1. What Is Machine Vision?

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1.  What is Machine Vision?

Machine vision(MV) is the technology and methods used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for such applications as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance in industry. The scope of MV is broad.MV is related to, though distinct from,computer vision.

Computer visionis a field that includes methods for acquiring,processing, analyzing, and understanding images and, in general, high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information,e.g., in the forms of decisions.A theme in the development of this field has been to duplicate the abilities of human vision by electronically perceiving and understanding an image.This image understanding can be seen as the disentangling of symbolic information from image data using models constructed with the aid of geometry, physics, statistics, and learning theory.Computer vision has also been described as the enterprise of automating and integrating a wide range of processes and representations for vision perception.

Machine vision has become a key technology in the area of manufacturing and quality control due to the increasing quality demands of manufacturers and customers. Machine vision utilizes industrial image processing through the use of cameras mounted over production lines and cells in order to visually inspect products in real time without operator intervention.

Machine vision (also called "industrial vision" or "vision systems") is primarily focused on computer vision in the context of industrial manufacturing processes, be it in the inspection process itself (e.g. checking a measurement or identifying a character string is printed correctly) or through some other responsive input needed for control (e.g. robot control or type verification). The machine vision system can consist of a number of cameras all capturing, interpreting and signalling individually with a control system related to some pre-determined tolerance or requirement.

Machine vision encompasses computer science, optics, mechanical engineering, and industrial automation. Unlike computer vision which is mainly focused on machine-based image processing, machine vision integrates image capture systems with digital input/output devices and computer networks to provide real time quality control and for general control of manufacturing equipment such as robots. Manufacturers favour machine vision systems for visual inspections that require high-speed, high-magnification, 24-hour operation, and/or repeatability of measurements.

Components of a machine vision system?

A typical machine vision system will be part of an automated production process consisting of the following components:

very specialized, light sources.

A typical machine vision system will be part of an automated production process consisting of the following components:

- One or more digital cameras (monochrome or color) with suitable optics for acquiring images, such as lenses to focus the desired field of view onto the image sensor and suitable, often very specialized, light sources.

- A synchronizing sensor for part detection (often an optical or magnetic sensor) to trigger image acquisition and processing and some form of actuators to sort, route or reject defective parts.

- A computer program (normally running on the latest Windows 7 OS) to process images, detect, measure, compare etc in order to confirm a quality criteria has been met or to provide type verification or robot control to another control system.

- Input/Output hardware (e.g. digital I/O) or communication links (e.g. Industrial Ethernet, ProfiBUS etc) to report results and to automatically reject components.

("Intelligent" or "smart" cameras combine the above into a single unit).

The aim of a machine vision inspection system is typically to check the compliance of a test piece with certain requirements, such as prescribed dimensions, serial numbers, presence of components, etc. The complete task can frequently be subdivided into independent stages, each checking a specific criterion.

Types on inspection tasks

The mst common use for deploying machine vision is to perform the following tasks:

- Position recognition

- Identification (by codes, characters etc.)

- Shape and dimension checks

- Completeness checks

- Image and object comparison

- Surface inspection

2.  What are the differences between Machine Vision and Image Processing?

CV applications range from tasks such as industrialmachine visionsystems which, say, inspect bottles speeding by on a production line, to research into artificial intelligence and computers or robots that can comprehend the world around them. The computer vision and machine vision fields have significant overlap. Computer vision covers the core technology of automated image analysis which is used in many fields. Machine vision usually refers to a process of combining automated image analysis with other methods and technologies to provide automated inspection and robot guidance in industrial applications.

Machine Vision Uses

Vision systems can be applied in almost any industry. Historically the first systems were deployed in the semi-conductor and automotive industries due to their high intensive use of industrial automation within these industries. Modern vision systems can be applied across a hugely diverse range of industry sectors, these industries include:

- Automotive

- Semi-conductor

- Electronics

- Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical

- Printing and Packaging

- General Mechanical Engineering

- Food Processing

- Solar Production

3.  What are the main companies working on Computer Vision?

The Computer Vision Industry

David Lowe

This web page lists companies that develop computer vision products. Computer vision (also often referred to as "machine vision" for industrial vision applications) is the automated extraction of information from images. This differs from image processing, in which an image is processed to produce another image. This page covers only products based on computer vision, and it does not cover image processing or any of the many suppliers of sensors or other equipment to the industry.
Companies are categorized under their principal application area, and then listed alphabetically. Companies are listed only if they have web pages giving information about their products. Please let me know of any links that are missing.
Automotive driver assistance and traffic management
Image Sensing Systems(St. Paul, Minnesota). Real-time traffic management using roadside cameras. License plate recognition systems.

