US 11,633,763 B2 · Sequential imaging for container sidewall inspection

Abstract

A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a camera and a computing system, wherein the camera is configured to capture multiple images of a transparent container as the transparent container is transported along a conveyor. Thus, the camera captures several images of the transparent container when the transparent container is at different positions relative to the camera. The container inspection system detects a defect in the transparent container based upon one or more images in the several images.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

A container inspection system, comprising:

a camera configured to capture images of a container;
and
a computing system in communication with the camera, wherein the computing system comprises:
a processor;
and
memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:
prior to the container reaching a center of a field of view of the camera as the container is transported on a conveyor, identifying that the container is at a first predefined location relative to the camera;
transmitting a first signal to the camera in response to identifying that the container is at the first predefined location, wherein the first signal causes the camera to capture a first image of the container when the container is at the first predefined location and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, and further wherein the container is at a first off-center location within the field of view of the camera when the camera captures the first image of the container;
subsequent to the container passing a center of the field of view of the camera as the container is transported on the container, identifying that the container is at a second predefined location relative to the camera;
transmitting a second signal to the camera in response to identifying that the container is at the second predefined location and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, wherein the second signal causes the camera to capture a second image of the container when the container is at the second predefined location, and further wherein the container is at a second off-center location within the field of view of the camera when the camera captures the second image of the container;
detecting a defect in the container based on at least one of the first image or the second image;
and
generating an output that indicates that the container is defective in response to detecting the defect in the container.

10 more elements

A method performed by a container inspection system for inspecting a container for a defect, the method comprising:

prior to the container reaching a center of a field of view of a container as the container is transported by a conveyor, identifying that the container is at a first predefined location relative to the camera;
transmitting a first signal to the camera in response to identifying that the container is at the first predefined location, wherein the first signal causes the camera to capture a first image of the container when the container is at the first predefined location and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, wherein there is a direct line of sight between the camera and the container when the camera captures the first image of the container, and further wherein the container is at a first off-center location within a field of view of the camera when the camera captures the first image of the container;
subsequent to the container passing the center of the field of view of the container as the container is transported by the conveyor, identifying that the container is at a second predefined location relative to the camera;
transmitting a second signal to the camera in response to identifying that the container is at the second predefined location, wherein the second signal causes the camera to capture a second image of the container when the container is at the second predefined location and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, wherein the second image captures the portion of the container, wherein there is a direct line of sight between the camera and the container when the camera captures the second image of the container, and further wherein the container is centered in the field of view of the camera when the camera captures the second image of the container;
detecting a defect in the container based on at least one of the first image or the second image;
and
causing the container to be removed from the conveyor due to the container having the defect.

4 more elements

A container inspection system that comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:

receiving a first sensor signal from a sensor, wherein the first sensor signal indicates that a transparent container being transported on a conveyor is at a first predefined location relative to a camera;
in response to receiving the first sensor signal, transmitting a first signal to the camera, wherein the first signal is configured to cause the camera to capture a first image of the transparent container when the transparent container is at the first predefined location relative to the camera and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, wherein there is a direct line of sight between the camera and the container when the camera captures the first image, and further wherein the container is off-center in a field of view of the camera and entering the field of view of the camera when the camera captures the first image;
receiving, from the camera, the first image of the transparent container upon the camera capturing the first image of the transparent container;
receiving a second sensor signal from the sensor, wherein the second sensor signal indicates that the transparent container being transported on the conveyor is at a second predefined location relative to the camera;
in response to receiving the second sensor signal, transmitting a second signal to the camera, wherein the second signal is configured to cause the camera to capture a second image of the transparent container when the transparent container is at the second predefined location relative to the camera and as the container is being transported on the conveyor towards the camera, and further wherein there is a direct line of sight between the camera and the container when the camera captures the second image;
receiving, from the camera, the second image of the transparent container upon the camera capturing the second image of the transparent container, wherein the container is off-center in the field of view of the camera and exiting the field of view of the camera when the camera captures the second image;
detecting a defect in the transparent container based upon at least one of the first image or the second image;
and
generating an output that indicates that the container includes the defect.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,470 words

Summary1,160 words

#During a manufacturing process for a transparent container, such as a beverage container, a defect may develop in a sidewall of the container that renders the container undesirable for consumer use. Defects can include a crack, stone, blister, saddle wave, stray filament of glass, amongst others, at various locations about the container. Conventionally, when a container is identified as having a defect it is removed from a filling line so that the defective container does not get filled with liquid and shipped to a downstream consumer. Fairly recently, detection of a defect in a sidewall of a transparent (glass) container has been undertaken by manual inspection; a human manually reviews the container, turns the container in his or her hands, and ascertains if there is a defect in the container. It can be ascertained that manual inspection of glass containers is time-consuming, and results in a relatively small number of containers being subject to inspection.

#To address deficiencies associated with manual inspection, automated inspections systems that automatically identify defects in sidewalls of glass containers have been developed. These automated inspection systems include a computing system, a plurality of cameras arranged symmetrically about an inspection region, and backlights, wherein containers pass through the inspection region as such containers are transported by a conveyor. When a container reaches the inspection region, the backlights illuminate the inspection region and the plurality of cameras are configured to generate images of the sidewall of the container while the inspection region is illuminated. The computing system receives the images and, through use of image analysis technologies, determines whether the sidewall of the container includes a defect based upon the images.

#While automated container inspection systems offer improvements over the conventional manual inspection process, there are nevertheless deficiencies associated with such automated container inspection systems. Specifically, locations of cameras that can be arranged about inspection regions are limited due to the conveyor; that is, cameras can be positioned alongside the conveyor, but cannot be positioned to acquire an “along the conveyor” image of the container. Thus, conventional automated container inspection systems have difficulty with detecting defects in sidewalls of transparent containers when such defects are at certain positions relative to the conveyor.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for inspecting a sidewall of a transparent container for defects.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead view of exemplary system for inspecting a container for defects based on sequential imaging.

#FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary perspectives on a defect in a container as the container is transported on a conveyer.

Detailed description5,194 words

#Various technologies pertaining to sequential imaging for container sidewall inspection are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects. Further, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components.

#Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B.

#In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Facts

Application

16/716,422Filed 16 Dec 2019

Published

US 2021/0178431 A117 Jun 2021

Granted

25 Apr 2023

Term ends

15 May 2040

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 151 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification10 codes

B07C 5/3408
According to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level: for bottles, jars or other glassware
G01N 21/9036
In a container or its contents: using arrays of emitters or receivers
G06T 7/0004
Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection: industrial image inspection
G06T 7/001
Industrial image inspection: using an image reference approach

Timeline

16 Dec 2019Application filedUS 16/716,422
17 Dec 2019Assigned to Applied Vision Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
17 Jun 2021PublishedUS 2021/0178431 A1
25 Apr 2023GrantedUS 11,633,763 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
15 May 2040Term endsEstimated, includes 151 days of adjustment

Sequential imaging for container sidewall inspection

Life of this patent

Sequential imaging for container sidewall inspection

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description6,470 words

Drawings

Classification10 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,470 words