Image data transmission / reception system, image data transmission / reception method, and component mounting machine

Abstract

Provided is an image data transmission and reception system comprising a general-purpose communication cable, a transmission device, and a reception device. The general-purpose communication cable is a standardized communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data. The transmission device comprises an image data acquisition unit that acquires fixed-length image data, an image compression unit that performs lossless image compression to convert the acquired fixed-length image data into variable-length compressed image data not of the standard of the general-purpose communication cable, and an image data transmission unit that transmits the variable-length compressed image data. The reception device comprises an image data reception unit that receives variable-length compressed image data transmitted from the image data transmission unit through the general-purpose communication cable and an image decompression unit that decompresses the variable-length compressed image data received by the image data reception unit into fixed-length image data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an image data transmission / reception system, an image data transmission / reception method, and a component mounter. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, component mounters equipped with an image data transmission / reception system that transmits image data captured by a camera equipped in the component mounting unit to a control device have been well known. In this type of image data transmission / reception system, image data is usually transferred by connecting the camera and the control device with a standardized camera interface. One well-known standardized camera interface is the Camera Link (registered trademark) standard. When transmitting image data using the Camera Link standard, a communication cable (Camera Link cable) and Camera Link hardware that comply with the standard are used. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In recent years, as the resolution of images captured by cameras has increased, there has been a demand for faster transfer of image data. To achieve this, it has been considered to adopt a new camera interface standard that allows for faster transfer of image data. However, adopting a new camera interface standard requires that communication cables and hardware be changed to comply with the new camera interface standard, resulting in an unavoidable increase in costs. In other words, in the past, it was not possible to transfer image data at high speeds using existing communication cables and hardware as they were.

[0004] Therefore, this specification provides a technique that allows image data to be transferred at high speed while using existing communication cables and hardware. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses an image data transmission / reception system. The image data transmission / reception system includes a general-purpose communication cable, a transmitting device, and a receiving device. The general-purpose communication cable is a standardized communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data. The transmitting device includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires fixed-length image data, an image compression unit that performs lossless image compression on the acquired fixed-length image data to convert it into variable-length compressed image data that does not conform to the general-purpose communication cable standard, and an image data transmission unit that transmits the variable-length compressed image data. The receiving device includes an image data receiving unit that receives the variable-length compressed image data transmitted from the image data transmission unit via the general-purpose communication cable, and an image decompression unit that decompresses the variable-length compressed image data received by the image data receiving unit into fixed-length image data.

[0006] According to the above-described configuration, image data can be transferred at high speed while utilizing existing communication cables and hardware. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image data transmission / reception system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a timing chart and a table for explaining the relationship between various control signals and their switching timings in the image data transmitting and receiving method of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an image data transmission / reception system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0009] (Feature 1) The image data transmission and reception system disclosed in this specification may include a standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data, a transmitting device including a first signal multiplexing unit and a second signal multiplexing unit, and a receiving device including an image data receiving unit and an image decompressing unit. The first signal multiplexing unit may include an image data import unit that imports fixed-length image data, an image compression unit that performs lossless image compression on the imported fixed-length image data to convert it into variable-length compressed image data that does not conform to the standard of the general-purpose communication cable, a first signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes the variable-length compressed image data and predetermined data, and a first communication unit that transmits the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data to the second signal multiplexing unit. The second signal multiplexing unit may include a second communication unit that receives the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data, a second signal multiplexing unit that divides the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data into variable-length compressed image data and the predetermined data, and an image data transmission unit that transmits the variable-length compressed image data divided by the second signal multiplexing unit. The image data receiving unit may receive variable-length compressed image data transmitted from the image data transmitting unit via a general-purpose communication cable. The receiving device may decompress the variable-length compressed image data received by the image data receiving unit into fixed-length image data.

