Camera

Camera is a device module in SweepMe!. It acquires images from cameras for documentation and optical measurements.

Overview

The Camera module provides image acquisition control for USB cameras, GigE cameras, and other imaging devices. It offers comprehensive exposure and gain control, region-of-interest selection, image post-processing, and file format options. The module supports both real-time preview and automated batch image capture during measurements. Available drivers can be found at sweep-me.net/devices.

GUI parameters

Trigger

Camera triggering source:

• Internal – Camera-timed exposure, no external sync
• Software – SweepMe! software trigger via module
• External – Hardware trigger input
• Continuous – Free-running acquisition

Driver parameter key: Trigger

Gain Section

Auto gain

Automatic adjustment of camera gain/amplification:

• Off – Fixed gain (manual)
• On – Automatic gain control
• Once – Single auto-gain adjustment at startup

Driver parameter key: AutoGain

Gain

Camera amplification level (if not auto-controlled). Range: typically 0 (minimum) to 30 dB (maximum). Driver parameter key: Gain

Exposure Section

Auto exposure

Automatic exposure time adjustment:

• Off – Fixed exposure time (manual)
• On – Continuous auto-exposure
• Once – Single auto-exposure adjustment

Driver parameter key: AutoExposure

Exposure time

Image integration time in seconds. Longer exposure increases signal and sensitivity but risks saturation. Typical range: 1 µs to 10 s. Driver parameter key: ExposureTime

Image Parameters

Aperture

Lens aperture f-number (e.g., "2.0", "5.6", "16.0"). Controls depth of field and light throughput. Not available on all cameras. Driver parameter key: Aperture

ISO

Sensor sensitivity equivalent (ISO 100, 400, 1600, etc.). Higher ISO increases sensitivity but noise. Not available on all cameras. Driver parameter key: ISO

Pixel Format

Color space and bit-depth:

• Mono8 – Grayscale 8-bit
• Mono12 – Grayscale 12-bit
• Mono16 – Grayscale 16-bit
• RGB8 – Color 8-bit per channel
• Bayer RGB – Bayer pattern for color demosaicing
• YUV – Luma/Chroma format

Driver parameter key: PixelFormat

File Format

Output image format:

• PNG – Lossless compression, good for archival
• JPEG – Lossy compression, smaller files
• TIFF – Uncompressed or lossless, high quality
• BMP – Uncompressed bitmap
• RAW – Raw sensor data (if supported)

Driver parameter key: FileFormat

Post-processing Section

Preset

Image processing profile:

• None – No post-processing
• Standard – Normal color/contrast
• Enhanced – Increased contrast
• Vivid – Saturated colors
• Custom – User-defined settings

Driver parameter key: Preset

Gamma

Tone curve adjustment (0.5–2.5 typical). Gamma < 1 brightens midtones, Gamma > 1 darkens. Driver parameter key: Gamma

Color Balance Ratios

White balance adjustment per color channel:

• Balance ratio red – Red channel multiplier
• Balance ratio green – Green channel multiplier
• Balance ratio blue – Blue channel multiplier

Typical values: 0.5–2.0. Used to correct color temperature mismatch.

Driver parameter keys: BalanceRatioRed, BalanceRatioGreen, BalanceRatioBlue

Exposure Compensation

Exposure adjustment in stops (e.g., −2, −1, 0, +1, +2). Brightens or darkens post-acquisition. Driver parameter key: ExposureCompensation

Region of Interest (ROI)

Define sub-region of sensor to capture, reducing data volume and increasing frame rate.

Image Width (px)

Width of region of interest in pixels. Driver parameter key: ROIWidth

Image Height (px)

Height of region of interest in pixels. Driver parameter key: ROIHeight

Image Offset X (px)

Horizontal offset of ROI upper-left corner from sensor origin in pixels. Driver parameter key: ROIOffsetX

Image Offset Y (px)

Vertical offset of ROI upper-left corner from sensor origin in pixels. Driver parameter key: ROIOffsetY

Processing Options

Keep Only Last Image

When enabled, only the most recent image per measurement point is saved (discards previous images). Reduces storage requirements for long measurements. Driver parameter key: KeepOnlyLastImage

Variables

Variable	Unit	Description
Image	(file path)	Path to saved image file
Image count	(index)	Sequential image number in acquisition
Timestamp	(datetime)	Image acquisition time

Buttons

• Test – Acquire single test image and display in preview dialog
• Retrieve – Read current image file path from camera

Usage

1. Select camera driver and configure port (typically USB ID or GigE IP address)
2. Configure trigger mode (Internal for free-running, External for synchronized)
3. Set exposure time and gain:
   1. For bright scenes: short exposure, low gain
   2. For dim scenes: long exposure, high gain, or enable auto-exposure
4. Configure color space (Mono8 for grayscale, RGB8 for color)
5. Select output format (PNG for quality, JPEG for small files)
6. Use ROI to select region of interest if full sensor not needed
7. Click Test button to verify image quality before measurement
8. Review preview image for exposure, focus, and composition
9. Adjust focus (if motorized) or zoom as needed
10. Enable Keep Only Last Image to conserve disk space if not analyzing images
11. Run measurement to acquire images at each data point

Applications

• Visual documentation – Image record of test setup and samples during measurement
• Optical alignment verification – Confirm probe or sample positioning
• LED imaging – Color and brightness characterization with spectral imaging
• Microscopy – Automated focus and capture at multiple sample positions
• Defect documentation – Visual record of failed components
• Wafer probing – Contact verification and probe landing documentation
• Material characterization – Surface imaging during temperature or environmental testing
• Scientific photography – High-speed imaging and synchronized acquisition

Notes

• Most USB cameras have automatic focus; verify focus is locked before measurement
• White balance should be set using a reference white object
• Exposure time affects synchronization between image and electrical measurements
• RAW format provides maximum image quality but requires post-processing
• Keep Only Last Image can significantly reduce storage for long measurements

See also

• Scope – Waveform capture complementary to optical imaging
• Spectrometer – Spectral measurement complementing imaging data
• Robot – Automated positioning for multi-location imaging
• WaferProber – Integration with wafer-level testing