Glossary
This page introduces the terms that appear on this site in addition to related phrases.
Refer to this page for help such as when viewing product specifications for choosing a vision sensor, and when configuring the settings on a vision sensor.
The terms included here reflect meanings for functions of KEYENCE’s Vision Sensor IV2 Series and may differ from common usage.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Image capture | |
| Automatic brightness adjustment | A function that finds the optimal brightness automatically from multiple photographs taken under different image capture conditions. |
| HDR | HDR is the abbreviation for High Dynamic Range. HDR technology is used to capture images with a wide range of brightness (dynamic range). The function is used when capturing images of a target that easily reflects light, such as metal, resulting in a significant difference between the light and dark areas of the image. |
| Auto-focus | A system that automatically adjusts the focus using a motor or other device. |
| External trigger | A device that signals the timing for capturing an image using the built-in camera. Image capturing is started from external input synchronized with the movement of the target, such as from an externally installed photoelectric sensor or PLC. |
| Narrow field of view | The range in which detection is possible is narrow. The minimum field of view for the IV2 Series narrow field of view sensor model is 8 mm × 6 mm at an installation distance of 40 mm. |
| Detection area | The range in which the vision sensor can capture a target. |
| Wide field of view | The range in which detection is possible is wide. The IV2 Series is available in two wide-field types, one with a maximum field of view of 275 mm × 206 mm at an installation distance of 300 mm, and one with a field of view of 550 mm × 412 mm at an installation distance of 600 mm. |
| Infrared LED | A diode that emits infrared light. Such diodes are also called IR LEDs. |
| Digital zoom | Crops out part of a captured image and enlarges it using computer processing. |
| Dome light | A lighting device that illuminates a target from various directions. Dome lights make it possible to apply soft, indirect lighting to targets with irregular shapes that are prone to shadows or glare. |
| Internal trigger | A device that signals the timing for capturing an image using the built-in camera. With trigger intervals, continuous imaging is performed for the specified interval. |
| Glare | Glare during imaging occurs when a strong light is applied to the object, causing it to appear completely white and blurry. |
| Polarizing filter | A filter that blocks unwanted light, allowing only the necessary light to be obtained. This causes colors to appear brighter and improves visibility of hard-to-see areas. |
| White balance | A function for correcting color influences from light in the shooting environment to ensure white is captured as white. |
| Master image | An image used as the reference for judgment. Any image captured by the sensor can be registered as the master image. |
| LIVE image | A real-time image captured by the sensor. |
| Detection tools | |
| Outline Tool | A tool that detects the matching percentage with a registered inspection target based on the outline of the target. |
| Color Area tool | A tool that detects the difference in area from a registered product based on color. |
| Area tool | A tool that detects the difference in area from a registered product based on brightness. This tool is effective for difference checking based on gloss or surface finishing. |
| Edge Pixels tool | A tool that detects differences by counting the number of pixels at boundary points (edges) with large changes in brightness. |
| Position Adjustment tool | A tool that calculates and corrects the amount of misalignment from the master image. |
| Diameter tool | A tool that detects the difference from a non-defective target based on the diameter. |
| Width tool | A tool that detects the difference from a non-defective target based on the width between edges. |
| Pitch tool | A tool that detects the difference from a non-defective target based on the pitch width. |
| RGB | A method for expressing color. With this method, color is expressed through the combination of three primary colors of light: red (R), green (G), and blue (B). |
| HSV | A method for expressing color. With this method, color is expressed through hue (H), saturation (S), and value (V) or lightness. This method is similar to how a person perceives color. Also referred to as “HSB color space”. |
| Edge | A boundary point with a large change in brightness. |
| OCR | OCR is the abbreviation for Optical Character Recognition (or Reader). A technology that reads handwritten or printed characters using a camera, and converts them into digital character codes that can be used by a computer. |
| Rotation correction | A function that rotates an image captured by the sensor to the correct orientation in situations where the orientation of the object is not determined due to problems with transferring. |
| Scaling function | A function that uses length for determining whether a product is defective instead of the match percentage based on an image. |
| Multi-point detection | Using multiple tools for detection of multiple points within the field of view. |
| Logic | A function for setting output conditions by combining the results of multiple detection tools using logical operations such as AND, OR, and inversion. |
| Communication/operation | |
| EtherNet/IP® | An open network protocol using Ethernet and managed by Open DeviceNet Vendor Association, Inc. (ODVA). The ability to communicate large amounts of control and monitoring data at high speeds and over large areas makes this protocol effective for improving operation rates and quality. |
| FTP | FTP is the abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. This protocol makes it possible to transfer files over the Internet (LAN). |
| Traceability | The ability to track processing from sourcing to production of raw materials, to consumption or disposal of the product in order to clarify when, where, and by whom the product was made. |
| Histogram (frequency distribution) | A distribution chart showing the degree of coincidence using the numerical data of detection results. Histograms are used to confirm inspection stability and to check variations in inspections for targets. The horizontal axis represents the degree of coincidence, and the vertical axis represents the number of inspections. |
| General | |
| Vision sensor | A sensor that outputs data and judgment results by processing images captured by an image sensor, such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) device, to calculate feature values of the target (such as area, center of gravity, length, and position). |
| Glossy target | A target made of a material with high light reflectance such as metal materials or white materials. |
| Photoelectric sensor | A sensor unit that obtains an output signal using a transmitter to emit light such as visible or infrared light using a transmitter, and a receiver to detect changes in the amount of light reflected by or blocked by the detection target. |
| Tooling changeover | The changes in settings of processing machines, jigs, or devices according to the products being transferred on the production line. Also known as “model changeover”. |
| Fiberoptic sensor | A detection sensor that uses an optical fiber connected to the light source of a photoelectric sensor for detection. Fiberoptic sensors can be easily installed in narrow spaces and other locations. |
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