PROGRESS: Completed Project	PROJECT REF: PA061
PROJECT TITLE: Inspection Apparatus and Method
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This new device is built on the principle of stereoscopy and can be used for any visual comparison between a “master” and a production component. The purpose is to identify any difference between the two, such as “defects”, missing components (e.g. on printed circuit boards, clothing, footwear) and so on. The size of the device is based on the size of the target to be inspected. The method adopted in the device is the mapping of the images of the master and the target through an optical system. By viewing through such a device, any mismatches between the two images will immediately appear as a “floating” element on a different plane of the item inspected. The time required for this manual inspection method is comparable to automatic inspection methods but of far less cost. Potential Applications: - 3D optical systems - Pattern recognition - Military applications, such as enemy target recognition - 3D games - Biomedical imaging - Electronics assembly - Quality control - Identification of forgeries Advantages over Present Technologies: Automatic inspection devices and methods are commonly used nowadays. However, they are usually costly. This new apparatus/method provides a cheap, quick and accurate solution. More important is, it does not require special skilled labor to operate such a device. In fact, there is no other similar device of such quality without using automatic inspection methods.
FOCUS AREA(S): Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Consumer Electronics, Digital Entertainment
KEYWORDS: optical system, pattern recognition, military application, 3D game, biomedical imaging, electronics
MODE OF COLLABORATION: Technology Licensing, Further R&D Collaboration
STATUS PATENT: Granted	PATENT NO: US6381355
ORGANIZATION: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology R and D Corporation Limited
CONTACT PERSON: Shirley Woo	EMAIL: cawoosw@ust.hk
TEL: (852)-23587918	FAX: (852)-23582751
WEBSITE: http://rdc.ust.hk	DATE: 29/12/2004