Optimized distribution of machine vision processing

• US 7,962,898 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cognex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cognex Corporation
• Inventors: Eames, Andrew, Petry, John, Marrion, Cyril C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, RONGFA PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US09/842,948
• Time in Patent Office: 3,700 Days
• Field of Search: 717/171, 717/120, 717/105, 717/124, 715/771, 715/733, 709/217, 719/319, 719/315, 345/520
• US Class Current: 717/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/95 structured as a network, e.g. client-server architectures

Abstract

A system and method is provided for remotely analyzing machine vision data. An indication of a choice of vision software is sent from a first computer to a remote second computer. The second computer, using the selected vision software, processes image data to provide a result that is transmitted from the second computer to a designated location.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a collector computer including a vision tool selector configured to select, via a manual entry interface at the collector computer, at least one chosen vision tool and, from among plural selectable vision tools, corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to the chosen vision tool;

a transmitter configured to send, from the collector computer to a machine vision engine located remotely from the collector computer and via a communications network, (i) image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by the chosen vision tool, and (ii) the corresponding vision tool parameters; and

wherein the machine vision engine is remote from the computer and includes selectable vision tools including the chosen vision tool, the selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location on the given image.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine vision engine includes machine vision software encoded on computer-readable media and executed by a computer.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include guidance.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include inspection.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include gauging.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include identification.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include a selectable guidance vision tool configured to, when selected, (i) obtain guidance operation vision tool parameters including a model pattern and alignment operation constraints, and (ii) carry out a corresponding guidance operation corresponding to the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the alignment operation constraints include parameters defining a minimum match quality and allowable scale and rotation change.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision tool parameters input includes a keyboard of the computer.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision tool parameters input includes a mouse of the computer.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision tool parameters input includes a touch pad of the computer.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision tool parameters input is configured to receive the corresponding vision tool parameters via manual entry at the computer.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the manual entry is via a manual entry interacting with an application program run on the computer.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vision tool parameters input is located in a manufacturing environment.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes the transmitter.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communications network includes an internetwork.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the internetwork includes the Internet.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the given image includes an image file.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image file includes a JPEG file.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image file includes a bmp file.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send, via the communications network, an indication of the selected one or more given vision tools.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine vision engine includes machine vision software encoded on computer-readable media and executed by a computer.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include guidance.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include inspection.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include gauging.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include identification.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vision operations include a selectable guidance vision tool configured to, when selected, (i) obtain guidance operation vision tool parameters including a model pattern and alignment operation constraints, and (ii) carry out a corresponding guidance operation corresponding to the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the vision tool parameters include parameters defining a minimal match quality and allowable scale and rotation change.

29. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a client data procurer configured to send an image acquisition command to an image acquirer to acquire image data including the given image data.

30. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiver configured to receive results data originating from the machine vision engine, the results data including a result of the machine vision engine having analyzed, with the selected one or more given vision tools, the given image sent by the transmitter in accordance with the corresponding vision tool parameters sent by the transmitter.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the collector computer includes the receiver.

32. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image acquirer configured to capture and store an image of a part.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the image acquirer includes a frame grabber.

34. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the image acquirer is positioned on a production line.

35. The apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising the machine vision engine.

36. Apparatus comprising:

a computer including a receiver configured to receive, from a remote source via a communications network, image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by one or more given vision tools that have been selected, and corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to the selected one or more given vision tools that have been selected to analyze the given image;

the computer being configured to, following receiving certain data by the receiver, cause a machine vision engine to analyze, with the selected one or more given vision tools, the given image to be analyzed in accordance with the corresponding vision tool parameters received by the receiver; and

wherein the machine vision engine includes the set of individually selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the vision operations include guidance.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the communications network includes an internetwork.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the internetwork includes the Internet.

40. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the vision operations include inspection.

41. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the vision operations include gauging.

42. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the vision operations include identification.

43. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the vision operations include a selectable guidance vision tool configured to, when selected, (i) obtain guidance operation vision tool parameters including a model pattern and alignment operation constraints, and (ii) carry out a corresponding guidance operation corresponding to the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters include parameters defining a minimum match quality and allowable scale and rotation change.

45. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the computer includes the machine vision engine.

46. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the selected one or more given vision tools that have been selected have been selected at a location remote from the computer.

47. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a validator configured to verify associated validation data to ensure client account security, the associated validation data having been associated with the received given image, the selected one or more given vision tools, and the corresponding vision tool parameters.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the associated validation data has been received by the receiver.

49. A system comprising:

a computer in a manufacturing facility, the computer including a vision tool parameters input configured to receive, at the computer, corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to at least one of selected one or more given vision tools;

a transmitter configured to send, from the computer to a machine vision engine located remotely from the computer and via a communications network, (i) image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by the selected one or more given vision tools, and (ii) the corresponding vision tool parameters; and

wherein the machine vision engine includes selectable vision tools including the selected one or more given vision tools, the selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location on the given image.

50. A method comprising:

receiving, at a computer including a vision tool parameters input, corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to at least one of selected one or more given vision tools;

a transmitter sending, from the computer to a machine vision engine located remotely from the computer and via a communications network, (i) image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by the selected one or more given vision tools, and (ii) the corresponding vision tool parameters; and

wherein the machine vision engine is remote from the computer and includes selectable vision tools including the selected one or more given vision tools, the selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location on the given image.

51. Computer-readable media encoded with data, the data, when interoperably read by a computer, causing:

receiving, at a computer including a vision tool parameters input, corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to at least one of selected one or more given vision tools;

a transmitter sending, from the computer to a machine vision engine located remotely from the computer and via a communications network, (i) image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by the selected one or more given vision tools, and (ii) the corresponding vision tool parameters; and

wherein the machine vision engine is remote from the computer and includes selectable vision tools including the selected one or more given vision tools, the selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location on the given image.