Smart cameras benefit from technological advances
Juan Rosales, Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, www.frost.com -- Test & Measurement World, 10/1/2007
Smart cameras, which feature built-in processors that yield high-quality images without relying on external frame grabbers, have been widely used since their inception in the 1980s. Although smart cameras are extremely valuable for flaw detection within inspection processes, the current trend suggests that they will experience an increased role in other applications, such as bar-code reading, surveillance, and noncontact measurement. This is due to the inherent benefits that make such technology desirable to end users, some of which are illustrated in the figure.
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Smart cameras will become more attractive as technological advancements in electronics increase their capabilities and as their prices continue to decrease. |
The user-friendly nature of smart cameras is perhaps the largest contributor to their success. Whereas users of PC-based systems often must maintain numerous components, users of smart cameras often have the luxury of keeping track of only one component—the camera itself. No formal computer skills are required for using such systems, and the software that accompanies smart-camera technology is easy to understand. As a result, smart cameras that feature convenient user interfaces are often preferred over more-sophisticated PC-based options.
While smart cameras will not completely displace the use of PCs in inspection processes, their compact size is satisfying a need in applications that logistically may not be conducive to larger systems. Although smaller in size, smart cameras will soon be able to achieve processing power close to that of the larger PC-based systems, due to the advancements occurring in the electronics industry.
The affordability associated with smart cameras allows end users to satisfy their inspection requirements at a reduced price. Smart cameras come equipped with a camera, lenses, cabling, processing, and, in some cases, illumination. They are generally more affordable to purchase and set up than PC-based systems, which often require a more complex network of modules. Although the addition of various elements into a smart-camera-based system may increase the overall costs, such systems are still considerably less expensive than their PC-based counterparts.
While some applications may require the fast processing speeds of PC-based frame grabbers and processors, smart cameras are suitable for optical character recognition and bar-code reading. Optimal production speeds for such activities can be achieved with current smart-camera technology. And when combined with off-the-shelf lighting sources, smart cameras are able to inspect high-volume units.
Despite the increased utility of smart cameras, there is still a demand for PC-based machine-vision inspection in complex and sophisticated applications. Looking to the future, however, the performance competencies of smart cameras will continue to increase as their processing capabilities improve, and smart cameras will be used in applications that currently employ PC-based technology.
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