Intelligent Traffic Management

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Crime Solutions

·  Travel time monitoring system
·  Detection of moving violations
·  Hazardous vehicle plate detection
·  Vehicle class detection
·  Reporting
·  Bus lane enforcement
·  Railroad crossing monitoring / ·  Police mobile systems (in-car)
·  Police town centre with fixed systems
·  Customs and border control
·  Port and airport surveillance and control
·  Military usage
·  Rapide deployment systems
·  Counter terror – covert and remote systems

Parking Solutions

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Security/Access Control Solutions

·  Access Control
·  Roll Call
·  Car Park Counting
·  Hotlists
·  Alarms
·  SMS Messages
·  Email
·  LED sign or relay control
·  Traffic Light or relay control
·  Ski Data Interfaces / ·  Access control
·  Site entrance and exit
·  Temporary visitors
·  Short term access
·  White Lists/Black Lists
·  LED Sign or Relay Control
·  Frequent visitor
·  Alarms
Iteris(Santa Ana, California). Real-time traffic management and signaling using video detection.

Innovation for better mobility

Traffic and Weather
Real-time and actionable information
Iteris provides the most comprehensive, integrated traffic and weather solutions for public sector, media, automotive and consumer application markets. Iteris' analytics application solutions, real-time data, and professional services provide actionable information via 511, web, and mobile applications for the most current route-specific traffic and road weather conditions.
Iteris is the industry leader in innovation for enhanced cost efficiency and operational reliability for the traffic and weather information markets. Using proprietary advanced data ingestion and fusion technologies from years of applied research that integrate the vast diversity in traffic and weather data, Iteris has solved the critical technological issues permitting the generation of predictive traffic and road conditions that provide next generation solutions for both public and private transportation applications.
·  Traveler Information Systems / 511
·  Traffic Applications
·  Weather Applications
·  Data Products
·  Mobile Apps
Detection
Vehicle detection and discernment for all traffic management applications
Iteris is the global leader in video-based vehicle detection (Vantage, VersiCam), having passed the milestone (in 2012) of having more than 100,000 video vehicle detection sensors deployed. As a technology innovator, the firm has achieved many "firsts" the first mouse/monitor programming capability; the first video/radar hybrid sensor (Vantage Vector); the first video-based bicycle detection system (SmartCycle™) capable of differentiating between bicycles and vehicles to enhance bicyclist safety; and the first video system capable of performing both stop bar and advanced detection at span-wire configured intersections (SmartSpan™). Vantage Velocity is a market leading Bluetooth travel time solution for traffic management agencies of all sizes. Iteris is committed to being the global leader in leading-edge sensor and detection technologies applied to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
Accurate and reliable detection is the foundation for safe and efficient management of signalized intersections and traffic data collection. While there are many types of detection technologies, Iteris' market leading video detection technologies assist traffic engineers and consultants in reducing traffic congestion, fuel consumption, air pollution, travel time, accidents and incidents through its field proven software and hardware, coupled with decades of development in specialized algorithms that analyze real-time traffic scenes and turn that data into meaningful and actionable information. With each of Iteris' detection solutions, we believe that 100 percent visual verification of accurate detection and quality intersection surveillance is highly desired by the traffic engineering community worldwide.
Planning & Engineering
Efficient transportation networks from concept to completion
A well-planned, efficient transportation infrastructure is vital to a healthy economy and a high quality of life. Iteris is at the forefront of engineering surface transportation projects designed to meet today’s needs while preparing to meet tomorrow’s growth. Services in this category span the entire project life cycle from Planning to Engineering to Integration to ongoing Operations & Maintenance. Through our hands-on experience deploying ITS field devices across the country we have gathered numerous lessons learned that are fed into our engineering design practice. As a result, our design is more precise, and includes details to the construction contractor that help avoid schedule delays and cost overruns. A similar feedback loop exists between Engineering and Planning activities in that our detailed design experience allows our long-range planning activities to more accurately reflect what is constructible.
Combining the talents of transportation planners and engineers, systems engineers, system integrators, software engineers and staff members with strong construction/field experience, Iteris brings a unique and unmatched set of skills to each and every project.
Analytics
Visualize, predict and improve your network information
