Image measuring instrument and program

Abstract

To provide an image measuring instrument that exhibits good operability even when it has a small information display screen or when an operator does not have a high skill level.SOLUTION: An image measuring instrument picks up an image of an object to be measured, and measures the dimensions of the object to be measured through a plurality of operation steps, and the image measuring instrument comprises: a display unit that displays a user interface that receives input made by an operator's input operation; a process control unit that, in each of the operation steps, causes the display unit to display a user interface that is limited to reception of input necessary for use of a usable function; and a function execution unit that executes a function for which input related to its use is received by the user interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image measuring instrument and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art An image measuring instrument is a device that takes an image of an object to be measured and measures the dimensions of the object by analyzing the image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-169584 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, applications for vision measuring machines that control vision measuring machines have displayed a user interface for all functions on the screen, allowing users to input instructions for using the functions of the application. As a result, when the screen is small, the proportion of the display area for the user interface becomes large, which can result in a very small display area for the image of the measurement target, or when an operator with low proficiency has difficulty understanding which functions can be used, resulting in poor workability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image measuring instrument and a program that provide good operability even when the information display screen is small or the operator has a low level of proficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] 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 operational steps, and is equipped with a display unit that displays a user interface that accepts input through an operator's input operation, a process control unit that causes the display unit to display a user interface that is limited to accepting inputs necessary for using available functions in each operational step, and a function execution unit that executes a function for which there has been input related to its use in the user interface.

[0007] The multiple operation steps may include a first operation step of sequentially extracting multiple geometric elements from an image of the object to be measured, and a second operation step of sequentially performing dimensional measurements to obtain measurement results for measurement items for which the geometric elements necessary for measurement are complete through the extraction of the geometric elements in the first operation step.

[0008] The functions of the image measuring machine of the present invention may be realized by writing the functions of the image measuring machine of the present invention in a program and having a computer execute the program. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the image measuring device and program of the present invention, when an operator performs an input operation, a user interface for inputting instructions to use functions is displayed, limited to available functions. This reduces the proportion of the display area of ​​the user interface on the screen, making it possible to secure a relatively large display area for the image of the measurement object, improving the workability of extracting geometric elements. Furthermore, by displaying the user interface, limited to available functions, even operators with low proficiency can easily find the functions they want to use, improving the workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an image measuring machine 1 that executes an image measuring method of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of an image measuring instrument 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image measuring instrument 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S2. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S3. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is another diagram showing an example of a user interface in operation step S3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same functional units are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of functional units that have already been described will be omitted or will be described only to the extent necessary.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of an image measuring instrument 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the image measuring instrument 1. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image measuring instrument 1. Note that in this embodiment, a case where a coaxial epi-illumination method is adopted as the illumination method will be described as an example, but the illumination method is not important as long as it is possible to capture an image of a measurement target.

[0013] The image measuring instrument 1 of the present invention is an image measuring instrument that captures an image of a measurement object and measures the dimensions of the measurement object through a plurality of operational steps.

[0014] The image measuring instrument 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.

[0015] The mounting table 2 is a table on which a measurement object (not shown) is placed.

[0016] The imaging unit 3 is provided facing the mounting table 2, and captures an image of the measurement object placed 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 to generate image data. The image sensor may be a semiconductor solid-state imaging element such as a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).

[0017] The storage unit 5 is any storage means capable of storing digital data.

[0018] The telecentric optical system 7 includes an objective lens 71 that collects light from the direction of the mounting table 2, and an imaging lens 72 that forms an image of the light that has reached the objective lens 71 on the light receiving surface of the imaging unit 3. The objective lens 71 and the imaging lens 72 may each be provided on multiple surfaces.

[0019] The illumination unit 8 is a coaxial epi-illumination means including a light source 81 that emits illumination light, and a beam splitter 82 that causes the illumination light from the light source 81 to be split into the telecentric optical system 7 and irradiated toward the mounting table 2 as coaxial epi-illumination light whose optical axis coincides with the optical axis of the imaging unit 3. The illumination unit 8 may include transmitted illumination and side illumination in addition to the coaxial epi-illumination for the purpose of clarifying an image, etc.

[0020] The display unit 6 is an arbitrary display means, and under the control of the display control unit 41, displays an image of the object to be measured captured by the imaging unit 3, and a user interface that accepts inputs by input operations performed by the operator.