[0010] (Feature 2) The image data transmission / reception system disclosed in this specification may include a transmitting device having an image data capture unit, an image compression unit, and an image data transmission unit; a receiving device having a standardized general-purpose communication cable connected at one end to the image data transmission unit of the transmitting device for transmitting and receiving fixed-length original frame image data, and an image data receiving unit and an image decompression unit. The image data capture unit may be configured to capture the fixed-length original frame image data. The fixed-length original frame image data may have n lines (n > 1 integer) x m pieces (m > 1 integer) of original pixel data, and each of the first to nth line data may have m pieces of original pixel data. The image compression unit may be configured to generate variable-length compressed frame image data from the fixed-length original frame image data captured by the transmitting-side image data capture unit based on a preset compression program. The variable-length compressed frame image data may be n lines (n > 1 integer) x m pieces (m > 1 integer) of original pixel data. a Line(n a ≦n (integer) × m a pieces(m a ≦m integer) and the first to nth compressed pixel data a Each of the first to third line data may have variable-length compressed image data for each line. The image data transmitting unit may be configured to transmit variable-length compressed frame image data generated by the image compressing unit. The image data receiving unit may be configured to be connected to the other end of the general-purpose communication cable and to receive the variable-length compressed frame image data received from the image data transmitting unit via the general-purpose communication cable. The image decompressing unit may be configured to decompress the variable-length compressed frame image data received by the image data receiving unit into fixed-length original frame image data based on a preset decompression program corresponding to the compression program.

[0011] (Feature 3) The component mounter disclosed in this specification may include a component mounting unit that mounts components on a board, a camera equipped in the component mounting unit, a control device that controls the component mounting unit, and the image data transmission / reception system described in Feature 1 or 2 above that transmits image data captured by the camera to the control device.

[0012] (Feature 4) The image data transmission and reception method disclosed in this specification is a method for transmitting image data from a transmitting device to a receiving device, and may include an image data capturing step, an image compression step, a transmitting step, and an image decompression step. In the image data capturing step, fixed-length original frame image data having n lines (n>1 integer)×m pieces (m>1 integer) of original pixel data, with each of the first to nth line data having m pieces of original pixel data, may be captured into the transmitting device. In the image compression step, n lines of fixed-length original frame image data captured in the image data capturing step may be compressed based on a preset compression program. a Line(n a ≦n (integer) × m a pieces(m a ≦m (an integer) and a In the image compression step, the variable-length compressed frame image data generated in the image compression step may be transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device via a standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length original frame image data. In the image decompression step, the receiving device may decompress the variable-length compressed frame image data transmitted in the transmission step into fixed-length original frame image data based on a preset decompression program corresponding to the compression program.

[0013] Example 1 An embodiment of a component mounter and an image data transmission / reception system 11 equipped therein according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the component mounter includes a component mounting unit 12, a control device 14, and an image processing PC (CPU) 46. The component mounting unit 12 is equipped with a camera 13. The image data transmission / reception system 11 is provided across the component mounting unit 12 and the control device 14. The component mounting unit 12 is a device for mounting electronic components on a circuit board. Specifically, the component mounting unit 12 has a mounting head, which mounts electronic components held by the mounting head onto a circuit board transported by a transport device (not shown). The mounting head is equipped with a suction nozzle (not shown). Negative or positive pressure air is supplied to the suction nozzle from, for example, a positive / negative pressure supply device (not shown), which causes the electronic components to be sucked or released. The mounting head is also equipped with a motor (not shown) for raising and lowering the suction nozzle and rotating it around its axis. The mounting head is also equipped with an encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotational position of the motor.

[0015] The camera 13 equipped in the component mounting unit 12 is a machine vision camera that complies with the Camera Link standard. The camera 13 is, for example, an IPS camera that captures images of electronic components held by the suction nozzle of the mounting head and is used to determine whether the suction state is good or bad. Alternatively, the camera 13 is, for example, a mark camera attached to the mounting head that captures images of marks written on a circuit board and is used to position the mounting head. The camera 13 is equipped with a CMOS sensor 13a, which is an imaging element.

[0016] The control device 14 is mainly configured as a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls the component mounting unit 12. Specifically, the control device 14 drives and controls the above-mentioned positive and negative pressure supply devices, motors, etc., in order to cause the mounting head of the component mounting unit 12 to perform a predetermined operation, for example.

