Vision System Illuminator Control via Lookup Table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vision systems lack the ability to easily control and upgrade internal and external illuminators, leading to potential installation and configuration errors due to fixed illumination parameters, which can result in poor image acquisition or equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows the vision system processor to control an illuminator based on stored parameters, retrieved at startup or during image acquisition, using a discrete value that maps to a look-up table associated with the camera, ensuring proper operation of the illuminator and image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed illumination parameters are used in conventional vision systems, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different illuminator types is poor and installation errors are prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing illumination parameters in advance in a look-up table within the vision system processor. During operation, the system retrieves pre-stored parameters matching the illuminator type, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing installation errors while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting the illuminator type and retrieving corresponding parameters from the look-up table without user intervention. This self-configuration capability enhances adaptability to different illuminator types while keeping the operational interface simple.
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration of illumination parameters is required, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates and configuration errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting the connected illuminator type and retrieving appropriate parameters from the look-up table. This eliminates manual configuration steps, significantly improving ease of operation while the automatic retrieval mechanism manages the complexity of parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by detecting which illuminator type is connected and automatically selecting the corresponding parameter set from the look-up table. This closed-loop approach ensures correct parameters are applied without user intervention, improving operational ease while managing complexity through automated control.
3Reliability
If fixed illumination parameters are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of image acquisition deteriorates due to potential parameter mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves reliability by pre-storing correct illumination parameters for various illuminator types in a look-up table. When an illuminator is connected, the system retrieves the matching pre-validated parameters, ensuring correct operation and preventing parameter mismatches that would compromise image acquisition reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by preparing multiple sets of validated illumination parameters in advance within the look-up table. This pre-prepared parameter library acts as a safety buffer, ensuring that regardless of which illuminator type is connected, the correct parameters are already available to prevent operational errors and protect image acquisition reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the vision system supports multiple illuminator types with different parameters, then the adaptability improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces parameter detection complexity by pre-organizing all possible illuminator parameters in a look-up table during system setup. During operation, only the illuminator type identification is needed to retrieve the corresponding pre-measured and validated parameters, significantly reducing the difficulty of parameter detection while maintaining support for multiple illuminator types.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a system and method for enabling control of an illuminator having predetermined operating parameters by a vision system processor/core based upon stored information regarding parameters that are integrated with the illuminator. The parameters are retrieved by the processor, and are used to control the operation of the illuminator and/or the camera during image acquisition. In an embodiment, the stored parameters are a discrete numerical or other value that corresponds to the illuminator type. The discrete value maps to a corresponding value in look-up table/database associated with the camera that contains parameter sets associated with each of a plurality of values in the database. The data associated with the discrete value in the camera contains the necessary parameters or settings for that illuminator type. In other embodiments, some or all of the actual parameter information can be stored with the illuminator and retrieved by the camera processor.