US6597381B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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User interface for automated optical inspection systems
Assignee: Intelligent Reasoning Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1999-07-24
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Granted: 2003-07-22
•
Expires: 2019-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A user interface method and system are disclosed that allow for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer in an automated optical inspection system. The user interface provides a real-time information display that makes apparent critical board inspection information and potential undesirable operating conditions so that corrective action can be rapidly initiated. The user interface includes one or more button icons respectively associated with the user selectable functions and at least one view area window for displaying information items. The information items displayed in a view window can be dynamically linked to provide interactivity between windows and simultaneous updating of related information items in all windows. A filter area window is used for selecting which information items to discriminate and display in the view windows. The user interface of the present invention can be a graphical user interface having view windows in which either text, graphics or both are displayed simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Eskridge
- 👤 Jeff E. Newberry
- 👤 Mark R. DeYong
- 👤 Scott A. Dunn
- 👤 Wesley K. Huffstutter
- 👤 John W. Grace
- 👤 Marc A. Lumeyer
- 👤 Michael A. Ellison
- 👤 John R. Zoch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0004; G06T7/001; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/20; G06T2207/20092; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 84
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A user interface providing for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A user interface providing for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the user interface allows a user to analyze a defect via a comparison of an image of the defect to one or more other images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The user interface of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of view area windows comprise a data list window for listing at least one of said one or more information items, a graphical display window for displaying a linked image of one or more of said one or more components, and a numerical display window to display quantitative result information and a filter area window for displaying filtering criteria.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The user interface of claim 4 , wherein said at least one or more information items comprise a component name, classification value, component type, confidence value, feeder identification, and reference number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user interface of claim 4 , wherein said one or more components can be color coded within said graphical display window to indicate presence or absence of a defect.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising a setup wizard for guiding the user through the initial training of the automated optical inspection system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising: a cursor that can be positioned by a user on said one or more button icons to select one of said one or more functions; and a display controller responsive to the positioning of said cursor by said user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said filter area window further comprises at least one category area for selecting discrimination criteria and one confidence interval selection area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The user interface of claim 9 , wherein said at least one category area further comprises at least one decision class and wherein said confidence interval comprises at least one confidence value or range of confidence values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising a browse window, accessed via a browse button, for the user to impart information to an automated optical inspection system to increase detection and classification accuracy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The user interface of claim 11 , wherein the automated optical inspection system further comprises a knowledge-base for storing the user imparted information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 12 , wherein the information imparted to said knowledge-base is from a results database of information derived from an image of an inspected one of said one or more components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the one or more components are installed on a printed wiring board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The user interface of claim 14 , wherein said one or more functions include a function for automatically interpreting and displaying information stored on a bar code on said printed wiring board, and further connecting said information to a set of results for said printed wiring board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising an audio interface for alerting the user of a defect.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said one or more information items are charts or graphs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising a single view area window.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for performing one or more functions via a computer user interface, comprising: displaying one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions; displaying a plurality of view area windows containing one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; displaying a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria; and performing one of said one or more functions by selecting one of said one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for performing one or more functions via a computer user interface, comprising: displaying one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions; displaying a plurality of view area windows containing one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; displaying a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria; and performing one of said one or more functions by selecting one of said one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising analyzing an image by comparing the image to an alternative image contained in a database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said plurality of view area windows comprise a data list window for listing at least one of said one or more information items, a graphical display window for displaying a linked image of one or more of said one or more components, and a filtering display window for displaying filtering criteria and a numerical display window for displaying results, and wherein said at least one or more information items comprise a component name, classification value, component type, confidence value, feeder identification, and reference number.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 , further comprising the step of color-coding said one or more components within said graphical display window to indicate presence or absence of a defect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of guiding a user through the initial training of the automated optical inspection system using a setup wizard.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said performing step is performed by a user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said performing step further comprises selecting one of said one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions by positioning a cursor on said one of said one or more button icons using a display controller responsive to the positioning of said cursor by a user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said filter area window further comprises at least one category area for selecting discrimination criteria and one confidence interval selection area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said at least one category area further comprises at least one decision class and wherein said confidence interval area comprises a confidence value or a range of confidence values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of inputting information to the automated optical inspection system to increase detection and classification accuracy using a browse window accessed via a browse button on said user interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 28 , further comprising storing the inputted information in a knowledge-base for the automated optical inspection system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of modifying a results database to contain said inputted information from an image of an inspected one of said one or more components.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the one or more components are installed on a printed wiring board.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein said one or more functions include a function for automatically interpreting and displaying information stored on a bar code on said printed wiring board, and further connecting said information to a set of data results for said printed wiring board.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising displaying a single view area window.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
194 words
In an automated optical inspection system, a user interface providing for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
194 words
In an automated optical inspection system, a user interface providing for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for training a system to perform a task using a computer user interface, comprising: displaying one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions; displaying a plurality of view area windows containing one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; displaying a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria; and performing one of said one or more functions by selecting one of said one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for training a system to perform a task using a computer user interface, comprising: displaying one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions; displaying a plurality of view area windows containing one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of view area windows is dynamically linked to a corresponding one of the one or more information items in another one of the plurality of view area windows; displaying a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria; and performing one of said one or more functions by selecting one of said one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more functions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the task is an inspection of printed wiring assemblies.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein using the computer user interface effectively programs the system regarding the inspection task.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 , further comprising analyzing an image by comparing the image to an alternative image contained in a database.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said plurality of view area windows comprise a data list window for listing at least one of said one or more information items, a graphical display window for displaying a linked image of one or more of said one or more components, and a filtering display window for displaying filtering criteria and a numerical display window for displaying results, and wherein said at least one or more information items comprise a component name, classification value, component type, confidence value, feeder identification, and reference number.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said performing step is performed by a user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said user interface comprises a user interface to an automated optical inspection system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said one or more dynamically linked information items comprises a user-selectable information item.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