[0017] Next, the image data transmission / reception system 11 of this embodiment will be described. The image data transmission / reception system 11 transmits image data captured by the camera 13 to the control device 14. The image data transmission / reception system 11 includes a general-purpose communication cable 21, a transmitting device 31 provided in the component mounting unit 12, and a receiving device 41 provided in the control device 14. The general-purpose communication cable 21 in this embodiment is a standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data. One end of the general-purpose communication cable 21 is electrically connected to the transmitting device 31, and the other end is electrically connected to the receiving device 41. Specifically, in this embodiment, a Camera Link cable 21 conforming to the Camera Link standard is used as the general-purpose communication cable 21.

[0018] The transmitting device 31 includes an image data acquisition unit 32, an image correction unit 33, an image compression unit 34, and a compressed image output unit 35. The image data acquisition unit 32 (image acquisition IP) is electrically connected to the CMOS sensor 13a of the camera 13, and is configured to acquire fixed-length image data GD1 output from the CMOS sensor 13a.

[0019] The image correction unit 33 (image correction processing IP) performs correction processing on the fixed-length image data GD1 imported by the image data import unit 32, and then outputs the corrected image data GD1 to the image compression unit 34. The image correction unit 33 performs, for example, correction processing for lens distortion according to errors in the mounting position of the lens of the camera 13 and the CMOS sensor 13a.

[0020] The image compression unit 34 (image compression processing IP) performs lossless image compression on the corrected fixed-length image data GD1, converting it into variable-length compressed image data GD2 that does not conform to the standards of the camera link cable 21, and outputs the variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the image data transmission unit 35. The compression processing here will be described in detail later.

[0021] The compressed image output unit 35 (image compression output IP) takes in the variable-length compressed image data GD2 after compression processing, and transmits the variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the receiving device 41 on the control device 14 side via the camera link cable 21.

[0022] The image data acquisition unit 32, image correction unit 33, image compression unit 34, compressed image output unit 35, etc. in the above-mentioned transmitting device 31 are configured, for example, by a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) mounted on a camera side board.

[0023] The receiving device 41 includes a compressed image input unit 42, an image decompression unit 43, a DMA controller (Direct Memory Access Controller) 44, and a PCI Express (PCI Express) 45. The compressed image input unit 42 (compressed image input IP) receives variable-length compressed image data GD2 transmitted from the compressed image output unit 35 via the camera link cable 21 and outputs the variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the image decompression unit 43. The image decompression unit 43 (image decompression processing IP) decompresses the variable-length compressed image data GD2 received by the compressed image input unit 42 into fixed-length image data GD1 and outputs the fixed-length image data GD1 restored by the decompression to the DMA controller 44. The decompression processing will be described in detail later. The DMA controller 44 is a functional unit provided for controlling data transfer, and receives the fixed-length image data GD1 restored by the decompression processing and transmits it to the PCI Express 45. The PCI Express 45 (PCI Express IP) is a type of I / O serial interface, which receives fixed-length image data GD1 from the DMA controller 44 and outputs the fixed-length image data GD1 to the image processing PC 46.

[0024] In addition, the compressed image input unit 42, image decompression unit 43, DMA controller 44, PCI Express 45, etc. in the above-mentioned receiving device 41 are configured, for example, by a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) mounted on an image input board.

[0025] The fixed-length image data GD1 output from the above-mentioned receiving device 41 is input to an image processing PC (CPU) 46. The image processing PC 46 is equipped with an expansion bus of PCI Express 45, and performs predetermined image processing based on the fixed-length image data GD1 in order to check the posture and inspect the component picked up by the suction nozzle.

[0026] Next, the image data transmission and reception method performed by the image data transmission and reception system 11 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a timing chart and table for explaining the relationship between various control signals and their switching timing in the image data transmission and reception method of this embodiment.

