This paper introduces a high-speed vision system called IDP Express, which can execute real-time image processing and high frame rate video recording simultaneously. In IDP Express, a dedicated FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) board processes 512 × 512 pixel images from two camera heads by implementing image processing algorithms as hardware logic; the input images and processed results are transferred to standard PC memory at a rate of 2000 fps or more. Owing to the simultaneous high-frame-rate video processing and recording, IDP Express can be used as an intelligent video logger for long-term high-speed phenomenon analysis even when the measured objects move quickly in a wide area. We applied IDP Express to a mechanical target tracking system to record a high-frame-rate video at high resolution for a crucial moment, which is magnified by tracking the measured objects with visual feedback control. Several experiments on moving objects that undergo sudden shape deformation were performed. The results of the experiments involving the explosion of a rotating balloon and the crash of falling custard pudding have been provided to verify the effectiveness of IDP Express.

In the recent years, intensive studies have been carried out on the measurement of distance by using stereo camera systems. However, image systems with multiple image sensors are usually very complex and are inconvenient to use. In this paper, we present a new method that is based on the fact that the viewpoint depends on the position of aperture. We show images from different viewpoints can be obtained by using a monocular system. In the proposed method, stereo image analysis is carried out by using a viewpoint switching iris. A prototype of the viewpoint switching iris has be developed, which can be used along with a monocular camera for distance measurement. Furthermore, we have verified that this system can be used to a moving object by using a compensation method.