Automatic component teaching device

An image generating device that generates an image of a component, which is used to identify a characteristic of the component to be mounted onto a board, said image generating device comprising:

• a glossy member that is formed to have a surface which is evenly colored and glossy;
• a lighting unit operable to illuminate a peripheral area including the component with the surface of said glossy member as a backdrop;
• and
• an image taking unit operable to generate a colored image of the component by taking an image in color of the component illuminated by said lighting unit in a way that the surface of said glossy member becomes a background.

A component teaching data generating method for generating component teaching data that indicates a configuration of a component to be mounted onto a board, said component teaching data generating method comprising:

• a lighting step of illuminating a peripheral area including the component, with a surface which is evenly colored and glossy as a backdrop;
• an image taking step of generating a colored image of the component by taking an image in color of the component illuminated in said lighting step in a way that the surface becomes a background;
• and
• a data generating step of identifying a configuration of the component and generating the component teaching data from the colored image generated in said image taking step.

A method of manufacturing a background member provided for an automatic component teaching device that generates component teaching data indicating a configuration of a component to be mounted onto a board,

• wherein the automatic component teaching device includes:
• a lighting unit operable to illuminate a peripheral area including the component, with a surface of the background member as a backdrop;
• an image taking unit operable to generate a colored image of the component by taking an image in color of the component illuminated by said lighting unit in a way that the surface of the background member becomes a background;
• and
• a data generating unit operable to identify a configuration of the component and generating the component teaching data from the colored image generated by said image taking unit, and
• said method comprises:
• a process for painting a board member so as to have an evenly colored and glossy surface;
• and
• a process for projecting plural pieces, as parts of the board member, from the surface by bending the painted board member.

A program for generating component teaching data that indicates a configuration of a component to be mounted onto a board, said program causing a computer to execute:

• a lighting step of illuminating a peripheral area including the component, with a surface which is evenly colored and glossy as a backdrop;
• an image taking step of generating a colored image of the component by taking an image in color of the component illuminated in said lighting step in a way that the surface becomes a background;
• and
• a data generating step of identifying a configuration of the component and generating the component teaching data from the colored image generated in said image taking step.