Smart camera seeks salmon

Smart camera seeks salmon

To reduce the cost of machine-vision systems, many camera vendors are now embedding digital signal processors (DSPs), CPUs, and operating systems in their cameras. The VE Technologies (St. John`s, Newfoundland, Canada) latest VE-262 rugged solid-state camera integrates a monochrome camera, 486 PC, and a DSP frame grabber and provides interfaces for VGA monitors, keyboards, power, TTL, and video through a 3-m waterproof umbilical cord.

VE-Tools, a visual programming environment that lets developers create custom image analysis applications using more than 80 image-processing icons, is supplied with the camera. By customizing the software, the company has developed a system for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Ontario, Canada) that allows salmon to be tracked automatically.

Using the VE-262 camera, the system can track many fish swimming up- or downstream through a specially designed tunnel. As the fish pass through the tunnel, the software determines the length and direction of movement. This information is stored along with the time and date of occurrence and can be retrieved through a remote PC equipped with an RS-232 communication port. Users can select specific lengths and areas of fish to be counted and set up tracking windows for different types of tunnels. For information contact [email protected].