High-speed digital video serial link
First Claim
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1. A machine vision control system for use in a manufacturing environment using two-directional high speed serial digital transmissions comprising:
- a main processor that receives packaged digital data and control signals and that transmits packaged digital data and control signals, the main processor including an analyzer circuit that analyzes received video image data and that generates and transmits a packaged digital first control signal that includes a content-analysis response based upon content of the video image data;
a primary communication hub having a first interface and a plurality of second interfaces, the first interface connected to the main processor through a serial communication bus that transmits and receives the packaged digital data and control signals;
a plurality of remote video cameras each having a third interface that is connected to one of the plurality of second interfaces for two-directional communication with the primary communication hub; and
a first trigger source responsive to a manufacturing process or assembly step, that provides a signal commanding that one of the plurality of remote video cameras acquire an image;
whereinthe primary communication hub is adapted to generate a priority response to a high priority request signal,the priority response being inserted between the beginning and end of transmission of a digital data packet carrying video information from one of the remote video cameras to the main processor, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are performed using the first control signal.
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Abstract
A system for bidirectional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A machine vision control system for use in a manufacturing environment using two-directional high speed serial digital transmissions comprising:
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a main processor that receives packaged digital data and control signals and that transmits packaged digital data and control signals, the main processor including an analyzer circuit that analyzes received video image data and that generates and transmits a packaged digital first control signal that includes a content-analysis response based upon content of the video image data; a primary communication hub having a first interface and a plurality of second interfaces, the first interface connected to the main processor through a serial communication bus that transmits and receives the packaged digital data and control signals; a plurality of remote video cameras each having a third interface that is connected to one of the plurality of second interfaces for two-directional communication with the primary communication hub; and a first trigger source responsive to a manufacturing process or assembly step, that provides a signal commanding that one of the plurality of remote video cameras acquire an image;
whereinthe primary communication hub is adapted to generate a priority response to a high priority request signal, the priority response being inserted between the beginning and end of transmission of a digital data packet carrying video information from one of the remote video cameras to the main processor, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are performed using the first control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A machine vision control system for use in a manufacturing environment using two-directional high speed serial digital transmissions comprising:
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a main processor that receives packaged digital video data signals and transmitting packaged digital video data signals at a data rate of up to at least about 330 mega bits per second, the main processor including an analyzer circuit that analyzes received video image data and that generates a content-analysis response based upon content of the video image data; at least one remote video camera connected to the main processor that provides two-directional communication of the serial digital video data and control signals with the main processor; and a trigger source that provides a signal commanding that a remote video camera acquire an image at a specific point in time, wherein real-time manufacturing operations are performed using the content-analysis response. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A machine vision control system for use in a manufacturing environment using two-directional high speed serial digital transmissions between at least a main processor and a communication hub, the system comprising:
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the main processor comprising a receiver for receiving packaged digital signals including a header and either digital data and control signals, a memory for storing the received digital signals, and a transmitter for transmitting packaged serial digital signals, the main processor including an analyzer circuit for analyzing received video image data and generating a content-analysis response based upon content of the video image data; the communication hub for at least distributing transmissions between the main processor and a plurality of remote video cameras, the communication hub comprising a main processor interface connected to the main processor for communicating with the main processor and a plurality of remote video camera interfaces connected to the plurality of remote video cameras for communication with the plurality of remote video cameras, the main processor interface comprising a receiver for receiving digital transmissions from the main processor, a processor, a first transmitter for transmitting signals to at least one remote video camera, and a second transmitter for transmitting packaged signals to the main processor, each one of the plurality of remote video camera interfaces comprising a receiver associated with each of the plurality of remote video cameras, a controller associated with each receiver for controlling transmissions from one of the plurality of remote video cameras, and a memory for storing the transmissions; a video camera having a communication hub interface for communication with the communication hub, the video camera comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller for controlling communication with the communication hub; and a first trigger source for providing a signal commanding that one of the plurality of remote video cameras acquire an image at a specific point in time, the communication hub adapted to generate a priority response to a high priority request signal transmitted from the remote camera or from the first trigger source, and generate a signal to acquire an image in response to the first trigger source, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are controlled based on the content-analysis response. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A main processor for two-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system for use in a high-speed manufacturing environment having a plurality of remote video cameras, the main processor comprising:
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a receiver for receiving packaged digital video data or control signals including a header, the packaged digital video data or control signals; a controller for separating the header from the digital video data or control signals; a memory for storing the digital video data or control signals; an analyzer circuit for analyzing received video image data and generating a content-analysis response based upon content of the video image data; and a transmitter for transmitting packaged digital signals, the transmitted packaged digital signals including a header in response to the received packaged digital video data or control signals, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are controlled based on the content-analysis response.
