Patent ID: 7283224
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for inspecting an object having a planar face with surface variations, comprising: providing light sources above the planar face of the object for lighting the face of the object; providing at least one obscuration positioned proximate the planar face of the object to limit the lighting of the planar face of the object to thereby provide a low depth field of lighting; imaging the planar face of the object to provide an image representation of the planar face of the object; evaluating the image representation of the planar face of the object to characterize edge chip damage; providing an output indicative of the edge chip damage; and acquiring an image representation associated with side cracks in the object and wherein the step of evaluating includes evaluating the image representation of the planar face of the object and the image representation associated with side cracks to characterize the edge chip damage.