Auxiliary blanking and auxiliary simulated video line generator unit for a video inspection system

In a video inspection system for the inspection of articles of manufacture including a video camera for supplying a video information signal and utilizing horizontal and vertical sync signals, a blanking apparatus for producing within a predetermined inspection window a blanking window within which inspection is inhibited comprising:

• a first monostable having an adjustable astable period for coupling to and triggering by said horizontal sync signal, the output of said first monostable defining a horizontal lead signal;
• a second monostable having an adjustable astable period for coupling to and triggering by said horizontal sync signal, the output of said second monostable defining a horizontal trail signal;
• a third monostable having an adjustable astable period for coupling to and triggering by said vertical sync signal, the output of said third monostable defining a vertical lead signal;
• a fourth monostable having an adjustable astable period for coupling to and for triggering by said vertical sync signal, the output of said fourth monostable defining a vertical trail signal;
• and
• a gate for combining said horizontal lead, horizontal trail, vertical lead, and vertical trail signals to produce a blanking window signal, which in combination with said horizontal and vertical sync signals defines a blanking window.

In a video inspection system for the automatic inspection of articles of manufacture including a video camera for supplying a video information signal, a signal processor, a reject gate coupled to said signal processor, and utilizing horizontal and vertical sync pulses, a method for inhibiting inspection within a predetermined blanking window comprising the steps of:

• generating a horizontal lead signal bearing a first predetermined timing relationship to said horizontal sync pulses;
• generating a horizontal trail signal bearing a second predetermined timing relationship to said horizontal sync pulses;
• generating a vertical lead signal bearing a third predetermined timing relationship to said vertical sync pulses;
• generating a vertical trail signal bearing a fourth predetermined timing relationship to said vertical sync pulses;
• combining said horizontal lead, horizontal trail, vertical lead and vertical trail, signals to form a blanking window signal defining said predetermined blanking window within which inspection is inhibited.

In a video inspection system for the automatic inspection of articles of manufacture including a video camera for supplying a video information signal which is electronically processed for determining defects in said articles of manufacture, said system utilizing horizontal and vertical sync pulses, a shoulder blanking apparatus for generating a shoulder blanking signal adjustable with respect to said horizontal and vertical sync signals comprising:

• means for generating a vertical position signal having timing adjustable with respect to said vertical sync pulses;
• means for generating a horizontal position signal having timing related to said horizontal sync pulses;
• means for combining said vertical position signal and said horizontal signal to form said shoulder blanking signal;
• and
• means for combining said shoulder blanking signal with said video information signal prior to the electronic processing of said video information signal for the determination of defects.

An auxiliary blanking apparatus for use with a bright field analyzer video inspection system wherein said bright field analyzer video inspection system includes a video camera, for scanning articles of manufacture and generating a video information signal including defect information, a signal processor for processing the video signal within a predetermined inspection window and a reject gate activated by the signal processor for rejecting articles determined by the signal processor to have a defect, said auxiliary blanking apparatus comprising in combination:

• means for generating a blanking window signal defining a blanking window within said predetermined inspection window said blanking window defining a region within which inspection is inhibited;
• means for generating an inhibit defect signal responsive to said blanking window signal for coupling to and inhibiting said reject gate;
• means for generating a shoulder blanking video signal in synchronism with said horizontal and vertical sync signals;
• and
• means for combining said simulated video signal with said video information signal prior to the coupling of said video signal to said signal processor.

An auxiliary blanking apparatus for use with a bright field analyzer video inspection system wherein said bright field analyzer video inspection system includes a strobe system for lighting articles of manufacture to be inspected, a video camera for scanning said articles and generating a video information signal including defect information within a predetermined inspection window, a signal processor for processing said video information according to predetermined criteria, and a reject gate actuate in response to said signal processor, said auxiliary blanking unit comprising:

• means for generating a blanking window signal defining a blanking window within said inspection window, said blanking window, defining a region within which inspection is inhibited;
• means for inhibiting said reject gate for video information signals corresponding to said blanking window;
• means for generating a shoulder blanking signal for combining with said video information signal;
• a counter coupled to said strobe system for counting the number of articles inspected;
• a second counter coupled to said reject gate for counting the number of articles rejected.