For more than 20 years, Iteris has provided market-leading analytics application services for traffic and weather information systems. Our analytics application solutions provide customers with application services that turn data into actionable information through complex algorithmic processing and state-of-the-art visualization tools, in both web and mobile environments.
Design-Build & Integration
Disciplined approach to every system and software based project
Iteris has outstanding credentials serving as part of design-build teams with a focus on the planning, design and deployment of real-time intelligent transportation system elements for arterials and freeways, the use of performance measures to improve workzone traffic management, and the provision for real-time traveler information. Iteris offers solutions that can enhance any project, ultimately resulting in innovative and cost saving project deployments. The Iteris performance measurement software, iPeMS™, is a focal part of Iteris' planning, design and deployment tool kit, providing multi-modal performance measurement analytics to increase safety and improve operations. Systems integration, which is the key to success in today's multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional environment, is a distinguishing factor when selecting your design-build partners and one in which Iteris staff members excel.
Whether expanding a legacy system or deploying a new one, Iteris integrates hardware, software and the user-interface into a fully functional system that delivers a cost-effective turnkey solution.
Multi-Modal
Multi-modal transportation systems are vital for the efficient movement of people and goods, and are increasingly necessary to serve the diverse needs of the traveling public in an economical and environmentally friendly manner. In fact, heightened use of multi-modal systems will be essential in the future given the level of congestion that exists in major urban areas and the reduced funding available for construction of new roadways. Iteris offers a broad range of multi-modal planning and design services including bus rapid transit (BRT), transit signal priority (TSP), and transit communications systems. Iteris is the leader in the transit technology field and has developed the TransitHelper™ priority system to enable our clients to efficiently deploy transit technology solutions. Equally important are our services relating to Complete Street initiatives, which help plan and design roadway environments that support all transportation modes, including pedestrians, bicycles, transit and vehicular traffic. Iteris is also a nationally respected leader in the development and deployment of solutions that support goods movement and commercial vehicle operations.
Eye and Head Tracking
Gazepoint(Vancouver, Canada). Low-cost eye-trackers for consumer and research applications.
Eye Tracker: Tracker software collects the eye data from the S2 eye tracker and sends the information over TCP/IP. The camera captures the image of the face, the software finds the pupil and the glints x, y coordinates and other measures.
Viewer: The Viewer software receives the data over TCP/IP from tracker and allows visualization of the gaze. The software captures the screen and overlays the gaze data collected, but can also capture the Tracker camera image, add a Timestamp, and capture mouse movements and clicks.
Mirametrix(Montreal, Canada). Free-head eye-tracker.
Smart Eye(Göteborg, Sweden). Systems to track eye and gaze position. Applications include detection of drowsiness or inattention in drivers.
SMI(Berlin, Germany). Eye and gaze tracking systems.
Film and Video: Sports analysis
Amisco(Nice, France). Systems for tracking sports players and the ball in real time for match analysis.
Our solutions aim to enhance the team’s pre-match analysis of every opponent played throughout the season. Amisco has developed its own analyzing, editing, and presentation tools to compliment the opposition scouting services it offers. The user-friendliness and flexible solutions have been designed by coaching staff and analysts to meet many demands. As a result, Amisco is the most time-effective and comprehensive opposition analysis solution available on the market today.
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Amisco has entered a new era of performance analysis by producing and delivering comprehensive live data.
Our live platform delivers match affecting real-time data, through a secure user friendly webpage.
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·  Real time analysis
·  On-line match analysis tool
·  Team, individual & match stats
·  Secured access policy
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·  KPI monitoring
·  In-game decision-making
·  Post-match interview support
·  Consultation from anywhere
·  Strict Amisco confidentiality policy
One game in depth analysis
Viewer allows the study of the fitness and tactical performance of the players and teams.
Multiple games video analysis
Organizer provides solutions for multimedia needs to store and archive video clips collected throughout the season.
Season database & Trend analysis
Compiler is a unique solution that allows a club to study data from multiple games or seasons.
Hawkeye(Winchester, UK). Uses multiple high-speed cameras to provide precise tracking of the ball in tennis, cricket, and other sports for refereeing and analysis.

About Hawk-Eye