Human/machine interface for a machine vision sensor and method for installing and operating the same

A human/machine interface for a machine vision system having an image element that generates image data based upon a viewed object comprising:

• a processing element and a memory operatively connected to the image element and including (a) a machine vision tool for performing a machine vision process on the image data and (b) a software process for transmitting the image data and information from the machine vision tool over a communications interface, interconnected to the processing element, to a human/machine interface device having a display, and the image data and information being adapted for display on the human/machine interface device, and wherein the human/machine interface device is adapted to display the image data and the information on a plurality of user-selected screens associated with the machine vision tool, the screens being constructed and arranged for selecting functions for training the machine vision system to define measured parameters of the viewed object and at least one of installing, configuring, monitoring, and controlling the machine vision system and wherein the processing element is adapted to perform a machine vision tool task while the human/machine interface device is disconnected from the communications interface;
• and
• wherein the processing element includes an interface element in the camera to allow the human/machine interface to setup and control the processor from a remote location, and the human/machine interface device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

A method for interfacing with a machine vision system having an image element that generates image data based upon a viewed object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a processing element and a memory operatively connected to the image element and including (a) a machine vision tool for performing a machine vision process on the image data and (b) a software process for providing the image data in a web-browser-compatible form and for creating information for constructing interface web pages associated with operation of the machine vision tool;
• transmitting the image data and information over a communications interface, interconnected to the processing element, to a human/machine interface device having a display and a generic web browser application;
• receiving the image data and information and displaying, on the human machine interface device, the image data and information on a plurality of user-selected screens, the screens comprising web pages constructed and arranged for selecting functions for training the machine vision system to define measured parameters of the viewed object and at least one of installing, configuring, or monitoring the machine vision system where the human/machine interface connects remotely to setup and control the processor through a web server residing within the camera;
• and
• performing, with the processing element, a machine vision tool task while the human/machine interface device is disconnected from the communications interface.

A method for interfacing with a machine vision system having an image element that generates image data based upon a viewed object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a processing element and a memory operatively connected to the image element and including (a) a machine vision tool for performing a machine vision process on the image data and (b) a software process for providing the image data in a transmittable form and for creating information for constructing interface screens associated with operation of the machine vision tool;
• transmitting the compressed and reformatted image data and information over a communications interface, interconnected to the processing element, to a human/machine ii interface device, the human/machine interface comprising a personal digital assistant (FDA) having a display and a graphical user interface (GUI);
• receiving the compressed and reformatted image data and information and displaying, on the human machine interface device, the compressed and reformatted image data and information on a plurality of user-selected screens associated with the machine vision tool, the screens being constructed and arranged for selecting functions for training the machine vision system to define measured parameters of the viewed object and at least one of installing, configuring, monitoring, and controlling the machine vision system, where the human/machine interface connects remotely to setup and control the processor through an interface element within the camera;
• and
• performing, with the processing element, a machine vision tool task while the human/machine interface device is disconnected from the communications link.

A machine vision tool with a human/machine interface device, comprising:

• the machine vision tool including a camera for collecting image data of an object, wherein the image data includes evaluation of the object;
• a processor coupled into the machine vision tool, wherein the processor includes a web server, and a software process adapted to transmit the image data as a web-browser-compatible form to the unconnected human/machine interface device, and wherein the processor and the machine vision tool are adapted to perform a machine vision tool task while the human/machine interface device is unconnected from the processor and machine vision tool;
• and
• the human/machine interface device using a web-browser set of screens, the set of screens constructed and arranged to for selecting functions for training the machine vision system to define measured parameters of the viewed object and at least one of installing, configuring, monitoring, and controlling the machine vision system, and where the human/machine interface is adapted to setup and control the processor through the web server using a wireless connection.