Configuration of a machine vision system over a network

• US 20020184347A1
• Filed: 06/02/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cognex Technology & Investment Corporation (Cognex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cognex Technology & Investment Corporation (Cognex Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanabe, Tamostu, Olson, Steven, McGarry, John
• Application Number:
  US09/872,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20020184347A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method is disclosed for configuring a machine vision system over a network, wherein the machine vision system includes a heterogeneous set of vision processors (VPs), and at least one host having a user interface (UI). The method includes the steps of sending VP characteristic information over the network from a VP to a host having a UI; and using the UI to configure the VP via the network. Thus, it is no longer necessary to match a UI with the VP it will connect with, which simplifies installation, configuration, and extension of multiple VP vision systems. The invention also enables a single UI to connect to and configure VPs with substantially different I/O support, communications protocols, and vision functionality.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a machine vision system over a network, the machine vision system including a heterogeneous set of vision processors (VPs) and at least one host having a user interface (UI), the method comprising:

sending VP characteristic information over the network from a VP to a host having a UI; and

using the UI to configure the VP via the network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

a plurality of VP characteristics.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

a plurality of VP identification codes; and

a plurality of functions executable on the VP.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

a VP identification code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

an executable program.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the executable program is adapted to configure a plurality of VP functions and parameters.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the executable program is run on a thin client so as to provide a UI.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

a plurality of VP identification codes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the VP characteristic information includes:

a plurality of functions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein sending VP characteristic information over the network includes:

connecting to the VP using a thin client.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the thin client is a web browser.