JP2013242669A - Image processing system, image processing device, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that allows flexible setting of image processing functions to be executed in an image processing device, the image processing device designed for the image processing system, and an information processor.SOLUTION: The image processing system includes an image processing device, and an information processor to be connected to the image processing device. The image processing device includes an imaging part, a first storage part that stores a plurality of function modules for achieving image processing functions, and a processing part that executes at least one function module to process the image obtained by the imaging part. The information processor includes an input part, a display part that selectably displays the image processing functions to be executed in the image processing device, and a control part that transmits validation information for validating the image processing function selected through the input part from among the image processing functions displayed on the display part to the image processing device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of FA (Factory Automation) and the like, techniques for realizing various measurement processes by performing image processing on an image obtained by an imaging unit have been put into practical use.

  For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-221712 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image processing apparatus that processes an image while displaying an image of the object on a display unit in order to inspect the object. More specifically, in the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-221712, a display setting unit is provided via a transmission cable for a visual sensor that integrally includes an imaging function and an image processing function for inspection processing. When the user operates the display setting unit, various parameters related to the inspection process in the visual sensor are set, or the inspection result or the like by the inspection process is displayed on the display setting unit.

JP 2011-221712 A

  An image processing apparatus such as a visual sensor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-221712 is miniaturized so that it can be attached to various places on various production lines. With this miniaturization, for example, the internal storage capacity is often limited. Therefore, the functions that can be incorporated are limited as compared with a larger image processing apparatus.

  Further, in the conventional image processing apparatus, the user cannot freely update the function module (software or the like) mounted at the time of manufacture or shipment, and even if it is updated, it is necessary to replace the entire program. there were.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of flexibly setting an image processing function executable by the image processing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus directed to the image processing system.

  An image processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image processing device and an information processing device connectable to the image processing device. An image processing apparatus executes an image obtained by an imaging unit by executing an imaging unit, a first storage unit that stores a plurality of functional modules for realizing an image processing function, and at least one functional module. Part. The information processing device is selected via the input unit among the input unit, the display unit that selectively displays the image processing function that can be executed in the image processing device, and the image processing function that is displayed on the display unit. And a control unit that transmits validation information for validating the image processing function to the image processing apparatus.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a second storage unit that stores a functional module that can be executed by the processing unit of the image processing apparatus, and the control unit corresponds to the function corresponding to the selected image processing function as the validation information. The module is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

  More preferably, the image processing apparatus updates the functional module stored in the first storage unit with the functional module included in the activation information from the information processing apparatus.

  More preferably, the information processing apparatus additionally stores authentication information associated with the function module together with the function module input from the outside in the second storage unit, and the control unit is selected as the activation information. In addition to the function module corresponding to the image processing function, authentication information associated with the function module is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

  More preferably, when any authentication information is associated with the functional module, the processing unit executes the functional module when the authentication information exists effectively.

  Preferably, the control unit transmits information specifying the selected image processing function to the image processing apparatus as the validation information.

  Preferably, the validation information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus via at least one of a network and a recording medium.

  An image processing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives activation information for enabling one or more image processing functions from an information processing device, an imaging unit, and the activation information. A first storage unit that stores a plurality of functional modules for realizing an image processing function, and a processing unit that processes an image obtained by the imaging unit by executing at least one functional module.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus connectable to an image processing apparatus is provided. The image processing apparatus is configured to process an image obtained by the imaging unit by executing at least one functional module. The information processing device is selected via the input unit among the input unit, the display unit that selectively displays the image processing function that can be executed in the image processing device, and the image processing function that is displayed on the display unit. And a control unit that transmits validation information for validating the image processing function to the image processing apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image processing system which can set the image processing function which can be performed with an image processing apparatus flexibly, and the image processing apparatus and information processing apparatus which were directed to the image processing system are realizable.

It is a mimetic diagram for explaining an outline of an image processing system concerning an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing system including an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the functional structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment, a display setting device, and PLC. It is a schematic diagram which shows the functional structure of the management apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence in the image processing system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of the image processing function in the management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen of the transmission process in the management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen update in the display setting device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen when a functional module is added with respect to the management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence in the image processing system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence in the image processing system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of the image processing function which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same or equivalent part in a figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is not repeated.

<A. Overview>
First, an outline of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 is typically incorporated in a production line or the like. The image processing system 1 performs processing (hereinafter referred to as “recognition of characters” and inspection of scratches based on an image obtained by imaging a work (hereinafter also referred to as “inspection object”) conveyed on a production line. Also referred to as “measurement process”.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes one or more image processing apparatuses 100 and a management apparatus 200 that is an example of an information processing apparatus that can be connected to the image processing apparatus 100. For example, the inspection target is transported in a predetermined direction by a transport mechanism such as a belt conveyor, and each image processing apparatus 100 is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the transport path.

