CVS line includes first true optical character recognition sensor, ideal for date and lot code inspection


SICK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors, safety systems and automatic identification products for factory and logistics automation, today announced the line of CVS Color Vision Sensors, which includes the industry’s first true optical character recognition sensor (OCR). The CVS family includes four color vision sensor solutions: the CVS1 Easy, CVS2, CVS3 and the CVS4. Because they are sensors, the CVS family provides a more cost-effective solution for applications that would otherwise require more complicated and expensive vision systems.

A “vision sensor” combines the simplicity of a sensor with the technology used in more sophisticated vision products. These color-based vision sensors are useful for a variety of tasks, including measuring the area of a learned color, presence/absence, identifying products based on color and color matching.

• The CVS1 Easy allows the user to detect and distinguish between up to eight customer-selected colors. The teaching procedure is simple, making it very user friendly. The CVS1 EASY is capable of fast response times. It can also monitor larger areas from longer ranges than standard color sensors.
• The CVS2 extends the capability of the CVS1 EASY. The CVS2 allows the user to detect and sort between 15 customer-defined colors. With the RS232 interface, the CVS2 can sort between all colors stored in the sensor as well as use a PC to upload and download settings to the sensor. The CVS2 also has the added feature of two switching output connections, allowing for up to three colors to be detected using only digital I/O.
• The CVS3 is an affordable solution for shape checking applications. The CVS3 searches the field of view for the shape or contour (Contour Vision Sensor) that the user teaches. The CVS3 can store up to 15 different setups. An RS232 serial interface is available to store settings to PC or to make adjustments to settings to a setup already stored in the sensor.
• The CVS4 is the first true OCR sensor to enter the market. It provides detection and verification of date codes and lot codes (serial codes) using a sensor. The sensor can read up to 60 characters on six lines, making it very flexible. The CVS4 also automatically updates itself for expected date code changes with an onboard real-time clock. The CVS4 is well suited for applications in the food and beverage market where expanding FDA regulations call for better traceability on products.