MICRO-EPSILON thermoIMAGER TIM User manual

Operating Instructions
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect

MICRO-EPSILON
MESSTECHNIK
GmbH & Co. KG
Königbacher Strasse 15
94496 Ortenburg / Germany
Tel. [phone] / 168-0
Fax [phone] / 168-90
e-mail [email protected]
www.micro-epsilon.com
Software for thermoIMAGER TIM Infrared camera

thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
Contents
1. Safety ........................................................................................................................................ 7
1.1 Symbols Used ................................................................................................................................................. 7
2. Technical Data .......................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Functional Principle ......................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Functions ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Getting Started ......................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Software Installation ........................................................................................................................................ 9
3.2 Choice of Camera.......................................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Choice of Language ...................................................................................................................................... 10
3.4 Software Window (Example) ......................................................................................................................... 11
3.5 Menu and Toolbar (Icons) ............................................................................................................................. 15
3.5.1 Menu............................................................................................................................................. 15
3.5.2 Toolbar (Icons).............................................................................................................................. 16
4. Software Configuration.......................................................................................................... 17
4.1 General Settings ............................................................................................................................................ 17
4.1.1 Color Palettes ............................................................................................................................... 17
4.1.2 Temperature Unit .......................................................................................................................... 20
4.1.3 Temperature Range Scaling of Reference Bar............................................................................. 20
4.1.4 Displayed Frame Rate.................................................................................................................. 22
4.1.5 Change of the Title Bar................................................................................................................. 23
4.1.6 Lock / Unlock Application ............................................................................................................ 23
4.1.7 Optimization of Software .............................................................................................................. 24
4.2 Software Layout............................................................................................................................................. 25
4.2.1 Displayed Windows...................................................................................................................... 25
4.2.2 View Bars...................................................................................................................................... 26
4.2.3 Information within Image.............................................................................................................. 27
4.2.4 Temperatures in Digital Displays.................................................................................................. 28
4.2.5 Layout Managements................................................................................................................... 29
4.2.6 Assign / Remove Layouts............................................................................................................. 30
4.2.7 Further Information....................................................................................................................... 32
4.2.8 Arranging of Thermal Image ........................................................................................................ 32
4.2.9 Mirroring of Displayed Image....................................................................................................... 32
4.2.10 Rotating of Displayed Image........................................................................................................ 33
4.2.11 Zooming in Areas of the Displayed Image................................................................................... 33

thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
4.3 Image Configuration ...................................................................................................................................... 34
4.3.1 Calibration Files............................................................................................................................ 34
4.3.2 Correction of Camera Calibration ................................................................................................ 35
4.3.3 Detector Heating (Chip Temperature Mode)................................................................................ 36
4.3.4 Emissivity, Transmissivity, Ambient Temperature......................................................................... 37
4.3.5 Reference Temperature ................................................................................................................ 38
4.3.6 Changing the Optics (not with TIM 8 TIM 40) .............................................................................. 39
4.3.7 Changing the Temperature Range............................................................................................... 40
4.3.8 Video Formats (Device Framerate) .............................................................................................. 41
4.4 Imager Interfaces for TIM and TIM 40 Camera ............................................................................................. 42
4.4.1 General ......................................................................................................................................... 42
4.4.2 Prozessinterface (PIF) for TIM and TIM 40 Camera..................................................................... 43
4.5 Software Development Kit (SDK) .................................................................................................................. 46
4.5.1 Interprocess Communication (IPC).............................................................................................. 46
4.5.2 COM-Port...................................................................................................................................... 47
4.6 Start Options.................................................................................................................................................. 48
4.6.1 Overview of Start Options............................................................................................................. 48
4.6.2 Start of Multiple Software / Imager Instances .............................................................................. 50
5. Data Capturing ....................................................................................................................... 52
5.1 Open Files...................................................................................................................................................... 52
5.2 Replay of Files ............................................................................................................................................... 52
5.3 Control Panel ................................................................................................................................................. 52
5.4 Replay Options .............................................................................................................................................. 53
5.5 Editing Video Sequences .............................................................................................................................. 54
5.6 Saving Files.................................................................................................................................................... 55
5.6.1 Setting the Recording Frame Rate............................................................................................... 55
5.6.2 Setting the Recording Modes ...................................................................................................... 57
5.6.3 Temporary Recording File ............................................................................................................ 58
5.6.4 Saving Radiometric Video Sequences or AVI Files ..................................................................... 59
5.6.5 Saving Image Data as Radiometric Snapshot or Text File........................................................... 60
5.6.6 Saving Text File of the Temperature / Time Diagram ................................................................... 63
5.6.7 Location and Filename Templates of Triggered Recordings....................................................... 63
5.6.8 Display of Snapshots in a Separate Window............................................................................... 64
5.6.9 Saving Images or Screenshots to Clipboard............................................................................... 65
5.6.10 Capture Screen ............................................................................................................................ 66

thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
6. Data Processing ..................................................................................................................... 68
6.1 Measure Areas............................................................................................................................................... 68
6.1.1 General Settings........................................................................................................................... 68
6.1.2 Calculated Objects ....................................................................................................................... 72
6.1.3 Excluding Hot and Cold Spot Areas ............................................................................................ 75
6.1.4 Individual Emissivity Values of Measure Areas ............................................................................ 76
6.2 Temperature Profile........................................................................................................................................ 77
6.3 Temperature Time Diagram........................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.1 General Settings........................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.2 Scaling of Diagram Axes .............................................................................................................. 82
6.4 Histogram ...................................................................................................................................................... 84
6.5 Extended Measuring Colors.......................................................................................................................... 86
6.6 Image Subtraction ......................................................................................................................................... 87
6.7 Relative Extreme Values ................................................................................................................................ 88
6.8 Alarms ............................................................................................................................................................ 89
6.9 3D Display of Thermal Image ........................................................................................................................ 91
6.10 Event Grabber................................................................................................................................................ 92
6.11 Zoom Function of Snapshots ........................................................................................................................ 94
7. TIM 8/40 .................................................................................................................................. 95
7.1 Focus Setting................................................................................................................................................. 95
7.2 Imager Interfaces for TIM 8............................................................................................................................ 95
7.2.1 General ......................................................................................................................................... 95
7.2.2 Process Interface (PIF) for TIM 8.................................................................................................. 97
7.3 IP Settings TIM 8.......................................................................................................................................... 101
7.4 Autonomous Operation TIM 8 ..................................................................................................................... 101
8. Visual Camera (only TIM 200/230) ...................................................................................... 102
8.1 Enabling the Visual Camera ........................................................................................................................ 102
8.2 Monitoring Modus........................................................................................................................................ 103
8.3 Cross-fading Modus .................................................................................................................................... 104
8.3.1 General ....................................................................................................................................... 104
8.3.2 Transparency of Thermal Image ................................................................................................ 105
8.3.3 Moving the Thermal within the Visual Image ............................................................................. 106
8.3.4 Cross-fading of Defined Temperatures ...................................................................................... 107

thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
9. Line Scanner Mode .............................................................................................................. 108
9.1 General Information..................................................................................................................................... 108
9.2 Basic Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 109
9.2.1 Line Scanner Configuration Menu ............................................................................................. 109
9.2.2 Choosing the Layout .................................................................................................................. 109
9.2.3 Rotating of the Image ................................................................................................................. 109
9.2.4 Activating the Line Scanner........................................................................................................ 110
9.2.5 Positioning of the Line (Line Scanner Sighting View)................................................................ 110
9.2.6 Layout Configuration of the Sighting View Mode ...................................................................... 113
9.3 Data Evaluation of the Scanned Line .......................................................................................................... 114
9.3.1 Line Scanner View..................................................................................................................... 114
9.3.2 Triggered Display of Lines.......................................................................................................... 116
9.3.3 Snapshot Configuration ............................................................................................................. 120
9.3.4 Zoom Function of Snapshots..................................................................................................... 121
10. Merging................................................................................................................................. 121
10.1 General Information..................................................................................................................................... 121
10.2 Direct Connection over USB Port................................................................................................................ 122
10.3 Configuration ............................................................................................................................................... 122
10.4 Connection via the Ethernet Network.......................................................................................................... 130
10.5 Simultaneous Flag Control and Frame Synchronization via PIF ................................................................ 131
11. Further Information .............................................................................................................. 133
11.1 Options ........................................................................................................................................................ 133
11.1.1 Activating Software Messages ................................................................................................... 133
11.1.2 Layouts ....................................................................................................................................... 134
11.1.3 Device Detected ......................................................................................................................... 134
11.1.4 Temperature Unit ........................................................................................................................ 134
11.1.5 Log Events.................................................................................................................................. 135
11.2 System Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 135
11.2.1 Minimum System Requirements ................................................................................................ 135
11.2.2 Recommended System Requirements ...................................................................................... 135
11.3 Information about Software ......................................................................................................................... 136
11.4 Extended Configuration............................................................................................................................... 137
11.5 Overview Shortcuts...................................................................................................................................... 138
12. Liability for Material Defects............................................................................................... 139