  The image processing apparatus 100 executes an imaging unit, a storage unit that stores a plurality of functional modules for realizing an image processing function, and at least one functional module (typically, a program module). And a processing unit for processing an image obtained by the processing. Details of these configurations will be described later. Each functional module includes an instruction code and an execution module for realizing some image processing function in the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a configuration in which a user or the like can flexibly set a functional module (that is, an image processing function provided by the image processing apparatus 100) executed by the image processing apparatus 100. . As shown in FIG. 1, a management apparatus 200 can be connected to the image processing apparatus 100, and functions that can be executed by the designated image processing apparatus 100 when a user operates the management apparatus 200. Is activated.

  In the present specification, “validation” means a procedure for enabling the image processing apparatus 100 to execute some image processing function. A typical example of the “validation” process is a process of adding (or installing) a new function module to the image processing apparatus 100. In addition, the functional module may be made executable by the image processing apparatus 100 by giving information that makes the functional module stored in advance in the image processing apparatus 100 executable.

  The management apparatus 200 is selected via the input unit among the input unit, the display unit that displays the image processing function that can be executed in the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing function displayed on the display unit. And a control unit that transmits validation information for validating the image processing function to the image processing apparatus 100. Details of these configurations will be described later.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more functions (or functional modules for realizing the functions) are displayed in a list on the display unit of the management apparatus 200. The user operates an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse to select a functional module to be activated for the target management apparatus 200 from among the function modules displayed in the list (function (1) in FIG. 1). Choice). In the example shown in FIG. 1, check boxes are provided for the respective functions 1 to 4, and the functions corresponding to the check boxes selected by the user (function 2 and function 3 in the example shown in FIG. 1) are valid. It becomes the object of crystallization. When the user selects the transmission destination image processing apparatus 100 and instructs transmission, the management apparatus 200 transmits activation information corresponding to the selected function to the image processing apparatus 100 ((2 in FIG. 1). ) Activation information). In the image processing apparatus 100 to which the activation information is transmitted, the corresponding image processing function is activated ((3) function activation in FIG. 1). An image processing function that can be executed by the image processing apparatus 100 may be appropriately disabled.

  As described above, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 are replaced. As described above, in the management apparatus 200, an image processing function that should be executable in the connected image processing apparatus 100 (image sensor) is selected, and the image processing function is appropriately replaced.

  An embedded product such as the image processing apparatus 100 has a limitation in hardware resources (for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)), and for example, a new image processing function is added. When the image processing function is upgraded, a product having a small resource capacity may not be able to cope with the addition and expansion of these functions.

  In addition, in an image sensing product such as the image processing apparatus 100 described above, the function itself (or algorithm) incorporated at the time of manufacture or shipment cannot be arbitrarily selected and replaced by the user, and a part of parameters, etc. It was only possible to replace the data. In such a conventional image sensing product, it is necessary to replace the entire program of the apparatus main body when the function is added or extended.

  On the other hand, by adopting a configuration in which the image processing function according to the present embodiment can be appropriately selected, it is possible to flexibly cope with such function addition / expansion.

  Furthermore, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, since the user can select only necessary functions on the management apparatus 200, the operation on the image processing apparatus 100 side can be simplified. That is, if a large number of functions that are not used are implemented, the number of options may increase at the time of setting and the operation may be complicated. However, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, such an operation is complicated. Can be avoided.

  Furthermore, an image processing function to be activated for the image processing apparatus 100 may be selected in association with more processing items (image processing functions) installed in a higher model of the image processing apparatus 100. In other words, a processing item required by the user may be selected from the processing items installed in the upper model and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 that is the lower model. By adopting such a configuration, convenience for the user can be enhanced.

<B. Overall system configuration>
Next, the overall configuration of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of the image processing system 1 including the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the image processing system 1 includes one or more image processing apparatuses 100, a management apparatus 200 and a display setting unit 300 connected to the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 2. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 400 is connected to the image processing apparatus 100.

  The display setting unit 300 displays, for example, parameters such as parameters for image processing executed on the image processing apparatus 100 and inspection results obtained by executing image processing on the image processing apparatus 100.

  The PLC 400 exchanges timing signals and result information with the image processing apparatus 100. The PLC 400 can also perform overall control of the image processing system 1 by receiving a signal from another device or transmitting a signal to the other device.

  The PLC 400 may be connected to the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 2, and the display setting device 300 may be directly connected to the image processing apparatus 100.

  In the image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 2, each of the image processing apparatuses 100 responds to a trigger signal from the PLC 400 or the like to image a subject in the visual field range and process an image obtained by the imaging. Thus, the measurement process is executed. This measurement process may be repeated at a predetermined period, or may be executed in an event in response to a trigger signal from the PLC 400 or the like. The image processing executed by the image processing apparatus 100 can be appropriately replaced as described above. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 are arranged side by side on the same production line, each image processing apparatus 100 performs different image processing on the same inspection target, You may make it output the measurement result, respectively.

