Machine Vision System Incorporating Synchronized User Interface Features

Abstract

A machine vision system is provided that includes simultaneous selection and / or identification of relevant features in a plurality of different user interface windows. Specifically, one window is an edit window in which a part machining program representation is displayed for user editing. In one embodiment, the user can select data and other features of the area of ​​interest in windows other than the edit window (e.g., results window, and graphical workpiece inspection feature display window), and the associated part machining program instruction representation automatically is highlighted and / or selected in the edit window. Instead, the user can select a part program instruction representation in the edit window and the associated results and features in other windows are automatically highlighted and / or selected. This editing environment significantly improves user interface navigation, rapid program quality assessment, and overall part machining program creation and editing efficiency.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 560,278, filed November 15, 2011, and US Patent Application No. 13 / 297,232, filed November 15, 2011. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to machine vision inspection systems, and more particularly to methods of creating and editing part machining programs in such systems. Background technique [0004] Precision machine vision inspection systems (or simply "vision systems") can be used to obtain precise dimensional measurements of inspected objects and to detect various other object characteristics. Such a system may include a computer, camera and optics, and a precision workpiece stage that is movable in multiple directions so as to allow the camera to scan features of the workpiece being measured. An exemplary prior art system commercially available is the QUICK (Quick Vision) series of PC-based...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, the learning mode user interface (for part program creation and editing) of this system may be particularly complex, requiring simultaneous display of a real-time image window, a video toolbar display, a part program presentation window, and a result output window (abbreviated as result Window), Inspection Feature Graphical Display Window, Position Window, Illumination Window, and Measurement Tool Display, so that users can correctly evaluate the cause and effect of their program behavior to create high-quality part processing programs

In such an editing environment, it may be difficult to simply identify all result locations associated with a part program instruction

If the user stores a partially completed part program and recalls the part program some time later to change or complete the programming, identify the appropriateness between the part program instructions and their associated effects reflected in the different windows Association can be more difficult

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