KR20110082476A - Provision of objects to an imaging system adapted to image multiple sides of objects - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A provision of objects to an imaging system adapted to image multiple sides of objects is provided to efficiently monitoring the objects. CONSTITUTION: A feeder comprises a first container, a second container(40), a plurality of tunnels, and an intermediate module(33). The feeder comprises a plurality of tunnels. The feeder spreads the objects to one of an imaging area, an electrical test area, or a distribution area. The feeder moves the objects through tunnels using the difference of gas pressure. The first container(20) is arranged in order to receive an initial dose of the objects.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION A system and method for providing subjects to an imaging system adapted to image multiple sides of the subjects.

This application claims priority benefit from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 293,728, filed January 11, 2010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for examining objects such as, but not limited to, small and long electrical objects, such as, but not limited to, capacitors.

The appearance shape is one of the inspection methods, which is made by comparing images of the inspection object to a reference image. In the case of imaging one or two sides, ie in the case of a wafer or PCB substrate, one image is captured from the vertical or bottom direction for inspection, which is a simple task.

For six-sided subjects, the process is more complicated. Such inspections are required for many products, some of which are very small or in large quantities. For example, there is a need to examine the entire aspect of an electrical object used in microelectronics products (ceramic capacitors, chips and resistors); A wide range of defects such as sizing, ceramic defects and termination defects can be recognized using automated optical inspection systems.

Systems that utilize imaging processing of the entire aspects of an object are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,123,18 "Inspection Equipment for Small Bottles" and US Pat. No. 4,229 26969, "External Appearance Inspection System," both of which are Kajiura et. handed over to al., and such systems also have some problems.

Subjects such as, but not limited to, small capacitors may be damaged during or before the testing process. Foreign objects and pieces of the subject may clog the test device.

Measurement of the absolute electrical properties of objects such as capacitors is a relatively long process, which limits the throughput of the inspection process.

There is a growing need to provide efficient systems and methods for transporting, inspecting, testing and classifying objects, particularly millimeter-sized objects of elongated shape.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for transporting objects of millimeter size is provided. The system includes (a) a transport mechanism that includes a plurality of tunnels and allows objects to propagate through any one selected from an imaging area, an electrical test area, and a classification area; The transfer mechanism moves objects through the tunnels using a gas pressure difference; And (b) a feeder comprising a first container, a second container, a plurality of tunnels, an intermediate module; The feeder is arranged to apply a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to cause objects in the second container to enter through the plurality of tunnels of the feeder into the plurality of tunnels of the transfer mechanism; The first container is arranged to receive up to the first dose of subjects; And the intermediate module is arranged to transfer the objects from the first container to the second container such that a certain amount of objects in the second container are filled less than half of the first amount.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a feeder is provided. The feeder includes: (a) a first container arranged to receive a first amount of millimeter sized and elongated capacitors; (b) a gas supply system; (c) applying a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to induce the capacitors into the plurality of exit tunnels of the feeder, the tunnels of the feeder being shaped to facilitate longitudinal propagation of the capacitors in the tunnel; Vessel; The series of vacuum and pressure pulses are provided by the gas supply system; And (d) an intermediate module arranged to transfer capacitors from the first container to the second container such that a certain amount of capacitors in the second container are filled less than one quarter of the first amount of capacitors.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of moving a plurality of images of a millimeter sized object is provided. The method comprises (a) receiving a first amount of subjects by a first container; (b) providing an object from the first container to the second container by means of an intermediate module coupled between the first container and the second container such that a certain amount of objects in the second container are 10% of the first amount of the object. To be filled less; (c) applying a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to induce the objects into a number of tunnels of the transport mechanism; And (d) supply objects to any one of an imaging area, an electrical test area, and a sorting area through a plurality of tunnels of the transfer mechanism; The supply of the objects includes utilizing the gas pressure difference to transport the objects through the tunnels of the transport mechanism in the longitudinal direction.

The present invention provides efficient systems and methods for transporting, inspecting, testing and classifying objects, particularly millimeter-sized objects of elongated shape.

