Examples

1. Device Setup

The Device Setup example in Device Setup.vi is used to configure the device for the other examples. It shows how to:

• Enumerate the available devices
• Open a device
• Select a video norm, video format, input channel and frame rate
• Save the device settings to a file

Usage: Start the VI. Select one of the devices displayed in the 'Device' list box. Press Start. Now you should see a live image from the device. Once the device has been selected, the content of the video format list box is updated. The list boxes containing the video norms and input channels are updated as well. A video norm or input channel may be selected at any time. There is no need to restart the program after a video norm or input channel is changed. By Pressing the Save Configuration button, you can save the device configuration for use with the other examples.

2. Simple IMAQ Image Example

The IMAQ Image example in IMAQ Image.vi shows how to:

• Open a device from a configuration file
• Select an image type (Color or Monochrome)
• Select a video format
• Grab IMAQ Images

Usage: Press one of the buttons to open a configuration file, either for color or monochrome images. If you want to grab color images, a color video format should be selected for the device, otherwise the images will appear monochrome. A live image is displayed as soon as the device is opened. While the device is open, you may select different video formats from the corresponding list box. By pressing the Grab button, you can grab an IMAQ image that will be displayed in a popup window.

3. Simple LabVIEW Picture Example

The LabVIEW Picture example in LabVIEW Picture.vi shows how to:

• Open a device from a configuration file
• Select an image type (Color or Monochrome)
• Select a video format
• Grab LabVIEW Pictures

Usage: Press one of the buttons to open a configuration file, either for color or monochrome images. If you want to grab color images, a color video format should be selected for the device, otherwise the images will be monochrome. A live image is displayed as soon as the device is opened. While the device is open, you may select different video formats from the according list box. By pressing the Grab button, you can grab a LabVIEW picture that will be displayed in a LabVIEW Picture box.

4. Property Example

The Property Example in property.vi shows how to:

• Open a device from a configuration file
• Select an image type (Color or Monochrome)
• Enumerate the properties supported by the device
• Let the user control the properties with sliders and buttons.

Usage: This VI works like the simple examples above. It was extended to allow the user to modify properties. Select one property from the property list in the lower left corner of the front panel. The slider and switch next to the list are updated according to the current state of the selected property. If the property allows automation, you can activate or deactivate the automation by clicking the auto button. If the property's automation is not enabled, you can directly modify the value of the property with the slider.

5. Property Example for IMAQ Images

The Property Example for IMAQ Images in property IMAQ.vi is basically the same as the previous example. The only difference is that it grabs IMAQ images.

6. Trigger and Timing Example

The Triger and Timing Example in Trigger.vi shows how to:

• Open a device from a configuration file
• Select an image type (Color or Monochrome)
• Use External Trigger support
• Measure the age of an image

Usage: This VI works like the simple examples above. If you open a device that provides a trigger input, you can activate it. Activate the trigger by switching the button on top of the control panel. If the switch is disabled, the selected device ignores the trigger input.

There are several text fields next to the IC Imaging Control output window. They provide timing information about the grabbed image. The following information is displayed:

• The SampleStartTime is the time between the start of the image stream and the moment the image was delivered by the device.
• The ReferenceTimeStart is the time at which the image stream coming from the device was started.
• The ReferenceTimeCurrent is the current reference time.
• The age of the grabbed image.

With ReferenceTimeStart and ReferenceTimeCurrent, it is possible to calculate the current time since the image stream was started. By comparing this time to the SampleStartTime, the age of the image can be calculated.

7. Trigger and Timing Example for IMAQ Images

The Trigger and Timing Example for IMAQ Images in trigger IMAQ.vi is basically the same as the previous example. The only difference is that it grabs IMAQ images.

8. Device recognition with serial numbers

The Serials Example in serials.vi shows how to:

• Retrieve the serial number of a device
• Retrieve the model name of a device
• Open a device based on the serial number and model name

Usage: Select a device from the device list box. You will see the device's model name and, if present, the device's serial number in the two text fields next to the list box.

So that you can differentiate between two or more devices of the same time, the model name is the "real" name of the device, without trailing numbers. With this name and the serial number, it is possible to identify a device even after devices of the same type have been removed from the system or after a reboot.