Configurable image trigger for a vision system and method for using the same

A method for configuring a trigger event in a vision system having a vision system camera that acquires images objects moving relative to a field of view of the camera comprising the steps of:

• operating a vision system interface including a plurality of vision system tools to process the acquired images;
• configuring, with a trigger configuration function within the interface, at least some of the plurality vision system tools to define a trigger logic by which an event is triggered;
• and
• configuring, with a main inspection configuration within the interface, the vision system tools to define a main inspection logic that operates on at least one of the images in response to the triggered event.

A method for triggering an event in a vision system having a vision system camera that acquires images of objects moving relative to a field of view of the camera comprising the steps of:

• continuously acquiring images within the field of view and analyzing acquired image data from the images;
• applying a pre-configured trigger logic based on at least one of a plurality of user-configured vision system tools to the image data from the images;
• when the pre-configured trigger logic achieves a passing result on the image data, providing an event trigger;
• and
• providing image data from at least one of (a) one or more of the images that achieves the passing result and (b) an image acquired subsequent to one of the images to a main inspection logic.