[0027] In the image data transmission / reception system 11, the image compression unit 34 generates various control signals (FVAL signal, LVAL signal, DVAL signal, and SPARE signal) used in the Camera Link standard. The FVAL signal is, for example, a vertical synchronization signal that rises only from the start to the end of processing one frame of data. One frame of image data is composed of multiple lines of data extending horizontally. The LVAL signal is, for example, a horizontal synchronization signal that rises only from the start to the end of one line of data. The LVAL signal rises multiple times (i.e., the same number of times as the number of lines constituting one frame of image data) while the FVAL signal is rising. The SPARE signal is a signal used to transfer information set in spare bits, and the user can set the meaning of the spare bits as desired. In this embodiment, the spare bits are used as header information during transfer, and information about the data length and Y coordinate of each line constituting variable-length compressed frame image data is set therein. The DVAL signal is, for example, a signal indicating valid pixel data. It rises after the SPARE signal falls and falls when data output is complete. In addition, the data transferred by the DVAL signal can include CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) data. The CRC data can be calculated from the compressed image data for each line data of the variable-length compressed frame image data.

[0028] A method for transmitting image data from the transmitting device 31 to the receiving device 41 using the image data transmitting / receiving system 11 configured as above will be described below.

[0029] The image data captured by camera 13 is fixed-length original frame image data GD1, and has n lines (n > 1, integer) x m pieces (m > 1, integer) of original pixel data, with each of the first through n-th lines of data having m pieces of original pixel data. In the image data capture step, this fixed-length original frame image data GD1 is captured by image data capture unit 32 of transmission device 31. Thereafter, image correction unit 33 performs a correction process on the fixed-length original frame image data GD1 (n x m), and the corrected fixed-length original frame image data GD1 (n x m) is output to image compression unit 34.

[0030] Then, in the next image compression step, the image compression unit 34 executes a predetermined image compression process based on a preset compression program. That is, the image compression unit 34 generates variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 from the corrected fixed-length original frame image data GD1 (n×m). The variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 is a Line(n a ≦n (integer) × m a pieces(m a ≦m integer) and the first to nth compressed pixel data a Each of the first to third line data has variable length compressed image data for each line. In this embodiment, the compressed frame image data GD2 has the same n lines of line data as before compression (i.e., n a =n), only the data length of each line data is shortened.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, for example, the fixed-length original frame image data GD1 in this example has 5120 lines x 643 pieces of original pixel data. Furthermore, the first through 5120th line data each have 643 pieces of original pixel data. Furthermore, each of the 643 pieces of original pixel data is made up of eight pieces of data DAT(i,1) through DAT(i,8) (i = 1 through 643). In contrast, in the variable-length compressed frame image data GD2, the first line data LD1 (Y coordinate = 1) has fewer than 643 pieces of compressed pixel data, specifically, 322 pieces of compressed pixel data. However, like the original pixel data, each of the 322 pieces of compressed pixel data is made up of eight pieces of data DAT(i,1) through DAT(i,8) (i = 1 through 322). Furthermore, the second line data LD2 (Y coordinate = 2) in the compressed frame image data GD2 also has fewer than 643 compressed pixel data, specifically 248 compressed pixel data. Similarly, the 5120th line data LD5120 (Y coordinate = 5120) in the compressed frame image data GD2 also has fewer than 643 compressed pixel data, specifically 250 compressed pixel data. In other words, in the compressed frame image data GD2, the line data LD1 to LD5120 each have a different data length. Note that each line data LD1 to LD5120 includes the data length and Y coordinate value as header information. This allows appropriate processing to be performed on each line (Y = 1 to 5120) according to the data length. Furthermore, CRC data is set at the end of each line.

[0032] In the subsequent transmission step, the compressed image output unit 35 imports the variable-length compressed image data GD2 generated in the image compression step. The compressed image output unit 35 then transmits the variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 to the receiving device 41 via the Camera Link cable 21, which is used to transmit and receive the fixed-length original frame image data GD1. In other words, the compressed image output unit 35 transfers data in a format that does not conform to the Camera Link standard. At this time, not only the variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 but also the control signals described above, such as the FVAL signal and LVAL signal, are transmitted. As is clear from the above, the compressed frame image data GD2, like the original frame image data GD1 before compression, has n lines of line data, with each pixel data consisting of eight pieces of data. Therefore, transmission via the Camera Link cable 21, which conforms to the Camera Link standard, is possible simply by controlling the output timing of the control signals, such as the FVAL signal, LVAL signal, and DVAL signal.

