A system and method are described for automatic analysis of image information, such as dimensional, surface, internal or other information. Analysis is controlled by the electronic analysis of speech signals generated by an operator or by a combination of speech generated signals and devices such as switches and variable potentiometers, capacitors or inductors. Electronic computers are employed to analyze the operator's speech signals and to generate control signals. The speech analyzing and control computer is operable to effect the selective operation of recorders of information entered and derived, the relative positioning of the specimen and a sensor, sensors to permit the selective scanning of the field, the initiation of the scanning, the positioning of the scanning device, the intensity of the image of the scanning field, the selection of specimens from storage, the movement of the scanning device about one or more axes, analysis to be performed with respect to information derived from scanning, auxiliary apparatus operation, and other functions. The results of certain or all of the inspection functions may also be presented by means of electronically generated speech which may be automatically presented in response to speech commands of the operator.
Inspection control system and method