Optimized Distribution of Machine Vision Processing

Abstract

A system and method is provided for remotely analyzing machine vision data. An indication of a choice of vision software is sent from a first computer to a remote second computer. The second computer, using the selected vision software, processes image data to provide a result that is transmitted from the second computer to a designated location.

1 - 68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . Apparatus comprising:
 a computer including a receiver configured to receive, from a remote source via a communications network, image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by one or more given vision tools that have been selected, and corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to the selected one or more given vision tools that have been selected to analyze the given image;   the computer being configured to, following receiving certain data by the receiver, cause a machine vision engine to analyze, with the selected one or more given vision tools, the given image to be analyzed in accordance with the corresponding vision tool parameters received by the receiver; and   wherein the machine vision engine includes one or more individually selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the vision operations include guidance. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the vision operations include inspection. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the vision operations include gauging. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the vision operations include identification. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the vision operations include a selectable guidance vision tool configured to, when selected, (i) obtain guidance operation vision tool parameters including a model pattern and alignment operation constraints, and (ii) carry out a corresponding guidance operation corresponding to the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the obtained guidance operation vision tool parameters include parameters defining a minimum match quality and allowable scale and rotation change. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the computer includes the machine vision engine. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus according to  claim 70 , wherein the communications network includes an internetwork. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus according to  claim 77 , wherein the internetwork includes the Internet. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the selected one or more given vision tools that have been selected have been selected at a location remote from the computer. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , further comprising a validator configured to verify associated validation data to ensure client account security, the associated validation data having been associated with the received given image, the selected one or more given vision tools, and the corresponding vision tool parameters. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus according to  claim 80 , wherein the associated validation data has been received by the receiver. 
     
     
         82 . A system comprising:
 a computer in a manufacturing facility, the computer including a vision tool parameters input configured to receive, at the computer, corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to at least one of selected one or more given vision tools;   a transmitter configured to send, from the computer to a machine vision engine located remotely from the computer and via a communications network, (i) image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by the selected one or more given vision tools, and (ii) the corresponding vision tool parameters; and   wherein the machine vision engine includes vision tools including the selected one or more given vision tools, the selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations including pattern location on the given image.   
     
     
         83 . Apparatus comprising:
 a computer including a receiver configured to receive, from a remote source via a communications network, image data including at least one given image to be analyzed by one or more given vision tools that have been selected, and corresponding vision tool parameters corresponding to the selected one or more given vision tools that have been selected to analyze the given image; and   the computer being configured to, following receiving certain data by the receiver, cause a machine vision engine to analyze, with the selected one or more given vision tools, the given image to be analyzed in accordance with the corresponding vision tool parameters received by the receiver;   wherein the machine vision engine includes one or more individually selectable vision tools having been configured to, when selected, carry out vision operations.   
     
     
         84 . The apparatus according to  claim 83 , wherein the vision operations include guidance. 
     
     
         85 . The apparatus according to  claim 83 , wherein the vision operations include inspection.