[0033] Explained based on FIG. 2, prior to data transfer, the FVAL signal rises to a high level, enabling the start of transmission of one frame's worth of variable-length compressed frame image data GD2. At the same time, the LVAL signal rises to a high level and is output, enabling the start of transmission of the variable-length compressed image data GD2 of the first line (i.e., the line with Y coordinate = 1) constituting the frame. Immediately after the first LVAL signal rises, the SPARE signal rises to a high level and the DVAL signal falls to a low level. Here, the compressed image output unit 35 transmits the SPARE signal to the receiving device 41 in synchronization with a clock that is 7 times the input clock. The variable-length compressed image data GD2 has L signals (L is an integer greater than 1), eight signals TAP1 to TAP8 in this case. Of the eight signals TAP1 to TAP8, TAP1 contains information about the data length, and TAP2 contains information about the Y coordinate. The SPARE signal contains the data length of one line of variable-length compressed image data GD2 to be transmitted. Next, when the SPARE signal falls and the DVAL signal rises, the compressed image output unit 35 transmits the remaining compressed pixel data to the receiving device 41 in synchronization with the clock. When transmission of the first line of variable-length compressed image data GD2 is complete, the first LVAL signal falls, and the DVAL signal also falls. When the second LVAL signal rises after a predetermined time has elapsed, transmission of the variable-length compressed image data GD2 of the second line (i.e., the line with Y coordinate = 2) constituting the frame can begin. The compressed image output unit 35 then transmits the compressed pixel data to the receiving device 41 through the same procedure as above. Thereafter, the compressed image output unit 35 sequentially transmits the variable-length compressed pixel data of the third to 5120th lines (i.e., the lines with Y coordinate = 3 to 5120). When transmission of variable length compressed pixel data for all lines is completed, the FVAL signal falls to low level.

[0034] In the subsequent image decompression process, the image decompressor 43 decompresses the variable-length compressed image data GD2 received via the camera link cable 21 and the compressed image input unit 42 into fixed-length original frame image data GD1 based on a preset decompression program corresponding to the compression program of the image compressor 34. Specifically, the image decompressor 43 divides the variable-length compressed image data GD2 received from the compressed image input unit 42 into frames and lines based on control signals (FVAL signal, LVAL signal, DVAL signal, and SPARE signal). Next, the divided lines of variable-length data are converted into fixed-length line data in accordance with the decompression program. This restores the variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the original frame image data GD1. At this time, the SPARE signal can be referenced to determine the data length of the variable-length line data to be transmitted. A cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is also performed based on the CRC data to detect any errors that occurred during transmission. The fixed-length image data GD1 returned by decompression undergoes predetermined image processing by the image processing PC 46, as in the conventional method.

[0035] As described above, the image data transmission / reception system 11 of this embodiment uses the Camera Link cable 21, which is a standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data GD1, to transmit image data from the transmitting device 31 to the receiving device 41. Therefore, there is no need to adopt a new standard camera interface that can transfer image data at higher speeds than the Camera Link standard, and the resulting increase in costs can be suppressed.

[0036] In other words, if a new camera interface standard capable of transferring image data at a higher speed than the Camera Link standard is adopted, the Camera Link cable 21 and Camera Link hardware must be changed to conform to the new camera interface standard. This inevitably leads to a problem of increased costs. In this regard, the configuration of this embodiment makes it possible to support high-speed image data transfer simply by changing the logic of, for example, an FPGA. Therefore, the existing Camera Link cable 21 and Camera Link hardware (i.e., the transmitter 31 and receiver 41) can be used as is. Therefore, image data can be transferred at high speed without the increased costs associated with adopting the new standard. Furthermore, as a result of the high-speed image data transfer, unnecessary image transfer time can be reduced, thereby achieving high performance in the component mounter.

