InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath

The InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath function is used to find the center of an edge-based bead feature, and creates a polyline that traces the path of the detected bead path. The polyline path created by the tool can be used as an input by other InspectEdge Functions, such as the InspectEdgeWidth function, to determine if there are positional defects, width defects or gaps in the bead.

InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath Overview

A bead path is a continuous pair of edges that define the boundary between two regions of different pixel values (the path does not always have to appear as loop). Typically, a bead path refers to an ink or glue path, or a welded seam, which is defined by its width, or thickness, and its location. The InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath function, in conjunction with the other InspectEdge functions, provides the ability to be applied in bead tracking applications, where the bead path varies from one image to the next, or verifying whether or not a bead path is consistently in the same location.

In the bead tracking application, the InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath function, in conjunction with an InspectEdge function and InspectEdgeWidth function, is capable of verifying that the bead path is consistently laid out in a uniform pattern, neither too thick or thin. The functions create a multi-segmented line that defines a path along the bead, and then determines if there any areas of the bead path which are too thick, thin, or missing altogether.

In the location-based bead tracking application, the same functions are capable of verifying that the bead path is consistently in the same location, with the same thickness, and that there are no positional variations along the path.

Note: To be used in either application, the InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath function must be used as an input to the InspectEdge function's External Region or Path parameter, and the InspectEdgeWidth function must reference the Inspect data structure output by the InspectEdge function in its InspectEdge parameter.

InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath Inputs

Parameter

Description

Image

This parameter must reference a spreadsheet cell that contains an Image data structure; by default, this parameter references A0, the cell containing the AcquireImage data structure. This parameter can also reference other Image data structures, such as those returned by the Image Vision Data Access Functions or Coordinate Transforms Functions.

Fixture

Defines the Region of Interest (ROI) relative to a Fixture input or the output of a Vision Tools function's image coordinate system. Setting the ROI relative to a Fixture ensures that if the Fixture is rotated or translated, the ROI will be rotated or translated in relation to the Fixture.

The default setting is (0,0,0), the top leftmost corner of the image.

X (default = 0)	The X offset, in image coordinates.
Y (default = 0)	The Y offset, in image coordinates.
Theta (default = 0)	The rotation from the image X axis, in the image coordinate system. (+/-360 degrees clockwise)

Region

Also known as the Region of Interest (ROI), specifies the region of the image that undergoes edge analysis; creates a Rectangle Regions Interactive Graphics Mode that can be transformed and rotated. With this parameter selected, by pressing the Maximize Region button on the property sheet's toolbar, the region will automatically be stretched to cover the entire image. The dashed yellow line indicates the direction in which the edge will be found.

X	The x-offset of the origin, in fixture coordinates.
Y	The y-offset of the origin, in fixture coordinates.
Width	The dimension along the region's x-axis.
Height	The dimension along the region's y-axis.
Angle	The orientation, in fixture coordinates.
Curve	The angular deviation between the region's x-axis and the opposing boundary line.

Note: The Fixture and Region parameters must be defined within the bounds of the image; otherwise, the function will return #ERR.

External Region or Path

Specifies Cell References to a spreadsheet cell that contains an Annulus, a Region, an EditAnnulus, an EditMaskedRegion, an EditPolylinePath or an EditRegion function. When this parameter is used, the function ignores the Region and Fixture settings and inspects the image area specified by the referenced region..

Note:

If this parameter has been set as a reference to an external region, to use the function's internal Region, this parameter must be manually set to zero by entering the value 0 in place of the cell reference. Otherwise, the function will continue to reference the external region.
If this parameter references anEditPolylinePath, the function cannot be used as a reference to the InspectEdgeForDefector InspectEdgePosition functions, which will return #ERR.

Caliper

Specifies the Caliper array within the ROI that will be used to define the size of the detectable defects and/or gaps. The size of the detectable defect or gap is determined by the number of edges that can be detected, which is determined by the number of Calipers placed along the edge. The Calipers are displayed within the ROI as red rectangles, and edges detected within the Caliper are displayed in green, when the InspectEdge cell is highlighted or the Show parameter is set to show all.

Note: Depending on the type of defect being examined, Calipers may be positioned to overlap. However, the more Calipers that are applied within the ROI will increase the function's execution time.

Height	Specifies the number of pixels, per Caliper, that are to be analyzed along the direction of the inspection. The valid range is 1 to the In-Sight vision system's image width; default value is 5.
Repeat Offset	Specifies the number of pixels between the start of each Caliper. The valid range is 0 to the In-Sight vision system's image width; default value is 5. The last Caliper may overlap the end of the Region, unless Fit All Calipers is enabled.
Initial Offset	Specifies an offset for the first Caliper in the Region. The valid range is 0 to the In-Sight vision system's image width; default value is 0.

Minimum Contrast

Specifies the minimum greyscale contrast transition (0 to 255; default = 5) to be considered an edge. For each indexed Caliper, an edge response chart is displayed with the image. The values in the chart are automatically scaled to a 0-100 value. Utilize this chart when applying this parameter to properly adjust the value.

Example - Minimum Contrast Parameter with Chart

Note: The edge response chart is a dockable window. For more information, see the Spreadsheet Editor – Charts topic.

Edge Width

Specifies the pixel distance (1 to the Region width value; default = 3) over which an edge transition takes place. This setting is the approximate size of the pixel operator used to filter the greyscale projections before edges are extracted; use this setting to filter noise from the image.

Fit All Calipers

Specifies whether or not all of the Calipers are placed within the ROI.

