ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the background to machine vision, which includes a good deal of image processing and the relationship of machine vision and human sight. The Photonics Dictionary defines machine vision (MV), as “interpretation of an image of an object or scene through the use of optical noncontact sensing mechanisms for the purpose of obtaining information and/or controlling machines or processes.” The human is the creative agent, the final maker of judgments, the master designer, and the “machine” that keeps all these engineered systems maintained and running. A machine vision system is a computer with an input device that gets an image or picture into memory. Light-emitting diodes have favorable characteristics for MV and are probably the leading industrial MV source. An industrial MV system is intended to be used as a rather complex sensor, just like a photo-eye or linear encoder. As such it must communicate with the controller of a machine, a cell, or a production line.