[0037] Furthermore, even if a customer wanted to modify a previously shipped Camera Link standard product to enable high-speed image data transfer, adopting a new camera interface standard often limited the number of cables and prevented the desired speed from being achieved. In contrast, the configuration of the present embodiment allows for this modification even in shipped products, simply by modifying the logic, thereby enabling performance improvement through increased speed. Furthermore, in a system in which the camera 13 is mounted on the component mounting unit 12, which is a movable part, adopting a new standard cable requires extensive testing in advance for noise resistance, bending resistance, and other characteristics. This resulted in a problem of extended development time to ensure reliability. In contrast, the configuration of this embodiment allows the use of a conventional Camera Link cable 21, eliminating the need for reliability evaluations for noise resistance, bending resistance, and other characteristics, thereby reducing development man-hours.

[0038] In the image data transmission / reception system 11 described above, each line data LD1-LD5120 in the variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 includes a data length, which is header information related to the variable length of the line data LD1-LD5120. When transmitting the header information, the image data transmission unit 35 outputs a SPARE signal, a specific control signal, to the image data reception unit 42. With this configuration, the addition of the SPARE signal allows the image data reception unit 42 to determine in advance the data length related to the variable length of the line data LD1-LD5120 to be transmitted. This prevents image processing from being performed using incorrect image data. Furthermore, adding the SPARE signal also makes it possible to determine whether the data length of the line data LD1-LD5120 is the compressed data length. For example, if the data length has increased due to compression, the data lengths before and after compression can be compared, making it possible to select the raw data before compression, which has a shorter data length.

[0039] In the image data transmission / reception system 11 described above, each line data LD1 to LD5120 of the variable-length compressed frame image data GD2 includes CRC data calculated from the compressed image data of the line data LD1 to LD5120. Here, if standardized image data is transmitted using the camera link cable 21, the possibility of an error occurring is extremely low. However, if non-standard image data such as that of this embodiment is transmitted, the possibility of an error occurring increases. In this regard, with the above-described configuration, errors are detected by a cyclic redundancy check performed by adding CRC data, thereby preventing image processing from being performed on an incorrect image. This makes it possible to prevent situations such as defective circuit boards due to improper mounting positioning, for example.

[0040] Example 2 Next, an image data transmission / reception system 11A of a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the image data transmission / reception system 11A constituting the component mounter of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment will be mainly described. Configurations that are common to the first embodiment will be assigned common component numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The transmitting device 31 in the image data transmitting / receiving system 11A includes a first signal multiplexing unit 31A and a second signal multiplexing unit 31B. The first signal multiplexing unit 31A and the second signal multiplexing unit 31B are connected by an optical cable 22 for performing high-speed optical communication.

[0042] The first signal multiplexing unit 31A, which may also be referred to as a movable unit side signal multiplexing unit, includes an image data capture unit 32, an image correction unit 33, an image compression unit 34, a first signal multiplexing unit 36A serving as a signal multiplexing unit 36, and a first communication unit 37. The image data capture unit 32 (image capture IP) captures fixed-length image data GD1, and the image correction unit 33 (image correction processing IP) outputs the fixed-length image data GD1. The image compression unit 34 (image compression processing IP) performs lossless image compression on the corrected fixed-length image data GD1, converting it into variable-length compressed image data GD2 that does not comply with the Camera Link standard. The first signal multiplexing unit 36A (first signal multiplexing IP) captures the variable-length compressed image data GD2 from the image compression unit 34, multiplexes the captured variable-length compressed image data GD2 with other data (an example of "predetermined data") input to the first signal multiplexing unit 31A, and outputs the multiplexed data to the first communication unit 37. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first signal multiplexing unit 31A is disposed in a movable part of the mounter, and an encoder signal is input to the first signal multiplexing unit 31A from a motor (not shown) that drives the movable part. Various devices (sensors, etc.) are mounted on the movable part of the mounter, and I / O data is input and output from these devices to the first signal multiplexing unit 31A. The first signal multiplexing unit 36A multiplexes the compressed image data GD2, the encoder signal, and the I / O data, and outputs the multiplexed data to the first communication unit 37. The first communication unit 37 (high-speed transceiver IP) receives the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data GD2, etc. from the first signal multiplexing unit 36A. The first communication unit 37 then transmits the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data GD2, etc. to the second signal multiplexing unit 31B via the optical cable 22. In other words, by multiplexing the data transmitted from the first signal multiplexing unit 31A to the second signal multiplexing unit 31B, the wiring of the optical cable 22 connecting the first signal multiplexing unit 31A and the second signal multiplexing unit 31B is reduced.