[0021] The input unit 10 is an input means for manually inputting information. In Figs. 1 and 2, an example is shown in which a touch panel display is adopted and configured integrally with the display unit 6, but this is not limiting and the input unit 10 may be configured as an independent input means such as a mouse or a keyboard. When a touch panel display is adopted, input of the position touched by the operator's finger or the range traced is accepted. Also, when a mouse is adopted, input of the position of the pointer when the operator clicks a button or the range traced with the pointer while clicking the button is accepted.

[0022] The control and calculation unit 4 controls each unit within the image measuring instrument 1 so as to realize image capturing and image measurement by the image measuring instrument 1.

[0023] In the present invention, the control calculation unit 4 includes a process control unit 41 and a function execution unit .

[0024] The process control unit 41 causes the display unit 6 to display a user interface that is limited to accepting inputs necessary for using available functions in each of a plurality of operation steps performed by an operator in image measurement using the image measuring device 1. A representative user interface is a graphical user interface (GUI) such as buttons, but other interfaces such as a menu bar or a toolbar may also be used.

[0025] The user interface may be displayed automatically when entering each operation step, or may be displayed after waiting for some trigger input by the user. In addition, if it is not possible to display all the available functions even if they are limited to those available, the user interface may be configured to preferentially display, for example, a user interface related to a function that is frequently used based on the past operation history.

[0026] The process control unit 41 receives input required for using a function from the operator via the user interface from the input unit 10 in each operation step, and causes the function execution unit 42 to execute the function.

[0027] The operation steps include, for example, an operation step performed when placing the object to be measured 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 operation step S1 (hereinafter referred to as "operation step S2"), and an operation step performed when measuring dimensions from geometric elements extracted from an image of the object to be measured (hereinafter referred to as "operation step S3").

[0028] Functions available in operation step S1 include, for example, selection of measurement items such as various length dimensions and angle dimensions, selection of tools such as a brush and eraser for extracting geometric elements, adjustment of the imaging position, and adjustment of lighting. Therefore, in operation step S1, a user interface limited to functions available in the operation step is displayed on the display unit 6, such as a button for accepting selection of a measurement item or a tool, and a button for calling a user interface for adjusting the imaging position or the lighting. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a user interface in operation step S1. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a measurement item selection button K, a tool selection button B, a button P for calling a tool for adjusting the imaging position, and a button L for calling a tool for adjusting the lighting are displayed as user interfaces together with an image of the measurement target W, but the specific display items and display form are not limited to this.

[0029] When one or more measurement items are selected in operation step S1, the process proceeds to operation step S2. On the other hand, when the brush tool for extracting geometric elements is selected, the process enters a state of waiting for input by the operator, and the operator sequentially identifies the geometric elements by tracing them on the image of the object to be measured by operating the input unit 10, whereby the geometric elements are sequentially extracted and their edges are detected. In this sense, when the brush tool is selected, operation step S1 can also be said to be an operation step for sequentially extracting geometric elements.

[0030] When the operation proceeds to operation step S2, functions available in operation step S2 include, for example, selection of tools such as a brush or eraser for extracting geometric elements. Therefore, in operation step S2, a user interface limited to functions available in the operation step, such as buttons for receiving input of the selection of these tools, is displayed on the display unit 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface display in operation step S2. FIG. 5 shows an example in which a tool selection button B is displayed as a user interface together with an image of the measurement target W, but the specific display items and display form are not limited to this.

[0031] In operation step S2, when a brush tool for extracting geometric elements is selected, the system enters a state of waiting for input by an operator, and the operator sequentially identifies geometric elements by tracing them on the image of the object to be measured by operating the input unit 10, whereby the geometric elements are sequentially extracted and their edges are detected. Dimensional measurements are performed based on the edges detected for each extracted geometric element. The number of geometric elements that need to be extracted varies depending on the measurement item; for example, one is required for the length dimension of the diameter of a circle, and two are required for the length dimension between two lines or the angle dimension between two lines.

[0032] In parallel with the extraction of geometric elements in operation step S1 or operation step S2, operation step S3 is executed in which dimensional measurement is performed based on the extracted geometric elements.

[0033] Functions available in operation step S3 include, for example, the selection of measurement items such as various length dimensions and angle dimensions, but since this function operates in parallel with the extraction of geometric elements in operation steps S1 and S2, it is also necessary to be able to select tools such as a brush or eraser. Therefore, in operation step S3, a user interface limited to functions available in the operation step, such as buttons for accepting the selection of measurement items and tools, is displayed on the display unit 6.

