Common Vision Blox V10 enables new dimensions in image processing

Common Vision Blox Version 10 is the latest release of this programming library for imaging which now offers full support for the 32-bit version of Windows VISTA. Version 10 also complies with Microsoft’s OS design rules for genuine VISTA support, so that the new features and strengthened security it provides can be used in conjunction with Common Vision Blox. The Common Vision Blox installation routines have been fully revised and updated for this release. CVB Version 10 now offers a modern installation procedure that sets new standards in user friendliness. To avoid unnecessary delays when using the installation program, the system’s developers felt that it was particularly important to keep any user prompts to an absolute minimum. In addition, no further system restarts are required, even after the installation of the hardware drivers. Once installed, all other system settings can be accessed via the central management console which is another new feature in CVB 10. The compilation of customised installation routines required to transfer proprietary CVB based applications from one machine to another have been simplified, a feature that is particularly useful for system integrators and application companies.

On the way to the 3rd dimension

In the latest version of Common Vision Blox, there is also introduced 3D image processing. The machine vision specialist has extended its range of components in this field by entering into two new partnerships. Firstly, the 3D algorithms of the Spanish software publisher Aqsense have been integrated in the CVB library. What is more, Stemmer Imaging has taken over sales and marketing of AT – Automation Technology’s C3 series of 3D cameras in central Europe. Automation Technology makes fast 3D cameras for image processing. Using its own C3 technology, the company develops and produces laser sheet-of-light (triangulation) sensors for the 3D machine vision market that boast maximum measuring speeds and resolutions.

The high-speed AT C3-2350 camera has a resolution of 2352×1728 pixels

For example, the latest model in the series ” the high-speed C3-2350 camera ” has a resolution of 2352 x 1728 pixels. At a maximum profile rate of 25kHz it delivers up to 58 million 3D points per second. The integrated high-speed C3 processing pipeline determines the height profile of the surface being measured with a sub-pixel accuracy of 1/16 pixel with no loss in speed. Stemmer Imaging presented its 3D portfolio as a demo system at VISION 2008 in Stuttgart. The test objects past an AT 3D camera on a fast linear drive and were be scanned by a line laser. The information from the camera was then be evaluated by the Aqsense software, resulting in a disparity map that clearly showed in colour any differences between the test specimen and a master specimen.

The cooperation with Automation Technology is targeted in the French, UK and Irish, Polish, Swiss, Austrian and German markets in particular. The Aqsense 3D software solution is already an optional component of Common Vision Blox and is marketed worldwide via the network of CVB distributors.

When the PC becomes a camera

Another special feature of CVB 10 is the new and innovative GigE Vision Server. Once installed, the computer behaves like a complete GigE Vision and GenICam compatible camera, with freely configurable features. As one would expect, CVB remains true to the principle of hardware independence. The data from the CVB GigE Vision Server is fully standards compliant and is therefore compatible with any software interfaces from other providers. GigE Vision Server opens up new opportunities in vision. At a basic level, images can be transferred from a hard disk or any compatible imaging hardware, via a network, thus benefiting from the simplified cabling. This allows GigE Vision cameras to be simulated alongside any CVB compatible imaging technology. Complex applications have already been implemented, such as local image pre-processing and distributed computing across full Multi-Cast server solutions; neither presenting any difficulties for Common Vision Blox. Customised remote control and acquisition are provided by CVB GigE Vision Server’s freely configurable GenICam features.

C3 series cameras support innovative 3D image processing solutions

However, complex applications have already been implemented. Using Common Vision Blox, local pre-processing of image data can be easily implement on the GigE Vision Server and distributed via full multicast server solutions. Tailored remote control of the GigE Vision Server and the acquisition implemented on it is possible via the freely definable GenICam features of the GigE Vision Server. In a specific application that recently was implemented, five PCs running the GigE Vision Server operate as a smart video switch that passes image data from 250 GigE Vision cameras to seven additional PCs. Each of these seven PCs can display data from up to three cameras on the network. To accomplish this, the five server computers operate in multicast mode so that the data is transferred to several computers in parallel.

GigE Vision cameras automatically featuring CVB CameraSuite

For some time, Common Vision Blox with its independent imaging libraries, has offered users the most comprehensive and powerful implementation of the GigE Vision and GenICam standards. CVB already represents the first choice for developers wishing to use the full potential, flexibility and independence offered by this new technology. However, Stemmer Imaging has now simplified the path to this new technology still further, particularly for customers who had preferred working with a pure SDK and were therefore not able to benefit from the advantages that CVB offers. With the release of Common Vision Blox Version 10, the software’s developer is able to supply all of its own GigE Vision cameras with the new, free, CVB CameraSuite.

This SDK – a variant of the CVB Image Manager – is licensed to the individual MAC address of each GigE camera. The software is enabled by means of an individual code number and is not bound to the computer hardware or to special dongles. This code number is supplied with every GigE Vision camera sold by Firstsight Vision. This means that every customer who orders a GigE Vision camera from the Stemmer Imaging Group receives a reliable, manufacturer independent and powerful SDK that allows the benefits of GigE Vision technology to be fully exploited.

Free for existing customers

These innovations once again underline the technological superiority of CVB, and Version 10 demonstrates just how much the developers at Stemmer Imaging have benefited from the company’s involvement in both the GigE Vision and GenICam standards committees.

Peter Keppler is Vision Solutions Sales Manager by Stemmer Imaging

Well VISI pulled off a solid VISION 2008 technology conference yesterday in downtown St. Paul. Kudos’s go out to the VISI marketing team for the event organization and the respectable attendance. I don’t know the final attendance count but my guess is it landed in the 150-200 range. The food was good and the networking opportunities were plentiful.

I attended two sessions: Jim Akers from NetApp talking about next generation storage and Misha Govshteyn from Alert Logic talking about security. I’ve known Jim almost my whole career starting back in the old ISP days when he worked at Cisco. I found his discussion of storage virtualization and clones particularly interesting. Misha is the CTO and Co-Founder of Alert Logic and I thought he gave a very high-level, strategic overview of current security threats and defense strategies. His presentation was particularly refreshing since I’m so used to hearing thinly veiled vendor pitches during these types of presentations. I was very interested to learn how worms are becoming more stealthy. A few years ago worms were used as a way to damage computers and now they are used to extract financially valuable information.

I also had the opportunity to meet up with several prominent local bloggers and entrepreneurs including Graeme Thickens, Steve Borsch and Steve Kickert. Steve’s company, Riverock Technologies, recently launched a new team collaboration and productivity solution called OnePlace. The SaaS-based solution is written in Ruby-on-Rails and hosted at Engine Yard.

UPDATE: Graeme Thickens wrote a wonderful blog article detailing Robert Steven’s keynote speech at VISION 2008.

UPDATE2: Steve Brosch wrote an article in Minnov8 describing his experience at VISION 2008.