The present invention has been described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the contents described in detail in the drawings, it should be understood that the contents specifically shown are merely illustrative of various embodiments of the present invention and for illustration only.
1 through 6 illustrate a feeder according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
7 illustrates a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the invention.
8 through 13 illustrate portions of a feeder according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
14 to 16 illustrate the influence of a gas pulse applied on an object, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Since the apparatus for implementing the present invention is mostly electrical objects and circuits known to those skilled in the art, the detailed circuits, as described above, make it difficult to understand and appreciate the essential concepts of the present invention, and to make the contents of the present invention difficult to understand. It will not be described in greater detail than is deemed necessary, so as not to make it difficult or difficult to grasp.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, objects of millimeter size, such as long capacitors, are transported to multiple tunnels of the feeder. The feeder comprises a first vessel, a second vessel, a plurality of tunnels and an intermediate module. The feeder is arranged to apply a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to cause the objects in the second vessel to enter the multiple tunnels of the transport mechanism through the multiple tunnels of the feeder. The first container may be arranged to receive up to the first dose of the subjects.

The term "container" refers to any structural element or elements that can hold, store or accommodate elements.

1 through 6 illustrate feeders 11 through 16 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

1 shows a feeder 11, which includes (i) a number of tunnels 5001-5016, (ii) a first vessel 20, (iii) a second vessel 40, and (iv) ) An intermediate module 33.

The feeder 11 is arranged to apply a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to guide the objects in the second vessel 40 to enter multiple tunnels 5001-5016. The first container 40 is arranged to receive up to the first amount of the subjects. The intermediate module 33 is arranged to transfer the objects from the first container 20 to the second container 40 such that a certain amount of the object in the second container 40 is a portion, in particular a small portion, of the first amount. To be This portion may be 1 / N of the first amount, where N is any number greater than two. In particular, the number of objects in the second container 40 may be less than 1% of the first amount of the capacitor.

The first amount of the subjects may comprise a large number of subjects. The first volume is 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, It may exceed 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1000000 and more.

The objects in the second vessel 40 are subjected to a series of vacuum and pressure pulses (provided by the gas supply system 30) such that the objects in the second vessel 40 enter multiple tunnels 5001-5016. Induction is entered. Such pulses may cause objects to collide. By providing only a small portion of the total amount of the subject to be tested in the second container 40, each subject receives fewer pulses and fewer collisions occur.

Additionally or alternatively, by reducing the number of objects in the second container 40, the amount of blockage and the degree of severity can also be reduced.

2-6 show an intermediate module (shown by reference numeral 33 in FIG. 1) and include at least one controller 70, conduit 55 and valve 60. Once the valve 60 is open, it is easy to provide an object from the first vessel 20 to the second vessel 40. The controller 70 is arranged to control the valve. This includes but is not necessarily required to convey instructions to the valve.

The controller 70 may apply various control schemes. For example, the valve 60 may be opened for a predetermined opening period spaced from each other. The length of such an open period and the duration between open periods adjacent to each other can be predetermined. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 70 can receive feedback information and adjust the opening or closing period accordingly.

The controller 70 is arranged to estimate the amount of the object in the second container 40, thereby controlling the valve 60 to selectively provide the objects to the second container 40.

The controller 70 can obtain feedback information from one or more image sensors, and additionally or alternatively, from one or more weight sensors. One or more image sensors may image an object in the first container 20, and in the second container 40, the objects discharged from the first container 20, the intermediate module 33. Images of objects passing through the objects, objects reaching the imaging area of the system, and objects passing through the tunnels 5001 to 5016 may be imaged.

Image sensors may be located at various locations in the system and may aid in the estimation. 4 illustrates a first image sensor 81, images images of the inside of the first container 20, shows a second image sensor 82, and shows objects exiting the second container 40. The image is arranged to shoot. 6 shows the first image sensor 81 and images the inside of the first container 20, and also shows the controller 70 and receives images of objects located within one imaging area. . The latter images may be provided by an imager 306, which is an image of any imaging area of imaging areas 510, 520, 530, and 540 ( See FIG. 7). 7 shows an imaging device 306, which images the objects in the imaging area 540. It should be appreciated that the image device 540 may transmit images of the objects to the controller 70. It should be appreciated that the system may include more than one imaging device, for example having one camera per image area.

Weight sensors can be placed at various locations in the system and can assist in the estimation. 5 shows a first weight sensor 83, which measures the weight of the objects located inside the second container 40, and shows a second weight sensor 84, which shows the first container 20. The weights of the subjects located within) are measured. One weight sensor may measure the weight of the container and the objects, or may weigh the object only. Such a weight sensor may form a bottom surface of the space in the container in which the objects are located. For example, and referring to FIG. 9, the weight sensor may form lower portions 335 and 336.

The number of sensors may vary by more than two. For example, more than one image sensor can image the inside of the first or second container.

