A simplified visual inspection system using a personal computer

For a practical visual inspection system, data processing in real time, flexibility for variety of products, and cost performance have been required. This article describes a simplified visual inspection system that has well‐balanced performance that meets these requirements. Inspection data processing by software makes the inspection system flexible. Development of a simplified pattern matching method based on limiting the inspection within the area pointed by an user and direct memory access of binary image data performs a high speed inspection function. By using a personal computer as a processor of this system, a cost effective inspection system is realized.