A smart camera is a camera that integrates not only an image sensor but also a processor that performs processing operations, without requiring a PC or external controller. Therefore, the digitization and image processing components are combined in a single device. A light source is also typically included on board the smart camera, arranged in a circle around the lens.

This architecture is an alternative to other systems in which the components reside in different devices. In PC-based systems, cameras and illuminators are remote devices connected via cable, as are other possible devices for synchronization with the production line or machine in which the system is integrated.

A Smart Camera, like other vision systems, runs an application program capable of processing images and communicating I risultati through the interfaces with which it is equipped.

All machine vision applications can potentially be addressed with smart cameras, but customization of the solution will be limited to the software and hardware they are equipped with.

Often, the application programs installed on the device are configurable and easy to use, even for inexperienced users. In this sense, the difference between Smart Cameras and traditional vision systems lies essentially in their size and limited hardware resources. However, it is not uncommon to find Smart Cameras capable of performing certain specific tasks faster and more efficiently than PC-based systems.

Another advantage of this type of technology is that it is completely digital and images are transferred directly to the device’s onboard memory, quickly and without the need for external communication channels.

Compactness is a generally appreciated feature of industrial smart cameras. When image processing is feasible with the installed software, unique hardware can certainly be an excellent choice. For example, you can read the case study of the Specialvideo solution for a laboratory bench equipped for the automatic counting of beneficial insects, in which the compactness of the workstation and ease of use combine for a delicate and optimized packaging process.