David A Howes

US Patent:

20040151364, Aug 5, 2004

Filed:

Dec 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/749642

Inventors:

Ernest Kenneway - Ada MI, US
Falai Li - Kalamazoo MI, US
David Howes - Battle Creek MI, US

International Classification:

G06K009/00

US Classification:

382/152000

Abstract:

A part sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of uninspected parts includes a feed conveyor, a sorting camera, at least one rejection valve and a computer system that includes a processor. The feed conveyor receives a plurality of uninspected parts and moves the uninspected parts through an inspection area. The sorting camera captures an image of each of the plurality of inspected parts as the plurality of uninspected parts moves through the inspection area. The rejection value functions to direct a defective part such that the defective part is separated from inspected acceptable parts. The processor is coupled to the feed conveyor, the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve. The processor controls the conveyor, the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve and compares only edge pixels of the captured image to determine whether an inspected part is defective.

US Patent:

6701001, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597946

Inventors:

Ernest K. Kenneway - Ada MI
Falai Li - Kalamazoo MI
David S. Howes - Battle Creek MI

Assignee:

Dunkley International, Inc. - Kalamazoo MI

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382141

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a part sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of uninspected parts. The system sorts acceptable parts from defective parts and includes a feed conveyor, a sorting camera, at least one rejection valve and a computer system that includes a processor. The feed conveyor receives a plurality of uninspected parts and distributes and moves the uninspected parts through an inspection area. The sorting camera captures an image of each of the plurality of inspected parts as the plurality of uninspected parts moves through the inspection area. The rejection value functions to direct a defective part such that the defective part is separated from inspected acceptable parts. The processor is coupled to the feed conveyor, the sorting camera, and the at least one rejection valve. The processor executing an inspection routine controls the speed of the conveyor, the scanning rate of the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve.