Method and apparatus for detecting minute irregularities on the surface of an object
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United States of America Patent
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Mar 27, 2001
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Nov 29, 1999
filing date -
Oct 27, 1993
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of inspecting a surface of an object article capable of precisely detecting stains or miniature defects present in the object surface. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inspecting surface irregularity of an object article having a surface of uniform or regular brightness, which comprises the steps of: gaining brightness informations for a plurality of two-dimensionally distributed pixels by taking a picture of the article surface; finding stains on the article surface in response to each information obtained in the brightness information gaining step to produce a first output; finding miniature defects smaller in size than a unit pixel in response to each information obtained in the brightness information gaining step to generate a second output; switching the first output and the second output into appropriate electrical signals in an controlled manner; and displaying the switched electrical signals on a display in a viewable condition.

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- 15 United States
- 10 France
- 8 Japan
- 7 China
- 5 Korea
- 2 Other
Patent Owner(s)
Patent Owner | Address | |
---|---|---|
TOSHIBA ENGINEERING CORPORATION | KAWASAKI-SHI KANAGAWA-KEN 210 |
International Classification(s)
Inventor(s)
Inventor Name | Address | # of filed Patents | Total Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Ichiba, Kouzou | Tokyo, JP | 4 | 48 |
Itagaki, Chuji | Tokyo, JP | 3 | 20 |
Itou, Masahiro | Machida, JP | 18 | 159 |
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Maintenance Fees
Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
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Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee |
---|---|---|---|
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable | $700.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 |
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional | $1,640.00 | $820.00 | $410.00 |
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