Image processing system for PC through the enhanced parallel port

In this paper, the authors present a video processing circuit for a 3D machine vision system designed with an FPGA that processes images in real time and provides them through the EPP (enhanced parallel port) to a computer. The system is useful in 3D vision applications so different as robot guidance in MIG and laser soldering or control of treated woods. The connection of the processing system to a PC through the EPP achieves an easy installation for industrial applications. The implementation of processing in programmable device (SRAM-cells based on an FPGA), allow easy modification of the design in order to adapt it rapidly to new applications or to make different versions of the same system.