New
device generation: designed for AI and Deep Learning using user-generated
apps
The limitations of using traditional sensors
becomes evident when specialisation is needed and the sensor's capacity
for flexibility is reached. Offering maximum flexibility
for applications that are beyond the scope of standardised camera
functions, the iDS NXT series is a new generation of industrial
cameras based on the smart phone's app principle.
The introduction of a new generation of vision-app devices extends
the usefulness of the old standard sensors by adding the capacity
for the user to create and install their own vision app that works
in tandem with the manufacturer's functions. Pre-processed data
or results are easily transferred to a PC or machine control unit.
With the capacity of combining user-designed apps with the manufacturer's
standard functions, and billed
as the latest in customised application imaging, the iDS NXT models
are fully-fledged industrial cameras with the added advantage of
being multifunctional devices equipped with user-created vision
apps and designed for AI and Deep Learning.
Manufacturers' strictly-defined functions are not very customisable.
The NXT platform, however, is not tied to any predefined task but
allows the user to develop and install vision apps for themselves,
setting up and changing them at will. Reassuringly, app development
does not need additional specialist knowledge or learning time.
Ideally equipped for numerous tasks in the industrial arena, using
the standard manufacturer's functional scope in combination with
the user- created-and-integrated app capability, the camera can
be used in exactly the same way as if both platforms were
part of the original product. Applications can be run classically
on a PC workstation, independently on the IDS NXT camera, or collaboratively
on both devices
Extending the
limits of traditional sensors
Having a facility where users can integrate vision-compliant camera
features they have created for themselves offers a number of benefits:
• The application processes
can be scaled between camera and host PC, offering the option of
partially or completely shifting the decision process from the host
PC to the camera, providing:
• Lower network load,
hardware-accelerated processing
• Lower
energy consumption
• Lower
system costs.
• Frequently-occuring
tasks to be established and changed easily
• No
longer just image suppliers but can also work completely independently,
trigger subsequent processes directly or support a connected PC
through individual pre-processing
How does the self-programmed app work?
If users want to deploy custom-written functions on smart cameras,
they require a high-speed data interface and the ability to process
data in a third-party application easily; conditions not usually
met by conventional cameras/sensors.
The solution provided by the iDS NXT rio and rome models solves
these problems by supplying Smart GeniCam functionality which allows
the user to upload their vision app. Firmware then integrates the
app code into the camera's selection of functions and all are made
available in standardised form. Third party applications,
such as HALCON, then use these features as if they were part of
the standard functionality of the industrial camera.
AI-ready (rio
and rome models)
Designed for artificial intelligence and deep learning, the NXT
models have the capacity to learn more about what they are doing,
with time, and therefore, make better decisions. The NXT models
carry an especially-developed AI vision app which makes them into
universal, high-performance inference cameras with an integrated
artificial neural network accelerator having inference times of
a few milliseconds.
The NXT rio and rome models have the capacity to learn more about
what they are doing, with time, and therefore, to make better decisions.
Applications
These cameras expand application possibilities in numerous fields,
notably optical quality assurance; the cameras are suitable as an
analytical device in medical technology, in face-recognition tasks
or in vehicle/people-count applications.
Designed for artificial intelligence and deep learning,
Currently, three models are offered:
• NXT Vegas - an embedded
vision system with a light-sensitive 1.3 MP CMOS sensor, a liquid
lens with autofocus and an integrated Time-of-flight sensor
• NXT rio and •
NXT rome - intelligent cameras
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App-based system
for flexibility |
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Fully-fledged,
standard-compliant industrial cameras with a highly flexible application
spectrum - manufacturers' functionality augmented by user-created
apps working as one using SDK for development. Can also be used
as embedded solutions. Freely programmable. |
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Light-sensitive
1.3 megapixel CMOS (1280 x 1024, 5.3 µm square pixel, mono/colour).
M12 liquid lens |
• |
Image processing is
partially or completely performed on the cameras thus reducing bandwidth
and computing load. Dual Core CPU 1.3 GHz |
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Variable range of functions augmented
by user-created vision apps, working as one |
• |
Choose between different
types of protection, sensors and variants with Smart GenICam or
artificial intelligence |
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Integrated 1
GB flash memory provided for storing images with errors, system
logs, user settings and Vision apps |
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HALCON
runtime license for Embedded Vision |
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