New USB mini camera brings consumer convenience to industrial applications

With the new XS, IDS is launching a generation of cameras that combines two worlds. It provides the convenient operation of a standard consumer camera, along with the versatility of a robust industrial camera: Numerous automatic functions, normally only found in digital cameras for the consumer market, deliver exceptional user friendliness and also produce an excellent image quality even under difficult lighting and ambient conditions.

Weighing in at just 12 grams and around 23 x 26.5 x 21.5 mm in size, the XS can be integrated very easily into any system. Its magnesium housing makes it totally robust.

The camera is connected using USB 2.0 and a mini-B socket, and the power supply is provided by the bus cable. The 5 megapixel Aptina CMOS sensor with a pixel size of 1.4 m delivers exceptionally detailed true color images, with a choice of seven fixed image formats: 5 MP, 3 MP, Full HD, UXGA (1600x1200), 1.2 MP, 720p, VGA. The frame rate is freely adjustable (e.g. for long exposures), and at full resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels 15 frames per second can be captured in JPEG mode. Binning can be used to achieve frame rates as high as 30 fps.

The integrated auto focus optical system delivers a crisp image from distances of just 10 cm either automatically or manually using software. The associated API function also enables the current focus position to be read. A digital zoom allows easy and almost continuous enlargement of smaller sections of the image.

A range of automatic image control functions, including auto white balance, auto gain and auto exposure time, are performed in the camera itself. This considerably reduces the CPU utilization, while also enabling easy processing of the images captured independently of the PC system. With exposure compensation, backlight compensation, photometry and anti-flicker function options, there is huge scope for adapting the automatic image control.

The XS comes complete with the comprehensive IDS Software suite, including drivers, tools and interfaces; this makes it quick and easy to integrate the camera into a huge range of different applications.

The key areas that will benefit from the advantages of the new camera generation include interactive kiosk systems, embedded systems, and applications in medical technology, microscopy, and access control.

The XS will be available as a pilot for design-ins and evaluations from the end of May. The full launch will be at the beginning of July.

LINK:	http://www.pressebox.de/pressemitteilung/ids-imaging-development-syste...
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