<C. Device configuration>
Next, the configuration of each device constituting the image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating functional configurations of the image processing apparatus 100, the display setting device 300, and the PLC 400 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the management apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment.

(C1: Image processing apparatus 100)
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, image processing apparatus 100 includes an illumination unit (illumination unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 3) for illuminating an inspection object (inspection object 500 illustrated in FIG. 3) and an image obtained by the imaging unit. A processing unit (the controller unit 120 shown in FIG. 3) that processes the image and an imaging unit (the imaging unit 130 shown in FIG. 3) for imaging the inspection object are integrally mounted in the housing 101. An imaging lens 131 that is a part of the imaging unit, and an illumination lens 112 and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 113 that are a part of the illumination unit are exposed on the surface of the housing 101.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an image processing apparatus 100 of a type (side view type) that can be imaged from the side of the casing 101, but the image processing apparatus 100 can be imaged from the upper side of the casing 101. You may comprise as a type (top view type) which can be performed.

  As a more detailed configuration, referring to FIG. 3, image processing apparatus 100 includes an illumination unit 110, a controller unit 120, and an imaging unit 130.

  The illumination unit 110 irradiates the inspection object 500 with light necessary for imaging. In other words, the illumination unit 110 irradiates the imaging range of the imaging unit 130 with light. More specifically, the illumination unit 110 includes a plurality of illumination control units 111 provided on the illumination substrate. In the present embodiment, the illumination unit 110 includes eight illumination control units 111, and these units are arranged on the illumination substrate. Each of the illumination control units 111 includes an illumination lens 112 and an LED 113. The illumination control unit 111 irradiates light according to a command from the controller unit 120. More specifically, the light generated by the LED 113 is irradiated to the inspection object 500 through the illumination lens 112.

  The imaging unit 130 receives the reflected light of the light irradiated by the illumination unit 110 and outputs an image signal. This image signal is sent to the controller unit 120. More specifically, in addition to the optical system such as the imaging lens 131, the imaging unit 130 includes an imaging element 132 that is partitioned into a plurality of pixels such as a CCD (Coupled Charged Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. including.

  The controller unit 120 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100. That is, the controller unit 120 controls the illumination unit 110 and the imaging unit 130 and performs image processing based on the image signal from the imaging unit 130. More specifically, the controller unit 120 includes a processing unit 121, a storage unit 122, a network communication unit 123, and an external input / output unit 125.

  The processing unit 121 is realized using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

  The storage unit 122 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (Static Silicon Disk) and / or a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Including. Typically, the processing unit 121 executes programs (instruction codes), modules, and the like stored in the storage unit 122, thereby realizing various types of image processing.

  Such programs (instruction codes), modules, and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory in the storage unit 122, read from the nonvolatile memory, work data necessary for executing the programs, and acquired by the imaging unit 130. The image data and the data indicating the measurement result are stored in the volatile memory in the storage unit 122.

  More specifically, the storage unit 122 includes a main body program 1221, one or more functional modules 1222, setting screen data 1223, and setting data 1224.

  The main body program 1221 is a basic program for realizing basic operations of the image processing apparatus 100, and may include an OS (Operating System) and basic applications. The functional module 1222 is a program (typically instruction code and / or library) for realizing an image processing function provided by the image processing apparatus 100. A number corresponding to the number of image processing functions executable by the image processing apparatus 100 is installed.

  The setting screen data 1223 includes information for providing a user interface on the display setting device 300 connected to the image processing apparatus 100. More specifically, the setting screen data 1223 is associated with each function module 1222 installed in the image processing apparatus 100, and provides a setting screen or a measurement result screen according to the corresponding image processing function. Contains information for. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, objects (images and various icons indicating reception of operations such as buttons and arrows) used for screen drawing by the display setting device 300 are stored in advance, and data for setting screens is used. By designating the coordinate position where these objects are arranged in 1223, a flexible screen interface can be realized while reducing the data transmission amount.

  The setting data 1224 includes parameters necessary for the function module 1222 installed in the image processing apparatus 100.

  The network communication unit 123 is an interface for exchanging data with the management device 200 and the display setting device 300 via the network 2. More specifically, the network communication unit 123 employs a configuration conforming to Ethernet (registered trademark). The external input / output unit 125 is an interface for exchanging various data (input data and / or output data) with the PLC 400.

(C2: management device 200)
In the present embodiment, as an example, the management apparatus 200 is realized by a general-purpose computer. Referring to FIG. 4, a computer that implements management device 200 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, an HDD (hard disk) 203, a network interface (I / F) 204, a display unit 205, an operation unit 206, And a memory card reader / writer 207. These units are connected to each other via an internal bus 208 so as to communicate with each other.

