Thermography

When it comes to recording long-duration videos lasting several hours with a high-definition camera, there are primarily two approaches: using a computer (PC) and not using a computer.

Using a computer allows direct recording of videos onto the PC’s storage, facilitating extended recording sessions. For details on how to utilize a computer for this purpose, please refer to the following page.

 

If you’re not using a PC, another option is to use our HDMI recorder with an external HDD connected to it.

 

You can achieve long-duration recording by connecting a high-capacity external HDD (up to 1TB) instead of a USB flash drive.

Please note that externally powered HDDs are required as bus-powered external HDDs will not function properly.

 

Moreover, ensure that the HDD is formatted in NTFS format for recording long videos as FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB per file. exFAT format is not supported for this purpose.

■ The Genesis of Linux
Linux, unlike Windows, comes in various distributions.

Linux distributions can be developed and distributed freely by anyone, allowing individuals, small groups, and even corporations to provide distributions tailored for different hardware and purposes.

Popular distributions for personal computers and servers include “Debian GNU/Linux,” “Ubuntu,” “CentOS,” “Raspbian,” and “Fedora.”

However, not all applications are compatible with every distribution.

Below, we outline the process of using our cameras with Linux.

■ Using Industrial UVC Cameras
UVC cameras are compatible with many distributions.

Many Linux distributions already have UVC camera drivers built-in.

Additionally, the OpenCV image processing library supports UVC cameras, making it much easier to program compared to industrial USB3 Vision / GigE Vision cameras.

Traditionally, UVC cameras have been associated with built-in lenses, mass production, and low-cost sales akin to webcams. However, our company offers cameras with external terminals (trigger terminals) and interchangeable C-mount lenses.

At our company, we handle two main types of UVC cameras.

The first type is the DN series.

DN series cameras are considered higher-end compared to typical UVC cameras. There are two main points that distinguish them:

The first point is the presence of trigger terminals. While UVC cameras with trigger terminals are rare, they are common in industrial USB cameras. This feature was added to meet the demand for using UVC cameras in industrial settings.

The second point is the inclusion of a tool program that remembers camera settings such as white balance. UVC cameras typically have automatic brightness and color adjustment settings, which cannot be manually adjusted. However, with the tool program included with DN series cameras, adjustments can be made and saved.

If experiencing this issue on a 64-bit version of Windows, try the following steps with an account that has administrative privileges:

Download the file from the following link: VC_redist.x64.exe.
Run the downloaded VC_redist.x64.exe file. Check “I agree” on the initial screen and click “Install.” No need to check “Send feedback.” Finally, click “Finish” to exit.
Right-click on the “Windows” icon at the bottom left of the Windows screen, then click on “Command Prompt (Administrator).” For Windows 7, navigate to “All Programs” > “Accessories” > right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
Click “Yes” if prompted by the User Account Control.
In the black window that appears, type the following line and press Enter to execute:

regsvr32 netccam64.ax

After seeing the confirmation message “DllRegisterServer in netccam64.ax succeeded,” click “OK,” and then close the black window.
Restart your computer.

The term “dynamic range” refers to the value representing the range of white to black that a single pixel can express. In the case of 8 bits, there are 256 levels, allowing a single pixel to express 256 shades of gray. With 12 bits, a single pixel can represent 4096 levels, enabling finer gray-scale representation, albeit with increased data volume. The dynamic range depends on the specifications of the image sensor being used, rather than the software or PC.

Now, the USB 3.0 2-megapixel monochrome camera (DN3RG-200BU) defaults to sending 8-bit data. Therefore, the 47fps listed on the HP website pertains to the fps at 8 bits. For the DN3RG-200BU, both 8-bit (default) and 10-bit (transferred as 16-bit) modes achieve 47fps.

Dynamic range varies depending on the model. The mention of transferring as 16-bit is due to the necessity of transferring images in either 8-bit or 16-bit format, where, despite technically having a 10-bit dynamic range, 6 bits are allocated to color, effectively resulting in a practical dynamic range of 10 bits.

 

The cameras operating in either 8-bit or 10-bit mode include:

– DN3G-30BU (USB3.0, 300,000-pixel monochrome)
– DN3RG-130BU (USB3.0, 1.3-megapixel monochrome)
– DN3RG-200BU (USB3.0, 2-megapixel monochrome)

The cameras operating in either 8-bit or 12-bit mode include:

– DN3R-500BU (USB3.0, 5-megapixel monochrome)
– DN3R-1000BU (USB3.0, 10-megapixel monochrome)

All USB2.0 cameras operate solely in 8-bit mode.