[0043] The second signal multiplexing unit 31B, which may also be referred to as a fixed-unit-side signal multiplexing unit, includes a second communication unit 47, a second signal multiplexing unit 36B serving as the signal multiplexing unit 36, and an image data transmission unit 35. The second communication unit 47 (high-speed transceiver IP) receives multiplexed variable-length compressed image data GD2 and the like from the first communication unit 37 via the optical cable 22. The second signal multiplexing unit 36B (second signal multiplexing IP) receives the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data GD2 and the like from the second communication unit 47 and divides the multiplexed data into variable-length compressed image data GD2, an encoder signal, and I / O data. The second signal multiplexing unit 36B then outputs the divided, restored variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the image data transmission unit 35. The image data transmission unit 35 (compressed image output IP) takes in the variable-length compressed image data GD2 output from the second signal multiplexing unit 36B, and transmits the variable-length compressed image data GD2 to the receiving device 41 via the camera link cable 21.

[0044] As explained above, the image data transmission / reception system 11A, like the image data transmission / reception system 11, can support high-speed image data transfer simply by changing the logic of the FPGA, etc. Therefore, the existing camera link cable 21 and camera link hardware (i.e., the transmitter 31 and receiver 41) can be used as is. Therefore, image data can be transferred at high speed without increasing costs. Furthermore, as a result of high-speed image data transfer being possible, it is possible to reduce wasted image transfer time and achieve high performance of the component mounter.

[0045] Although the first and second embodiments have been described above, the specific aspects are not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments. In the above-described first and second embodiments, a general-purpose communication cable (i.e., Camera Link cable 21) conforming to the Camera Link standard and Camera Link hardware are used to transmit and receive variable-length compressed image data GD2 that does not conform to the standard, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention may of course be a system that uses a general-purpose communication cable conforming to a standard other than the Camera Link standard and hardware for that standard to transmit and receive variable-length compressed image data GD2 that does not conform to the standard.

[0046] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the image data transmission / reception systems 11 and 11A are described as being employed in a component mounter, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the image data transmission / reception systems 11 and 11A may be employed in a solder printing device or the like. Furthermore, the image data transmission / reception systems 11 and 11A may be employed not only in component mounters and solder printing devices that perform substrate-related work, but also in work machines that perform cutting work and assembly work for secondary batteries (solar cells, fuel cells, etc.).

[0047] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The claimed technology includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives alone is technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 11, 11A: Image data transmission and reception system 12: Parts mounting section 13: Camera 14: Control device 21: Camera Link cable as a general-purpose communication cable 31: Transmitting device 31A: First signal multiplexing unit 31B: Second signal multiplexing unit 32: Image data capture unit 34: Image compression section 35: Image data transmission unit (compressed image output unit) 36: Signal multiplexing section 36A: 1st signal multiplexing section 36B: 2nd signal multiplexing section 37: First Communications Department 41: Receiving device 42: Image data receiving unit (compressed image input unit) 43: Image decompression section 47: Second Communications Department GD1: Fixed-length original frame image data as fixed-length image data GD2: Variable-length compressed frame image data as variable-length compressed image data

Claims

1. A standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving fixed-length image data; A transmitting device comprising a first signal multiplexing unit and a second signal multiplexing unit, The first signal multiplexing unit includes an image data capturing unit that captures the fixed-length image data, an image compression unit that performs lossless image compression on the captured fixed-length image data and converts it into variable-length compressed image data that does not conform to the standard of the general-purpose communication cable, a first signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes the variable-length compressed image data and predetermined data, and a first communication unit that transmits the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data to the second signal multiplexing unit, the second signal multiplexing unit is the transmitting device including: a second communication unit that receives the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data; a second signal multiplexing unit that divides the multiplexed variable-length compressed image data into the variable-length compressed image data and the predetermined data; and an image data transmitting unit that transmits the variable-length compressed image data divided by the second signal multiplexing unit; a receiving device including an image data receiving unit that receives the variable-length compressed image data transmitted from the image data transmitting unit via the general-purpose communication cable, and an image decompressing unit that decompresses the variable-length compressed image data received by the image data receiving unit into the fixed-length image data; An image data transmission and reception system comprising:

