Inspection and cosmetic grading through image processing system and method

A method for automating determination of a cosmetic grade for an object, comprising:

• capturing by an image processor, a signal from an image capture subsystem and processing the signal to capture an image of an object;
• determining, by the image processor, the coordinate location of the object evaluation area physical center and storing the information in a database;
• transmitting, by the processor, the coordinate location of the object evaluation area physical center to an automated object control system processor;
• positioning the object, by an automated object controller controlled by the control system processor, in front of a camera in multiple orientations;
• capturing, by the camera, an image for each of the orientations for which the object was placed by the automated object control system, combining the image for each orientation into a comprehensive image and storing the images in memory;
• applying one or more deep learning algorithms to the comprehensive image, the deep learning algorithm trained to recognize types of defects expected on the surface of the object and to determine and locate surface defects on the object from the comprehensive image and deep learning algorithm;
• calculating the coordinates of each identified defect relative to the object evaluation area physical center, the coordinates comprising at least the location of the defect pixel of highest light intensity;
• counting the number of defects;
• locating the defects on the object and measuring the length and width of the defects;
• measuring the depth of a defect by selecting one method from the group consisting of (i) aligning an advanced optical spot sensor with the defect based on the coordinates of the defect relative to the coordinate center of the object and sweeping the sensor spot across the point of highest reflected light intensity;
• and (ii) applying a machine learning algorithm trained with data collected from advanced optical spot sensor measurements of depth correlated with reflected light intensity at a surface location on the object
• assigning a cosmetic grade to the object based on applying pre-defined object-specific rules and logic for classifying the cosmetic condition of the object according to an evaluation of the located defects and their measurements;
• and
• conveying the object to its final disposition according to its cosmetic grade.

A method for inspecting and evaluating the condition of an object by, comprising:

• capturing, by a processor, an image of an object;
• determining, by a processor the two-dimensional coordinate center of the object evaluation area;
• locating, by an image processing module comprising memory, a processor and computer executable instructions stored in memory, which when executed by the processor, (i) perform detection, location, segmentation and classification of defects on the surface of the object;
• (ii) the point of highest reflected light intensity for each defect;
• (iii) defect length and width, and (iv) the coordinates for identified defects with respect to the coordinate center of the object evaluation area;
• measuring the depth of a defect at the point of highest reflected light intensity, wherein depth is measured by selecting one method from the group consisting of:
• (i) sweeping an advanced optical spot laser sensor perpendicular to the defect at the point of highest reflected light intensity, and generating a vertical displacement signal and (ii) applying a machine learning algorithm trained with data collected from advanced optical spot sensor measurements of depth correlated with reflected light intensity at a surface location on the object;
• collecting and storing the data in memory;
• applying a cosmetic grade for the item based on pre-defined rules and logic and an evaluation of the located defects and their measurements.