Company
Functionality
Combination of Different Technologies
Vision Technology is not a single technology, but represents a combination of a number of different technologies that are implemented as needed. Vision Technology systems are based on the non-contact measurement of electromagnetic radiation (i.e. visible light, infrared light, X-rays) by a camera, automatic processing and evaluation of image data and the generation of a context-dependent decision by a system computer.
The abstract system function of an Vision Technology system is generally the control, regulation or monitoring of an automated process or the generation of (decision) data from an imaged scene.
Vision Technology is not a single technology, but represents a combination of a number of different technologies that are implemented as needed. Vision Technology systems are based on the non-contact measurement of electromagnetic radiation (i.e. visible light, infrared light, X-rays) by a camera, automatic processing and evaluation of image data and the generation of a context-dependent decision by a system computer.
The abstract system function of an Vision Technology system is generally the control, regulation or monitoring of an automated process or the generation of (decision) data from an imaged scene.
Sequence of Process Steps
Every Vision Technology system arrives at a context-related decision through a sequence of three process steps:
1. Image acquisition
2. Image preprocessing
3. Image evaluation
In image acquisition a camera generates a digitized representation of the scene. Image acquisition is always specific to the object and task. The objective is as far as possible a perfect representation of the scene in respect of the desired system functionality. For example, in the surface inspection of the mouths of recycled bottles the system imperative is to capture the entire mouth including sealing surface, thread and inside in a single image. The bottle color and the image of the rest of the bottle are of no interest. Image acquisition is based on the disciplines of illumination technology, optics, camera and computer technology. In addition, it requires know-how in handling technology and the use of complementary sensors (in order to determine the presence of the inspection object etc.).
In image preprocessing the image data is transformed to a more suitable format for image evaluation. In high-speed applications such as the surface inspection of paper webs, a drastic reduction in the volume of data delivered by the camera is often desirable, in order to ensure complete inspection of the paper despite computing capacity limitations. In this example, in image preprocessing the potential fault areas in the image would be identified, and only this data is passed on for image evaluation. As for image acquisition, there is no specific method for image preprocessing. The available methods are selected according to the application. Depending on the system functions, one or more methods may be combined. Image preprocessing is based on computer, signal processing and software technologies.
In image evaluation the preprocessed image data is analyzed and actions are initiated depending on the results of this analysis. For example, in inspecting Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) the faults are classified and their size and number is evaluated. If one of the fault criteria exceeds a configured threshold the system classifies the DVD as „faulty“ and sorts it out.
Every Vision Technology system arrives at a context-related decision through a sequence of three process steps:
1. Image acquisition
2. Image preprocessing
3. Image evaluation
In image acquisition a camera generates a digitized representation of the scene. Image acquisition is always specific to the object and task. The objective is as far as possible a perfect representation of the scene in respect of the desired system functionality. For example, in the surface inspection of the mouths of recycled bottles the system imperative is to capture the entire mouth including sealing surface, thread and inside in a single image. The bottle color and the image of the rest of the bottle are of no interest. Image acquisition is based on the disciplines of illumination technology, optics, camera and computer technology. In addition, it requires know-how in handling technology and the use of complementary sensors (in order to determine the presence of the inspection object etc.).
In image preprocessing the image data is transformed to a more suitable format for image evaluation. In high-speed applications such as the surface inspection of paper webs, a drastic reduction in the volume of data delivered by the camera is often desirable, in order to ensure complete inspection of the paper despite computing capacity limitations. In this example, in image preprocessing the potential fault areas in the image would be identified, and only this data is passed on for image evaluation. As for image acquisition, there is no specific method for image preprocessing. The available methods are selected according to the application. Depending on the system functions, one or more methods may be combined. Image preprocessing is based on computer, signal processing and software technologies.
In image evaluation the preprocessed image data is analyzed and actions are initiated depending on the results of this analysis. For example, in inspecting Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) the faults are classified and their size and number is evaluated. If one of the fault criteria exceeds a configured threshold the system classifies the DVD as „faulty“ and sorts it out.
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