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17. A video camera interface for two-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a processor, the video camera interface comprising:
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a receiver for receiving packaged digital signals from the processor; a transmitter for transmitting packaged digital transmissions comprising a header and either digital video data or digital control signals; a controller for controlling communication with the processor; and wherein the video camera interface is adapted to send a signal requesting that an external input/output device coupled to a primary communication hub be activated to flash illumination for a camera at a specific point in time, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are performed using resulting real-time high-speed digital transmissions for control signals, said control signals including the signal requesting that the external input/output device'"'"'s flash illumination be activated. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A communication hub for two-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a processor, the hub comprising:
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a processor interface connected to the processor; and a plurality of remote video camera interfaces connected to the plurality of remote video cameras, including a first remote video camera interface and a second remote video camera interface; the processor interface comprising a receiver for receiving packaged digital transmissions from a main processor, a first transmitter for transmitting packaged serial digital signals to at least one of the plurality of remote video cameras on the first remote video camera interface, and a second transmitter for transmitting packaged serial digital signals to at least one of the plurality of remote video cameras over the second remote video camera interface, and a third transmitter for transmitting packaged signals to the main processor over the processor interface; each one of the plurality of remote video camera interfaces comprising a receiver associated with each of the plurality of remote video cameras, a controller associated with each receiver for controlling transmissions from one of the plurality of remote video cameras, and a memory for storing the transmissions; and the communication hub adapted to activate, at a specific point in time, an external flash illumination input/output device in response to a request signal transmitted from one of the plurality of remote video cameras, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are performed using resulting real-time high-speed digital transmissions for control signals, said control signals including the request signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a machine vision control system having a plurality of remote video cameras and a main processor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an input trigger signal from a trigger source; generating a first digital packet based upon the input trigger signal; capturing an image of an object with one of the plurality of remote video cameras at a specific point in time in response to the first digital packet; converting the image to one or more digital video signal packets including an appended first header; serially transmitting the one or more digital video signal packets from one of the plurality of remote video cameras to a communication hub; multiplexing digital video signal packets from the remote video cameras, evaluating a destination address identifier included in the first header, and transmitting at least some of the digital signal packets to the main processor; and analyzing the digital video signal packets with the main processor to evaluate the captured image and generating a content-analysis response signal, and wherein real-time manufacturing operations are controlled based on the content-analysis response signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A machine vision control system for use in a manufacturing environment using high speed serial digital communications comprising:
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one or more remote video cameras, each camera having a digital serial camera interface that (a) transmits packaged serial digital data representing an image acquired by the camera, and that (b) receives a command to, at a specific point in time, acquire an image; a main processor having a processor interface coupled to the camera interface, wherein the processor interface includes a receiver that receives packaged serial digital data and packaged serial digital control signals and a transmitter that transmits packaged serial digital data signals and packaged serial digital control signals, the main processor further having an analyzer circuit that analyzes received video image data and generates a content-analysis response signal based upon content of the video image data, and wherein high-speed manufacturing operations are controlled based on the content-analysis response signal, wherein a protocol used by the main processor receiver that receives packaged serial digital data or packaged serial digital control signals is also used by the main processor transmitter that transmits packaged serial digital data signals or packaged serial digital control signals. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification