IDS NXT lighthouse
Train neural networks without prior knowledge
IDS NXT lighthouse is a cloud-based software solution that enables users to manage training images for AI-based image processing tasks and create individual neural networks. IDS NXT industrial cameras are thus transformed into individual inference cameras for user-specific applications - requiring no prior knowledge of deep learning, image processing or camera programming.
Immediately ready for use
Call up the web application, log in - and you can start training a neural network right away. Instead of first having to set up an individual development environment, users of IDS NXT lighthouse have immediate access to all functions as well as the required infrastructure.
Simple workflow
IDS NXT lighthouse is intuitive to use and makes it possible to create an artificial neural network within a few minutes. This requires three essential steps: The user uploads training images, labels these images and then trains the desired net.
A perfect match
Users decide for themselves how fast or exactly the inference should be on their IDS NXT camera. Inference times between 15 and 120 milliseconds are available. IDS NXT lighthouse then optimizes the training settings, taking into account the AI core performance of the camera. This is only possible thanks to the optimal coordination between software and hardware, which IDS customers get as perfect bundle.
Particularly secure
All customer data is stored in high security computer centres on German servers. By using the AWS cloud, IDS customers benefit from a data centre and network architecture specifically designed to meet the highest standards of data protection and security. The AWS infrastructure also provides sufficient power and server space to complete the training process of a neural network very efficiently and quickly.
In order to use IDS NXT lighthouse, access data of an IDS customer account are required. At first login a valid license key must be entered for activation.
For the training of neural networks image examples are created as data sets. The image data can be easily categorised by assigning labels.
IDS NXT lighthouse can automatically modify and multiply the existing image data at random before the training in order to create sample data as varied as possible.
The maximum inference time, which a trained neural network may need to reach a decision in operation mode, can be set as a training parameter.
The training history informs the user about the reached accuracy of the neural network and the applied parameters.
FAQ
Do you have a question? You may find the answer you need here:
What is IDS NXT lighthouse?
IDS NXT lighthouse is a cloud-based software solution for managing and labeling image data and training an artificial neural network (ANN). The resulting ANN can then be executed directly on an IDS NXT industrial camera with hardware acceleration. Users working with IDS NXT lighthouse do not need any special prior knowledge to create, train and execute ANNs. For further information on use, please refer to the document "General Terms of Use for IDS NXT lighthouse".
What is an ANN?
An ANN ("artificial neural network") refers to networks that are trained to solve certain tasks autonomously. In comparison to conventional, rule-based image processing, ANNs are suitable when objects vary greatly, are partly hidden, or are difficult to define using mathematical algorithms. With IDS NXT lighthouse, ANNs can also be trained by non-specialists.
Do the ANNs of IDS NXT lighthouse run on any camera?
The ANNs cannot be used with random cameras. IDS NXT lighthouse was specially developed to train neural networks for image processing tasks that can only be executed on IDS NXT industrial cameras. They are equipped with an AI core developed by IDS, which hardware-accelerates the execution of the inference. IDS NXT lighthouse provides the networks in a special format that can only be interpreted by the IDS NXT firmware.
What is inference or an inference camera?
Inference means "to conclude". In the context of artificial intelligence, inference refers to the ability to apply "knowledge" acquired through deep learning to new data. An inference camera is thus able to evaluate or categorize newly acquired image content through a pre-trained neural network independently of a PC.
Can I use my own neural networks on my IDS NXT camera?
Yes, this is possible, but they have to be converted into a suitable format. Neural networks on an IDS NXT camera are hardware accelerated by the AI-Core - thus they must be available in a special format. Neural networks trained with IDS NXT lighthouse are already available in the correct format and can be loaded directly onto the camera. If you already train with Keras (with TensorFlow Backend), the conversion of network architectures such as MobileNet is possible with little effort. IDS provides special tools on request. If you need more detailed information or assistance with the conversion, please contact IDS Sales.
With which login data can I use IDS NXT lighthouse?
Use the access data of your IDS customer account for the login. For the use of IDS NXT lighthouse an activation via license key is required. This will be supplied with the IDS NXT ocean design-in kit. Buyers of an IDS NXT industrial camera must purchase a license to access IDS NXT lighthouse. In the IDS Webstore, you can also select license extensions with different terms.
The IDS NXT lighthouse access was activated by my colleague. How do I get access?
IDS NXT lighthouse accounts are always linked to an individual – this means that the activation should be done by the actual user. A transfer is possible on request. Please contact the IDS sales department.
Can IDS NXT lighthouse projects be managed by several people at the same time?
If these persons access IDS NXT lighthouse via the same login data, they can work together on the projects which are saved there. It is irrelevant whether the persons are logged-in at the same or at a different time. If two or more persons edit the same dataset at the same time, the command that first reaches the server is executed.
How long will my IDS NXT lighthouse account be valid?
You will find the information about the duration in your IDS NXT lighthouse account. To check the validity of your account, please visit www.ids-lighthouse.ai/profile. You will be notified by email two weeks before your license expires. If your account has already expired, you will be asked to enter a new license key when you log in.
What can I do if I have forgotten my password for IDS NXT lighthouse?
Your login details IDS NXT lighthouse are identical to those of your IDS customer account. To reset the password, use the link "Forgot password?" on the login page. With the new password you can then login to IDS NXT lighthouse again.
Do I have to cancel my IDS NXT lighthouse license?
No. If you have purchased the IDS NXT ocean design-in kit, you can access IDS NXT lighthouse free of charge for six months. There is no automatic renewal of the runtime. However, you can then purchase a license extension. Also after a license extension or reactivation your access expires automatically. For further information please read the document "General Terms of Use for IDS NXT lighthouse".
With which internet browser can I use IDS NXT lighthouse?
Please use either Mozilla Firefox version 69.0 or higher or Google Chrome version 77.0 or higher.
Which file formats must the images have?
Currently, users can use images in GIF, JPG and PNG formats to train an artificial neural network in IDS NXT lighthouse.
Are my images saved with original resolution in IDS NXT lighthouse?
The uploaded image data is reduced to the maximum required image size before being saved. Your image data in IDS NXT lighthouse may therefore no longer be available in the original resolution.
Can I already label my image data before uploading?
If you already have pre-sorted images or if you want to label several images with a certain label "at the push of a button", simply save them together in one folder. All images in this folder can be uploaded to IDS NXT lighthouse with the desired label.
Can I use IDS NXT lighthouse without an IDS camera?
The artificial neural networks created by IDS NXT lighthouse are specially optimized for IDS NXT industrial cameras and can therefore not be used on other camera models.