0 = OFF (default)	Specifies that the function strictly adheres to the Caliper Repeat Offset and Initial Offset parameters, and Calipers may overhang the ROI.
1 = ON	Specifies that the function will automatically re-calculate the Caliper Repeat Offset and Initial Offset parameters to ensure that all of the Calipers are placed within the ROI.

Find Edge Direction

Specifies the direction in which the function will attempt to detect edges. Dark green arrows are added to graphically illustrate the direction in which the edge will be detected. Fit lines will be labeled graphically within the image, with the first fit line being labeled 0, and the second fit line being 1.

0 = Left-to-Right	The function will attempt to detect edges from the left of the ROI to the right. Example
1 = Right-to-Left	The function will attempt to detect edges from the right of the ROI to the left. Example
3 = Center Outward (default)	The function will attempt to detect edges from the center of the ROI to the upper and lower bounds of the ROI (the order of the found edges will be in the opposite direction of the "X" arrow on the ROI). Example
2 = Outside In	The function will attempt to detect edges from the upper and lower bounds of the ROI to the center of the ROI (the order of the found edges will be in the opposite direction of the "X" arrow on the ROI). Example

Edge: First

Specifies the contrast transition of the first edge to be detected, as determined by the Find Edge Direction parameter.

1 = Black-to-White	The edge transitions from black pixels to white pixels.
2 = White-to-Black (default)	The edge transitions from white pixels to black pixels.
3 = Either	The edge can transition from either black-to-white, or white-to-black, and the function will determine the proper transition. Specifying the transition improves the performance of the function.

Edge: Second

Specifies the contrast transition of the second edge to be detected, as determined by the Find Edge Direction parameter.

1 = Black-to-White (default)	The edge transitions from black pixels to white pixels.
2 = White-to-Black	The edge transitions from white pixels to black pixels.
3 = Either	The edge can transition from either black-to-white, or white-to-black, and the function will determine the proper transition. Specifying the transition improves the performance of the function.

Edge Scoring

Specifies the edge scoring mode that will be used to determine whether or not an edge meets the established criteria.

Score Threshold

Specifies a scoring threshold to filter out edges with scores (1 to 100; default = 10) lower than this value.

Edge Rules

Specifies the type of edge that is most important when calculating the score.

1 = First	The first edge detected receives the highest consideration.
2 = Strongest	The edge with the strongest contrast transition receives the highest consideration.
3 = First Strongest	The first edge detected, with the strongest transition, receives the highest consideration.
4 = Edge Pair Size	The edge pair detected with the size closest to the Pair Size parameter receives the highest consideration.
5 = First Edge Pair Size	The first edge pair detected with the size closest to the Pair Size parameter receives the highest consideration.
6 = Strongest Edge Pair Size	The edge pair detected with the strongest transition and the size closest to the Pair Size parameter receives the highest consideration.
7 = First Strongest Edge Pair Size (default)	The first edge pair, with the strongest transition and the size closest to the Pair Size parameter, receives the highest consideration.

Contrast Upper Bound

Specifies the upper limit of the edge contrast transition (2 to 255; default = 255) to be considered an edge; edges with an edge contrast transition above this value will have the same highest score.

Note: The Edge Rules parameter must be set to either Strongest, First Strongest, Strongest Edge Pair Size or First Strongest Edge Pair Size to enable this parameter.

Pair Size

Specifies the edge pair size at which the highest score is achieved (valid range is 1 to 3 times the In-Sight vision system's image width; default = 5). When this parameter is enabled, edge pairs detected above or below this value are scored proportionally to this value. For example, if the Pair Size is set to 10, and two edge pair candidates are detected, one with a value of 8 and another with 14, the edge pair with a value of 8 would be selected because it is closer to the limit than the second edge pair.

Note: The Inspect Edge Pairs parameter must be On, and the Edge Rules parameter must be set to either Edge Pair Size, First Edge Pair Size, Strongest Edge Pair Size or First Strongest Edge Pair Size to enable this parameter.

Train

Specifies the training mode of the tool.

0 = OFF	Specifies that the function will not train.
1 = ON (default)	Specifies that the function will train.

Caliper Graph Index

Specifies the Caliper to be displayed on the image (the Caliper will be outlined in green); default Caliper displayed is 0.

Show

Specifies the display mode for InspectEdge graphical overlays on top of the image.

0 = hide all (default)	All graphics will be hidden, except when the cell containing the InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath function is highlighted in the spreadsheet.
1 = result graphics only	The trained EditPolylinePath and found edge pair point graph will be displayed at all times.
2 = Display result graphics and caliper details	The trained EditPolylinePath and a single Caliper, with its edge candidates, and the Caliper Graph will be displayed at all times.
3 = Display result graphics, caliper details and edge candidates	The trained EditPolylinePath and a single Caliper, with its edge candidates, the Caliper Graph and all of the edge candidates for all of the Calipers will be displayed at all times.
4 = Display result graphics, all edge candidates and calipers	The trained EditPolylinePath and a single Caliper, with its edge candidates, the Caliper Graph, all of the edge candidates for all of the Calipers and all of the Calipers will be displayed at all times.
5 = show all: input, result, and calipers	The input graphics, trained EditPolylinePath, a single Caliper, with its edge candidates, the Caliper Graph, all of the edge candidates for all of the Calipers and all of the Calipers will be displayed at all times.

InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath Outputs

Returns	An Inspect data structure containing the detected edges in the image and the number of Calipers, or #ERR if any of the input parameters are invalid.
Results	The number of Calipers in the ROI.