Configuring Image Sources

There are different types of image sources: image directories, camera devices, and peripheral devices such as lighting or lens controllers. Each type of image source provides different configuration options.

In case of an image directory, you can step through the images in the respective file directory and see a preview of the images. In case of a camera device, you have the possibility to adjust the camera parameters and start a live view mode to instantly check the effects of the new camera setting. In case of a peripheral device, you can adjust the parameters of the device and instantly check the effects of the new settings in the live view mode of the respective image source that will be used to acquire the images.

Keep in mind that you have to ensure that the respective image source configuration must be activated in order to enable the configuration options of the image sources.

Requirements

The configuration options in the "Image Sources" tab are only available if one of the following conditions is met. Otherwise, no image source can be configured because no service for the image source configuration is available.

• MERLIC Creator is currently running on the system that is connected.
• MERLIC RTE is currently running on the system that is connected and MERLIC is in one of the following states: "Preoperational", "Initialized", or "Error" (in certain circumstances).

For example, if you want to configure image source on your local system, either MERLIC Creator or MERLIC RTE must be running on your local system. However, in case MERLIC RTE is running, you also have to make sure that MERLIC is in a state that allows the configuration as stated in the next section.

Configuration During the Process Integration

When MERLIC RTE is running, the configuration of image sources is only possible in certain states, that is, in "Preoperational", "Initialized". In certain circumstances, the configuration of images sources is also possible if MERLIC is in "Error" state.

When MERLIC transitions from a state which allows the configuration to a state in which the configuration is locked, e.g., from "Initialized" to "Ready" due to a "PrepareRecipe", the active configuration is checked for validity. If the validity check fails, the transition is rejected and an "Error" event is emitted. However, the system does not change to the "Error" state but remains in the previous state. Therefore, you can use the "Image Sources" tab to fix the problem and try again.

If an acquisition-related error occurs when MERLIC is in a state that does not allow the configuration, MERLIC changes to the "Error" state. In this case, you can also open the "Image Sources" tab to fix the image source configuration. After resolving the problem, you can close the MERLIC RTE Setup again which automatically triggers MERLIC RTE to continue its processing.

For more information, see Configuring Image Sources During Process Integration.

Restrictions for Camera Devices with I/O Channels

If you want to use a camera device with GenICam compliant digital I/O channels for the image acquisition and also as a communication device for the process integration mode, i.e., MERLIC RTE, you have to consider the following restrictions.

If the camera is opened and connected for the image source configuration in the "Image Sources" tab, it is unavailable for other processes. Therefore, it cannot be configured for MERLIC RTE at the same time and it will not be available in the "I/O" tab of the MERLIC RTE Setup. To enable the camera for other processes again, you have to ensure that the camera is closed and disconnected after you finished the image source configuration. This can be done by deactivating the configuration in which the camera has been stored in the image source configuration. Then, the camera will be available for the setup in the "I/O" tab.

However, if the digital I/O channels of the camera are set up for MERLIC RTE, you have to restart the MERLIC RTE Setup again. Otherwise, the respective configuration on the "Image Sources" tab cannot be activated again for the use in an MVApp.

For more information, see Camera Device with I/O Channels.

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