As explained above, the feeders of FIGS. 4 to 6 differ from one another by their sensors. It should be noted that the feeders may differ from one another by other characteristics, such as the location of the conduit 55. For example, the feeder 12 of FIG. 2 receives objects from one conduit that provides the objects to an inlet (not shown) side formed on the vertical wall of the second container 40. The feeders 13 to 16 of FIGS. 3-6 receive the objects from one conduit providing the objects to an inlet (not shown) side formed on the upper side of the second container 40.

It should be noted that the shape and size of each of the first container 20 and the second container 40 may be different from the rectangular shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

The gas supply system 30 may introduce a gas differential pressure between the first and second vessels 20 and 40, or alternatively use a gas differential pressure to drive objects from the first vessel 20. It can be passed through the second container (40). For example, a gas pulse may push objects through the conduit 55, and a vacuum pulse (eg, suction) may guide the objects into the second container 40. Additionally or alternatively, the gas pressure in the first vessel 20 may be higher than the gas pressure in the second vessel 40. Each one of the first vessel 20 and the second vessel 40 is at least partially sealed to maintain a pressure other than atmospheric pressure.

2-6 show a gas supply system 30, which is connected to the first vessel 20 by a gas conduit 31, and to the second vessel 40 by gas conduits 32, 33. Connected. It should be noted that the number of gas conduits may differ from that shown in these figures. It should also be appreciated that one or more gas conduits may be connected to the conduits 55 of the intermediate module 33.

As further shown in FIGS. 10-16, the feeder may be arranged to induce at least one induced gas pulse to induce objects to enter the tunnels 5001-5016. The feeder may also be arranged to induce at least one rejecting gas pulse to cause objects to be rejected from the tunnels 5001-5016. The gas supply system 30 may provide at least one reject gas pulse followed by the at least one induced gas pulse. One induced gas pulse may be followed by one or more reject gas pulses. One reject gas pulse may be followed by one or more induced gas pulses. The correlation between these types of gas pulses may change over time.

It should be appreciated that the system can include multiple tunnels. Such tunnels are equivalent to conduits, wires, trenches or other elements, through which objects can propagate, in particular sealed or partially sealed elements. The tunnels may have a rectangular cross section or a round cross section or a rectangular shape in any combination. The feeder's tunnels may be tunnels of the transfer mechanism, but each of these elements may have its own individual tunnels.

7 illustrates a portion of a system 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows the second container 20 but does not show the various other elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 (for simplicity of explanation).

The system 10 includes a second vessel 40, a first longitudinal transfer mechanism 110, a first rotary module 210, a second longitudinal transfer mechanism 120, a second rotary module 220, and a third. The longitudinal conveyance mechanism 130, the third rotary module 230, the fourth longitudinal conveyance mechanism 140, the processor 160, the sorting unit 170, and the image device 306 are included.

The tunnels 5001-5016 pass through various longitudinal conveying mechanisms, although they can be blocked by rotating modules 210, 220, 230 and 240. In each case, the objects propagate along the tunnels, are rotated, imaged, and finally classified. Additionally or alternatively, the system 10 may include a test area, where subjects are tested (eg, electrically tested). For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that one test area is one of the imaging areas. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the imaging areas are replaced by one or more test areas. The test areas may include tunnels 5001-5016 and electrodes in contact with objects located in the tunnels.

7 further shows other sides 801-804 of the objects, which are images within another imaging area. The difference within these aspects is due to the rotation induced by the rotation modules 210, 220, 230 and 240.

8 and 9 illustrate a second container 40 and portions thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Subjects may be inhaled (or alternatively provided) to one or more inlets (eg, inlet 41) of the second container 40, and may exit the outlet 45 of the second container 40. Through to the tunnels 5001-5016 (through the beveled inner space 46).

The second container 40 includes the upper portion 42 to receive the objects (from the middle module 33), and includes the middle portion 44 to form the inner space 46, and the long thin opening 45 And a lower portion 48. The inner space 46 includes a beveled space 333, which is formed of a first lower portion 335 and a second lower portion 336. The first lower portion 335 may be disposed in relation to the second lower portion 336. 9 shows the beveled first lower portion 335 and the horizontal second lower portion 336. The beveled first lower portion 335 has its upper point positioned higher than the tunnels 5001-5016.

