System and method of object detection using AI deep learning

A method for object detection for an item of manufacture, the method comprising:

• creating object detection map output by executing a trained object detection model on input comprising at least training image data taken from an image of reference items of manufacture and a label map comprising identifications of a plurality of predetermined detectable objects;
• generating an ordered object detection map from the object detection map output processed according to predetermined calibration criteria, the ordered object detection map having reference data for the item of manufacture whereby the reference data comprises visually observable features of the item of manufacturer and wherein the visually observable features comprise at least one of visual characteristics of the plurality of predetermined detectable objects, a predetermined order of the plurality of predetermined detectable objects relative to one another, and a predetermined location of the plurality of predetermined detectable objects along the item of manufacture;
• storing the ordered object detection map in an electronic memory of a system controller electronically coupled to an image capture device, the system controller further comprising a programmable processor utilizing processing circuitry, a programmable logic controller and input/output circuitry;
• holding the item of manufacture in operative relation to the image capture device using a fixture mechanism;
• sending a first control signal from the programable logic controller to the fixture mechanism to indicate that the item of manufacture is held by the fixture mechanism in operative relation to the image capture device;
• sending a second control signal to from the programable logic controller to the image capture device to actuate the image capture device to capture a visual image of the item of manufacture held by the fixture mechanism;
• carrying out a visual inspection of the item of manufacture held by the fixture mechanism, the visual inspection comprising detection of the visually observable features on the item of manufacture;
• identifying and processing image data from the visual image, the image data comprising at least one of detectable objects that correspond with the visually observable features, detectable objects that differ from the visually observable features and an absence of detectable objects from the visually observable features;
• processing the detectable objects from the visual image in relation to the reference data of the ordered object detection map;
• rendering at least one of a pass determination and a fail determination, wherein the pass determination is rendered where detectable objects from the visual image correspond to predetermined detectable objects of the reference data of the ordered object detection map and the fail determination is rendered where detectable objects from the visual image fail to correspond to predetermined detectable objects of the reference data of the ordered object detection map;
• sending a third control signal from the programable logic controller to the fixture mechanism to indicate that the item of manufacture held by the fixture mechanism is ready to be transported to at least one of a first location and a second location, the first location being designated for deposit of the item of manufacture held by the fixture mechanism where a pass determination is rendered and the second location being designated for deposit of the item of manufacture held by the fixture mechanism where the fail determination is rendered, and
• transporting the item of manufacture to at least one of the first location and the second location.