2. (1) A transmitting device including an image data capturing unit, an image compressing unit, and an image data transmitting unit, the image data acquisition unit is configured to acquire fixed-length original frame image data, the fixed-length original frame image data having n lines (n is an integer greater than 1) x m pieces (m is an integer greater than 1) of original pixel data, and each of the first to nth line data has m pieces of original pixel data; The image compression unit is configured to generate variable-length compressed frame image data from the fixed-length original frame image data captured by the image data capture unit based on a preset compression program, and the variable-length compressed frame image data is ａ Line (n ａ ≦n (integer) × m ａ pieces (m ａ ≦m (an integer) and the first to nth compressed pixel data ａ Each of the first to second line data has variable length compressed image data for each line, the image data transmission unit is configured to transmit the variable-length compressed frame image data generated by the image compression unit; (2) a standardized general-purpose communication cable, one end of which is connected to the image data transmission unit of the transmission device, for transmitting and receiving the fixed-length original frame image data; (3) A receiving device including an image data receiving unit and an image decompressing unit, the image data receiving unit is connected to the other end of the general-purpose communication cable and is configured to receive the variable-length compressed frame image data received from the image data transmitting unit via the general-purpose communication cable, the receiving device, wherein the image decompression unit is configured to decompress the variable-length compressed frame image data received by the image data receiving unit into the fixed-length original frame image data based on a preset decompression program corresponding to the compression program; Equipped with The compressed image data has L signals (L is an integer greater than 1), The transmitting device a first signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes L (where L is an integer greater than 1) signals of the compressed image data and a predetermined signal; a second signal multiplexing unit that divides the multiplexed signal output from the first signal multiplexing unit into L (where L is an integer greater than 1) signals of the compressed image data and the predetermined signal; It also has The image data transmitting unit transmits the compressed image data divided by the second signal multiplexing unit.

3. each line data of the variable-length compressed frame image data includes header information relating to the variable length of the line data; 3. The image data transmission / reception system according to claim 2, wherein said image data transmission unit outputs a specific control signal to said image data reception unit when transmitting said header information.

4. 4. The image data transmission / reception system according to claim 2, wherein each line data of said variable-length compressed frame image data includes CRC data calculated from the compressed image data of said line data.

5. a component mounting unit that mounts components on a board; a camera mounted on the component mounting section; a control device that controls the component mounting unit; The image data transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which transmits image data captured by the camera to the control device; A component mounting machine equipped with the above.

6. A method for transmitting image data from a transmitting device to a receiving device, comprising: an image data capturing step of capturing fixed-length original frame image data into the transmitting device, the original frame image data having n lines (n is an integer greater than 1) x m pieces (m is an integer greater than 1) of original pixel data, with each of the first to nth line data having m pieces of original pixel data; In the transmitting device, n original frame image data of the fixed length acquired in the image data acquisition step are extracted based on a preset compression program. ａ Line (n ａ ≦n (integer) × m ａ pieces (m ａ ≦m (an integer) and ａ an image compression step of generating variable-length compressed frame image data, in which each of the first to third line data has variable compressed image data for each line; a transmitting step of transmitting the variable-length compressed frame image data generated in the image compression step from the transmitting device to the receiving device via a standardized general-purpose communication cable for transmitting and receiving the fixed-length original frame image data; an image decompression step in the receiving device for decompressing the variable-length compressed frame image data transmitted in the transmitting step into the fixed-length original frame image data based on a preset decompression program corresponding to the compression program; Equipped with The compressed image data has L signals (L is an integer greater than 1), The method for transmitting image data includes: a first signal multiplexing step of multiplexing L (where L is an integer greater than 1) signals of the compressed image data and a predetermined signal; a second signal multiplexing step of dividing the signal multiplexed by the first signal multiplexing step into L signals (where L is an integer greater than 1) of the compressed image data and the predetermined signal; Furthermore, The image data transmitting and receiving method, wherein the transmitting step transmits the compressed image data divided by the second signal multiplexing step.

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