Where Machine Vision Comes In

Machine vision traditionally refers to the use of computer vision in an industrial or practical application or process where it is necessary to execute a certain function or outcome based on the image analysis done by the vision system. The vision system uses software to identify pre-programmed features. The system can be used to trigger a variety of set “actions” based on the findings.

The components of a basic computer vision and machine vision system are the generally the same:

1. An imaging device, usually a camera that contains an image sensor and a lens.
2. An image capture board or frame grabber may be used (in some digital cameras that use a modern interface, a frame grabber is not required).
3. Lighting appropriate for the specific application.
4. A computer, but in some cases, as with “smart cameras” where the processing happens in the camera, a computer may not be required.
5. Image processing software.

The lines between computer vision and machine vision have been blurring over the years and today, the term machine vision is used in non-industrial environments such as high-end surveillance, biomedical or life science applications, and even in the effort to improve an internet search engine’s ability to provide image-based recognition in search.

Source: Internet