The application of intelligent imaging techniques to industrial vision problems is an evolving aspect of current machine vision research. Machine vision is a relatively new technology, more concerned with systems engineering than with computer science, and with much to offer the manufacturing industry in terms of improving efficiency, safety and product quality. Beginning with an introductory chapter on the basic concepts, the authors develop these ideas to describe intelligent imaging techniques for use in a new generation of industrial imaging systems. Sections cover the application of AI languages such as Prolog, the use of multi-media interfaces and multi-processor systems, external device control, and colour recognition. The text concludes with a discussion of several case studies that illustrate how intelligent machine vision techniques can be used in industrial applications.

Inhaltsangabe1 Basic Concepts.- 1.1 Industrial Vision Systems.- 1.1.1 Justification.- 1.1.2 Limitations of Present Systems.- 1.1.3 Flexible Manufacturing Systems.- 1.1.4 Process Control.- 1.2 Systems Engineering.- 1.2.1 Importance of Context.- 1.2.2 Industrial Examples.- 1.3 Intelligent Vision.- 1.3.1 Heuristics and Algorithms.- 1.3.2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Languages.- 1.4 Book Outline.- 2 Basic Machine Vision Techniques.- 2.1 Representations of Images.- 2.2 Elementary Image Processing Functions.- 2.2.1 Monadic, Point-by-point Operators.- 2.2.2 Dyadic, Point-by-point Operators.- 2.2.3 Local Operators.- 2.2.4 Linear Local Operators.- 2.2.5 Non-linear Local Operators.- 2.2.6 N-tuple Operators.- 2.2.7 Edge Effects.- 2.2.8 Intensity Histogram.- 2.3 Binary Images.- 2.3.1 Measurements on Binary Images.- 2.3.2 Shape Descriptors.- 2.4 Binary Mathematical Morphology.- 2.4.1 Opening and Closing Operations.- 2.4.2 Structuring Element Decomposition.- 2.5 Grey Scale Morphology.- 2.6 Global Image Transforms.- 2.6.1 Hough Transform.- 2.6.2 Two-dimensional Discrete Fourier Transform.- 2.7 Texture Analysis.- 2.7.1 Statistical Approaches.- 2.7.2 Co-occurrence Matrix Approach.- 2.7.3 Structural Approaches.- 2.7.4 Morphological Texture Analysis.- 2.8 Implementation Considerations.- 2.8.1 Morphological System Implementation.- 2.9 Commercial Devices.- 2.9.1 Plug-in Boards: Frame-stores.- 2.9.2 Plug-in Boards: Dedicated Function.- 2.9.3 Self-contained Systems.- 2.9.4 Turn-key Systems.- 2.9.5 Software.- 2.10 Further Remarks.- 3 Intelligent Image Processing.- 3.1 Interactive Image Processing.- 3.1.1 Modus Operandi.- 3.1.2 Prototyping Inspection Systems.- 3.1.3 Building Simple Programs.- 3.1.4 Interaction and Prolog.- 3.2 Introducing PrologH-.- 3.3 Review of Prolog.- 3.3.1 Sample Program.- 3.3.2 Sample Queries.- 3.4 The Nature of Prolog+.- 3.5 Prolog+Programs.- 3.5.1 Recognising Bakewell Tarts.- 3.5.2 Recognising Printed Letters.- 3.5.3 Identifying Table Cutlery.- 3.5.4 Analysing all Visible Objects.- 3.5.5 Recognising a Table Place Setting.- 3.6 Abstract Concepts in Prolog+.- 3.6.1 Describing a Simple Package.- 3.6.2 Abstract Spatial Relationships.- 3.6.3 Geometric Figures.- 3.7 Implementation of Prolog+.- 3.7.1 The # Operator.- 3.8 Comments.- 4 Enhanced Intelligent Systems.- 4.1 Prolog+ Environment: A Tool-box for Machine Vision.- 4.1.1 Defining New Predicate Names.- 4.1.2 Default Values for Arguments.- 4.1.3 Useful Operators.- 4.1.4 Program Library.- 4.1.5 Auto-start.- 4.1.6 Interactive Mode.- 4.1.7 User Extendible Pull-down Menus.- Mechanism for Extending Menus.- 4.1.8 Command Keys.- 4.1.9 Graphical Display of a Robot Work Cell.- 4.1.10 Speech Synthesis and Recorded Speech.- 4.1.11 On-line HELP.- 4.1.12 Cursor.- 4.1.13 Automatic Script Generation and Optimisation.- 4.1.14 Linking to Other Programs.- HyperCard Controller for a Flexible Inspection Cell.- 4.2 Understanding Simple Spoken Instructions.- 4.2.1 Speech Recognition.- 4.2.2 Natural Language Understanding.- 4.2.3 Automatically Building a Pull-down Menu.- 4.2.4 Understanding NL Commands for an (X, Y, &3x03D6;)-table.- 4.2.5 Sample Sentences.- 4.2.6 Interpreting the Parser Output.- 4.2.7 Review.- 4.3 Aids for Designing Vision Systems.- 4.3.1 Lighting Advisor.- Stack Structure.- Search Mechanisms.- Remarks About the Lighting Advisor.- 4.3.2 Other Design Aids for Machine Vision.- 4.4 Multi-camera Systems.- 4.4.1 Multiplexed-video Systems.- 4.4.2 Networked Vision Systems.- 4.4.3 Master-Slave System Organisation.- 4.4.4 Remote Queries.- Interactive Operation of the Remote Process.- 4.4.5 Blackboard.- Master and Slave Program Elements.- 4.4.6 Controlling the Master-Slave System.- Starting the System.- Stopping a Slave.- Passing a Message to the Slave.- Receiving Data from a Slave.- Slave Program.- Blackboard (Snapshot of Database, Changing Constantly).- 4.4.7 Crash Recovery.- Programming the Slave from the Master.- 4.5 Comments.- 5 Controlling External Devices.- 5.1 Devices and Signals.- 5.2 Protocols and