Methods and systems for detecting defects in an array region on a specimen are provided. One method includes determining a center of a page break in output generated by an inspection subsystem for a specimen in an array region. The page break separates cell regions in the array region, and the cell regions include repeating patterned features. The method also includes determining an offset between the center of the page break in the output and a center of the page break in a design for the specimen and identifying portions of the output that correspond to care areas in the array region based on the offset. In addition, the method includes detecting defects in the array region by applying a defect detection method to the portions of the output that correspond to the care areas.

The present disclosure provides a method for recognizing a small target based on a deep learning network. The method comprises: determining, based on a collected image, spot defect information through a recognition model including a first feature determination layer, a second feature determination layer, and a spot defect determination layer, determining, based on the collected image, a first feature map, determining, based on the first feature map, a second feature map by fusing with positional encoding, determining, based on the second feature map, a third feature map through the second feature determination layer, and obtaining, based on the third feature map, positional information of the spot defect through a first determination layer, and determining, based on the third feature map, classification information of the spot defect through a second determination layer.

A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

An anomaly detection method of objects in a digital image is provided, wherein the image of the object is encoded and decoded by an autoencoder, then a pixel-wise difference is calculated between the input image of the object, and the reconstructed image of the object. Pixels whose pixel-wise difference is above a threshold are considered as dissimilar pixels, and the presence of clusters of dissimilar pixels is tested. A cluster of dissimilar pixel is considered as representing an anomaly.

A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored machine-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the processor to determine the location in 3D space of an object of interest within the interior region of an opaque container. Hence, a user or operator is allowed to construct a three-dimensional representation of the interior region of the opaque container so as to allow viewing of objects, components and substances within the interior region. The users or operators now have the opportunity to isolate a particular object of interest within the interior region that may be a threat, such as an explosive device or other energetic component. A disrupter device is aimed at the three-dimensional location and thereafter, the disrupter device fires a projectile or substance at the object of interest in order to disable or destroy the object of interest.

An image processing device includes: an imaging execution unit that captures a first partial image including a part of a tool by a camera, a position specifying unit that specifies a next imaging position on the basis of a partial shape of the tool included in the first partial image, and a position control unit that changes the relative positions of the tool and the camera to the specified imaging position. The imaging execution unit captures a second partial image including a part of the tool at the next imaging position.

Apparatuses and methods determine the three-dimensional position and orientation of a fiducial marker and tracking the three-dimensional position and orientation across different fields-of-view. Methods include: capturing an image of a first space in which the fiducial marker is disposed with a first sensor having a first field-of-view; determining the three-dimensional location and orientation of the fiducial marker within the first space based on the image of the first space in which the fiducial marker is disposed; capturing an image of a second space in which the fiducial marker is disposed with a second sensor having a second field-of-view; calculating pan and tilt information for the second sensor to move the second field-of-view of the second sensor to acquire an image of the fiducial marker; and determining the three-dimensional location and orientation of the fiducial marker within the second space based on the image of the second space.

According to one embodiment, a processing device performs at least determination processing of determining a state of a weld by using a first image of at least a portion of a weld pool. The state includes a first state, and a second state that is more unstable than the first state. The determination processing determines the weld to be in the second state when ripples exist in the weld pool. The processing device corrects a condition of the weld when the weld is determined to be in the second state. The processing device does not correct the condition of the weld when the weld is determined to be in the first state.

Apparatuses and methods for automated grid validation are disclosed herein. An example method at least includes imaging a grid, the grid including a support portion and a plurality of posts extending from the support portion, wherein each post of the plurality of posts has a designated weld location, and determining, based on the image, whether the designated weld location of each post of the plurality of posts is valid.

A method for waste management, including recording an image of content within a waste container; extracting a set of content parameters from the image; characterizing the content within the waste container based on the set of content parameters; and routing a waste removal vehicle based on the content characterization.