Abstract: Systems and methods to enable real-time and near real-time storyboarding on the World Wide Web in addition to a graphical user interface for video parsing and browsing the of the storyboard. Specifically, storyboarding can be accomplished on the World Wide Web by parsing an input video into representative or key frames. These frames then can be posted to a web document, or the like, for subsequent viewing by a user. This allows a video to be distilled down to the essential frames thus eliminating storage and bandwidth problems as well as eliminating the need for a user to view the entirety of the video. Furthermore, the graphical user interface allows a user to visually interact with an input video signal to determine the key or representative frames, or to retrieve video segments associated with already determined key frames.

Abstract: A high-accuracy optical aberration correction system and method. Z-heights determined by an auto-focus tool, which would otherwise vary depending on the orientation angle of surface features or edges in the focus region of interest, and on the location of the focus region of interest in the field of view, are corrected based on a novel error calibration method. Error calibration data includes a set of Z-corrections for a range of different feature orientation angles (e.g., 180 degrees), for multiple locations in the field of view. Error calibration data may be interpolated to correspond to the location of the current focus region of interest. During auto-focus measurements, a Z-correction may be adapted for a current measurement by weighting orientation-dependent error calibration data based on a histogram of the gradient (edge) directions present in the current focus region of interest.

Abstract: Improved user interface methods facilitate navigation and programming operations for a magnified machine vision inspection system. Large composite images are determined and stored. The composite images include workpiece features that are distributed beyond the limits of a single magnified field of view of the machine vision system. Despite their size, the composite images may be recalled and displayed in a user-friendly manner that approximates a smooth, real-time, zoom effect. The user interface may include controls that allow a user to easily define a set of workpiece features to be inspected using a composite image, and to easily position the machine vision system to view those workpiece features for the purpose of programming inspection operations for them.

Abstract: A fast template matching method by adaptive template decomposition is provided. The template decomposition technique subdivides a template into a number of horizontal and/or vertical subdivisions and one-dimensional characterizations are determined for the subdivisions. The template decomposition may be adapted during learn mode operations of a general-purpose precision machine vision inspection system, with the support of corresponding user interfaces. The matching results for one or more template decomposition configurations may be evaluated by a user, or by an automatic decomposition configuration evaluation routine, to determine a configuration that provides a desirable trade-off between speed and matching position accuracy. Automatic workpiece inspection instructions may implement the configuration to repeatedly provide optimum speed versus accuracy trade-offs during run mode operations of the inspection system.

Abstract: An image focus assessment method is provided that works reliably for images of a variety of relatively dissimilar workpieces or workpiece features. The focus assessment method is based on analysis of a single image (without the benefit of comparison to other images). The robustness of the focus assessment method is enhanced by the use of at least one classifier based on a plurality of focus classification features. In one application, a primary advantage of assessing focus from a single image is that an overall workpiece inspection time may be reduced by avoiding running an autofocus routine if an image is already in focus. In various embodiments, the focus assessment method may include an ensemble of classifiers. The ensemble of classifiers can be trained on different training data (sub)sets or different parameter (sub)sets, and their classification outcomes combined by a voting operation or the like, in order to enhance the overall accuracy and robustness of the focus assessment method.

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: Systems and methods to enable real-time and near real-time storyboarding on the World Wide Web in addition to a graphical user interface for video parsing and browsing the of the storyboard. Specifically, storyboarding can be accomplished on the World Wide Web by parsing an input video into representative or key frames. These frames then can be posted to a web document, or the like, for subsequent viewing by a user. This allows a video to be distilled down to the essential frames thus eliminating storage and bandwidth problems as well as eliminating the need for a user to view the entirety of the video. Furthermore, the graphical user interface allows a user to visually interact with an input video signal to determine the key or representative frames, or to retrieve video segments associated with already determined key frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enable real-time and near real-time storyboarding on the World Wide Web in addition to a graphical user interface for video parsing and browsing the of the storyboard. Specifically, storyboarding can be accomplished on the World Wide Web by parsing an input video into representative or key frames. These frames then can be posted to a web document, or the like, for subsequent viewing by a user. This allows a video to be distilled down to the essential frames thus eliminating storage and bandwidth problems as well as eliminating the need for a user to view the entirety of the video. Furthermore, the graphical user interface allows a user to visually interact with an input video signal to determine the key or representative frames, or to retrieve video segments associated with already determined key frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting robust fade and dissolve and video sequences. The systems and methods use a two step approach to detect both discontinuous cuts and gradual changes in a video sequence. Specifically, an input video signal is first divided into video segments based on the location of the discontinuous cut. A gradual change detector is then applied to the discontinuous cut segments to determine further cuts based on editing characteristics. By using this two part approach, the systems and methods of this invention can robustly detect scene breaks within a video.

Abstract: A method and system for real time converting a dynamic video to a set of static image frames includes segmenting the video into a plurality of frames. Significant parts of the frames are selected to comprise interest points. An operator estimates a motion trajectory of the interest points for real time computing of a global motion. Upon detection of global motion, selected key frames are selected from the set of static frames to represent the dynamic video. Interest points are identified as areas of high gradient and are further minimized by limiting interest points by imposing a grid on image frame and limiting the interest points to one point per grid cell.