of object rotation portions.   The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a millimeter capacitor.   The apparatus further includes a lateral transfer device that transfers the object laterally to a further imaging region, wherein the imaging device is different from the side of the object imaged in the first and second imaging regions. The system of claim 1, configured to acquire images of two opposing sides.   The lateral transporter includes a plurality of electrical contacts that contact an object being transported by the lateral transport, and the electrical contacts are connected to an electrical tester that performs an electrical test of the object. The system of claim 10. A method for acquiring multiple images of an object,
A step of longitudinally transporting an object to a first imaging region through an object propagation portion of a plurality of tunnels of a first longitudinal transporter, wherein the longitudinal transport is an object access prevention gas in the tunnel Supplying a gas to the transport portion, each tunnel is shaped such that an object does not block the object access prevention gas transport portion, and the object propagation portion has a millimeter width; and
Obtaining an image of the first side of the object in the first imaging region;
Rotating the object by a first rotation module that rotates the object about a longitudinal axis of the object;
Transporting an object longitudinally to a second imaging region through object propagation portions of a plurality of tunnels of a second longitudinal transporter, wherein the longitudinal transport is an object access prevention gas in the tunnel Including supplying gas to a transport portion, wherein each tunnel is shaped to prevent an object from blocking the object access prevention gas transport portion, the object propagation portion having a millimeter width; and
Obtaining an image of a second side surface of the object in the second imaging region;
Including methods.   The system of claim 12, comprising supplying gas to the object propagation portion of each tunnel.