The user interface of claim 42 , wherein selecting one of said user-selectable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows highlights another of said user-selectable information items in another of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The user interface of claim 42 , wherein one or more of said user-selectable information items further comprise a user-modifiable information item.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
The user interface of claim 44 , wherein modifying one of said user-modifiable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows modifies an associated other of said user-modifiable information items in another of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
40 words
The user interface of claim 42 , wherein one or more of said user-selectable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows has an associated user-selectable information item in another of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The user interface of claim 42 , wherein said highlighted user-selectable information item shares a common criteria with said selected user-selectable information item.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user interface of claim 47 , wherein said common criteria is an association with one of said components.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
52 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said filter area window is dynamically-linked to one or more of said plurality of view area windows, wherein being dynamically-linked comprises an interactive relationship for simultaneous updating of related others of said information-items in response to a change in one of said information items.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
214 words
An automated optical inspection system user interface for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of dynamically linked view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of dynamically linked view area windows is associated with another of said one or more information items in another one of said plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of dynamically linked view area windows, said filter area window being dynamically linked to one or more of said plurality of dynamically linked view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
214 words
An automated optical inspection system user interface for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer, comprising: one or more button icons respectively associated with said one or more user selectable functions; a plurality of dynamically linked view area windows for displaying one or more information items associated with one or more components, wherein said one or more information items in each of the plurality of dynamically linked view area windows is associated with another of said one or more information items in another one of said plurality of view area windows; and a filter area window for discriminating out which ones of the one or more information items are displayed on said plurality of dynamically linked view area windows, said filter area window being dynamically linked to one or more of said plurality of dynamically linked view area windows and operable to simultaneously update said displayed one or more information items in each of said plurality of view area windows, wherein the filter area window further contains a plurality of discrimination criteria for selection of information items, and the user interface is operable to update said displayed one or more information items in response to specification of one or more of the plurality of discrimination criteria.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
The user interface of claim 50 , wherein said dynamically linked view area windows are operable to display a current image of a defect and one or more comparison images for a user to compare said defect to said comparison images.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 50 , wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
71 words
The user interface of claim 52 , wherein said plurality of dynamically linked view area windows comprise a data list window for listing at least one of said one or more information items, a graphical display window for displaying a linked image of one or more of said one or more components, and a numerical display window to display quantitative result information and a filter area window for displaying filtering criteria.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
The user interface of claim 53 , wherein said at least one or more information items comprise a component name, classification value, component type, confidence value, feeder identification, and reference number.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user interface of claim 53 , wherein said one or more components can be color coded within said graphical display window to indicate presence or absence of a defect.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user interface of claim 50 , further comprising a setup wizard for guiding the user through an initial training of said automated optical inspection system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
48 words
The user interface of claim 50 , further comprising: a cursor that can be positioned by a user on said one or more button icons to select one of said one or more functions; and a display controller responsive to the positioning of said cursor by said user.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
The user interface of claim 50 , wherein said filter area window further comprises at least one category area for selecting discrimination criteria and one confidence interval selection area.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
37 words
The user interface of claim 58 , wherein said at least one category area further comprises at least one decision class and wherein said confidence interval comprises at least one confidence value or range of confidence values.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 50 , further comprising a browse window, accessed via a browse button, for a user to impart information to an automated optical inspection system to increase detection or classification accuracy.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The user interface of claim 60 , wherein the automated optical inspection system further comprises a knowledge-base for storing said user-imparted information.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The user interface of claim 61 , wherein said user-imparted information is derived from a results database of information derived from an image of an inspected one of said one or more components.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 50 , wherein the one or more components are installed on a printed wiring board.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
47 words
The user interface of claim 63 , wherein said one or more functions include a function for automatically interpreting and displaying information stored on a bar code on said printed wiring board, and further connecting said information to a set of results for said printed wiring board.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said user interface comprises a user interface to an automated optical inspection system.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein one or more of said one or more dynamically linked information items comprises a user-selectable information item.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 66 , wherein selecting one of said user-selectable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows highlights another of said user-selectable information items in an other of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 66 , wherein one or more of said user-selectable information items further comprise a user-modifiable information item.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 68 , wherein modifying one of said user-modifiable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows modifies an associated other of said user-modifiable information items in another of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 66 , wherein one or more of said user-selectable information items in one of said plurality of view area windows has an associated user-selectable information item in another of said plurality of view area windows.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 67 , wherein said highlighted user-selectable information item shares a common criteria with said selected user-selectable information item.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 71 , wherein said common criteria is an association with one of said components.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said filter area window is dynamically-linked to one or more of said plurality of view area windows, wherein being dynamically-linked comprises an interactive relationship for simultaneous updating of related others of said information-items in response to a change in one of said information items.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said one or more functions comprises analyzing an image by comparing said image to a comparison image stored in a database.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the discrimination criteria include one or more of the group consisting of: defect type; component type; test type; confidence level; component presence; component polarity; and component leads.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 19 , wherein the discrimination criteria include one or more of the group consisting of: defect type; component type; test type; confidence level; component presence; component polarity; and component leads.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
35 words
The user interface of claim 34 , wherein the discrimination criteria include one or more of the group consisting of: defect type; component type; test type; confidence level; component presence; component polarity; and component leads.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the discrimination criteria include one or more of the group consisting of: defect type; component type; test type; confidence level; component presence; component polarity; and component leads.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
39 words
The automated optical inspection system user interface of claim 50 , wherein the discrimination criteria include one or more of the group consisting of: defect type; component type; test type; confidence level; component presence; component polarity; and component leads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-01-20 | 2011-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |