Machine vision image processing is the analysis of images by a machine. Those with expertise in certain industries use this specific term to refer to extracting data from images for specific purposes. When professionals refer to machine vision image processing, they are often referring to the use of image analysis for controlling industrial activities or processes. While there are many other applications of machine vision, mass production is a prime example of how businesses use this kind of new technology.
Although some associate machine vision image processing with robotics, it is also frequently used in other kinds of technologies. Some of the common tasks for this technique include quality assurance, as well as sorting or handling data for all kinds of process enhancement. In general, this technology helps businesses to enhance their automated processes through automated analysis. For example, when tactile methods are not enough for robotic systems to sort through various shapes and sizes of parts, specialized machine vision image processing methods can often sort parts more efficiently, through very specific algorithms that take in the parameters of the colors or greyscale values in the image to accurately define contours or sizing for an object.
Apart from its industrial applications, using technology to understand images is very valuable for radically different kinds of technology projects. Machine vision image processing exists within a larger field sometimes known as computer vision image processing. Its use may be related to military applications, the consumer product environment, or in specific fields from medicine or transportation to asset maintenance, mechanical production, and much more.
Some of the basic tasks involved in machine vision image processing include the construction of or transformation between black-and-white or grayscale images. Engineers also work on how to achieve pattern recognition and images, or match images up with each other. It is also useful for other specific kinds of projects, such as bar coding or biometrics.
Those interested in what’s happening in this field can get more current information from leading industry periodicals, and other venues reporting on how the technique works within the larger field of artificial intelligence. Like other kinds of technology fields, the processing of images for machine vision relies on a supply chain, with hardware like 3-d lasers and software products used to create specific, scalable machine vision applications. Detailed analysis of this field can show IT experts how the vanguard is supporting progress in machine vision through this kind of image analysis and artificial data handling.