Image measurement machine and program

Abstract

Provided is an image measuring machine which has excellent workability even when the display screen of information is small and the proficiency of an operator is low. An image measuring machine according to the present invention captures an image of an object to be measured and measures the size of the object to be measured through a plurality of operation steps, the image measuring machine comprising: a display unit that displays a user interface that receives an input based on an input operation by an operator; a process control unit that causes the display unit to display, in each operation step, an accepted user interface that is limited to an input necessary for the use of a usable function; and a function execution unit that executes a function in which the user interface has an input relating to the use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vision measuring machine and a program. Background Art

[0002] An image measuring machine is a device that captures an image of an object to be measured and measures the dimensions of the object by analyzing the image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-169584 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Conventionally, the image measuring machine application for controlling the image measuring machine has displayed the user interface for all functions on the screen, wherein the user interface is used to command the use of the functions possessed by the input application. Therefore, when the screen is small, the proportion of the display area of ​​the user interface becomes large, and the display area of ​​the image of the measured object becomes very small, or when the operator's proficiency is low, it is difficult to understand which functions can be used, which hinders the workability.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vision measuring machine and a program that are excellent in operability even when the information display screen is small or the operator's proficiency is low.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The image measuring machine of the present invention is an image measuring machine that captures an image of a measurement object and measures the dimensions of the measurement object through a plurality of operation steps, and comprises: a display unit that displays a user interface for accepting input based on an operator's input operation; a process control unit that causes the display unit to display a user interface for accepting input required for use of functions that are limited to usable functions in each operation step; and a function execution unit that executes a function for which input related to use is input on the user interface.

[0011] The multiple operation steps may also include: a first operation step, extracting multiple geometric elements in sequence from the image of the measured object; and a second operation step, performing dimensional measurement in sequence from the measurement items for which the geometric elements required for measurement have been prepared through the extraction of the geometric elements in the first operation step, and obtaining measurement results.

[0012] The functions of the vision measuring machine of the present invention may be realized by describing the functions of the vision measuring machine of the present invention in a program and causing a computer to execute the program.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the image measuring machine and program of the present invention, when the operator performs input operation, the user interface for using the command input function is displayed limited to the functions that can be used. As a result, the proportion of the display area of ​​the user interface in the screen becomes smaller, so that the display area of ​​the image of the measured object can be ensured to be relatively large, thereby improving the workability of extracting geometric elements. In addition, by displaying the user interface limited to the functions that can be used, even an operator with low proficiency can easily find the function to be used, thereby improving the workability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a vision measuring machine 1 that executes the vision measuring method of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the vision measuring machine 1 .

[0017] Figure 3 2 is a functional block diagram of the image measuring machine 1 .

[0018] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S1.

[0019] Figure 5 2 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S2.

[0020] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S3.

[0021] Figure 7 This is another diagram showing an example of the user interface in operation step S3.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1: Image measuring machine, 2: Stage, 3: Image pickup unit, 4: Control and calculation unit, 5: Storage unit, 6: Display unit, 7: Telecentric optical system, 8: Illumination unit, 10: Input unit, 41: Process control unit, 42: Function execution unit, B: Tool selection button, K: Measurement item selection button, L: Lighting adjustment tool call-up button, P: Shooting position adjustment tool call-up button, W: Measurement object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same functional parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the functional parts that have been described once are omitted from description or described only within a necessary scope.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the vision measuring machine 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the vision measuring machine 1 . Figure 3 : is a functional block diagram of the image measuring machine 1. In the present embodiment, the case where the coaxial incident illumination method is used as the illumination method is described as an example, but the illumination method is not limited as long as an image of the measurement object can be captured.

[0026] The vision measuring machine 1 of the present invention is a vision measuring machine that captures an image of an object to be measured and measures the dimensions of the object to be measured through a plurality of operation steps.

[0027] The vision measuring machine 1 includes a mounting table 2 , an imaging unit 3 , a control and calculation unit 4 , a storage unit 5 , a display unit 6 , a telecentric optical system 7 , an illumination unit 8 , and an input unit 10 .

[0028] The mounting table 2 is a platform on which a measurement object (not shown) is mounted.

[0029] The imaging unit 3 is disposed opposite to the mounting table 2, and captures an image of the object to be measured mounted on the mounting table 2 by receiving light from the direction of the mounting table 2. The imaging unit 3 includes an image sensor, and converts the brightness of the image formed on the light receiving surface into an electrical signal as image data. As for the image sensor, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) which is a solid-state imaging element of a semiconductor can be used.

[0030] The storage unit 5 is any storage means that can store digital data.

[0031] The telecentric optical system 7 includes an objective lens 71 for collecting light from the direction of the mounting table 2, and an imaging lens 72 for imaging the light arriving through the objective lens 71 on the light receiving surface of the imaging unit 3. The objective lens 71 and the imaging lens 72 may be provided on multiple surfaces. In addition, the image measuring machine may include other optical systems instead of the telecentric optical system 7.

