VIA Video Measuring and Marking Systems Overview

When installed between a camera and monitor, VIA-products provide overlays to mark and measure objects displayed on a video monitor using a variety of positionable markers or reticles. Operators control the VIA- with a keyboard, joystick, knob controller, light pen, mouse pen or mouse. The knob controller is ideal for quick and precise positioning of measurement lines. The joystick works well for diagonal movement and for rapidly positioning markers. The keyboard is chosen for quick and extensive labeling, while the light pen, mouse pen or mouse aids in drawing or positioning markers on screen. Models are designed for use with either monochrome RS-170 or color NTSC composite cameras and monitors. Boeckeler also manufactures models compatible with CCIR or color PAL video standards. Add-on devices are available to interface with RGB and Y/C cameras and monitors.

The VIA- models with measurement capabilities have a pixel resolution of 1024 (H) x 482 (V) for NTSC units and 512 (H) x 574 (V) for CCIR/PAL units. One pixel of the VIA- overlay is 1/1024 of the horizontal field of view and 1/482 of the vertical field of view for NTSC units (1/512 and 1/574 for CCIR/PAL units). The accuracy of the system is operator-dependent. For distance measurements, careful operators can repeatedly position the measuring lines to within 2 pixels horizontally and 1 pixel vertically with NTSC units and within 1 pixel horizontally and vertically with CCIR/PAL units. Therefore, if the VIA- horizontal resolution for an NTSC unit is calculated to be 0.5 µm, a consistent operator could achieve a system accuracy of ± 1.0 µm.

 

Descriptions

Discontinued -VIA-300® Windows-based Measuring, Archiving and Transmittal System

The VIA-300 software can also store and retrieve the image, overlay the image with measuring and marking features, then transmit the image to another VIA-300 workstation for review, via LAN, the internet, or through a modem. A live and stored image can be displayed together for comparison. Images can be saved and transmitted with or without the measurement/marker overlay as TIFF, BMP, JPEG, or other standard formats.

Images can also be appended with voice and text files describing each case. E-mail can be sent and received using a standard E-mail program such as Microsoft™ Exchange or Microsoft™ Outlook. Query the database by fields or combinations of fields, or use a thumbnail search. Clip all or part of an image and insert it into a document, presentation application, or spreadsheet. Statistics can also be exported to a spreadsheet. In addition, with a compatible frame grabber, the VIA-300 can be used to grab 640 x 480 pixel resolution images. Please contact your authorized Boeckeler dealer for information on a complete turn-key computer system or on integrating the VIA-300 software on an existing computer system.

 

VIA-200® MVS Video Image Marker-Measurement System with Hardness Measurement

This multiple-video standard (MVS) model gives users all of the video measuring and marking features of the VIA-170, plus the hardness measurement features of the VIA-110. Added to this combination is immediate compatibility with RGB, Y/C (S-Video), or composite video sources and displays (no plug-in color interface required). Measurements can be displayed for X and Y dimensions, point-to-point, angle, circumference, area, and time, and can include hardness values for Knoop, Vickers, and Brinell hardness tests. A statistics table displays the count, mean, standard deviation and range, high and low readings for up to 500 measurements.

The VIA-200 comes standard with a keyboard. An optional joystick or knob controller may be used simultaneously with the keyboard, as can an optional light pen, mouse pen or other mouse device. Like the VIA-170, the VIA-200 also features the option to lock calibrations and marker overlays. RS-232 output is also standard, so that users can transmit ASCII data of measurements and statistics to printers or computers. C.E. certified.

Contact us regarding availability and specifications.

 

VIA-170® Video Image Marker-Measurement System

The VIA-100, VIA-150, VIA-170, VIA-180, and VIA-200 offer the ability to measure angles (shown above) and circles. Click on the image for a larger view.

The VIA-170 combines all the measurement features of the VIA-100, except that instead of on-screen menus, operators simply press a keyboard function key to activate a measuring function, with all the marking features of the VIA-30 and VIA-70. Along with X, Y, XY, point-to-point, angle and circle measurement modes, the VIA-170 offers an elapsed time mode to track on-screen events and can display path length.

This product can also calculate the area of a cell or shape, measure the long and short cords of a cell or object, count cells or particles and group the cells or particles into ten different categories. A statistics table displays the count, mean, standard deviation, range, high and low readings for up to 500 measurements. A security menu allows users to protect overlays and calibrations from inadvertent changes. The VIA-170 is the product of choice when an image requires measurement and then quick or extensive typewritten labeling for video prints or other recording. The VIA-170 comes standard with a keyboard; an optional joystick or knob controller may be used simultaneously with the keyboard, as can an optional light pen, mouse pen or mouse.