The determination is made based on the lBufferSize parameter passed to the callback function.

When lBufferSize == 0, it indicates a BadFrame.

When lBufferSize != 0, it indicates a GoodFrame.

 

Judgment should not rely on pBuffer.

 

pBuffer == NULL signifies that memory for the frame is not allocated. While it will not be NULL during a GoodFrame, its value during a BadFrame is indeterminate.

 

To ensure that the callback is invoked even during BadFrame occurrences, the following code must be executed at the appropriate initialization stage:

The ON parameter in the last argument enables invoking the callback during BadFrame occurrences. When set to OFF, the callback is only triggered during GoodFrame occurrences.

When using our DN series camera with LabView, it is necessary to utilize NI-IMAQ. If you do not have NI-IMAQ available, we kindly request that you acquire it.

Furthermore, it is necessary to switch the camera to 3Vision mode. Please note that when provided by us, it is delivered in SDK mode.

Please refer to the following steps for switching modes.

 

 

1. What is ISO sensitivity ?

ISO sensitivity refers to the term used in the era of film cameras, where sensitivity was adjusted by changing the film. For example, if one wanted to increase shutter speed but lower sensitivity, they would switch to a film with a higher ISO sensitivity.

 

2.   

 

Even though film cameras are no longer prevalent, some digital cameras, such as compact digital cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras, continue to offer ISO sensitivity settings. This is due to the background belief that for users accustomed to ISO sensitivity, expressing sensitivity settings in ISO values would be more intuitive and understandable.

 

3.  

 

However, in today’s industrial cameras, there are few that utilize ISO notation for sensitivity settings. Our company’s cameras also do not allow sensitivity settings in ISO notation.

While ISO sensitivity is not available, there are several methods to adjust brightness.

 

4. 

Brightness in industrial cameras is adjusted using the following methods, although not through ISO sensitivity:

– Changing the aperture of the lens (generally, larger aperture means brighter)
– Adjusting the aperture of the lens
– Adjusting with lighting (using lighting fixtures to adjust brightness, applying strong strobe light to increase brightness, etc.)
– Adjusting exposure time of the camera (increasing it makes the image brighter)
– Adjusting gain (increasing it makes the image brighter)

Note: Increasing gain too much deteriorates the signal-to-noise ratio, making grainy noise more prominent.

Due to space constraints, it may be necessary to configure the camera and lens in a compact manner.

In such cases, compactness can be achieved by choosing an S-mount lens that is smaller than a C-mount or CS-mount lens.

 

 

In order to use S-mount lenses, you need to attach a conversion adapter to the camera.

 

 

However, there is a caveat.

With S-mount lenses, the focus is adjusted depending on how well it is inserted into the camera.

Cameras usually have an infrared cut filter or a protective filter in front of the sensor.

In some cameras, the distance between the filter and the lens mount is close, and the lens may interfere with the filter when focusing, resulting in a lack of focus.

 

 

 

It is necessary to actually try and check whether the S-mount lens can be attached and used with the camera.

 

The microscope connects to the computer using a USB cable and displays an enlarged image on the screen.

The advantage is that it can be viewed with a computer and the image can be saved simply. Furthermore,  using the software, you can perform a variety of tasks including image processing such as measurement, focus synthesis, and binarization.

 

Furthermore, most of the cameras used in our microscopes USB are Directshow compatible cameras, so you can also use Directshow compatible software from other companies.

 

The downside is there

The downside is that there are some errors due to USB specifications and the display speed becomes slower corresponding to the resolution of the camera used.

Microscope

We recommend microscope USB3.0 for USB type because the disadvantages of microscope USB3.0 have been significantly reduced compared to USB2.0.

 

At our company, there are many types of microscopes USB available.

 

	Microscopes USB（CMOS） TG500CS
	3 million pixel  microscope USB(CMOS) TG300PC2 (out of stock)

 

※We also have microscopes with higher and lower magnifications. You can also choose the camera resolution, so please contact technical support for details.

We sometimes receive requests to see on-site the composition of metal products that are too large to be cut out. In that case, we take the following two points into consideration and propose a custom-made product like the one in the photo below:
– Fixed magnification to reduce weight and cost. (Can be changed using the objective lens at the tip)

– Insert a cutout in the stand to directly observe the object.

