Patent ID: 7569822
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An image inspection method comprising: supporting almost horizontally a plate-shaped inspection object having a property of transmitting infrared rays with a first support means in a first position relative to the inspection object; irradiating the inspection object on a first surface thereof with infrared rays; shielding the inspection object from at least some of the infrared rays by providing a mask means around an outer side of the inspection object within a plane that is substantially the same as a plate surface of the inspection object; imaging infrared rays that have passed through the inspection object at a portion uncovered by the first support means by obtaining an image with an infrared camera provided adjacent to a second surface of the inspection object opposite to the first surface, and inspecting the image; supporting the inspection object with second support means at a second position relative to the inspection object that is different from the first position of the first support means, and then moving the first support means to a position in which the first support means does not shield the inspection object; and imaging infrared rays that have passed through the inspection object at a portion uncovered by the second support means by obtaining an image with the infrared camera, and inspecting the image.