Banner IVU BCR Reads Multiple Codes In Same Image

Banner Engineering has introduced an IVU barcode reader that is easily configured from the touch-screen. It reads Datamatrix and all standard linear barcodes and can read multiple codes of different types in the same image. Information is output by serial port. An intuitive multi-language user interface allows for easy configuration without the need for a PC.

The reader's extensive capabilities make it appropriate for a wide range of identification and verification applications. These include packaging, component tracking for automotive and other assembly operations, pharmaceutical and medical products, material handling and distribution, food and beverage and electronics. The unit's compact IP67 rated housing withstands harsh industrial environments.

The menu-driven interface and colour LCD touch-screen controls allow easy setup and changes to inspection parameters. A software emulator lets users optimise their applications offline. Image processing expertise is not required. The interface and emulator are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Japanese, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese. A USB 2.0 interface is provided for easy updating and diagnostics.

In addition to Datamatrix, the IVU BCR reads the following linear codes: Code 128, Code39, Codabar, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN13, EAN8, UPCE, Postnet, IMB and Pharmacode. A 68.5mm LCD screen displaying 320 x 240 pixels displays all necessary information. An adjustable focus lens makes image acquisition fast and easy. Cables, mounting brackets, lenses, filters and external light rings (red, blue, green and infrared) are available to support all applications.

Ueye Camera Offers Electronic Image Stabilisation

The IDS Ueye XS camera from Stemmer Imaging measures 22 x 24 x 24mm and offers an 8megapixel sensor with an auto-focus lens and an USB 2.0 interface. The Ueye XS also offers electronic image stabilisation, automatic image control, backlight compensation and a complete SDK featuring face detection and tracking.

The built-in face-tracking facility can detect and track up to four different faces in real time and also provides the viewing angle of every face it detects. The electronic image stabiliser is said to minimise image blur caused by camera motion and vibration. The Ueye XS also comes with automatic image controls, such as auto exposure and auto white balance, which allow the user to achieve optimum image quality under varying lighting conditions.

The auto-focus system has a horizontal viewing angle of 53deg and has a minimum focusing distance of 100mm. Auto focus is also tracked even during live image acquisition at a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels and a 15fps frame rate. Both uncompressed and MJPEG format are supported for data transfer and single images can be read out with the full 8megapixel resolution.

Stemmer Offers Printqual Image Processing Tool

Stemmer Imaging has unveiled the Printqual Image Processing Tool for print quality inspection, as part of the Common Vision Blox hardware-independent imaging toolkit. Printqual allows a monochrome or colour test image to be compared quantitatively against a specified reference image for applications in every sector of print inspection.

It is an ActiveX control that can be used to inspect a wide range of print substrates such as paper, cardboard and labels, as well as overprints. Even highly complex work pieces, such as lead frames and printed circuit boards can be inspected for errors. Work with Printqual is divided into a learning or training phase, and the subsequent automatic inspection of the items. Acceptance thresholds can easily be determined by one or more acceptable test images.

The thresholds can be adjusted for the images to be accepted. The test image is position and distortion-corrected, and a comparison is made in terms of small, medium and large-scale structures within the image. All images producing a quality score below the determined acceptance thresholds will be rejected by Printqual. Unlike conventional correlation methods, Printqual makes it possible to distinguish between a large number of small errors and a single large error. The algorithm is so sensitive that errors of only a few pixels in size can be identified.

Image Sensor Resolves For Microscopy

The ProgRes C7 is suitable for any illumination technique in light microscopy and excels with high light sensitivity and natural reproduction of colours. The new ProgRes C7 from Jenoptik, equipped with instantaneous SXGA live image, mechanical shutter and 7Mpixel CCD sensor, records even the tiniest specimen structures in a precise and detailed fashion. The ProgRes C7 is particularly suited to macro shots in addition to microscopy applications.

The instantaneous live image makes precise specimen positioning and focusing much easier. Thanks to the integrated shutter, it takes only a single shot to capture objects in motion and easily accommodates flash illumination techniques. Another advantage of the shutter is that it allows the camera to be triggered directly and precisely. Integration into automated process sequences or applications involving, for example, a motorised stage are made easy.

The ProgRes C7 is suitable for any illumination technique in light microscopy and excels with high light sensitivity and natural reproduction of colours. C-Mount and IEEE1394 FireWire provide standard interfaces for connection with all common types of microscopes and computers. Powerful easy-to-handle ProgRes CapturePro image acquisition software for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems is included.