FIG. 10 shows that the lower portion 48 includes four horizontal (sub-surface) air conduits 301, 302, 303, and 304. A plurality of openings located at the upper level of the lower portion 48 propels the air provided through such conduits to direct the capacitors dropped through the opening 45 into the beveled space 310. Such air may be replaced with other gases, which may be supplied by the gas supply system 30.

The beveled space 310 is shaped so that the objects 666 are not stacked on top of each other. The beveled space 310 may have a relatively narrow structure, the height of which is approximately equal to the height of the object 66, and may be smaller than the height of the two objects 666. Thus within such spaces, the objects cannot be stacked on each other (in a vertical dimension).

The beveled space can be replaced as a substantially horizontal space or other spaces of any shape, which are also relatively narrow structures.

Objects 666 are forced toward tunnels 5001-5016 by air pulses (or continuous gas pressure) reached from gas supply system 30 through conduit 301 and through openings 306. Can be moved (shown in FIG. 10). Such air pulses may be applied when the beveled space 310 is only partially filled or only contains a few objects.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the space 310 may be formed horizontally without being beveled.

Objects proximate to the input side of the tunnels 5001-5016 are shown in gas pulses (also referred to as induced gas pulses) or gas pressure, i.e., in Figures 320 (1)-320 ( 16) and gas flow through any one of the openings as imparted to 330 (1) -330 (16) may be induced to move into the tunnel. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the objects may be rejected from the tunnel openings by introducing one or more reject gas pulses or gas pressure. Related contents are shown in FIGS. 12 to 16.

The openings 320 (1) to (320) 16 are arranged in a staggered manner, that is, the openings on the odd side receive gas through the conduit 302, while the openings on the even side receive gas through the conduit 303. Receive. Such gases may be provided in a pulsed manner, in a continuous flow mode or in a combination thereof. The gas pulses may be provided to the conduits 302, 303 simultaneously, in an overlapping manner or in a non-overlapping manner.

Rejection gas pulses or rejection gas pressures may be provided through openings 320, 1-320, 16 or by other openings (not shown).

Conduit 304 provides gas through openings 330 (1)-330, 16 (in a pulsed manner, in a continuous manner, or in a combination thereof). The gas is formed in tunnels 5001-5016 in openings (eg, on both sides of the tunnel 5012, and in openings 340, 12, and 350, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). 12) through). The openings may be formed in the sidewalls of the tunnels and direct the objects to exit the tunnels. This may prevent the object from returning (through the tunnels) to the bevel space 310 side. They can be used to inject relatively strong gas pulses to help clean the tunnels.

Each one of the gas conduits 304, 303, and 302 (or other gas conduits not shown) may apply reject gas pulses or reject gas pressures to repel the objects in the beveled space 310. It should be appreciated that it can be used to reject from the openings of the tunnels.

14 through 16 illustrate multiple objects 666 and multiple tunnels 5001, 5002, and 5003 of the feeder, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The feeder includes a number of tunnels, for example tunnels 5001-5016, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. 12-14 show only these three tunnels, namely tunnels 5001-5003. The objects can enter these tunnels and be guided to propagate towards the tunnels of the transport mechanisms, by inducing so-called induced gas pulses. Such induced gas pulses may be induced by sucking gas from outlets formed in or adjacent to the tunnels.

Usually, after guiding the objects and entering the tunnels of the feeders, the remaining objects will gather around the entrance of these tunnels in such a way that additional objects are prevented from being transported through these tunnels, or at least slowed in transport. Can be.

This problem can be solved or at least reduced by introducing one or more gas pulses that deny objects from the tunnels.

Thus, the feeder may execute the following series of steps and may repeat these steps several times: (i) introducing at least one induced gas pulse to cause the subject to enter the feeder's tunnels; (ii) introduce at least one reject gas pulse to deny objects from the feeder's tunnels.

After introducing one or more reject gas pulses, the feeder may repeat the above mentioned steps and start operation by introducing at least one induced gas pulse.

After introducing one or more reject gas pulses, it should be noted that the pressure created within the space in which the objects are located may be released through the tunnels and may force objects into the tunnel (after being rejected from entering). ).

The feeder may repeat these steps in a periodic manner, and additionally or alternatively, responds to operations such as reducing the feed rate of objects by the feeder, gathering of objects in space formed before the tunnels, and the like. The provision of the objects may be sensed by sensors capable of sensing toe tunnels of the feeder, such as image sensors, contact sensors, magnetic force sensors or other types of sensors.