  The CPU 201 implements various functions, which will be described later, by developing a program (instruction code) stored in the HDD 203 or the like on the memory 202 and executing the program. The memory 202 and the HDD 203 correspond to the storage unit of the management apparatus 200, and store data in a volatile and nonvolatile manner, respectively. The HDD 203 holds an application 2031, a function module 2032, and setting screen data 2033 in addition to the OS.

  The application 2031 is a basic program that provides processing and a user interface for performing an operation for enabling / disabling the image processing function to the image processing apparatus 100, as will be described later. The functional module 2032 and the setting screen data 2033 are all or partly transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 in response to a user operation. That is, the function module 1222 and the setting screen data 1223 stored in the storage unit 122 illustrated in FIG. 2 are at least a subset of the function module 2032 and the setting screen data 2033 stored in the HDD 203.

  The network interface 204 exchanges data between the image processing apparatus 100 and the management apparatus 200 via the network 2.

  The display unit 205 displays a setting operation screen and the like realized by the CPU 201 executing the application 2031. The display unit 205 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation unit 206 receives a user operation and outputs an internal command indicating the received operation to the CPU 201 or the like. The operation unit 206 typically includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a tablet, a voice recognition device, and the like.

  The memory card reader / writer 207 reads data from the memory card 210 and writes data to the memory card 210. As the memory card 210, a known recording medium such as an SD card (Secure Digital) can be adopted.

(C3: Display setting device 300)
Referring to FIG. 3 again, the display setting device 300 includes a display unit 301, a display control unit 302, a processing unit 303, a communication unit 304, an operation unit 305, a memory card reader / writer 306, and a storage unit. 308.

  The display unit 301 includes a screen for setting parameters and the like of image processing executed for the connection destination image processing apparatus 100, a screen showing inspection results obtained by execution of image processing in the image processing apparatus 100, and the like. indicate. The display unit 301 typically includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display control unit 302 performs processing for displaying an image on the display unit 301 in accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 303.

  The processing unit 303 performs processing for generating an image to be displayed on the display unit 301 in accordance with an instruction / instruction from the image processing apparatus 100, and in response to a user input via the operation unit 305, The image is sent to the image processing apparatus 100.

  The storage unit 308 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, and an SSD, and / or a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM. The storage unit 308 stores an object used for screen display as the component data 3081. The processing unit 303 uses these component data 3081 to display a screen.

  A communication unit 304 is an interface for exchanging data with the image processing apparatus 100 or the like.

  The operation unit 305 receives a user operation and outputs an internal command indicating the received operation to the processing unit 303 or the like. The operation unit 305 typically includes a touch panel (pressure sensor), buttons, keys, and the like disposed on the surface of the display unit 301.

  The memory card reader / writer 306 reads data from the memory card 310 and writes data to the memory card 310. As the memory card 310, a known recording medium such as an SD card can be employed.

(C4: PLC400)
Since the PLC 400 is the same as a known PLC, a detailed description thereof will not be given here.

<D. Embodiment 1>
As a first embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which a plurality of function modules are prepared in advance in the management apparatus 200 and a function module arbitrarily selected by the user is installed in the image processing apparatus 100 will be exemplified.

(D1: Overview)
In the first embodiment, the management apparatus 200 generates installation data including an image processing function selected by the user from among a plurality of image processing functions prepared in advance, and transmits the generated installation data to the image processing apparatus 100. . The image processing apparatus 100 that has received the installation deletes the functional module already stored in the storage unit 122 and stores the newly received functional module in the storage unit 122.

  In this manner, by providing installation data as needed from the management apparatus 200 to each image processing apparatus 100, it is possible to easily add / delete functional modules.

(D2: Processing procedure)
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing function selection screen in the management apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for transmission processing in the management apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen update in the display setting device 300 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 are connected to the management apparatus 200. In FIG. 5, numbers such as “−1”, “−2”... Are added to distinguish the image processing apparatus 100. Further, as an initial state, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 100 is in a factory shipment state, and only the main body program 1221 is stored in the storage unit 122.

  In response to a user operation or the like, the CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 executes the application 2031. Thereby, the execution of the application according to the first embodiment is started (sequence SQ100). The application according to the first embodiment mainly provides an installation data generation screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 and an installation execution screen 700 shown in FIG.

  The user operates the operation unit 206 to select an image processing function (functional module) to be added to or deleted from the target image processing apparatus 100 on the installation data generation screen 600 (FIG. 6) (sequence SQ102). Then, management apparatus 200 generates install data 150 as validation information from the selected image processing function (sequence SQ104). Subsequently, the user operates the operation unit 206 to select the image processing apparatus 100 that transmits the generated installation data 150 on the installation execution screen 700 (FIG. 7) and instruct to start the transmission process. (Sequence SQ106). Then, management apparatus 200 transmits installation data 150 to designated image processing apparatus 100-1 (sequence SQ108-1).

