1stVision Inc. - Machine Vision Articles - Page 2 of 55

April 14, 2025May 16, 2025

IDS Imaging XCP-E Event-Based Cameras – and the Sony Prophesee IMX636 Sensor

Recently we introduced the IDS Imaging event-based cameras, the uEye XCP-E models. These cameras are a paradigm shift – they detect changes in pixel brightness and transmit ONLY those changes. This dramatically reduces data load, lowers latency, and improves efficiency.

Speed, speed, speed

Temporal resolution is better than 100μsec! Rapid changes can be detected – equivalent to an area scan camera operating at >10,000fps.

Paradigm shift – from “frames” to “events”

This is one of those aha moments. Too often we get jaded in believing that things only evolve incrementally – Moore’s law and electronics getting faster and less expensive, etc. Yawn. But this really is a game changer worth getting one’s head wrapped around.

The event-based vision sensor (EVS) was developed by Sony and Prophesee.

Industrial use cases

With a radically new technology, even machine vision veterans may appreciate seeing example applications already utilizing event-based imaging:

Some typical applications for event-based imaging – Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Example applications

The following are meant to be suggestive rather than inclusive. Just to whet the appetite.

Let’s enlarge that “alternatives” comparison from the above graphic:

Which level of complexity, performance outcomes, and costs do you prefer? Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Another class of applications

Vibration monitoring can alert the need for preventative maintenance – Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Take the guesswork out of when to do preventative maintenance. Maximize uptime. Reduce the risks of catastrophic failure. These cameras are affordable enough to let them do the vibration monitoring – just set your alert threshold!

Let the sensor monitor vibration frequencies – Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Software for event-based imaging applications

New paradigm best served by Metavision Technology Software – Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Metavision SDK modules built for event-based imaging applications – Courtesy Sony / Prophesee

Get it? Got it? Need it? Want it?

This is a new way of coming at machine vision applications. It may give you an edge over your competition by enabling you to improve quality, reduce costs, and/or innovate new products or services. It really is different. See the IDS Imaging uEye XCP-E event-based cameras and datasheets. Powered by the Sony IMX636 developed in conjunction with Prophesee.

Tell us more about your application, using the link below. Or just call us at 978-571-5552. We can help you determine whether event-based imaging is optimal for your application.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection. With a large portfolio of cameras, lenses, cables, NIC cards and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025

Six new JAI line scan cameras across two product families

JAI has over 60 years experience in the vision industry, and is likewise a longstanding part of the 1stVision portfolio. JAI produces a diverse range of cameras, including area scan and line scan; across multiple interfaces; and spanning visible, NIR, SWIR, and UV portions of the spectrum.

In this article we announce six new line scan camera models: 4 in the Sweep series at 4k each; and 2 in the Sweep+ series at 4k and 8k respectively. There’s a niche for every model.

Two new Sweep+ line scan cameras – one 4k one 8k – Courtesy JAI Imaging

Four new 4k line scan Sweep models; Two new Sweep+ models incl. 8k

At the risk of information overload, we’ve bundled this product release update of six new camera models across two product families into a single article. We hope the reader appreciates the compare-and-contrast approach as a way to understand the value proposition for each camera/family.

When you need line scan it’s nice to have options

While area scan sensors with big 2D pixel array outputs are right for some applications, line scan is a better fit for others. In particular, if the object being imaged is essentially continuous, line scan can be an effective way to take narrow image slices with a lower cost 1D sensor that’s long in just the dimension that maps to the object width. Movement of the object (or sensor) together with successive slices then creates the second dimension.

The 1stVision Knowledge Base offers illustrated articles on line scan topics, including How to Calculate Line Rate Based on Conveyor Speed and Polarization Techniques with Line Scan Cameras. Now on to the new camera models!

Example line scan applications – Courtesy JAI Imaging

JAI’s Sweep line scan cameras vs. Sweep+

JAI’s Sweep line scan cameras include a wide offering of monochrome, bilinear, and trilinear models, at 2K, 4K, 8K, and 16K. Interface options include 5GigE, 10GigE and CoaXPress. If you need color sensing, the bilinear approach is an affordable approach, and often plenty good enough. For true color capture, the trilinear sensors are superior – if needed.