14 shows a collection of objects around the openings of the tunnels 5001, 5002, and 5003. Such objects are gathered while an induced gas pulse (shown by a dashed arrow pointing in direction towards the tunnels) is applied.

FIG. 15 shows the rejection of objects from the openings 320, 1, 320, 2 and 320, 3 as a result of introducing one or more reject gas pulses (shown with dashed arrows). As shown, it affects the air flow through the tunnels 5001, 5002 and 5003.

The pressure difference induced by the induced gas pulse may be different from the pressure difference induced by the reject gas pulse. The reject gas pulses may be stronger to induce a higher pressure difference.

16 shows a collection of objects around the openings of tunnels 5001, 5002 and 5003. Such objects are gathered while an induced gas pulse (shown by a dashed arrow pointing in the direction towards the tunnels) is applied.

FIG. 17 illustrates method 170, for transmitting multiple images of objects of millimeter size, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The method 170 or at least a portion of the steps may be executed by any of the systems or feeders described above.

The method 170 is initiated by step 171 receiving a first amount of objects by a first container.

Step 171 is followed by step 171, wherein the intermediate module coupled between the first container and the second container provides the objects from the first container to the second container to be contained within the second container. The amount of subjects is made to be a portion of the first amount of subjects (eg, less than 10%). The provision at step 172 can be sensed and determined based on at least one of the ones described below: a predefined timing plan, estimating the amount of object in the second container, and the like. In FIG. 17, box 179 illustrates supply control of objects by the intermediate module. The estimation may be, for example, responsive to weighing, images of subjects, number of subjects electrically tested or classified, and the like.

Step 173 is followed by step 173, which applies vacuum and pressure pulses to induce objects to enter multiple tunnels of the transfer mechanism.

Step 174 is followed by step 173, which feeds the objects into one of the imaging area, the electrical test area and the sorting area through the plurality of tunnels of the transfer instrument. The supply of the objects transfers the objects longitudinally through the tunnels of the transfer mechanism using the gas pressure difference.

Method 170 may be repeated multiple times. While the first amount of the subjects can be increased to increase the throughput of the inspection process, it should be noted that the amount of subjects in the second container can be reduced by reducing the number of tunnels.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the boundaries between the correlations of the above described operations are merely exemplary. The functions of several operations may be combined into a single operation, and / or the functions of a single operation may be distributed to additional operations. In addition, alternative embodiments may include a number of examples of specific operations, the order of operation being changeable in various other embodiments.

Thus, it should be understood that the configurations described herein are merely exemplary and that in fact many other configurations may be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Outlined but clear, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” to achieve the desired functionality. Thus, any two components combined to achieve one unique function may be shown "associated" with each other, and the desired function is obtained regardless of its configuration or intermediate parts. Similarly, any two components associated with one another may be shown to be "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to achieve a desired function.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to physical devices or units implemented in non-programmable hardware, and can be applied to programmable devices or units, which can perform functions of a desired device by operating according to appropriate program code. It is. The devices may also be physically distributed over multiple devices, functionally acting as a single device.

However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The term 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps and is described in the claims. Also, as used in the specification and claims, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "up", "below" and the like are used for the purpose of explanation. It is not used to describe a permanent relative position. Such terms are used interchangeably with others under appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention described herein are operable, for example, in locations other than those described or described herein.

As used herein, terms such as "a" or "an" are meant as one or more than one. Also in the claims, the use of an introductory phrase such as "at least one" or "one or more" is intended to introduce the indefinite article "a" or "an" to another claim element, although the same claim refers to the "one or" More than "or" at least one "and any indefinite article, such as" a "or" an, "even when it contains an indefinite article such as" a "or" an. " It should not be construed as to imply any limitation as the inventions. This same concept applies to the use of definite articles. Unless specifically stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily identify between the elements such terms describe. Thus, such terms are not intentionally used to indicate the temporal or other priority of such elements. The simple fact that any means are listed in different claims does not indicate that a combination of such means cannot be utilized to advantage.