  The management apparatus 200 includes an HDD 203 that stores functional modules that can be executed by the processing unit 121 of the image processing apparatus 100. Then, the CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 transmits installation data 150 including the functional module corresponding to the selected image processing function to the image processing apparatus 100 as the validation information.

  When receiving the installation data 150, the image processing apparatus 100-1 stores data such as the function module 1222 and the setting screen data 1223 included in the installation data 150 in the storage unit 122 (sequence SQ110). Then, in the image processing apparatus 100-1, the installed image processing function is validated (sequence SQ112). When the installation data 150 is stored in the storage unit 122, if the function module 1222, the setting screen data 1223, and the like are already stored, basically, the previously stored data is stored. After erasing, data such as the function module 1222 and setting screen data 1223 included in the installation data 150 is stored in the storage unit 122. However, a new function module 1222 and setting screen data 1223 may be additionally stored while the previously stored function module 1222 and setting screen data 1223 remain.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 updates the function module 1222 stored in the storage unit 122 with the function module 1222 included in the installation data 150 from the management apparatus 200.

  The image processing apparatus 100-1 transmits information for updating the screen display to the connected display setting device 300-1 based on the setting screen data 1223 corresponding to the activated image processing function. (Sequence SQ114). Then, display setting unit 300-1 updates the display screen corresponding to the newly activated functional module based on information from image processing apparatus 100-1 (sequence SQ116).

  Furthermore, management apparatus 200 transmits installation data 150 to image processing apparatuses 100-2, 100-3,... (Sequences SQ108-1, SQ108-2,...).

(D3: Installation data generation screen 600)
The installation data generation screen 600 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The installation data generation screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 includes a function list that displays a list of image processing functions that can be executed in the image processing apparatus 100. More specifically, the function list includes a column 608 that displays a list of each image processing function and a column 606 that indicates whether each image processing function is selected. The user activates a check box displayed in the column 606 to select a corresponding image processing function (image processing algorithm).

  When the user selects the button 610, generation of installation data 150 (algorithm data group) corresponding to the image processing function selected at that time is started.

  The installation data generation screen 600 includes a bull-down box 602 for selecting the model of the image processing apparatus 100 to be connected and a bull-down box 604 for selecting the model of the display setting device 300. The user selects a model corresponding to the target image processing apparatus 100 and / or the display setting device 300. Then, the resource capacity (storage capacity) corresponding to the selected model is displayed. Further, when the number of image processing functions exceeding the resource capacity is selected, a warning such as resource capacity over may be notified to the user.

(D4: Installation execution screen 700)
The installation execution screen 700 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The installation execution screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a sensor list that displays a list of image processing apparatuses 100 that are transmission targets of the installation data 150. More specifically, the sensor list includes a column 704 that displays a list of network addresses (typically IP addresses) of the image processing apparatus 100 that can communicate with the management apparatus 200 and a transmission destination of the installation data 150. It includes a column 702 that indicates whether or not the image is selected and a column 706 that displays a list of names (sensor names) assigned to each image processing apparatus 100.

  The user enables the check box displayed in the column 702 to select the corresponding image processing apparatus 100 (sensor) as the transmission destination of the installation data 150. When the user selects the button 710, the installation data 150 (algorithm data group) generated previously is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 selected at that time. While the installation data 150 is being transmitted, the progress status is displayed in the column 708.

  In this way, the user selects the connected image processing apparatus 100 and executes the installation of the installation data 150, thereby appropriately replacing the image processing function (image processing algorithm) of the selected image processing apparatus 100.

(D5: installation data 150)
The installation data 150 generated in the management apparatus 200 includes a function module 1222 corresponding to the image processing function (image processing algorithm) selected by the user, and corresponding setting screen data 1223. Further, the installation data 150 may include setting data 1224. Further, the installation data 150 includes information for identifying the image processing function for which the main body program 1221 is activated. In this way, the installation data 150 is the data for realizing the selected image processing function (image processing algorithm) separately from the main body program 1221 and the validation / invalidation of the algorithm function for the main body program 1221. May include information (flag) for instructing switching.

(D6: Display setting device 300)
When a function module 1222 for executing a new image processing function is installed in the image processing apparatus, the content displayed on the display setting device 300 is also updated based on the corresponding setting screen data 1223.

  FIG. 8A shows a screen state in which no function module 1222 is installed, and FIG. 8B shows a screen state in which a new function module 1222 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when a new function module 1222 is installed in the image processing apparatus 100, a screen for setting parameters and the like related to each image processing function is displayed. When any image processing function is selected, screens for setting more detailed parameters of the selected image processing function are sequentially displayed.

