Workflow of Triggering Data Acquisition

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This topic introduces the workflow of using each combination of triggering methods to trigger data acquisition and obtain the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

Before reading this topic, please read Methods for Triggering Data Acquisition first to familiarize yourself with the different methods of triggering the laser profiler to acquire data.

External + Encoder

Use externally input signals to trigger each round of data acquisition, and use encoder signals to trigger each line scan.

Prerequisites

In order to use the external + encoder method to trigger data acquisition, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

  • Improve the quality of the profiles:

    The intensity image, depth map, and point cloud are made of multiple profiles. Therefore, the quality of the profiles determines the quality of the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

    Please refer to Profile Mode to adjust the parameters in the profile mode, in order to improve the quality of the profiles.

Workflow

To use the external + encoder method to trigger data acquisition, set the parameters first, then acquire data as needed.

  1. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to External.

  2. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Encoder.

  3. Based on actual needs, adjust the other parameters in the scan mode.

The laser profiler supports three acquisition methods: triggering a single round of data acquisition, automatically triggering multiple rounds of data acquisition, and continuous scanning. The triggering process for the three methods is different.

Triggering a Single Round of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, generates an intensity image and a depth map, and then automatically exits the acquisition ready status.

To trigger a single round of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the single cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to SingleFrame, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition:

    • Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    • Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

      When the laser profiler enters the acquisition ready status through Mech-Eye Viewer or the GenICam client, it will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: Repeat step 2.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 2.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer:

      • In the scan mode, click the stop one cap button.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client:

      • Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

Triggering Multiple Rounds of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, and generates an intensity image and a depth map. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

To trigger multiple rounds of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the continuous cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition:

    • Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    • Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 3.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

Continuous Scanning

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler continuously scans the target object and returns fixed-length data segments. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

The GenICam client does not support this acquisition method.

To continuously scan the target object, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Nonstop.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. Stop the current round of data acquisition: Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 3.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

External + Fixed Rate

Use externally input signals to trigger each round of data acquisition, and trigger each line scan at a fixed rate.

Prerequisites

In order to use the external + fixed rate method to trigger data acquisition, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

  • Connect the hardware:

    Connect the external device providing the trigger signal to the corresponding input signal terminals on the controller. Please refer to Control Data Acquisition with External Device to select the control logic and connect the corresponding terminals.

  • Improve the quality of the profiles:

    The intensity image, depth map, and point cloud are made of multiple profiles. Therefore, the quality of the profiles determines the quality of the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

    Please refer to Profile Mode to adjust the parameters in the profile mode, in order to improve the quality of the profiles.

Workflow

To use the external + fixed rate method to trigger data acquisition, set the parameters first, then acquire data as needed.

  1. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to External.

  2. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Fixed rate.

  3. Based on actual needs, adjust the other parameters in the scan mode.

The laser profiler supports three acquisition methods: triggering a single round of data acquisition, automatically triggering multiple rounds of data acquisition, and continuous scanning. The triggering process for the three methods is different.

Triggering a Single Round of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, generates an intensity image and a depth map, and then automatically exits the acquisition ready status.

To trigger a single round of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the single cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to SingleFrame, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. End the current round of data acquisition:

    • Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    • Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

      When the laser profiler enters the acquisition ready status through Mech-Eye Viewer or the GenICam client, it will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: Repeat step 2.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 2.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer:

      • In the scan mode, click the stop one cap button.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client:

      • Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

Triggering Multiple Rounds of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, and generates an intensity image and a depth map. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

To trigger multiple rounds of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the continuous cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. End the current round of data acquisition:

    • Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    • Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 3.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

Continuous Scanning

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler continuously scans the target object and returns fixed-length data segments. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

The GenICam client does not support this acquisition method.

To continuously scan the target object, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Nonstop.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition: Send a signal that triggers a round of data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. Stop the current round of data acquisition: Send a signal that stops data acquisition from the external device to the laser profiler.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 3.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

Software + Encoder

Use software to trigger each round of data acquisition, and use encoder signals to trigger each line scan.