Claims (32)

In order to transport objects of millimeter size,
A transport mechanism including a plurality of tunnels and allowing the objects to propagate therethrough to any one selected from an imaging area, an electrical test area and a classification area; The transfer mechanism moves objects through the tunnels using a gas pressure difference; And
A feeder comprising a first container, a second container, a plurality of tunnels, an intermediate module;
The feeder is arranged to apply a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to cause objects in the second container to enter through the plurality of tunnels of the feeder into the plurality of tunnels of the transfer mechanism;
The first container is arranged to receive up to the first dose of subjects; And
The intermediate module is arranged to transfer the objects from the first container to the second container such that a certain amount of objects in the second container are filled less than half of the first amount. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller, a conduit, and a valve, and once opened, facilitates provision of an object from the first container to the second container; And the controller is arranged to control the valve. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is arranged to open the valve for a predetermined opening period spaced from each other. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate object quantities in a second container, wherein the controller is arranged to control the valve based on an estimate of object quantity in a second container. system. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on images of the objects in the second container. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on images of the objects ejected from the second container. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module comprises a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the images of the objects obtained by the imaging device arranged to obtain an image of the objects in the imaging area. System. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the weight of the objects in the first container. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the weight of the objects in the second container. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to transfer objects from the first vessel to the second vessel by applying a gas differential pressure between the first vessel and the second vessel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feeder is arranged to induce at least one induced gas pulse to induce objects to enter tunnels of the transport mechanism; And the feeder is arranged to induce at least one reject gas pulse to cause objects to be rejected from the tunnels of the feeder; The at least one reject gas pulse is followed by the at least one induced gas pulse. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the feeder is arranged to repeatedly induce reject gas pulses and induced gas pulses. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the feeder is arranged to induce a reject gas pulse in response to the transport of objects through the feeder's tunnels. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the feeder is arranged to induce reject gas pulses periodically. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tunnels of the transport mechanism are formed in front of a space arranged to receive the objects; And the height of the space is such that the objects are designed so that they are not positioned over other objects. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the gas differential pressure induced by the induced gas pulse is different from the gas differential pressure induced by the reject gas pulse. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to transfer objects from the first container to the second container such that the amount of objects in the second container is less than one tenth of the first object amount. . The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to transfer objects from the first container to the second container such that the amount of objects in the second container is less than 5% of the first object amount. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to transfer objects from the first container to the second container such that the amount of objects in the second container is less than one quarter of the first object amount. . A first container arranged to receive a first amount of millimeter sized and elongate shaped capacitors;
Gas supply system;
A second container configured to apply a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to guide capacitors into the plurality of exit tunnels of the feeder, the tunnels of the feeder being shaped to facilitate longitudinal propagation of the capacitors in the tunnel; Wherein the series of vacuum and pressure pulses are provided by the gas supply system; And
And an intermediate module arranged to transfer capacitors from the first container to the second container such that a certain amount of capacitors in the second container are filled less than one quarter of the first amount of capacitors. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller, a conduit and a valve, and once the valve is open, facilitates provision of an object from the first container to the second container; The controller is configured to control the valve. 22. The feeder of claim 21, wherein the controller is arranged to open the valve for a predetermined opening period spaced from each other. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module comprises a controller arranged to estimate object quantities in a second container, wherein the controller is arranged to control the valve based on an estimate of object volume in a second container. Feeder. 21. The feeder of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the images of the objects in the second container. 21. The feeder of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on images of the objects ejected from the second container. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module comprises a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the images of the objects obtained by the imaging device arranged to obtain an image of the objects in the imaging area. Feeder. 21. The feeder of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the weight of the objects in the first container. 21. The feeder of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module includes a controller arranged to estimate the amount of the objects based on the weight of the objects in the second container. 21. The feeder of claim 20, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to transfer objects from the first vessel to the second vessel by applying a gas differential pressure. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the feeder is arranged to induce at least one induced gas pulse to induce objects to enter tunnels of the transport mechanism; And arranged to induce at least one reject gas pulse to cause objects to be rejected from the tunnels of the feeder; And said inducing of said at least one reject gas pulse is followed by inducing at least one induced gas pulse. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the tunnels of the transport mechanism are formed in front of a space arranged to receive the objects; The height of the space is characterized in that the objects are designed not to be positioned on top of other objects. To move multiple images of objects of millimeter size,
Receiving a first amount of subjects by the first container;
An intermediate module coupled between the first container and the second container provides objects from the first container to the second container such that a certain amount of objects in the second container fill less than 10% of the first amount of objects. To ensure that;
Applying a series of vacuum and pressure pulses to induce the objects into multiple tunnels of the transfer mechanism; And
Supplying the objects to any one selected from an imaging area, an electrical test area and a classification area through a plurality of tunnels of the transfer mechanism; The supply of the objects includes utilizing the gas pressure difference to transport the objects through the tunnels of the transport mechanism in the longitudinal direction.

Images