Image processing sensor system, image processing sensor control method, and image processing sensor used in image processing sensor system

• US 10,194,095 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keyence Corporation (Keyence)
• Original Assignee: Keyence Corporation (Keyence)
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn, Jr., William C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Uhl, Lindsay J
• Application Number:
  US14/328,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20150042788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/662 by using master/slave camera arrangements for affecting the control of camera image capture, e.g. placing the camera in a desirable condition to capture a desired image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, an image processing sensor system may include a plurality of image processing sensors each including an imaging device having an imaging unit imaging an inspection target and a lighting unit projecting light onto the inspection target, and an image processing device performing image processing on image data acquired in the imaging device and determining whether the inspection target is defective or non-defective, wherein the image processing sensors being are connected to each other so that data communication of data including the image data can be performed therebetween, and wherein a first image processing sensor transmits a signal relating to the completion of projecting light projecting light to a second image processing sensor, and the second image processing sensor starts projecting light and imaging and projection after receiving the signal relating the completion of projecting light.

Claims

1. An image processing sensor system comprising:

a plurality of image processing sensors each including

an imaging device having an imaging unit imaging an inspection target and a lighting unit projecting light onto the inspection target,

an image processing device performing image processing on image data acquired in the imaging device and determining whether the inspection target is defective or non-defective, having a body which is separately provided from the imaging device, and connected to the imaging device with a connection cable for data communication, and

an I/O connector provided on the body of the image processing device, and wherein a result signal processed and determined by the image processing device on whether the inspection target is defective or non-defective is outputted through the I/O connector,

wherein the plurality of image processing sensors includes a first image processing sensor and a second image processing sensor which is adjacently provided to the first image processing sensor,

the image processing sensor system includes a pair of connector pins having male pin and female pin for connecting directly in mechanical and electrical contact with each other and communicating data, one of the connector pins is provided on a side surface of the body of a first image processing device of the first image processing sensor and the other one of the connector pins is provided on a side surface of the body of a second image processing device of the second image processing sensor, the side surface of the body of the second image processing device facing to the side surface of the body of the first image processing device and,

the image processing sensor system includes a communication interface provided on the body of one of the first image processing device or the second image processing device, the image data processed therein is transmitted to an external computer or display device via the communication interface,

the other one of the first image processing device or the second image processing device is configured to transmit an image data acquired in the imaging device thereof to the external computer or display device through the pair of connector pins and via the communication interface, and

the first image processing device and the second image processing device are connected directly in mechanical and electrical contact with each other through the pair of connector pins, and

wherein the first image processing sensor and the second image processing sensor are connected to each other so that data communication of data including the image data can be performed therebetween through the pair of connector pins, and

the first image processing device transmits a signal relating to the completion of projecting light to the second image processing device, and

the second image processing device transmits a signal to start projecting light and imaging after receiving through the pair of connector pins the signal relating the completion of projecting light,

wherein the plurality of image processing sensors has an Ethernet switch, respectively, and

the other one of the first image processing device and the second image processing device is configured to transmit the image data to the external computer or display device via the Ethernet switch of the image processing sensor and the communication interface.

2. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing sensor transmits the signal relating to the completion of projecting light to the second image processing sensor after completing projecting light and imaging and before starting image processing in the image processing device.

3. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing sensor starts image processing of an image corresponding to the signal relating to the completion of projecting light after the second image processing sensor starts imaging and projection.

4. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein

the first image processing sensor transmits the signal relating to the completion of projecting light to the second image processing sensor after completing projecting light and imaging and starting image processing, and

the second image processing sensor starts projecting light and imaging after receiving the signal relating to the completion of projecting light.

5. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein

a plurality of groups each including one or a plurality of image processing sensors are formed,

the groups include at least a first group and a second group,

an image processing sensor in the first group transmits the signal relating to the completion of projecting light to another image processing sensor in the first group, and

an image processing sensor in the first group, the image processing sensor being connected to an image processing sensor of the second group, does not transmit the signal relating to the completion of projecting light to another image processing sensor, or

an image processing sensor in the second group, the image processing sensor being connected to an image processing sensor in the first group, starts projecting light and imaging independently of the signal relating to the completion of projecting light transmitted from an image processing sensor connected to the image processing sensor in the first group.

6. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein a power terminal for supplying a power to the image processing sensor is provided in a third image processing sensor and the power is supplied to the other image processing sensors via the power terminal.

7. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the signal relating to the completion of projecting light is transmitted to the second image processing sensor so as to prevent the interference of the light from the first image processing sensor to the inspection target with the imaging of the inspection target from the second image processing sensor.

8. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the signal relating to the completion of projecting light is transmitted such that the second image processing sensor images the inspection target without an interference with light from the first image processing sensor to the inspection target.

9. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the function of transmitting the signal relating to the completion of the projecting light to the second image processing sensor is turned on and off from an operation of a user.

10. The image processing sensor system according to claim 9, wherein the function of transmitting the signal relating to the completion of the projecting light to the second image processing sensor is turned on from the user, if the imaging device of the first image processing sensor and the imaging device of the second image processing sensor are provided adjacently.

11. The image processing sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing sensor includes a power terminal to which power is supplied from a power source, and

the power is supplied to the second image processing sensor from the power source via the first image processing sensor.

12. The image processing sensor system according to claim 11, wherein the image data and the power and the signal relating to the completion of projecting light are transmitted through the pair of connectors.