Computational Imaging (CI) for Machine Vision

Computational Imaging (CI) in Machine Vision is creating and combining multiple separately-acquired images, each using a specific lighting technique, to end up with a single optimized computed composite image that better highlights the features required for machine vision inspection. The resulting image is provided to a vision system software environment. An example is Photometric Stereo (PMS). Segmented light arrays from multiple angles are used and the resulting shadows enable “shape from shading”. Applications include reducing packaging glare for inspection, reading the print on a tire's black sidewall, and imaging both the embossed characters and the printed barcode above them.