Powerful methods

Image Classification

MVTec software provides powerful features for image data classification – also known as image classification or pattern recognition. Objects – usually pixels or regions – are assigned to one or more categories based on defined features.

Do you have a specific task?

Get a free evaluation

How It Works

The features of a class are determined during a training process (supervised learning). When analyzing unknown objects, the assignment is made automatically to the class whose feature values exhibit the highest match. This significantly speeds up the creation of new classifiers.

To further enhance efficiency, MVTec has developed the Automatic Feature Selection Tool. This tool automatically selects the optimal feature set to build new classifiers.

Image classification

Supported Techniques

Support Vector Machines (SVM)

k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN)

Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLP)

Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM)

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) – for Deep-Learning-based Classification

Color classification with LUT-acceleration can be used for fast object identification.
Color classification used for fast object identification.

IMAGE CLASSIFICATION

Typical Applications

  • Image Segmentation: Division into areas with similar color or texture.
  • Object Recognition: Identification of objects of specific types.
  • Quality Control: Evaluation of objects as good or bad.
  • Defect Detection / Novelty Detection: Detection of defects or deviations.
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Automatic reading of text in images.
  • Material Classification: Differentiation of metals, plastics, or food.
  • Surface Classification: Detection of different structures and textures.

In addition to rule-based classification, HALCON also supports deep learning-based methods that automatically recognize and assign features.