[0034] In the case where geometric elements are extracted in operation step S1, no measurement items are specified. Therefore, one or more measurement items are selected in operation step S3, and if the geometric elements required for the measurement of the selected measurement items have been extracted, the measurement is carried out and the measurement results are output to the display unit 6 or the like. If extraction is insufficient, the extraction of geometric elements in operation step S1 continues, and when the necessary geometric elements have been extracted, the measurement results are output to the display unit 6 or the like.

[0035] Also, if a measurement item is not specified, geometric elements may be extracted sequentially in operation step S1, and in parallel, in operation step S3, measurements may be performed sequentially starting from the measurement items for which the geometric elements necessary for measurement are available as a result of the extraction of the geometric elements in operation step S1, and the measurement results may be output sequentially to the display unit 6, etc. In this case, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a button or the like is automatically selected for a measurement item for which a measurement result has been obtained, and unnecessary measurement results can be excluded by canceling the selected state.

[0036] On the other hand, if a measurement item is selected in operation step S1, geometric elements are extracted sequentially in operation step S2, and as soon as the geometric elements necessary for measuring the measurement item have been collected, the measurement is performed in operation step S3 and the measurement results are output to the display unit 6, etc. If multiple measurement items are selected in operation step S2, the geometric elements necessary for the measurement are extracted sequentially, and operation step S3 is executed to output the measurement results to the display unit 6, etc., sequentially starting from the measurement item for which extraction of the geometric elements necessary for measurement has been completed, or as soon as extraction of the geometric elements necessary for all selected measurement items has been completed.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the user interface in operation step S3. Fig. 6 shows an example in which a measurement item selection button K and a tool selection button B are displayed as a user interface together with an image of the measurement target W, but the specific display items and display form are not limited to this. Note that, since extraction of geometric elements has already progressed at this point, two straight lines E1 and E2, which are geometric elements that have already been extracted, are also displayed. Moreover, FIG. 7 shows an example of the display state in which the next geometric element is being extracted after two straight lines E1 and E2 have been extracted. Since the geometric elements necessary for measuring the length dimension between the two straight lines have already been extracted, the measurement has been carried out and the length dimension is displayed.

[0038] In the image measuring machine of the present invention, the control calculation unit 4 may be configured with a CPU, and each function may be realized by having the CPU execute a program (application for the image measuring machine) 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 illumination unit 8, etc. are described. The program may be stored in the memory unit 5 and read out and executed, or may be stored in another storage means and read out and executed. The control calculation unit 4 and the memory unit 5 may be provided in the main body of the image measuring machine 1, or may be provided in a device such as a personal computer connected to the main body of the image measuring machine 1 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0039] According to the image measuring device and program of the present invention described above, when an operator performs an input operation, a user interface for inputting instructions to use functions is displayed, limited to available functions. Therefore, the proportion of the display area of ​​the user interface on the screen is reduced, and a relatively large display area for the image of the measurement target can be secured, improving operability such as specifying the measurement site. Furthermore, by displaying the user interface, limited to available functions, even an operator with low proficiency can easily find the functions to use, improving operability.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples. The above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples are merely examples, and anything that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention and exhibits similar effects is included in the technical scope of the present invention. In other words, appropriate modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea expressed in the present invention, and forms with such modifications and improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1...Image measuring device 2…Placement table 3. Imaging unit 4...Control and calculation section 5...Storage section 6...Display section 7...Telecentric optical system 8…Lighting section 10...Input section 41...Process control section 42…Function execution section B...Tool selection button K…Measurement item selection button L…Light adjustment tool call button P…Call button for adjusting the image position W: Measurement object

Claims

1. An image measuring machine that captures an image of a measurement object and measures dimensions of the measurement object through a plurality of operation steps, comprising: a display unit that displays a user interface that accepts inputs by an operator's input operation; a process control unit that displays on the display unit the user interface that is limited to accepting inputs necessary for using available functions in each of the operation steps; a function execution unit that executes a function for which an input related to use has been made to the user interface; An image measuring machine comprising:

2. 2. The image measuring machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operation steps include a first operation step of sequentially extracting a plurality of geometric elements from an image of the measurement object, and a second operation step of sequentially performing dimensional measurement and obtaining measurement results for measurement items for which necessary geometric elements for measurement have been obtained by extracting the geometric elements in the first operation step.

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

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