IDS uEye SCP and uEye SLE Industrial Monitoring Cameras

Compact and Scalable: Monitoring cameras with Event Recording

Industrial camera manufacturer IDS has recently released the uEye Live series: two new Process Monitoring cameras to meet the demand of real-time video monitoring and reliable streaming over congested Ethernet networks. The uEye SCP and uEye SLE provide image data that is optimised for visual quality for human perception. The image quality is fine-tuned with an in-camera Image Signal Processor chip (ISP) that offers automatic enhancement of parameters like exposure time, gain, colour balance and more. These all contribute to the hi-fidelity, visually appealing images the cameras produce.

Summary of Features and Benefits

• Budget cost
• Compact or board level cameras
• IP connectivity with RTSP and HTTP streams
• Industry standard compression formats for plug and play
• No programming required for integration and full functionality
• Easily configurable via web interface in any browser
• Event recording in the camera memory
• High image quality through ISP image enhancement functions
• High sensitivity and colour reproduction
• Sony Starvis 2 technology for elite performance

uEye SCP

The uEye SCP at 29 x 29 x 29mm is extremely compact and fits into even the most space-constrained applications. A C-mount adapter enables the use of common lenses. Both the Binder connector for IO and power, and the RJ-45 network connector can be locked and are ideally suited to the mechanical challenges of industrial applications.

uEye SLE

The uEye SLE is a single-board camera 45 x 45mm in size and is ideal for machine and device manufacturers to design competitive systems and devices in high quantities. The camera is available with or without a C or S-mount lens carrier, which also provides additional mounting points.

Sensitivity

The current models of the uEye SCP and uEye SLE monitoring cameras use the IMX678 Starvis sensor which is an 8MP sensor that streams in industry standard format 2MP resolution and 30Hz. The IMX678 is chosen because of its very high sensitivity for even the most dimly lit scenes. The sensor along with the cameras High Dynamic Range mode combine beautifully so that the camera can be used in most lighting environments.

Three Video Streams

The uEye Live series feature three parallel video streams, one with HTTP protocol and another two with RTSP. The HTTP stream supports MJPEG compression which allows the camera to play in all web browsers and requires no additional plugins or codecs. The RTSP streams allow recording or streaming to compatible streaming clients and support either MJPEG or H.264 which are user selectable.

High Dynamic Range Mode (HDR)

The HDR mode in the uEye Live series cameras captures multiple images at different exposures. It fuses them into a single image by compressing the dynamic range and and mapping tone for reproduction on common displays. If there is movement between captured frames the ISP removes the ghosts created by movement so that the resultant images show no or little motion blur.

Image Quality

The uEye Live series cameras image enhancement algorithms, such as auto exposure and auto white balance, HDR and defect pixel correction

Embedded System with System on Chip

Event Recording

Image Quality

• Modern edge technology with an efficient SoC from Ambarella.
• Cameras can directly edit, process, filter or evaluate image data.
• Transmit up to three parallel video streams, either compressed via RTSP protocol and H264 or via HTTP in MJPEG format directly to end devices.
• No PC required for camera operation.

• These Cameras allow decentralised recording of video sequences
• The seconds before the event, during the event and after the event are all captured - depending on the configuration.
• This feature allows machine malfunctions or failures to be wholly documented and allows errors to be identified analysed and improved on.

• Integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) allows outstanding image quality at all times.
• Image enhancement algorithms: auto exposure, auto white balance, HDR and defect pixel correction.
  

Internal Ring Buffer

Both the uEye SCP and uEye SLE have built-in memory for image buffering. The image buffer can be used as a ring buffer and so used as a pre-recording feature. With a REST trigger IP command the camera can output image data captured one minute before and one minute after the REST trigger.

Applications

The uEye series camera are best suited to applications that:

• require human monitoring and intervention
• can present difficult lighting conditions
• require an event to be stored for later viewing and analysis by an operator
• require optimum image quality and colour reproduction in all conditions
  

Applications could include live medical imaging and recording, industrial dashcam, machinery breakdown analysis, surveillance, live events and many more.
The uEye SCP and uEye SLE are budget-friendly products and so easily integrated into cost-sensitive applications. The price and functionality make them an attractive and popular product.