 

The VIA-100, VIA-150, VIA-170, VIA-180, and VIA-200 offer the ability to measure angles (shown above) and circles. Click on the image for a larger view.

The VIA-150 is the first Boeckeler product to combine marking and measuring features. Markers include lines (solid, dashed or dotted), 10 different pointers such as arrows and cross hairs, vertical and horizontal scales, boxes, circles, alphanumeric labels, grids (solid or dotted; horizontal, vertical or crossed) and a positionable date/time label.

With the VIA-150, operators can measure the horizontal (X) dimension, vertical (Y) dimension, horizontal-vertical (XY) dimensions, diagonals (point-to-point), angles and circles. Up to 10 different marker overlays and 10 different calibrations may be stored for future retrieval. The VIA-150 has RS-232 output so that users can transmit ASCII data of measurements to printers or computers. Available with a joystick or knob controller.

 

Shown at right, the VIA-110 measurement mode displays the count and mean calculations from the statistics table at the lower right of screen. Click on the image for a larger view.

Used with a hardness tester, the VIA-110 provides the capability to measure an indentation using vertical and horizontal measuring lines. A Knoop, Vickers or Brinell hardness value is automatically determined. With the knob controller, up to 500 of these values can be entered into a statistics table, which displays the count, mean, standard deviation, range, and high and low hardness values.

Ten calibrations may be stored and used for multiple measurements. Approximate conversions to Rockwell B or C can also be displayed. A labeling option features date, operator ID, lot number, sample size, load utilized, dwell time and magnification. In Brinell mode, label information also includes the ball diameter. The VIA-110 has RS-232 output so that users can transmit ASCII data of measurements and statistics to printers or computers. Special RS-232 for output to Mitutoyo™ SPC products is accommodated as well. Available with a joystick or knob controller.

 

The VIA-100, VIA-110, VIA-150, VIA-170, VIA-180, and VIA-200 measure X and Y dimensions. Click on the image shown at right for a larger view.

The VIA-100 enables an operator to perform horizontal (X), vertical (Y), two dimensional (XY), diagonal (point-to-point), circle (radius and circumference) and angle measurements. Separate X-axis and Y-axis calibration ensures accuracy for all measurements.

Ten separate calibrations can be stored and retrieved for multiple measurement setups. The VIA-100 has RS-232 output so that users can transmit ASCII data of measurements to printers or computers. Available with a joystick or knob controller.

 

Shown at right are some of the graphics available in the VIA-70 and the VIA-170. Click on the image for a larger view.

The VIA-70 provides eight marking tools -- typed text, pointers, grids, scales, circles, boxes, lines and a date/time label. The grids, scales, circles and boxes can be sized on-screen. With the optional light pen, mouse pen or mouse, the operator can also freehand draw over the video image.

Combinations of different marker types may be created in one overlay and simultaneously displayed. The align mode allows users to position markers in unison over important aspects of the video image. Up to 10 different overlays can be stored and recalled for later use. The VIA-70 comes standard with a keyboard; an optional light pen, mouse pen or mouse can be added to the system.

VIA-30J® Video Crossline Generator

Shown at right is a combination of line patterns and intersections available in the VIA-30J and the VIA-170. Click on the image for a larger view.

The VIA-30J provides three types of positionable lines -- vertical, horizontal or crossed lines. Each line may be displayed in one of ten different line patterns: solid fine, medium or bold; dotted fine or bold; dashed fine, medium or bold; scaled fine or bold. An intersection option allows users to select an intersection which is closed or open.

A centering option automatically places an intersection in the center of the screen or leaves positioning up to the operator. On-screen menu options let users clear the screen entirely or erase lines one at a time. The VIA-30 is available with a joystick controller only.

 

VIA-20J® Video Pointer

Shown at right are the 11 pointers available in the VIA-20J. Click on the image for a larger view.

The VIA-20J lets users choose one of 11 different pointers. At the touch of a button, individual pointers may be anchored at any location on the screen. Any combination of pointers may be used. In addition, anchored pointers may be erased one at a time until the screen is cleared, or all at once, at the touch of a button. The VIA-20J is available with a joystick controller only.