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US 7,079,141 B2Granted
System and method for specifying a machine vision process using different programming methodologies
AssigneeNational Instruments Corporation
InventorsNicolas Vazquez, Kevin L. Schultz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for specifying a machine vision process utilizing two or more different program creation methodologies. In one embodiment, the different program creation methodologies may include specifying steps or operations for the process using graphical input panels, e.g., in a “wizard-based” manner, and using graphical programming techniques for other portions, such as to specify decision operations. Thus, optimum program creation methodologies may be used for specifying different respective portions of the process.
Claims35
A method for specifying a machine vision process, the method comprising:
- displaying an image on a display;
- displaying a graphical user interface on the display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a plurality of possible image processing steps;
- receiving first user input selecting a plurality of image processing steps to be applied to the image;
- creating a process specification in response to the first user input, wherein the process specification comprises the plurality of image processing steps, wherein the process specification specifies a first portion of the machine vision process;
- receiving second user input selecting a plurality of nodes and interconnecting at least two of the plurality of nodes, thereby specifying a plurality of interconnected nodes;
- and
- creating a block diagram in response to the second user input, wherein the block diagram specifies a second portion of the machine vision process, wherein the block diagram comprises the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate operation of the second portion of the machine vision process;
- wherein the process specification is distinct from the block diagram;
- and
- wherein the process specification and the block diagram collectively specify the machine vision process.
7 more elements
A method for specifying a machine vision process, the method comprising:
- displaying a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the GUI includes machine vision operations that are selectable to be included in a process specification;
- receiving first user input to the GUI, wherein the first user input selects machine vision operations for inclusion in the process specification;
- creating the process specification in response to the first user input, wherein the process specification specifies a first portion of the machine vision process;
- receiving second user input to the GUI, wherein the second user input selects a plurality of nodes and interconnects at least two of the plurality of nodes, thereby specifying a plurality of interconnected nodes;
- and
- creating a block diagram in response to the second user input, wherein the block diagram specifies a second portion of the machine vision process, wherein the block diagram comprises the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate operation of the second portion of the machine vision process;
- wherein the process specification is distinct from the block diagram;
- and
- wherein the process specification and the block diagram collectively specify the machine vision process.
6 more elements
A method for specifying a machine vision process, the method comprising:
- creating a process specification in response to first user input, wherein the process specification comprises a plurality of steps specifying a first portion of the machine vision process;
- creating a block diagram in response to the second user input, wherein the block diagram specifies a second portion of the machine vision process, wherein the block diagram comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate operation of the second portion of the machine vision process;
- wherein the process specification is distinct from the block diagram;
- and
- wherein the process specification and the block diagram collectively specify the machine vision process.
2 more elements
A computer-readable memory medium for specifying a machine vision process, the memory medium comprising program instructions executable to:
- display an image on a display;
- display a graphical user interface on the display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a plurality of possible image processing steps;
- receive first user input selecting a plurality of image processing steps to be applied to the image;
- create a process specification in response to the first user input, wherein the process specification comprises the plurality of image processing steps, wherein the process specification specifies a first portion of the machine vision process;
- receive second user input selecting a plurality of nodes and interconnecting at least two of the plurality of nodes, thereby specifying a plurality of interconnected nodes;
- and
- create a block diagram in response to the second user input, wherein the block diagram specifies a second portion of the machine vision process, wherein the block diagram comprises the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate operation of the second portion of the machine vision process;
- wherein the process specification is distinct from the block diagram;
- and
- wherein the process specification and the block diagram collectively specify the machine vision process.
7 more elements
A system for specifying a machine vision process, the system comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory storing program instructions;
- wherein the processor is operable to execute the program instructions to:
- display an image on a display;
- display a graphical user interface on the display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a plurality of possible image processing steps;
- receive first user input selecting a plurality of image processing steps to be applied to the image;
- create a process specification in response to the first user input, wherein the process specification comprises the plurality of image processing steps, wherein the process specification specifies a first portion of the machine vision process;
- receive second user input selecting a plurality of nodes and interconnecting at least two of the plurality of nodes, thereby specifying a plurality of interconnected nodes;
- and
- create a block diagram in response to the second user input, wherein the block diagram specifies a second portion of the machine vision process, wherein the block diagram comprises the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate operation of the second portion of the machine vision process;
- wherein the process specification is distinct from the block diagram;
- and
- wherein the process specification and the block diagram collectively specify the machine vision process.
10 more elements
A computer-implemented method for specifying a machine vision process, the method comprising:
- displaying an image on a display of a computer system;
- displaying a graphical user interface on the display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a plurality of possible image processing steps;
- receiving first user input selecting a plurality of image processing steps to be applied to the image;
- creating a first portion of the machine vision process in response to the first user input, wherein the first portion of the machine vision process comprises the plurality of image processing steps to perform image processing on the image, wherein the first portion of the machine vision process produces one or more associated output results;
- receiving second user input selecting a plurality of nodes and interconnecting at least two of the plurality of nodes, thereby specifying a plurality of interconnected nodes;
- and
- creating a second portion of the machine vision process in response to the second user input, wherein the second portion of the machine vision process comprises the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate a decision operation;
- wherein a result of the decision operation is based on at least a subset of the one or more associated output results produced from the first portion of the machine vision process.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.