Patent ID: 6636632
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G01N,G06T

Abstract:
An image processor comprising:a pattern image making unit configured to make a pattern image formed from pixel data obtained by capturing a surface of an object to be inspected, said pattern image including black pixels; a mask candidate pixel determining unit configured to determine whether each black pixel of said black pixels included in said pattern image is a mask candidate pixel, said mask candidate pixel determining unit comprising: a selecting unit configured to select one black pixel from said black pixels included in said pattern image; a counter configured to count in each of plural directions a pixel number of consecutive black pixels which consecutively continue from said selected one black pixel along said each of plural directions; a comparison unit configured to determine with respect to said each of plural directions an OK direction along which the pixel number is at most a predetermined reference pixel number; a determining unit configured to determine that the selected one black pixel is the mask candidate pixel when a direction number of said OK direction with respect to the selected one black pixel is at least a predetermined reference direction number; a general mask area storage unit configured to memorize a general mask area in which an inspection on the surface of the object is not generally performed; and a mask area determining unit configured to determine a mask area in which the inspection is not performed based on the mask candidate pixel and the general mask area.