System and method of distributed processing for machine-vision analysis

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for designating a portion of a machine-vision analysis to be performed on a worker. A set of machine-vision algorithms is obtained for analyzing a digital image of a product. An overall time estimate is determined that represents the processing time to analyze the digital image using the entire set of machine-vision algorithms. If the overall time estimate is greater than a threshold value, then an algorithm time estimate for each of two or more algorithms of the set of machine-vision algorithms is obtained. A rank associated with each of the two or more algorithms is computed based on the algorithm time estimates. A designated algorithm to be performed on the worker is selected based on the rank associated with each of the two or more algorithms. The digital image may then be analyzed on the worker using the designated algorithm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for designating a portion of a machine-vision analysis to be performed on a worker, the method comprising:
 obtaining a set of machine-vision algorithms for analyzing a digital image of a product;   determining an overall time estimate that represents the processing time to analyze the digital image using the entire set of machine-vision algorithms;   if the overall time estimate is greater than a threshold value:
 obtaining an algorithm time estimate for each of two or more algorithms of the set of machine-vision algorithms, wherein the algorithm time estimate represents the processing time to analyze the digital image using the respective machine-vision algorithm; 
 computing a rank associated with each of the two or more algorithms based on the algorithm time estimates; and 
 selecting a designated algorithm to be performed on the worker, wherein the selection is based on the rank associated with each of the two or more algorithms and the designated algorithm comprises one of the two or more algorithms.