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thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
1. Safety
The handling of the system assumes knowledge of the instruction manual.
1.1 Symbols Used
The following symbols are used in the instruction manual.
Indicates a situation that may result in property damage if not avoided.
Indicates a user action.
iIndicates a tip for users.
Measure Indicates hardware or a software button/menu

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Technical Data
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
2. Technical Data
2.1 Functional Principle
The thermoIMAGER TIM calculates the surface temperature based on the emitted infrared energy of objects.
The two-dimensional detector (FPA - focal plain array) or (CMOS - Complementary metal-oxide-semiconduc-
tor) allows a measurement depending on the device max. pixels and will be shown as thermographic image
using standardized palettes. The radiometric processing of the picture data enables the user to do a comfor-
table detailed analysis with the software TIM Connect.
2.2 Functions
- Display of the real time thermal image (up to a max. of 1 kHz) with a wide range of measurement functions
- Recording function (video, radiometric video, snapshot)
- Analysis and post processing of infrared images/ videos
- Complete set up of parameters and remote control of the camera

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
3. Getting Started
3.1 Software Installation
Please install at first the software TIM Connect from the CD.
The CD contains the software application, the specific calibration data of the imager as well as some sample
files. These data will be installed automatically.
Insert the installation CD into the according drive on your computer.
If the autorun option is activated the installation wizard will start automatically.
Otherwise please start setup.exe from the CD-ROM.
Follow the instructions of the wizard until the installation is finished.
At the end of the installation, you will get an overview of what has been added, changed and corrected in
the current software version. You will find this overview again on the data medium under the document name
Changelog.

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
3.2 Choice of Camera
In case you are using more than one TIM simultaneously (e.g. via USB hub) please select the required TIM
from the list in the Devices menu.
3.3 Choice of Language
In the Tools and Language menu you can choose from a variety of available languages.
iIn case your language is not provided you will find a translation tool on the software CD delivered with the camera.

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
3.4 Software Window (Example)

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
1 IR image from the camera
2 Temperature profile: Shows the temperatures along max. 2 lines at any size and position in
the image.
3 Control displays: Displays all temperature values in the defined measure areas like Cold
Spots, Hot Spots, temperature at cursor, internal temperature and chip temperature.
Alarm settings: Bar showing the defined temperature thresholds for low alarm value (blue
arrow) and high alarm value (red arrow). The color of numbers within control displays
changes to red (when temp. above the high alarm value) and to blue (when temp. below
the low alarm value).
4 Temperature of measure area: Analyses the temperature according to the selected shape,
e.g. average temperature of the rectangle. The value is shown inside the
IR image and the control displays.
5 Reference bar: Shows the scaling of temperature within the color palette.
6 Temperature time diagram: Shows the temperature curves over time for selectable region of
interest (ROI)
7 Histogram: Shows the statistic distribution of single temperature values.
8 Automatic / manual scaling of the palette (displayed temperature range): Man., </> (min,
max), 1 s: 1 Sigma, 3 s: 3 Sigma, OPT: Palette optimization
9Distance function: Adjustment of the motor focus to focus the IR picture (only TIM 8/40)
10 Menu and Toolbar (Icons)
11 Icon enabling switching between color palettes
12 Status bar: Model and serial number, optic, temperature range, cursor position, device
framerate/ display framerate, emissivity, ambient temperature, flag status
Under View and User Mode you can select between two additional display options. In addition to the Desk-
top view, the Touch view or the Tablet view can also be used here, see Fig. 1.