Sweep+ cameras, as suggested by the + suffix, are JAI’s top of the line color and multispectral line scan products. The beam-splitter prism optics, together with three (color only models) or four (color plus NIR) sensors, deliver high-precision color resolution. Due to the data volumes generated, the Sweep+ cameras use CoaXPress, 10GigE, and CameraLink interfaces to achieve line rates suitable to the respective sensor sizes and anticipated applications.

Click to contact — Give us some brief idea of your application and we will contact you to discuss camera options.

Mini-tutorial on single sensor vs. multi-sensor color imagin

While Bayer filters or equivalent provide single sensor color, that’s good enough for some applications, there is some loss of color resolution via that inherent physical interpolation. So demanding applications take advantage of separate sensors for each segment of the spectrum, using a prism to separate wavelengths. The resulting camera is physically larger to accommodate the the prism, extra sensors, and electronics – but the best possible color performance is achieved.

A deeper dive on the new Sweep cameras

At-a-glance overview of the Sweep 4k cameras – Courtesy JAI Imaging

Monochrome line rates are 2x that of the bilinear color models

… because there is a single monochrome pixel mapped to the target object’s corresponding area.

But if you need color the bilinear approach is an efficient way to do it, since there are only two rows of data transmitted for every real-space row imaged….

A peak at the bilinear approach to color line scan imaging

Other JAI Sweep camera features

Keystone correction, aka tilted view correction, onboard the camera

Trigger-width dynamic exposure control

Resume-scanning control for stop-start motion

Trigger delay

… and more

Drill in to JAI Sweep camera models and datasheets. Or let us guide you.

More details on JAI’s new Sweep+ line scan cameras:

A 4k and and 8k model, both with CoaXPress interfaces – Courtesy JAI Imaging

The two new models round out the Sweep+ lineup – Courtesy JAI Imaging

Precise prism optical design yields superior images – Courtesy JAI Imaging

Some of the key benefits of CoaXPress – Courtesy JAI Imaging

And yet more features…

You get the idea… Sweep+ is a remarkable camera family. There are even more features to find in the Sweep+ product details and datasheets. Or just call us at 878-571-5683 for expert assistance. Tell us about your application requirements and we’ll guide you to an optimal camera. Lighting, lenses, filters, cables, and software too.

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025

IDS Imaging μEye XCP-E Event-based cameras

The μEye XCP-E event-based camera utilizes Sony’s Prophesee IMX636 sensor. So, by design, it captures only relevant image changes. Event-based imaging can be a game changer for certain applications. Unlike area scan or line scan imaging – which capture every pixel and render a “full image” – event imaging only senses and delivers changes.

Event-based imaging captures the changes:

Left: uEye XCP-E image vs. Right: Area scan image – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Less is more

Playing on the “less is more” adage reveals key insights into event-based imaging.

The human eye is adept at delivering and entire scene, of course, and that’s how most of us imagine we see the world around us. But our overall vision perception also builds upon the eye’s ability to sense brightness changes within small segments of the overall scene..

Consider a baseball batter awaiting a pitched ball. The overall scene is relatively static: the outfield fence, bases, and foul lines aren’t moving. And the infielders are almost static – relative to the motion of the ball. But the pitched ball approaching at 80 – 90 miles per hour can be identified by a good batter, to gauge “strike or ball” and “swing or take”.

The batter’s visual processing does NOT have time to capture the full scene at each instant of “ball release”, “just released”, “mid-way”, and “arriving soon”. Rather, the ball’s trajectory is discerned as successive changes against a static background. So too with an event-based camera.

Less data -> More speed: In other circumstances, less data might seem like a handicap. For area scan applications it often would be. Finding defects on a static surface requires ingesting a lot of detail – all the pixels – in order to do edge detection, blob analysis, or other algorithmic processing. But by detecting “just the brightness changes”, transmitting less data is exactly what delivers the increased speed!

Applications example: motion detection and analysis

Airport security application – Courtesy IDS Imaging

What is delivered are pixel motion coordinates and timestamps – NOT pixel brightness values. So you get useable results rather than having to algorithmically compute the results from a traditional area scan image. Track moving objects easily.

How much?

Already intrigued? The housed model, UE-39B0XCP-E, is available now, as this blog releases in early March 2025. Board-level models to be released soon.

