Summary: Advanced Quality Inspection through Physics­Based Vision
Volker Müller 1 , Sven Utcke 2
1 MAZ Mikroelektronik Anwendungszentrum Hamburg GmbH
Harburger Schloßstraße 6­12, D­21073 Hamburg, Germany, email: vm@maz­hh.de
2 Technische Universität Hamburg Harburg, Technische Informatik I
Harburger Schloßstraße 20, D­21071 Hamburg, Germany, email: utcke@tu­harburg.d400.de
Abstract
Physics­Based Vision is a combination of traditional machine vision, material optics and computer
graphics. Illumination, optical reflection and image formation are analysed in this new field of research
in order to develop more efficient artificial vision systems. This paper focuses on two aspects of
physics­based vision: analysis of spatial distribution of reflection as well as polarization by optical
reflection. Highlights are a common phenomenon in images of real surfaces, that may cause standard
vision algorithms to produce erroneous results. Algorithms that can eliminate these highlights are
introduced in this paper. On the other hand, analysis of specular reflection, the physical effect that
causes highlights, provides valuable information about the inspected surface. A single unpolarized ray
of light that is reflected on a surface will cause a complex distribution of light intensity around the ideal
angle of reflection. In addition, the reflected light will be partly polarized. Surface properties such as
gloss and roughness can be described by these physical effects. Inspection of printing quality of
cigarette packs is an example of a machine vision task that can not be solved by traditional methods.
Introduction: What is Physics­Based Vision

Source: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Informatik,, Lehrstuhls für Mustererkennung und Bildverarbeitung

Collections: Computer Technologies and Information Sciences