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Vision Systems Vision Systems are integrated mechanical-electronic-optical-software systems engineered for the process of examination of human artifacts , natural materials and objects , and industrial processes , so that defects are identified and fixed . This enhances the quality , working efficacy and safety of products and processes . Vision Systems are also utilized to monitor and organize machines used in manufacturing environments . Vision Systems include several major techniques namely intelligent image processing plus system control , specialized optics , function control ,mechanical sub system control , Lighting control and image display . Vision system is otherwise called machine vision system (MVS) since the machine itself is provided with the visual sensing technology in order to enable it execute a wide range of tasks such as identifying , locating ,grading , inspecting , matching , reading , classifying , sorting , verifying , measuring , counting , guiding , controlling , recognizing , calibrating and monitoring for the manufacturing industry . Vision Systems can also be used to inspect Tools, partially machined and finished products , Coatings, transport systems , raw materials , manufacturing processes , feed-stock , Packaging, Labels, waste materials and effluents . Fundamentals of Vision Systems Mechanical handling – Mechanical handling is also part of image acquisition since it is essential to utilize a specialized object transport medium in order to control the pixel size in the case of line scan camera or flying spot camera by controlling the speed of motion . Lighting – Lighting can provide a good picture of the object to the image sensor for further processing . Various Light Sources such as Lasers, filament , LEDs , fluorescent or discharge Lamps are used for Lighting. Optics – It is used to boost the image presented to the camera to obtain an improved effect in a range of applications . Some of the Optical Components used to enhance image clarity are multi layer interference filter that will generate remarkable effect while viewing multi-colored widgets , polarizer , which is used to decrease the glinting effects on bright glossy widgets , and Mirrors & Prisms, utilized to facilitate simultaneous viewing by a single camera in a number of directions . Camera or scanner – Camera or scanner acts as an image sensor . Machine Vision Systems utilize one of the various new versions of image sensor that do not have any biological counterpart . These consist of radial , line , spiral , circular and random-scan photo-detector Arrays, X-ray , gamma-ray , multi-spectral Sensors, Laser Scanners, microwave and ultra-sonic imagers , strobed Cameras and many more . UV and IR sensitive Cameras, too , are available . Some Cameras can be operated from a computer through serial port . Video-computer interface module – The user machine interface plays a crucial role in performance and suitability of the machine vision system . Vision Systems must cooperate with an array of external devices regulated by stepper Motors, hydraulics and pneumatics and also be able to manage Relays, Lamps, Cameras, Solenoids, simple accept/reject Mechanisms, Valves, Lenses and many more; hence it is imperative to have an appropriate user interface for the Vision Systems. Some of the useful user Interfaces are IEEE 488 , Ethernet , SCSI , serial (RS 232 / RS 423) . Computer – Image processing is carried out in order to recognize the significance and inter-relationships of the assorted characteristics of the image . In case of high-speed applications , dedicated electronic image processing Hardware may be used instead of the computer and Software. Low-level vision , on the other hand , involves tasks such as detecting and gauging image features . Many vision applications make creation , manipulation and analysis of an abstract – a symbolic or parametric representation of the scene or object being examined , essential . High-level image analysis mostly uses artificial intelligence techniques . There is a need to differentiate low-level vision from high-level since each follows a distinct concept . Software executing algorithmic and heuristic procedures developed to meet specific requirements of each application The responsibility of integrating these components to form a harmonious network lies with the vision engineer . The integration , though , is tough to be achieved . In the image processing sub-system , there is a perpetual requirement for ever-higher computing speeds , and modern advancements have made the future look optimistic . Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) , custom-integrated Circuits, pipe-lined image processing Hardware, and algorithmic developments have contributed to the increasing popularity of machine vision system . Vision system is a facet of Systems Engineering and its concept goes beyond ‘seeing’ . Computer vision is a branch of computer science and includes the computational techniques essential for image analysis . Computer vision commences with a digital image within a computer , whereas machine vision system starts with a widget fabricated from Wood, Glass, plastic , ceramic and other such materials . Applications of Machine Vision Systems Electronics (video , analogue and digital) Image processing Mechanical handling Optics (conventional , Fibre optics , Lasers, diffractive optics) Lighting Signal processing Digital systems architecture Industrial engineering Human-computer interfacing Software Manufacturing Control Systems Existing work practices and QA methods Sensors (video Cameras, UV , IR and X-ray Sensors, laser scanners) |
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