X-ray generating apparatus and associated method
AssigneeCatawa Pty. Ltd.
InventorsJames L. Cambier, David Pasiak
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Abstract
An X-ray generator and associated method are disclosed. The X-ray generator and method are provided for inspection of objects which are conveyed into an inspection station which includes an X-ray device and image processing device. The X-ray device directs high-energy, short-pulse X-rays toward an object as the object moves into a desired position. This X-ray radiation is received by a video camera and the resulting image is then digitized and transmitted to an image processing device which analyzes the information and determines whether or not the object conforms to a predetermined standard threshold. One aspect of the apparatus includes a rejection device which will remove objects which do not pass inspection thresholds.
Claims16
A method of inspecting an object comprising the steps of
- generating an external signal in response to said object being in a predetermined optimal position;
- generating a high energy short x-ray pulse in response to said external signal and causing said x-ray pulse to impinge upon said object to provide information for creating an x-ray image of said object;
- converting x-ray radiation passing through said object into a visible light image;
- converting said visible light image into digital image information;
- resampling said digital image information by selecting minimum pixel intensity values from a plurality of pixel portions of said digital image signal;
- analyzing said digital image information using a pixel-by-pixel comparison of said signal to a predetermined condition and determining whether a departure from said condition has occurred
- analyzing said digital image information using the steps of
- selecting said minimum pixel intensity values from a plurality of pixel blocks of said digital image information;
- using said selected minimum pixel intensity values to represent said digital image information in said resampled output image;
- convolving said resampled output image with a first mask to enhance irregularities;
- convolving said resampled and enhanced output image with a second mask to reduced noise;
- searching said resampled and enhanced output image to find an overall minimum pixel intensity value;
- comparing said overall minimum pixel intensity value of said resampled output image with a predetermined threshold value;
- and
- generating a command signal responsive to said comparison of said overall minimum pixel intensity value with said threshold value.
A method of inspecting an object comprising the steps of
- generating an external signal in response to said object being in a predetermined optimal position;
- generating a high energy short x-ray pulse in response to said external signal and causing said x-ray pulse to impinge upon said object to create an x-ray image of said object;
- converting said x-ray image into a digital output image;
- convolving said output image with at least one mask;
- searching said output image to find an overall minimum pixel intensity value;
- comparing said overall minimum pixel intensity value of said output image with a predetermined threshold value and generating a responsive signal when the comparison results in the conclusion that a departure from said predetermined threshold value has been sensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.