Artificial Intelligence - Old Questions

8.  What do you mean by machine vision? Discuss the components of a machine vision system.

Machine vision is the ability of a computer to "see." A machine-vision system employs one or more video cameras, analog-to-digital conversion ( ADC ), and digital signal processing ( DSP ). The resulting data goes to a computer or robot controller. Machine vision is similar in complexity to voice recognition . The machine vision systems use video cameras, robots or other devices, and computers to visually analyze an operation or activity. Typical uses include automated inspection, optical character recognition and other non-contact applications.

Two important specifications in any vision system are the sensitivity and the resolution. Sensitivity is the ability of a machine to see in dim light, or to detect weak impulses at invisible wavelengths. Resolution is the extent to which a machine can differentiate between objects. In general, the better the resolution, the more confined the field of vision.

A typical machine vision system will consist of most of the following components:

• One or more digital or analogue cameras (black-and-white or colour) with suitable optics for acquiring images, such as lenses to focus the desired field of view onto the image sensor and suitable, often very specialized, light sources
• Input/Output hardware (e.g. digital I/O) or communication links (e.g. network connection or RS-232) to report results
• A synchronizing sensor for part detection (often an optical or magnetic sensor) to trigger image acquisition and processing and some form of actuators to sort, route or reject defective parts
• A program to process images and detect relevant features.