[0032] The illumination unit 8 is a coaxial epi-illumination unit including a light source 81 for emitting illumination light and a beam splitter 82, wherein the beam splitter 82 allows the illumination light from the light source 81 to be inserted into the telecentric optical system 7, and irradiates the illumination light toward the mounting table 2 as coaxial epi-illumination light whose optical axis coincides with the optical axis of the imaging unit 3. In order to make the image clearer, the illumination unit 8 may also include transmitted illumination and side illumination together with the coaxial epi-illumination.

[0033] The display unit 6 is an arbitrary display means, and displays the image of the measurement object captured by the imaging unit 3 and a user interface for receiving inputs based on input operations by the operator, based on control by the display control unit 41 .

[0034] The input unit 10 is an input unit for inputting information manually. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , an example of using a touch panel display and integrating it with the display unit 6 is shown, but it is not limited to this, and it can also be configured as an independent input unit such as a mouse and a keyboard. In the case of using a touch panel display, the input of the position touched by the operator's finger and the range drawn is accepted. In addition, in the case of using a mouse, the position of the pointer when the operator clicks a button (button click) and the input of the range drawn by the pointer when the button is clicked are accepted.

[0035] The control calculation unit 4 controls each unit in the vision measuring machine 1 in order to realize image capturing and image measurement by the vision measuring machine 1 .

[0036] In the present invention, the control calculation unit 4 includes a process control unit 41 and a function execution unit 42 .

[0037] The process control unit 41 causes the display unit 6 to display a user interface limited to receiving inputs required for using the available functions in each of the steps of multiple operations performed by the operator in image measurement using the image measuring machine 1. The user interface is represented by a graphical user interface (GUI) such as buttons, but may also be other user interfaces such as a menu bar and a toolbar.

[0038] The user interface can be displayed automatically when entering each operation step, or it can be displayed after waiting for some kind of input from the user for display. In addition, in the case where the functions that can be used cannot be fully displayed even if limited to those that can be used, for example, the user interface related to the functions that are used most can be preferentially displayed based on the past operation history.

[0039] The process control unit 41 receives an input required for use of a function from the input unit 10 via the user interface in each operation step by the operator, and causes the function execution unit 42 to execute the function.

[0040] As operation steps, for example, there can be listed an operation step performed when placing the measured object on the mounting table 2 and starting measurement (hereinafter referred to as "operation step S1"), an operation step performed when any measurement item is selected in the operation step S1 (hereinafter referred to as "operation step S2"), and an operation step performed when measuring dimensions based on geometric elements extracted from an image of the measured object (hereinafter referred to as "operation step S3").

[0041] As the functions that can be used in the operation step S1, for example, there can be listed the selection of measurement items such as various length dimensions and angle dimensions, the selection of tools such as brushes and erasers for extracting geometric elements, the adjustment of the shooting position, and the adjustment of lighting, etc. Here, in the operation step S1, the display unit 6 is made to display a user interface limited to the functions that can be used in this operation step, such as a button for accepting the selection of measurement items, the selection of tools, etc., and a button for calling up a user interface for adjusting the shooting position and the lighting, etc. Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface display in operation step S1. Figure 4 , an example is shown in which a selection button K for measurement items, a selection button B for tools, a call-up button P for a tool for adjusting the shooting position, and a call-up button L for a tool for adjusting the lighting are displayed as a user interface together with an image of the measurement object W, but the specific display items and display methods are not limited to this.

[0042] If one or more measurement items are selected in operation step S1, the process proceeds to operation step S2. On the other hand, if a brush tool for extracting geometric elements is selected, the process enters a state of waiting for the operator's input, and the geometric elements are sequentially determined by the operator drawing the geometric elements on the image of the measurement object through the operation of the input unit 10, thereby sequentially extracting the geometric elements and detecting their edges. In this sense, when the brush tool is selected, operation step S1 is also referred to as an operation step for sequentially extracting geometric elements.

[0043] When the operation is transferred to the operation step S2, the functions that can be used in the operation step S2 include, for example, selection of tools such as a brush and an eraser for extracting geometric elements. Here, in the operation step S2, the display unit 6 is made to display a user interface limited to the functions that can be used in the operation step, such as buttons for receiving selection input of these tools. Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface display in operation step S2. Figure 5 , an example is shown in which the selection button B as a tool of the user interface is displayed together with the image of the measuring object W, but specific display items and display forms are not limited to this.

[0044] In operation step S2, if the brush tool for extracting geometric elements is selected, the state of waiting for the operator's input is entered, and the geometric elements are sequentially determined by the operator drawing the geometric elements on the image of the measured object through the operation of the input unit 10, thereby extracting the geometric elements in sequence and detecting their edges. The dimension measurement is performed based on the edges detected for each extracted geometric element. The number of geometric elements to be extracted varies depending on the measurement item. For example, if it is the length dimension of the diameter of a circle, it is one, and if it is the length dimension between two lines or the angle dimension formed by the two lines, it is two.