(D7: Function module added)
Functional modules prepared in advance in the management apparatus 200 may be added as necessary. In this case, an additional functional module may be distributed via the memory card 210 or the network 2. That is, the management apparatus 200 reads out the functional module from the memory card 210 via the memory card reader / writer 207 and stores the data in the HDD 203. Alternatively, the management apparatus 200 stores the functional module received via the network 2 in the HDD 203.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen when a functional module is added to the management apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Compared to the installation data generation screen 600 shown in FIG. 6, in the installation data generation screen 600A shown in FIG. 9, “shape search” is added as an image processing function. The user can select the added “shape search” in addition to the image processing function prepared in advance.

  As described above, a new image processing function (image processing algorithm) may be added to the image processing function (image processing algorithm) prepared in the management apparatus 200. At this time, a function module and setting screen data corresponding to the added image processing function are newly added to the management apparatus 200. Then, when the user selects a function module added to the management apparatus 200 and generates installation data, the added function module can be installed in the image processing apparatus 100. Thereby, even when it is necessary to perform new image processing due to a change in the specification of the production line, etc., it is possible to respond to the request more flexibly.

(D8: Summary)
In the image processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the user selects a necessary image processing function (image processing algorithm) on the user interface of the management apparatus 200, and the stand-alone image processing apparatus 100 selected as a target is selected. Can be installed. With such a function, it is possible to easily add / delete an image processing function to / from each image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatuses 100 that are the targets of addition / deletion of such image processing functions may be of the same type (same specifications) or may have different types (different specifications). .

  In the conventional configuration, the entire main body program and the image processing function (image processing algorithm) are handled as one execution format. Therefore, the processing of enabling (eg, installing) the image processing functions by freely combining them is performed. It was difficult. Typically, there has been a limit on how to select one of several patterns combining image processing functions. In contrast, in the image processing system according to the first embodiment, the image processing function (image processing algorithm) of the stand-alone image processing apparatus itself can be freely replaced. That is, since only the image processing function (image processing algorithm) selected by the user is replaced while maintaining the main body program, the image processing functions can be freely combined according to the target production line.

<E. Second Embodiment>
In the process of adding the image processing function (image processing algorithm) described in the first embodiment, a mode in which the added image processing function can be executed only under predetermined conditions is also assumed. For example, the case where the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus 100 or the developer of the image processing function sells the image processing function for a fee, or the case where the expiration date is set in advance is assumed. Typically, this is a function in which a user purchases a paid software license for the image processing function that is standardly installed in the management apparatus 200, and the purchased image processing function is additionally expanded.

  At this time, in order to enable execution of the image processing function only under such a defined condition, a mechanism is adopted in which corresponding authentication information (license permission information) is required for execution of the function module. In other words, the paid image processing function (image processing algorithm) is validated on the condition that the authentication information (license information) corresponds to the image processing apparatus 100. That is, a function for canceling the use restriction is also implemented.

  Hereinafter, a configuration using such authentication information (license grant information) will be described as a second embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, “license installation function” that installs a function module and corresponding authentication information (license permission information) in image processing apparatus 100, and authentication information (license permission) in a state where only the function module is installed. The “license update function” for installing the information into the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.

(E1: License installation function)
The user performs a known operation to newly add a function module (hereinafter referred to as “additional function module” for distinction from an existing function module) 1225 and corresponding authentication information (license permission information). 1226 is provided to the management apparatus 200 (sequence SQ200). CPU 201 of management apparatus 200 stores provided additional function module 1225 and authentication information 1226 in HDD 203 (sequence SQ202).

  That is, the HDD 203 of the management apparatus 200 stores the newly added additional function module 1225 and authentication information 1226 in addition to the one or more function modules 1222 and the corresponding setting screen data 1223 prepared in advance. The

  When the user performs an operation as described above and a function module including additional function module 1225 is selected, management apparatus 200 generates installation data 150A (sequence SQ204). That is, in the management apparatus 200, the additional function module 1225 is newly stored, and the added image processing function is displayed so as to be selectable as in an installation data generation screen 600A shown in FIG.

  It is preferable that the management apparatus 200 also performs authentication processing based on the authentication information 1226. That is, when the additional function module 1225 is displayed on the installation data generation screen 600A, the corresponding authentication information 1226 is verified, and transmission to the image processing apparatus 100 is performed only when the valid authentication information 1226 is stored. It may be possible. In other words, when the valid authentication information 1226 has not been added to the management apparatus 200, the additional function module 1225 can be selected, but installation in the image processing apparatus 100 and / or use of the function after installation is prohibited.