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
These additional views are particularly useful when using a touch computer or a tablet. The screen and menu are
customized and displayed according to their functions.
Fig. 1 Screen View - User Mode
Fig. 2 User Mode Touch Fig. 3 User Mode Tablet

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
Fig. 4 Configuration window for User Touch and Tablet
iThe User Mode Tablet provides only limited functionality.

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
3.5 Menu and Toolbar (Icons)
3.5.1 Menu
Using the menu you can adjust all software settings. Each feature will be explained in detail in the following
chapters of this manual:
Fig. 5 Menu bar
File Open, save and replay of files; recording; saving temp./time diagram data; snapshot;
screenshot; capture screen
Edit Editing of sequences and layouts
View Display or fade-out of different software features
Devices Choice of camera and self-referencing
Tools Additional settings of camera and software parameters as line scanner mode; layouts;
language; extended settings as merged device configuration and updating the firmware
Help Information about software; documentation; SDK; locking application

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Getting Started
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
3.5.2 Toolbar (Icons)
The most important features of the software can be activated directly via the toolbar. You can redesign the toolbar according to your
preferences, see Chap. 4.2.2.Available toolbar icons are the following:
Open Visible video Previous palette
Save 3D Chart Configuration
Play Temperature profile
(horizontal)
Enable linescanning
Pause Temperature profile
(vertical)
Linescanner view
Sighting view
Stop Temperature time diagram Linescanner configuration
Record Digital display group Image subtraction
Save snapshot to file Snapshot history Image subtraction from file
Copy snapshot to clipboard Distance Refresh Flag
Save screenshot to file Toggle user mode Acknowledge Alarm
Screenshot to clipboard Full screen Close all tools
Reference bar IR/Visible Fusion Digital display
(main measure area)
Histogram Next palette Digital display
(mouse cursor)
Toggle Minimum, Mean Value,
Maximum
Exit Info
Config merged device Fig. 6 Tool bar

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Software Configuration
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
4. Software Configuration
4.1 General Settings
You can activate all here mentioned features in the Tools, Configuration and General menu (except for
color palettes).
4.1.1 Color Palettes
In the Tools, Configuration, Measuring colors and Standard palette menu you can choose from
a list of color palettes to achieve ideal displaying of the infrared image and the included temperature informa-
tion.
Fig. 7 Icons for color palette selection Fig. 8 Dropdown menu Standard palette
In the Tools, Configuration, Measuring colors and Standard palette menu, see Fig. 8, you can
choose from a list of color palettes to achieve ideal displaying of the infrared image and the included tem-
perature information.
You can also adjust the color palette via the Icon on the toolbar or the menu View and Shift palette.

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Software Configuration
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
Available color palettes
Iron Gray (Black = Cold)
Iron Hi Gray (White = Cold)
Rainbow Alarm Red
Rainbow Hi Alarm Green
Rainbow Medical Alarm Blue
Fig. 9 Palette selection Blue Hi

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Software Configuration
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
Palette Iron Palette Rainbow Palette Blue Hi
Palette Rainbow Hi Palette Rainbow Hi Palette Gray (Black = Cold)
Fig. 10 Examples of various color palettes

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Software Configuration
thermoIMAGER TIM Connect
4.1.2 Temperature Unit
The temperature unit can be changed in the menu Tools, Extended and Options. When setting the Tem-
perature unit you can choose between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), see Fig. 11.
Fig. 11 View Temperature unit Fig. 12 View Temperature unit
Alternatively, the temperature unit can also be changed by pressing the right mouse button in the live IR im-
age, see Fig. 12.
4.1.3 Temperature Range Scaling of Reference Bar
Via the Temperature range scaling settings you can allocate colors to temperature values within the reference
bar.
Fig. 13 View temperature range scaling