Image Processing
While digital imaging resp. image editing is used to manipulate images prior to their presentation for aesthetic reasons or for removing interferences, digital image processing is used to extract specific information from the image data that is important for further processes.
Image Processing is primarily employed in production processes, but is also more and more used in various other fields as a powerful and cost effective way of implementing automatic quality assurance. Even at high speeds and with stringent accuracy requirements, image processing allows 100% monitoring of the manufactured products. Imaging has established itself as a key technology and strengthens the competitive edge of those companies using it.
Industrial image processing or Machine Vision is mainly used in industrial automation (such as automotive industry or food & beverage market) and production technologies for monitoring, quality assurance and process control. Common applications include object and position detection, completeness control, gauging and inspection tasks such as surface inspection.
However vision technology does not end here; it has become common in a wide range of diverse applications such as medical and scientific imaging, security and traffic systems, sports and broadcast applications, plus many more examples that convince with their performance and profitability in a variety of markets.