  The generated installation data 150A is transmitted to the designated image processing apparatus 100 (sequence SQ206). The installation data 150A includes an additional function module 1225 and authentication information 1226 in addition to the function module 1222 and the setting screen data 1223. That is, the management apparatus 200 additionally stores authentication information associated with the function module together with the function module input from the outside in the HDD 203 as a storage unit. Then, the CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 transmits, as validation information, together with the function module corresponding to the selected image processing function, authentication information associated with the function module to the image processing apparatus 100.

  Upon receiving the installation data 150A, the image processing apparatus 100 stores the function module 1222, the setting screen data 1223, the additional function module 1225, and the authentication information 1226 included in the installation data 150A in the storage unit 122 (sequence SQ208). ). Then, when the processing unit 121 of the image processing apparatus 100 loads the additional function module 1225, first, the validity of the corresponding authentication information 1226 is verified according to the instruction included therein (sequence SQ210). If the corresponding valid authentication information 1226 exists, the processing unit 121 of the image processing apparatus 100 can execute the image processing function corresponding to the additional function module 1225. That is, the image processing function is validated. Then, image processing apparatus 100 starts executing the installed image processing function (sequence SQ212).

  That is, when any authentication information is associated with a functional module, the processing unit 121 of the image processing apparatus 100 executes the functional module when the authentication information is valid.

  As described above, the user selects the target image processing apparatus 100 and executes the installation of the installation data, thereby exchanging the algorithm of the selected image processing apparatus 100. Since the installation data 150A includes the authentication information 1226, the license data of the additional function module 1225 is also automatically passed to the image processing apparatus 100, and the use restriction is released.

(E2: License update function)
Some software licenses are valid only for a predetermined period. Such a software license can be obtained through a predetermined update procedure. In such a case, a method in which the additional function module 1225 is already installed in the image processing apparatus 100 and the additional function module 1225 is updated (license update) is generally used. Such a license update function may also be installed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, new authentication information 1226 is provided to management apparatus 200 by the user performing a known operation (sequence SQ220). The CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 stores the provided new authentication information 1226 in the HDD 203 and transmits the new authentication information 1226 to the image processing apparatus 100 (sequence SQ222). When the image processing apparatus 100 receives new authentication information 1226, the image processing apparatus 100 stores the new authentication information 1226 in the storage unit 122. As a result, the additional function module 1225 is re-enabled.

  That is, when the authentication information 1226 that is the license data of the additional function module 1225 is updated by the management apparatus 200 and the target image processing apparatus 100 is selected, the updated authentication information 1226 is automatically sent to the image processing apparatus 100. The usage restrictions are lifted. In this way, the license update function releases the restriction on the use of the installed additional function module 1225.

<F. Embodiment 3>
In the first and second embodiments described above, the configuration for enabling the image processing function of the image processing apparatus 100 by providing the functional module from the management apparatus 200 to the image processing apparatus 100 has been exemplified. On the other hand, a configuration may be adopted in which only information specifying an image processing function to be validated among a plurality of image processing functions prepared in advance in the image processing apparatus 100 is provided.

  Such a configuration is effective, for example, when an existing image processing apparatus is replaced with a new image processing apparatus, but the connected display setting device 300 is used as it is. That is, more functions can be executed, but the method described below is preferable when it is desired to limit the image processing functions that can be executed due to the relationship with existing devices.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure in the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, it is assumed that a plurality of functional modules 1222 and corresponding setting screen data 1223 are stored in advance in the storage unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 in addition to the main body program 1221.

  In response to a user operation or the like, the CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 executes the application 2031. Thereby, execution of the application according to the third embodiment is started (sequence SQ100). The user operates the operation unit 206 to select an image processing function (functional module) to be added to or deleted from the target image processing apparatus 100 on the installation data generation screen 600 (FIG. 6) (sequence SQ102). Then, management apparatus 200 generates flag data 160 as validation information from the selected image processing function (sequence SQ105). Subsequently, the user operates the operation unit 206 to select the image processing apparatus 100 that transmits the generated flag data 160 on the installation execution screen 700 (FIG. 7) and instruct the start of the transmission process. (Sequence SQ106). Then, management apparatus 200 transmits flag data 160 to designated image processing apparatus 100 (sequence SQ108).

  The flag data 160 includes information (flag) for designating an image processing function that can be executed by the image processing apparatus 100 to be activated. For example, “Y” indicating validation or “N” indicating invalidation is defined for each image processing function.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 receives the flag data 160 from the management apparatus 200, the image processing apparatus 100 refers to the functional module 1222 stored in the storage unit 122 based on the content of the flag data 160. Then, the image processing apparatus 100 specifies an image processing function to be activated (sequence SQ150). Then, the controller unit 120 (processing unit 121) of the image processing apparatus 100 starts processing according to the activated image processing function (sequence SQ152).

  As described above, the CPU 201 of the management apparatus 200 transmits information specifying the selected image processing function to the image processing apparatus 100 as the validation information.

