What is claimed is:
1. A system for inspecting components that are sealed within tape comprising:
a light source configured to illuminate the components through a tape layer;
a polarizer configured to polarize light from the light source, the components, and the tape layer; and
an image system configured to receive light from the polarizer, the image system operable to store image data of each component.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the light source further comprises an array of light emitting diodes arranged in a circular pattern at a predetermined angle.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the polarizer further comprises a first polarizer and a second polarizer, and the light source is arranged between the first polarizer and the second polarizer.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the image system further comprises a digital camera having an array of picture elements, each picture element operable to generate a numerical value corresponding to the intensity of a predetermined frequency band of electromagnetic radiation that is received by the picture element.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an inspection system coupled to the image system, wherein the inspection system is operable to process picture element data to determine whether the picture element data is within a predetermined allowable range.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a marking system coupled to the inspection system, the marking system operable to track the location of a component when the inspection system determines that the picture element data for that component is not within the predetermined allowable range.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a tape stretching and inversion system configured to invert the tape containing the components and to stretch the tape, such that the components that are sealed within the tape are made to lay flat against a sealing tape layer, and such that the sealing tape layer is stretched flat.
8. The system of claim 5 further comprising a tapingdetaping system coupled to the inspection system, the tapingdetaping system operable to remove components from the tape when the inspection system determines that the picture element data for that component is not within the predetermined allowable range.
9. A system for inspecting components sealed between a top tape layer and a bottom tape layer comprising:
a tape stretching system operable to stretch the top tape layer;
an inversion system coupled to the tape stretching system, the inversion system configured to invert the tape layers such that the top layer is disposed on the bottom and the bottom layer is disposed on the top; and
an image processing system configured to capture and store image data of the components through the inverted top tape layer.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the tape stretching system comprises a semi-circular track.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the inversion system comprises a semi-circular track.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the tape stretching system and the inversion system comprise a semi-circular track that is configured to stretch the tape while simultaneously inverting the tape.
13. A method for inspecting components that are sealed between a top tape layer and a bottom tape layer comprising:
stretching the top tape layer;
inverting the tape layers such that the top tape layer is disposed on the bottom and the bottom tape layer is disposed on the top;
capturing an image of each component through the top tape layer; and
generating image data of each component.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein stretching the top tape layer comprises feeding the tape layers through a semi-circular track.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein inverting the tape layers comprises rotating the tape layers through a semi-circular track.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein capturing an image of each component comprises generating data from a plurality of picture elements.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising processing the image data to determine whether the image data is within a predetermined acceptable range.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein processing the image data to determine whether the image data is within the predetermined acceptable range comprises:
displaying a template image;
receiving user-entered data that defines allowable ranges for features of the template image; and
generating template data from the template image and the user-entered data.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving user-entered data that defines allowable ranges for features of the template image comprises creating a graphical user interface that allows the user to select coordinates of the template image and to specify boundary lines that should pass through the selected coordinates.
20. The method of claim 13 further comprising comparing the image data to template data to determine whether the image data is within a predetermined acceptable range.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for controlling a ground-engaging implement coupled to an agricultural tractor the method comprising the steps of:
providing a ground-supported agricultural tractor having a three-point hitch movable in upward and downward directions by at least one hydraulic actuating cylinder;
providing a ground-engaging implement attached to the hitch of the tractor;
providing a hitch control apparatus for managing the upwarddownward position of the hitch to maintain a desired draft load or position on the tractor, the hitch control apparatus having programming implementing theory and equations to derive implement weight and center of gravity location;
providing an actuating cylinder pressure sensor for measuring hydraulic pressure in the actuating cylinder and communicating a pressure value to the hitch control apparatus;
providing a hitch position sensor for measuring upwarddownward position of the hitch and communicating a position value to the hitch control apparatus;
positioning the implement in a first position with no portion of its weight supported by the ground;
generating a first pressure value by the actuating cylinder pressure sensor;
generating a first position value by the hitch position sensor;
communicating the first pressure value and the first position value to the hitch control apparatus;
positioning the implement in a second position;
generating a second pressure value by the actuating cylinder pressure sensor;
generating a second position value by the hitch position sensor;
communicating the second pressure value and the second position value to the hitch control apparatus; and
deriving, in accordance with its programming, an implement weight and a location of an implement center of gravity by the hitch control apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said center of gravity of said implement varies in relation to the ratio of said first and second pressure values.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said weight of said implement vehicle varies in relation to said first and second pressure values.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
positioning the implement in an third position;
generating a third pressure value by the actuating cylinder pressure sensor;
generating an third position value by the hitch position sensor;
communicating the third pressure value and the third position value to the draft control apparatus; and
deriving, in accordance with its programming using input for first, second and third pressure and position values, an implement weight and a location of an implement center of gravity by the hitch control apparatus.