“Image to information”
with NXT Machine Vision
Industrial cameras of the IDS NXT family generate
valuable information directly from image data
through AI-based image processing.
Intelligent, networking devices are components
for future-oriented industrial processes.
These cyberphysical devices communicate via
standardized communication protocols to
exchange valuable process information. Thanks
to a powerful embedded vision platform, the
industrial cameras of the IDS NXT family with
modern image processing and machine learning
methods are also part of this industrial
revolution.
The vision app-based IDS NXT platform represents
the base for a new generation of highly versatile
industrial cameras from camera manufacturer IDS
Imaging Development Systems GmbH. With their
high-performance, freely programmable hardware
in the housing of standard industrial cameras in
combination with the unique vision app concept,
the new IDS NXT rio & rome models are more than
just image providers and represent a new evolving
stage of digital industrial cameras. Powered by deep
learning algorithms, they perform autonomous tasks
or support PC applications or machine controllers
with pre-processed data. Despite all this, they offer
the functionality and data transfer performance of a
standard industrial camera with GenICam interface.
With this new camera family, IDS combines two
devices in one.
configurations, controls and results of such vision
apps are also available via the camera’s XML
description file in any GenICam-compliant third-
party application, such as HALCON. Users therefore
do not have to wait long for a firmware update from
the manufacturer or even look for another model
because of urgently needed camera features. With
Smart GenICam, even self-programmed camera
functionalities can be queried and executed from any
GenICam application like any other manufacturer
camera feature without additional driver software.
Their development completely follows the same
principles as with GenICam cameras. Camera features
are programmed like normal camera applications on
the PC with an IDS NXT camera and converted by
the vision app development kit for execution on-
With their app-based approach, these cameras are as
camera into a vision app with just a click of a button.
versatile as smartphones. Their industry-standard
This distinguishes the IDS NXT product families
camera functions can be easily extended by the user
from typical smart cameras which usually have
via individual image processing operations with so-
PC-like operating systems that are developed and
called vision apps. Recurring tasks, such as reading
communicated with in a completely different way to a
codes, characters or number plates, as well as finding, classic industrial camera. IDS NXT, on the other hand,
measuring, counting or identifying objects, can be set aims to support the working methods of each user
up and changed quickly. Through “Smart GenICam”,
group rather than changing them.
10 TUBE NEWS July 2019