  As a further modification, a function is provided that specifies the capability from the model information of the image processing apparatus 100 to which the management apparatus 200 is connected, and provides a functional module as described in the first or second embodiment. You may make it switch according to the capability of the image processing apparatus 100 to the form which provides only the information which designates the functional module which should be validated among the several functional modules prepared beforehand.

<G. Modification Example of First to Third Embodiments (Part 1)>
In the above-described first to third embodiments, the configuration in which installation data is transmitted from the management apparatus 200 to the image processing apparatus 100 is illustrated. However, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the installation data is transmitted via the network 2, and the installation data may be transmitted (passed) to the image processing apparatus 100 via a recording medium such as the above-described SD card.

  In this case, since the main body of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 does not have a mechanism for reading data from the SD card, the memory card reader / writer 306 of the connected display setting device 300 is used to read from the SD card. The data may be read and the read data may be transmitted from the display setting device 300 to the image processing apparatus 100.

  Since other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments, detailed description will not be repeated.

<H. Modification Example of Embodiments 1 to 3 (No. 2)>
Instead of the installation data generation screen 600 shown in FIG. 6, a setting screen directed to a higher model may be used in common.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing function selection screen according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. A setting screen 800 illustrated in FIG. 12 is mainly directed to a higher-level model in which more image processing functions are mounted as compared with the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. By operating this setting screen 800, the user can set the higher model to perform more complicated image processing. For example, it can be set to obtain a desired result by combining a plurality of image processes.

  The setting screen 800 may be used to set an image processing function to be activated for the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. By adopting such a user interface, the user interface related to the setting can be shared between the upper model and the lower model, which is preferable from the viewpoint of user friendliness.

  However, the number and / or type of image processing functions that can be executed may be different between the upper model and the lower model. When an image processing function that cannot be executed by the lower model is selected by the user, A warning to that effect may be issued.

<I. Advantage>
According to the present embodiment, since the configuration in which the image processing function can be appropriately selected is adopted, it is possible to flexibly cope with the addition / expansion of the image processing function. In the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, since the user can select only necessary functions on the management apparatus 200, the operation on the image processing apparatus 100 side can be simplified.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system, 2 networks, 100 image processing apparatus, 101 housing | casing, 110 illumination part, 111 illumination control unit, 112 illumination lens, 113 LED, 120 controller part, 121,303 processing part, 122,308 memory | storage part, 123 Network communication unit, 125 External input / output unit, 130 Imaging unit, 131 Imaging lens, 132 Imaging device, 200 Management device, 201 CPU, 202 Memory, 203 HDD, 204 Network interface, 205, 301 Display unit, 206, 305 Operation unit 207, 306 Writer, 208 Internal bus, 210, 310 Memory card, 300 Display setting unit, 302 Display control unit, 304 Communication unit, 400 PLC, 500 Inspection target, 1221 Main body program, 1222, 2032 Function module, 1223, 2033 setting screen data, 1224 setting data, 1225 additional function module, 1226 authentication information, 2031 application, 3081 component data.

Claims (9)

An image processing device;
An information processing device connectable to the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An imaging unit;
A first storage unit for storing a plurality of functional modules for realizing an image processing function;
A processing unit that processes an image obtained by the imaging unit by executing at least one of the functional modules;
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input section;
A display unit for selectively displaying an image processing function executable in the image processing apparatus;
An image processing function including: a control unit that transmits, to the image processing device, activation information for activating the image processing function selected via the input unit among the image processing functions displayed on the display unit. system. The information processing apparatus further includes a second storage unit that stores functional modules executable by the processing unit of the image processing apparatus,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits a function module corresponding to a selected image processing function to the image processing apparatus as the validation information.   The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus updates the functional module stored in the first storage unit with a functional module included in activation information from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus additionally stores authentication information associated with the function module together with the function module input from the outside in the second storage unit,
The image processing according to claim 3, wherein the control unit transmits authentication information associated with the function module to the image processing apparatus together with the function module corresponding to the selected image processing function as the validation information. system.   5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein, when any authentication information is associated with a functional module, the processing unit executes the functional module when the authentication information exists effectively.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits information for specifying a selected image processing function to the image processing apparatus as the validation information.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the validation information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus via at least one of a network and a recording medium. An image processing apparatus,
A receiving unit that receives activation information for enabling one or more image processing functions from the information processing apparatus;
An imaging unit;
A first storage unit for storing a plurality of functional modules for realizing an image processing function included in the validation information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a processing unit that processes an image obtained by the imaging unit by executing at least one of the functional modules. An information processing apparatus connectable to an image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to process an image obtained by an imaging unit by executing at least one functional module. The device
An input section;
A display unit for selectively displaying an image processing function executable in the image processing apparatus;
A control unit that transmits, to the image processing apparatus, activation information for activating the image processing function selected via the input unit among the image processing functions displayed on the display unit. apparatus.