Software simplifies machine vision tasks.

Press Release Summary:




Sherlock(TM) Essential Windows®-based software environment allows users to configure applications without writing code via its graphical interface. Offerings include image capture, archiving, and playback from 1 camera; ability to define, process, and inspect regions of interest; and edge analysis capabilities. Other features include correlation search, blob analysis, pixel-to-real-world transformations, illumination control, and contrast detection.



Original Press Release:



ipd's New Sherlock(TM) Essential Provides Low Cost Software Option for Machine Vision Applications



BILLERICA, MA (January 30, 2003) - ipd, the intelligent products division of Coreco Imaging, Inc., today announced the release of its Sherlock(TM) Essential general-purpose machine vision software. Featuring the most used and essential functionality of the company's popular Sherlock software at an attractive price point, Sherlock Essential is an ideal starting point for companies that are interested in developing their own machine vision solutions.

"ipd is dedicated to providing robust and easy-to-use machine vision solutions for a variety of manufacturing applications, and we recognize that each one has a unique set of feature and budgetary requirements," said Steve Geraghty, Vice President of Coreco Imaging and Director of ipd. "As a result, ipd is now offering two versions of Sherlock: Essential, which offers basic machine vision functionality at a very affordable price, and Professional, a full-featured option that supports multiple cameras and user customization."

Like all products in the Sherlock family, Sherlock Essential is a Windows-based software environment that simplifies the development and deployment of a variety of vision tasks. Using Sherlock Essential's graphical interface, applications can be configured quickly without writing a single line of code: users simply point and click through a sequence of operations to develop a robust vision strategy. For users requiring a unique operator interface, Sherlock Essential provides the capabilities to run within a customized Visual Basic front end. Sherlock Essential's feature set includes:
o Image capture, archiving and playback from one camera;
o The ability to define, process and inspect regions of interest (or "peeks"), including composite regions of interest, to ensure greater inspection reliability;
o Extensive edge analysis capabilities, including HVLine, MaxEdge, MaxBackEdge, FirstEdge, FirstBack Edge, EdgeCount, InsideCaliper and OutsideCaliper;
o Correlation search for basic pattern matching applications;
o Blob analysis;
o Pixel-to-real-world transformations (calibration);
o Illumination control and contrast detection;
o Supports serial, digital and file I/O;
o Support for custom operator interfaces.

For users whose applications require specific additional capabilities, ipd offers several product extension options. These include Essential OCR for Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Essential Bar Code/Matrix, which support barcoding and 2D matrix applications. If application needs grow beyond the features and capabilities of Sherlock Essential, ipd offers an easy and affordable migration path to its more advanced Sherlock Professional product. This software provides all of Sherlock Essential's functionality along with many additional features, including multiple camera support, more peeks, inline scripting, custom algorithms, complex pattern recognition and numerous I/O options.

ipd also offers OCRplus, an option that is available with both Sherlock Essential and Sherlock Professional. OCRplus is an advanced tool that provides improved speed, programmability and a richer feature set for applications that require OCR.

Sherlock Essential is well suited to a range of inspection and quality assurance applications, including those found in automotive, consumer goods, textile, electronics, packaging, pharmaceutical and plastics manufacturing. With its one-camera support, a comprehensive graphical user interface and cost-effective pricing, Sherlock Essential is an ideal choice for users who are looking to get more for less from their vision applications.

Sherlock Essential is priced at $995 and is available now. More information about ipd and its product offerings can be found on the company's web site, www.goipd.com.

About ipd
ipd's mission is simple: to provide robust, intelligent and easy-to-use machine vision solutions to improve quality throughout the manufacturing process. Headquartered in Billerica, MA, ipd manufactures pre-packaged solutions that combine proven technologies with practical interfaces for end users and systems integrators worldwide. ipd offers three product lines that simplify machine vision tasks: application-specific vision appliances, the proven Sherlock software environment and the NetSight family of general-purpose machine vision systems and cameras. ipd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coreco Imaging (St. Laurent, Canada), a leader in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of hardware and software for high-performance computer vision applications.

ipd
900 Middlesex Turnpike
Building 8, Floor 2
Billerica, MA 01821
Tel: 978-670-2000
Fax: 978-670-2010
http://www.goipd.com

All Topics