[0045] In parallel with the extraction of geometric elements in operation step S1 or operation step S2, operation step S3 of measuring dimensions based on the extracted geometric elements is performed.

[0046] As the functions that can be used in the operation step S3, for example, the selection of measurement items such as various length dimensions and angle dimensions can be listed, but since the functions are performed in parallel with the extraction of geometric elements in the operation steps S1 and S2, it is also necessary to enable the selection of tools such as brushes and erasers. Here, in the operation step S3, the display unit 6 is made to display a user interface limited to the functions that can be used in this operation step, such as buttons for accepting the selection of measurement items, the selection of tools, etc.

[0047] In the case of extracting geometric elements in operation step S1, the measurement item is not determined. Here, if more than one measurement item is selected in operation step S3 and the extraction of geometric elements required for the measurement of the selected measurement item has been completed, the measurement is performed and the measurement result is output to the display unit 6, etc. In addition, if the extraction is insufficient, the extraction of geometric elements in operation step S1 is continued, and the measurement result is output to the display unit 6, etc. at the time point when the extraction of the required geometric elements is completed.

[0048] Furthermore, when the measurement items are not determined, the geometric elements may be sequentially extracted in operation step S1, and in parallel, in operation step S3, measurement may be sequentially performed starting from the measurement items for which the geometric elements required for measurement are prepared by the extraction of the geometric elements in operation step S1, and the measurement results may be sequentially output to the display unit 6, etc. In this case, for example, a button or the like may be automatically selected for the measurement item for which the measurement result is obtained, and unnecessary measurement results may be eliminated by canceling the selection state.

[0049] On the other hand, when a measurement item is selected in operation step S1, geometric elements are sequentially extracted in operation step S2, and once the geometric elements required for measurement of the measurement item are collected, measurement is performed in operation step S3, and the measurement result is output to the display unit 6, etc. When multiple measurement items are selected in operation step S2, geometric elements required for measurement are sequentially extracted, and operation step S3 is sequentially executed from the measurement item for which the extraction of geometric elements required for measurement has been completed, or operation step S3 is executed once the extraction of geometric elements required for all selected measurement items is completed, and the measurement result is output to the display unit 6, etc.

[0050] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface display in operation step S3. Figure 6 , an example of displaying a measurement item selection button K and a tool selection button B as a user interface together with an image of the measurement object W is shown, but the specific display items and display methods are not limited thereto. In addition, since the extraction of geometric elements is already being performed at this point in time, two straight lines E1 and E2 are displayed together as geometric elements that have been extracted together.

[0051] also, Figure 7 An example of a display state in the middle of extracting the next geometric element after the two straight lines E1 and E2 are extracted is shown. Since the geometric element required for measuring the length dimension between the two straight lines has been extracted, the measurement is executed and the length dimension is displayed.

[0052] In the vision measuring machine of the present invention, the control operation unit 4 may be constituted by a CPU, and each function may be realized by executing a program (vision measuring machine application) in which the functions of the process control unit 41 and the function execution unit 42, and the functions of controlling the imaging unit 3, the lighting unit 8, etc. are described by the CPU. The program may be stored in the storage unit 5 and read out and executed, or a program stored in another storage unit may be read out and executed. In addition, the control operation unit 4 and the storage unit 5 may be provided by the main body of the vision measuring machine 1, or by a device such as a personal computer connected to the main body of the vision measuring machine 1 in a communicable manner.

[0053] According to the image measuring machine and program of the present invention described above, when the operator performs input operation, the user interface for commanding the use of the input function is displayed limited to the available functions. Therefore, the proportion of the display area of ​​the user interface in the screen becomes smaller, and the display area of ​​the image of the measured object can be relatively large, which improves the operability of specifying the measurement part, etc. In addition, by displaying the user interface limited to the available functions, even an operator with low proficiency can easily find the function to be used, thereby improving the operability.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and variations. The above-mentioned embodiments and variations are illustrative, and any method having substantially the same structure as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention and exerting the same effect is included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, appropriate changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea expressed in the present invention, and methods with such changes and improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image measuring machine that captures an image of an object to be measured and measures the dimensions of the object to be measured through a plurality of operation steps, the image measuring machine comprising: A display unit that displays a user interface that receives input based on an input operation by an operator; a process control unit that causes the display unit to display the user interface limited to accepting inputs required for use of available functions in each of the operation steps; and The function execution unit executes a function in which an input related to use is received from the user interface.

2. The image measuring machine according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple operation steps include: a first operation step, extracting multiple geometric elements in sequence from the image of the measured object; and a second operation step, performing dimensional measurement in sequence from the measurement items for which the geometric elements required for measurement have been prepared through the extraction of the geometric elements in the first operation step, and obtaining measurement results.

3. A program for causing a computer to function as the image measuring machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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