An image trigger initiates the capture of single or multiple frames of a
digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that captures photographs in digital memory. Most cameras produced today are digital, largely replacing those that capture images on photographic film. Digital cameras are now widely incorporated into mobile device ...
by analysing the signals of its sensor.
For capturing and analysing of fast moving objects (e.g. as in quality control of production lines) modern
high speed camera
A high-speed camera is a device capable of capturing moving images with exposures of less than 1/1,000 second or frame rates in excess of 250 fps. It is used for recording fast-moving objects as photographic images onto a storage medium. After r ...
s are frequently used.
Typically the initiation of an image-series starts as soon as the object is entirely visible in the field of the camera.
By using a so-called "image trigger" this task can be done much faster and more accurately, without the cost and effort of additional equipment as in standard methods (for instance, via
cable release
The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is a ...
).
The on-board "ImageBLITZ" image trigger uses the live picture of the camera itself as a flexible and accurate sensor, with the result that the process synchronisation takes care of itself.
By using
CMOS cameras (which provide the information of every single
pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device.
In most digital display devices, pixels are the smal ...
in digitized form) a fast processing of the supplied data is ensured.
To prepare the ImageBLITZ, a
line segment
In geometry, a line segment is a part of a straight line that is bounded by two distinct end points, and contains every point on the line that is between its endpoints. The length of a line segment is given by the Euclidean distance between ...
of a predefined length is set up in the field of view, just where the triggering event is likely to take place. Then the amount of
grey level alteration (and its direction from dark to bright or reverse) is set, as well as the minimum number of affected pixels.
At each triggering event the camera head now sends a
frame
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
(or a set of frames) to the host computer to be processed or archived for further use.
See also
*
Bulb (photography)
The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is a ...
*
Shutter button In photography, the shutter-release button (sometimes just shutter release or shutter button) is a push-button found on many cameras, used to record photographs. When pressed, the shutter of the camera is "released", so that it opens to capture a ...
References
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External links
Image Trigger Application
Camera features