Gradient calculating camera board
First Claim
1. An imaging module for use in a system implementing a machine vision application, the imaging module comprising:
- an image sensor, for imaging a field of view encompassing a target subject of the machine vision application and generating representative image data;
a processor, coupled to receive the image data from the image sensor, for calculating gradient information from the image data; and
a data communication interface for transmitting the gradient information from the processor to a host implementing the machine vision application.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a machine vision system utilizing computer processing of image data, an imaging module incorporates the image sensor as well as pre-processing circuitry, for example, for performing a background subtraction and/or a gradient calculation. The pre-processing circuitry may also compress the image information. The host computer receives the pre-processed image data and performs all other calculations necessary to complete the machine vision application, for example, to determine one or more wheel alignment parameters of a subject vehicle. In a disclosed example useful for wheel alignment, the module also includes illumination elements, and the module circuitry provides associated camera control. The background subtraction, gradient calculation and associated compression require simpler, less expensive circuitry than for typical image pre-processing boards. Yet, the pre-processing at the imaging module substantially reduces the processing burden on the host computer when compared to machine vision implementations using direct streaming of image data to the host computer.
22 Citations
2 Claims
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1. An imaging module for use in a system implementing a machine vision application, the imaging module comprising:
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an image sensor, for imaging a field of view encompassing a target subject of the machine vision application and generating representative image data;
a processor, coupled to receive the image data from the image sensor, for calculating gradient information from the image data; and
a data communication interface for transmitting the gradient information from the processor to a host implementing the machine vision application.
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2-38. -38. (canceled)
Specification