Of course, coaxial illumination is used to observe the metal composition.
	Small simple metallurgical microscope KKKI-STD6-130DN
	For a monocular coaxial measuring microscope like the one on the left. Connect a camera to reduce weight

 

 

The camera is USB type, you can choose from high-definition types, etc.

The NSH500CSU comes standard with a simple XY panel but does not support transmitted lighting, so we will cover how to install a transmitted lighting system.

 

◆Method 1
How to attach the rubber feet to the RD-95T and place it on the standard XY platform (TK100)

 

Light can be easily passed through without processing, but the size of the object is limited to the size (φ95) that can be placed on the RD-95T.

Because it has rubber feet, it will not slip, but the lamp body may move due to impacts such as being hit by your hand.

 

◆Method 2
How to switch to the XY turntable simply, remove the observation plate and install the RD-95T

 

 

Since the RD-95T can be mounted to the XY table, it can be fixed to some extent.
Since it is necessary to route the cable to the outside, it is necessary to drill a hole about φ10 in size in the base.
We can also drill holes for free before shipping.

 

 

For details on the products introduced this time, please see below.

NSH500CSU ultra-high magnification USB microscope

Simple XY rotary table TK180-K

Transmitted lighting RD-95T

USB 3.0 cameras that comply with the USB 3.0 standard exhibit high power delivery capabilities and communication speeds.

However, it is important to connect them to the correct ports on the computer to ensure proper functionality.

In this instance, I will provide information on the appropriate ports on the computer for connecting a USB 3.0 camera.

 

The USB port used when connecting a USB 3.0 camera

 

To utilize a USB 3.0 camera, it is essential to connect it to a USB port on your computer that supports USB 3.0 (or USB 3.1, USB 3.2) specifications.

 

If a USB 3.0 camera is connected to a USB 2.0 port, it will not function properly due to limitations in power delivery and communication speed.

 

■ Differences between USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0  

 

 

Specification	Maximum Data Transfer Speed	Power Delivery Capability
USB 1.1	12 Mbps	5V 100mA
USB 2.0	480 Mbps	5V 500mA
USB 3.2 Gen1 (USB 3.0)	5 Gbps	5V 900mA
USB 3.2 Gen2	10 Gbps	5V 900mA
USB 3.2 Gen2x2	20 Gbps	5V 900mA

 

※ USB 3.0 was renamed to USB 3.1 Gen1 in 2013, and then to USB 3.2 Gen1 in 2019.

 

As mentioned above, in terms of numbers, the maximum data transfer speed (communication speed) of USB 2.0 is 40 times faster than USB 1.1, while USB 3.0 is approximately 400 times faster than USB 1.1.

 

Check if a USB port is USB 3.0 on or not

 

There are three methods to check if a USB port is USB 3.0 on your computer:

【Method 1】Check the port color:
USB 3.0 ports are typically recommended to be colored blue, and in most cases, they are indeed blue.

 

 

 

 

 

However, occasionally USB 3.0 ports may not be blue, and conversely, not all blue ports are necessarily USB 3.0.

In such cases, please refer to 【Method 2】 and 【Method 3】.

 

【Method 2】Check for symbol markings:

 

If you find a symbol marking near the USB port that includes “SS” (SuperSpeed), it indicates that the port is USB 3.0.

 

 

 

However, there are cases where there may be no symbol markings.

If there are no markings, please refer to 【Method 3】.

 

 

【Method 3】Verify through Device Manager:
You can check the USB port specification by accessing the Device Manager on your computer.

(Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers)

 

 

 

※ The image shown is for Windows 10. Additionally, the types and number of ports may vary depending on your computer.  

 

When connecting a USB 3.0 camera to your computer, please be mindful of the following considerations:

 

 

As of 2023, the majority of commercially available computers are equipped with USB 3.0 ports.

However, some computers with multiple ports may have both “USB 3.0” and “USB 2.0” ports available.

 

 

 

 

 

Please note the following when connecting a USB 3.0 camera to your computer:

 

– Ensure that you verify the USB ports on your computer before connecting the camera.
– Connect the camera directly to the computer without the use of intermediaries such as USB hubs.
– It is worth mentioning that certain hubs may result in insufficient power or compromised communication speed, potentially leading to operational irregularities.

 

 

Summary:

– A USB 3.0 camera is a camera that supports the USB 3.0 standard, offering higher power delivery capabilities and faster communication speeds.
– To ensure proper functionality, be sure to connect the USB 3.0 camera to a USB 3.0 (or USB 3.1, USB 3.2) port.