Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically recovering a failed video inspection tool in a precision machine vision inspection system are described. A set of recovery instructions may be associated or merged with a video tool to allow the tool to automatically recover and proceed to provide an inspection result after an initial failure. The recovery instructions include operations that evaluate and modify feature inspection parameters that govern acquiring an image of a workpiece feature and inspecting the feature. The set of instructions may include an initial phase of recovery that adjusts image acquisition parameters. If adjusting image acquisition parameters does not result in proper tool operation, additional feature inspection parameters, such as the tool position, may be adjusted. The order in which the multiple feature inspection parameters and their related characteristics are considered may be predefined so as to most efficiently complete the automatic tool recovery process.

Abstract: A method of generating a part program for use in an image-measuring system and in an image-measuring instrument is provided. The method can be employed easily by an operator without complicated operations to efficiently generate a part program for a CNC image-measuring instrument. This method facilitates the operator to visually identify a work to be measured, through reading CAD data of the work; setting measurement conditions and a positioning coordinate system; calculating a size of the work when it is practically imaged; and displaying an image of the CAD data with the same size. Then, through setting tolerance information; and selecting an objective graphic to be measured, an edge detection tool is placed for a graphic element of the objective graphic selected.

Abstract: An apparatus and program is provided for efficiently generating a part program for image measuring apparatus, conveniently usable for the operator without complicated operations. CAD data of a work is displayed and a target graphic is selected from the CAD data. A detection position mark is displayed on the selected graphic. The CAD data is displayed at a certain magnification that allows the position of the selected target graphic to be identified relative to the entire of the CAD data. In this state, a detection position mark is displayed in the vicinity of the target graphic, and the operator determines the location of the detection position mark.

Abstract: An apparatus and program is provided for efficiently generating a part program for image measuring apparatus, conveniently usable for the operator without complicated operations. CAD data of a work is displayed and a target graphic is selected from the CAD data. A detection position mark is displayed on the selected graphic. The CAD data is displayed at a certain magnification that allows the position of the selected target graphic to be identified relative to the entire of the CAD data. In this state, a detection position mark is displayed in the vicinity of the target graphic, and the operator determines the location of the detection position mark.

Abstract: An apparatus for visual measurement is provided, which can measure a plurality of portions on a work at a high speed. An image pick-up system (3), including an optical system (5, 6) and a CCD camera (4), picks up an image of a work (2) to obtain image data. The image pick-up system (3) is driven in the Z axial direction by a driving motor (7). A displacement of the image pick-up system (3) in the Z axial direction is measured by a scale counter (8). A computer (10) reads image data from the CCD camera (4) and a Z value from the scale counter (8) into respective memories (11, 9) with a constant time interval. A contrast arithmetic unit (12) computes a contrast value at each of a plurality of different regions of image data obtained at each z axial position by the image pick-up system (3). It determines a measure for the each region based on the position of the image pick-up system (3) in the z axial direction when the contrast value comes to the maximum in the each region.

Abstract: A method of generating a part program for use in an image-measuring system and in an image-measuring instrument is provided. The method can be employed easily by an operator without complicated operations to efficiently generate a part program for a CNC image-measuring instrument. This method facilitates the operator to visually identify a work to be measured, through reading CAD data of the work; setting measurement conditions and a positioning coordinate system; calculating a size of the work when it is practically imaged; and displaying an image of the CAD data with the same size. Then, through setting tolerance information; and selecting an objective graphic to be measured, an edge detection tool is placed for a graphic element of the objective graphic selected.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor element comprising a substrate made of a compound oxide of the perovskite type and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the substrate. The compound oxide has a formula ABO.sub.3 in which A represents an element of the lanthanum family, an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof and B is a transition metal.