Optical inspection systems and methods for moving objects

An optical inspection system, comprising:

• an image capturing device configured to acquire images of an object that is moving;
• a first-stage frame grabber coupled to the image capturing device and configured to receive the images from the image capturing device, wherein the first-stage frame grabber is configured to send the images directly to a memory of the first second-stage processor;
• a first second-stage processor coupled to the first-stage frame grabber and configured to analyze the images from the first-stage frame grabber;
• a second second-stage processor coupled to the first second-stage processor and configured to process information from the first second-stage processor;
• and
• a third-stage storage system coupled to the second second-stage processor and configured to store images and information from the second second-stage processor,
• wherein the second second-stage processor is configured to produce a report using the images and information stored in the third-stage storage system.

A method of sorting moving objects, comprising:

• capturing images of one or more moving objects using an image capturing device;
• receiving the images using a frame grabber;
• sending the images directly from the frame grabber to a memory of a processor, wherein the processor is selected from a GPU, an FPGA, and an ASIC;
• stitching together subsequent images of the images to form stitched images using the processor, or alternatively, stitching together subsequent images of the images using the frame grabber before sending the images directly from the frame grabber to a memory of a processor;
• analyzing the stitched images using the processor to classify the one or more moving objects.