Prerequisites

In order to use the software + encoder method to trigger data acquisition, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

  • Connect the hardware:

    Connect the encoder providing the trigger signal to the corresponding encoder signal terminals on the controller. Please refer to Signal Circuit Diagrams and Encoder Signal Terminals.

  • Improve the quality of the profiles:

    The intensity image, depth map, and point cloud are made of multiple profiles. Therefore, the quality of the profiles determines the quality of the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

    Please refer to Profile Mode to adjust the parameters in the profile mode, in order to improve the quality of the profiles.

Workflow

To use the software + encoder method to trigger data acquisition, set the parameters first, then acquire data as needed.

  1. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to Software.

  2. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Encoder.

  3. Based on actual needs, adjust the other parameters in the scan mode.

The laser profiler supports three acquisition methods: triggering a single round of data acquisition, automatically triggering multiple rounds of data acquisition, and continuous scanning. The triggering process for the three methods is different.

Triggering a Single Round of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, generates an intensity image and a depth map, and then automatically exits the acquisition ready status.

To trigger a single round of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the single cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to SingleFrame, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition:

    Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

    When the laser profiler enters the acquisition ready status through Mech-Eye Viewer or the GenICam client, it will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: Repeat step 2.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 2.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer:

      • In the scan mode, click the stop one cap button.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client:

      • Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

Triggering Multiple Rounds of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, and generates an intensity image and a depth map. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

To trigger multiple rounds of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the continuous cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition: Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After the last round of data acquisition ends, the laser profiler automatically starts a new round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 3.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

Continuous Scanning

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler continuously scans the target object and returns fixed-length data segments. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

The GenICam client does not support this acquisition method.

To continuously scan the target object, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Nonstop.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition: To stop the current round of data acquisition, exit the acquisition ready status.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 2.

Software + Fixed Rate

Use software to trigger each round of data acquisition, and trigger each line scan at a fixed rate.

Prerequisites

In order to use the software + fixed rate method to trigger data acquisition, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

  • Improve the quality of the profiles:

    The intensity image, depth map, and point cloud are made of multiple profiles. Therefore, the quality of the profiles determines the quality of the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

    Please refer to Profile Mode to adjust the parameters in the profile mode, in order to improve the quality of the profiles.

Workflow

To use the software + fixed rate method to trigger data acquisition, set the parameters first, then acquire data as needed.

  1. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to Software.

  2. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Fixed rate.

  3. Based on actual needs, adjust the other parameters in the scan mode.

The laser profiler supports three acquisition methods: triggering a single round of data acquisition, automatically triggering multiple rounds of data acquisition, and continuous scanning. The triggering process for the three methods is different.

Triggering a Single Round of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, generates an intensity image and a depth map, and then automatically exits the acquisition ready status.

To trigger a single round of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the single cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to SingleFrame, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. End the current round of data acquisition:

    Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

    When the laser profiler enters the acquisition ready status through Mech-Eye Viewer or the GenICam client, it will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: Repeat step 2.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 2.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer:

      • In the scan mode, click the stop one cap button.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client:

      • Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

Triggering Multiple Rounds of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, and generates an intensity image and a depth map. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

To trigger multiple rounds of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the continuous cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous, then send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. End the current round of data acquisition: Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  5. Start a new round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After the last round of data acquisition ends, the laser profiler automatically starts a new round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 3.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

Continuous Scanning

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler continuously scans the target object and returns fixed-length data segments. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

The GenICam client does not support this acquisition method.

To continuously scan the target object, follow these steps:

  1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Nonstop.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

  3. Start a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically starts a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    After the current round of data acquisition has been started, the laser profiler starts line scans at the set rate.

  4. End the current round of data acquisition: To stop the current round of data acquisition, exit the acquisition ready status.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 2.

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