Go to deep learning based classification

APPLICATIONS IN PRACTICE

Our Success Stories

MVTec HALCON product icon
Line-scan vision system diagram used for inspecting printed materials with defect detection along a conveyor.
Industrial Inspection: Line-scan-based vision system tackles color print inspection - Daheng Image Vision
Daheng Image Vision uses a line-scan vision system with two Teledyne DALSA cameras and MVTec HALCON to inspect color prints on conveyor belts at 300 m/min. The system reliably detects ink spots, embossing errors, and misregistration, enabling compreh…
Show full Story
HALCON
Glass, Metal, Paper, Foil & Printing
Alignment
Classification
Matching
MVTec HALCON product icon
Advancing machine vision education at Reutlingen University
At Reutlingen University, Professor Arnd Buschhaus has been integrating MVTec HALCON into the teaching curriculum since 2018. HALCON is used extensively in courses related to robotics and machine vision, providing students with practical experience i…
Show full Story
Education, Research & Science
3D Vision
Blob Analysis
Classification
MVTec MERLIC product icon
Accurate eyes for the robot – automation in the food industry
Anlagenbau Habeck GmbH & Co. KG has developed a robot-based pick and place machine for the food industry based on machine vision. Thanks to the MERLIC machine vision software from MVTec Software GmbH, the robot reliably picks up unsorted objects of t…
Show full Story
MERLIC
Robotics
Food & Beverage
Classification
Matching
MVTec MERLIC product icon
Classification heatmap generated by MERLIC 5 highlighting defect areas on toast packaging using deep learning.
How MERLIC 5 simply optimizes quality control in the food industry
Using MVTec MERLIC 5 with deep learning, an Integration Partner built an automated inspection system for toast packaging. Two cameras detect missing clips or misaligned wrapping, and MERLIC automatically classifies and rejects defective items — reduc…
Show full Story
MERLIC
Food & Beverage
Packaging & Logistics
Classification
Deep Learning
MVTec HALCON product icon
Support of Intelligent Rooms by Image Processing
In recent years, rooms with intelligence are studied. This kind of rooms is becoming important not only for medical or welfare use, but also at offices or ordinary houses. Obviously, the man-machine interface to communicate human intention is a subst…
Show full Story
HALCON
Education, Research & Science
Classification
Filtering
MVTec HALCON product icon
HERON - Middleware for Image Retrieval Using Graphical Features Extracted by HALCON
The interdisciplinary HERON project aims to find images in digital libraries or large archives without detailed domain knowledge. Initially applied to heraldry, the methods can also be used in medical imaging or trademark collections. HERON uses inno…
Show full Story
HALCON
Education, Research & Science
Classification
Filtering
Matching
MVTec HALCON product icon
Projektion der von einer Kamera erkannten Pupillenkoordinaten auf das Bild einer zweiten Kamera zur exakten Bestimmung der Glasposition.
Image Processing Automates Eyeglass Fitting for Rodenstock
Imagine that you wear varifocal glasses and need new ones. You go to an optometrist and, without time-consuming adaptations, measuring or trying on frame after frame, you look at yourself in a mirror and - voila! - your chosen frame is on your nose.
Show full Story
HALCON
Glass, Metal, Paper, Foil & Printing
Classification
Matching
Measuring
MVTec HALCON product icon
Automated inspection device using machine vision to analyze rice grains for quality assessment.
Fast and performant inspection of rice grains with HALCON Embedded
The Japanese company Kett Electric Laboratory researches, develops and sells agricultural measuring devices, among other things. For a company that offers rice, they developed an automated inspection system for rice grains in cooperation with LINX Co…
Show full Story
HALCON
Agriculture
Food & Beverage
Calibration
Classification
Embedded Vision
Inspection
Semantic Segmentation
MVTec HALCON product icon
Highest level of quality control thanks to HALCON's deep learning
Robotics & Vision Technologies (RVT) developed an automated quality control system for a Spanish frozen dough and bakery manufacturer using MVTec HALCON. Up to 140 products per minute are inspected in 2D and 3D and classified with deep learning, enab…
Show full Story
HALCON
Food & Beverage
Classification
Deep Learning
MVTec HALCON product icon
Object detection of ripe sweet peppers using MVTec HALCON with color- and shape-based analysis from RGB-D camera data.
The sweet pepper robot SWEEPER detects and picks ripe crops using MVTec HALCON
The Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands developed a greenhouse harvesting robot, which is able to pick ripe crops. The shape- and color-based detection algorithm for this task was implemented using MVTec HALCON.
Show full Story
HALCON
Robotics
Agriculture
Food & Beverage
3D Vision
Classification
Matching
MVTec HALCON product icon
Automated camera-based roof inspection system using machine vision to detect defects on high-speed trains.
Always on the right track: Machine vision saves time and money in rail vehicle maintenance – PSI Technics
PSI Technics GmbH has developed a system that can be used to automate the maintenance of multiple-unit high-speed trains through visual inspection of the rooftop. The MVTec HALCON standard machine vision software ensures that defects are reliably det…
Show full Story
HALCON
Automotive
Classification
Inspection
MVTec HALCON product icon
LINX performs deep learning applications with MVTec HALCON
LINX uses MVTec HALCON for deep-learning-based object detection: In a Japanese market demo with about 100 training images per class, the system reliably detects electronic components in around 25 ms per image – an efficient solution when traditional…
Show full Story
HALCON
Electric Components
Classification
Deep Learning
Object Detection
MVTec HALCON product icon
Wheat grains imaged for machine-vision-based quality classification showing variation in size, shape, and color.
Measuring Wheat Quality – TU Ilmenau
TU Ilmenau has developed an automated system for quality analysis of wheat samples. Using MVTec HALCON, 23 classes such as sound wheat, ergot, and foreign seeds are precisely detected. The system processes 50 g of wheat per minute, providing fast and…
Show full Story
HALCON
Agriculture
Food & Beverage
Classification
MVTec HALCON product icon
Automating Assemblies – Conductive Technologies
Combining off-the-shelf cameras, lighting, and software with a Cartesian robot allows microelectrode assemblies to be rapidly inspected.
Show full Story
HALCON
Electric Components
Classification
Matching
Measuring
MVTec HALCON product icon
Machine vision camera inspecting silicon wafers for solar cells as part of a photovoltaic quality inspection system.
Sunny Prospects – Eckelmann
ECKELMANN uses high-resolution Gigabit Ethernet cameras and HALCON to inspect solar-cell wafers with an accuracy of 50 µm and a throughput of approx. 0.8 s per wafer – up to 3,600 wafers per hour.
Show full Story
HALCON
Energy
Classification
Filtering
Measuring
MVTec HALCON product icon
Cameras capture coffee capsules – Seidenader
Seidenader uses HALCON and high-speed cameras to inspect coffee capsules before and after filling. Damaged or improperly sealed capsules are detected within seconds and automatically rejected.
Show full Story
HALCON
Packaging & Logistics
Alignment
Classification
Matching
OCR
MVTec HALCON product icon
Robotic apple picker mounted on a tractor using machine vision for automated fruit harvesting.
Vision System Simplifies Robotic Fruit Picking – ACRO Institute
The ACRO Institute developed a mobile apple-picking robot equipped with a camera inside the gripper and MVTec HALCON image processing software. The robot identifies ripe apples, calculates their position, and performs precise gripping movements. This…
Show full Story
HALCON
Robotics
Agriculture
Food & Beverage
Packaging & Logistics
3D Vision
Classification
Filtering
Matching
Measuring
MVTec HALCON product icon
Machine vision system inspecting swing-cap bottles and labels during high-speed quality control.
Bottle Inspection with High Speed – BBull STRATEC BC 3000W
BBull TECHNOLOGY's STRATEC BC 3000W inspects up to 100,000 bottles per hour. It checks labels, expiration dates, logos, scratches, barcodes, and swing-top closures. MVTec's HALCON software processes four camera images in parallel, ensuring high speed…
Show full Story
HALCON
Food & Beverage
Bar Code & 2D Code Reading
Classification
Matching
Measuring
OCR
MVTec HALCON product icon
Machine vision measurement of the cutting edge radius and angle of an indexable insert using subpixel accuracy.
Machine Vision on Assembly Line: the Roboworker Super Robot Feeder
Since more than 15 years, ROBOWORKER Automation GmbH (Weingarten, Germany) is specialized in developing and producing systems for automatic handling, assembly and checking of workpieces as well as robot-aided loading and unloading of production machi…
Show full Story
Robotics
Machinery
Packaging & Logistics
Classification
Matching
Measuring
COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Learn More About Our Products

MVTec offers three core products that cover the full range of machine vision workflows. Use HALCON to develop advanced, custom applications, MERLIC to build solutions quickly without programming, and the Deep Learning Tool to label and evaluate training data efficiently.

Go to Products

Free Application Evaluation

Submit the details of your machine vision task and get a proposed solution!

MVTec Software