Temporal resolution better than 100 μsec

Detect rapid changes – a conventional camera would need > 10,000 fps to capture this – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Efficient data processing

Courtesy IDS Imaging

IDS Imaging uEye XCP-E event-based cameras can be directly integrated with the sensor manufacturers’ software tools, called Metavision. That’s all thanks to Sony’s partnership with Prophesee. Since event-based imaging is a paradigm shift away from conventional machine vision approaches, the visualization tools, API, and training videos help you get up to speed quickly.

March 15, 2025March 26, 2025

IDS Imaging Sony IMX662 cameras with STARVIS sensors

We’ve previously written about Sony STARVIS sensors, and all that still holds true, of course. If you don’t feel like chasing that last link, a two-word summary would be “high sensitivity”. But this is our first piece on the Sony IMX662 STARVIS sensor in particular. And the corresponding 10 camera models into which IDS Imaging has embedded this remarkable new sensor.

Sony IMX662 sensor – what’s so special?

Before reviewing STARVIS in general, let’s cut to the chase on the IMX662. Three specifics jump out.

1. Wider dynamic range:

Dynamic range characterizes the expressive power of the sensor. It’s the ratio between the smallest and largest values the sensor can capture. Per the side by side images below, the more performant sensor (in this case the IMX662 of course), gets the saturated segments bright, the darker segments dark, and a lot more nuance in the middle. Which translates into actionable imaging data for your machine vision algorithms.

2. No chromatic aberration in HDR mode:

Chromatic aberration is the introduction of color artifacts not present in the original scene, due to the physics of light passing through a lens. Note that the “lens” might be the user-added camera lens, or the micro-lens inherent to every pixel on the sensor. Either way, it’s an undesirable phenomenon, since if your application uses color, it can be a source of “confusion” in your image processing.

So it’s a nice benefit that Sony’s “Clear HDR” feature overcomes chromatic aberration when the IMX662 is used in HDR mode. As shown below:

3. Low cost

The Sony IMX662 sensor is very attractively priced. Since it doesn’t cost camera manufacturers very much to buy the sensors wholesale, they can design them into their value-added cameras, and price the overall package attractively for you, the customer. Whether in small volumes or large.

Think “go where no camera has ever gone before.” Or if you already have an application with another sensor, consider a Gen 2 application with a higher return on investment.

Why 10 different camera models for just this one sensor?

The Sony IMX662 sensor is so compelling that IDS Imaging designed it into 10 different camera packages, providing form factors for diverse customer requirements. Per the snapshot below from 1stVision’s camera selector, with sensor dropdown Sony IMX662 selected, we see all 10 models. In fact it’s 20 models, as each is available in a monochrome or color version.

The top 6 rows are GigE models, with framerates to 59fps. The 4 bottom rows utilize the USB3 interface, delivering up to 93fps.

1stVision carries all 10 IDS Imaging camera models using the Sony IMX662 sensor

GigE Vision models:

The GV prefix in the model name denotes the GigE Vision interface. M/C indicates both Monochrome and Color offerings. MB stands for MotherBoard, which is an especially small form factor, for applications with tight and/or angled spaces. For MB variants, and optional daughterboard and flex ribbon cable, if desired.

Top row: GigE no mount; GigE C-mount; GigE motherboard;
Bottom row: GigE MB C-mount; GigE MB S-mount; GigE S-mount

USB3 Vision models:

The models with the U3 prefix are offer board level and housed models, similarly ideal for tight spaces and embedded applications. And with frame rates to 93fps:

Top left: BL no lens mount; Top right: BL S-mount;
Bottom left: BL C-mount; Bottom right: Housed C-mount

Since both interface options, GigE Vision and USB3 Vision, are industry standards, you can use “IDS peak” SDK, or any other standards compliant software you like.

Sony STARVIS technology

Underlying the Sony IMX662 – and indeed all the Sony STARVIS sensors – is the innovative back-illuminated structure. This means more photons get into the pixel well, greatly enhancing low light performance.

Choose the sensor – and camera – that’s right for the application

Is the Sony IMX662 right for your application? For all cameras with the IMX662, go to our camera selector and choose IMX662 in the sensor pulldown. Or other members of the Sony STARVIS sensor collection? While lensing and lighting are also important, choosing the right sensor is at the heart of your application solution. We’re always happy to advise.

1stVision Inc. – Machine Vision Articles

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