Machine vision technology has revolutionised the process of automated inspection in manufacturing. The specialist techniques required for inspection of natural products, such as food, leather, textiles and stone is still a challenging area of research. Topological variations make image processing algorithm development, system integration and mechanical handling issues much more complex. The practical issues of making machine vision systems operate robustly in often hostile environments together with the latest technological advancements are reviewed in this volume. Features: - Case studies based on real-world problems to demonstrate the practical application of machine vision systems. - In-depth description of system components including image processing, illumination, real-time hardware, mechanical handling, sensing and on-line testing. - Systems-level integration of constituent technologies for bespoke applications across a variety of industries. - A diverse range of example applications that a system may be required to handle from live fish to ceramic tiles. Machine Vision for the Inspection of Natural Products will be a valuable resource for researchers developing innovative machine vision systems in collaboration with food technology, textile and agriculture sectors. It will also appeal to practising engineers and managers in industries where the application of machine vision can enhance product safety and process efficiency.

A number of important aspects of intelligent machine vision in one volume, describing the state of the art and current developments in the field, including: fundamentals of 'intelligent'image processing for machine vision systems; algorithm optimisation; implementation in high-speed electronic digital hardware; implementation in an integrated high-level software environment and applications for industrial product quality and process control. Backed by numerous illustrations, created using the authors IP software, this book will be of interest to researchers in the field of machine vision wishing to understand the discipline and develop new techniques. Also useful for under- and postgraduates.

Intelligent Machine Vision: Techniques, Implementations & Applications brings together the central issues involved in this exciting and topical subject.Drawing on half a century of combined experience, the authors describe state of the art and the latest developments in the field, including:- fundamentals of 'intelligent' image processing, specifically intended for Machine Vision systems;- algorithm optimization;- implementation in high-speed electronic digital hardware;- implementation in an integrated high-level software environment;- applications for industrial product quality and process control.There are hundreds of illustrations in the book, most of them created using the author's 'PIP' software - a sophisticated intelligent image processing package.A demonstration version of this software, as well as numerous examples from the book, are available at the authors' Web site: http://bruce.cs.cf.ac.uk/bruce/index.html

Machine vision technology has revolutionised the process of automated inspection in manufacturing. The specialist techniques required for inspection of natural products, such as food, leather, textiles and stone is still a challenging area of research. Topological variations make image processing algorithm development, system integration and mechanical handling issues much more complex. The practical issues of making machine vision systems operate robustly in often hostile environments together with the latest technological advancements are reviewed in this volume. Features:- Case studies based on real-world problems to demonstrate the practical application of machine vision systems.- In-depth description of system components including image processing, illumination, real-time hardware, mechanical handling, sensing and on-line testing.- Systems-level integration of constituent technologies for bespoke applications across a variety of industries.- A diverse range of example applications that a system may be required to handle from live fish to ceramic tiles.Machine Vision for the Inspection of Natural Products will be a valuable resource for researchers developing innovative machine vision systems in collaboration with food technology, textile and agriculture sectors. It will also appeal to practising engineers and managers in industries where the application of machine vision can enhance product safety and process efficiency.