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Wrap-Up IVSM Spring Meeting Prague

Main outcomes and decisions from the standard working groups

The machine vision standardization community is looking back on a successful spring edition of the International Vision Standards Meeting (IVSM) which was hosted by the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) and held in the Czech capital, Prague from April 13 – 17. Overall, 82 machine vision engineers from all over the world have attended the meeting in person. The main discussions and decisions in the working groups are summarized as follows. Above that, a common theme in many meetings was the possible impacts of the EU Cyber Resilience Act and how to address the topic.

The GenICam meeting was attended by over 50 engineers. After more than three years of development, the working group released new versions of the Standard Features Naming Convention (SFNC) and the GenDC standard. SFNC 2.8 and GenDC 1.2 can now be downloaded from the EMVA website. Also discussed were major future extensions under development like the Generic Feature Access API (working title GenFeA), optimization potentials of the GenApi reference implementation, and future SFNC extensions including EMVA 1288 extensions for enhanced/automated data capturing during testing and support for hyperspectral cameras, upcoming updates to the GenApi reference implementation as well as the GenICam Device Validation, which aims to enhance interoperability in the Machine Vision marketplace between devices and software applications.

The CameraLinkHS working group plans to release the standard version 1.3 by the end of the year. It will contain some clarification of how to use MPO to LC fiber break-out-cable, add the defined way to transmit 32 bits per pixel and will include other minor improvements.

The USB3 Vision® technical meeting took place on Friday, April 17. Engineers from the standard working group discussed future possible extensions to the standard. The discussion on testing devices without High-Speed USB resulted in input for updating compliance documentation. An update was given on Infineon electronic parts. Overall, the meeting was productive and defined several follow-up actions for the technical community.

The GigEVision meeting included final changes on the GigEVision v. 3.0 which was set to be tested at the plugfest (see below). In connection to that, the voting for the release candidate of GigEVision 3.0 was prepared.

During the OOCI working group meeting a presentation was held by JIIA addressing their local standard LensConnect, which is about to be released by the end of 2026 being complimentary to OOCI. JIIA intends to use the OOCI-SFNC integration to enable easy software integration of the standard by end-users. In addition, farewell was given to the Chairs Marcel Naggatz and Erik Widding, connected with a call for new chairs.

The CoaXPress meeting addressed final changes on the CoaXPress 3.0 specification for the plugfest, and a release plan for the standard version to be agreed with the hosting association JIIA. Another topic was an update and roadmap about MicroChip 25Gbps components.

JIIA held a session at the IVSM to introduce two new standardization activities. One is the latest JIIA standard, LensConnect. The other is Small Optical Connectors.

Always being one of the highlights, the traditional plugfest gathered engineers applying the standards connecting a wide range of products to test compatibility, functionality and technical performance. Herein, the release candidate of GigEVision 3.0 had its inaugurating plugfest in preparing the release of the standard version.

During the commonly held Future Standards Forum (FSF) it was agreed that the G3 information brochure presenting machine vision standards will get a feature update regarding CoaXPress 2.x, CoaXPress-over-fiber and GigE Vision 3.0 to be ready in June and a major layout-change later in 2026.

Finally, the timeline for the two next International Vision Standard Meetings were announced:

  • Autumn 2026 IVSM hosted by A3 in Ottawa/Canada, October 2026
  • Spring 2027 IVSM hosted by JIIA in Fukuoka/Japan, April 2027.

The IVSM format is supported by the G3 group formed by A3 (US), CMVU (China), JIIA (Japan), EMVA (Europe) and VDMA (Germany).

GenICam Working Group Updates

During the International Vision Standard Meeting in Prague in April which was hosted by the EMVA, the GenICam working group has released two module updates with the following details:
Module – Standard Features Naming Convention (SFNC) version 2.8:

1. New Features and Component Additions
  • Added CoordinateMapA and CoordinateMapB component types.
  • Added A and B coordinate map support for Scan 3D Projection output mode.
  • Added Scan 3D Projection output mode.
  • Added Scan3dCoordinateMapEnable for enhanced 3D scanning workflows.
  • Added JPEG XS support as a new compression/encoding option.
  • Added UserSetReset feature.
2. Units and Standards Improvements
  • Updated electrical units: Volt → V, Amp → A.
  • Added these updated units to the Standard Units table.
  • Added missing ns (nanoseconds) unit to the standards list.
  • Set ns as the unit for all timestamp related features for consistency.
3. Clarifications and Requirements
  • Added notes outlining requirements for Trigger, Exposure, and Gain features.
  • Clarified usage and units for EncoderResolution and DeviceLinkSpeed.
  • Clarified GroupSelector Interface type behavior when very large numbers of groups are present.
  • Made all Device SFNC version features mandatory to ensure consistent versioning.
4. GigE Vision and CoaXPress Updates
  • Added GevStreamingMode and GevControlChannelMaxPacketSize for improved GigE Vision configuration for the upcoming GigE Vision 3.0 specification.
  • Removed explicit CXP link speed reference and added clarifications around test mode behavior.
5. General Corrections
  • Miscellaneous minor corrections, text clarifications, and precision improvements throughout the document.

Module – GenDC version 1.2:

  • Introduced support for JPEG-XS payloads
  • Miscellaneous clarifications have been added to ensure better interoperability

ISO/TC 42/WG 28 “Machine Vision applications” meeting in Tokyo

During its meeting end of February the working group reported that the current working draft is handled on the online standards development (OSD) platform of ISO.
After converting the document into the OSD the working group members Bernd Jähne and Kevin Matherson besides others verified that the transition is correct and that the language is clear.
During the meeting some experts mentioned that there are still some problems because the language does not follow the ISO regulations. Two members volunteered to go through the document to turn it into ISO language.

Timeline

Once the working draft ballot is closed the document can be edited for ISO language and then be forwarded for committee draft study.

Upcoming meetings

The next meetings of the working group will be in Boulder, Colorado USA, June 1st to 4th and thereafter in Cambridge UK, October 20th to 23rd, in conjunction with WG18 and JWG23.

 

Through the ISO/TC 42/WG 28, the EMVA-hosted EMVA1288 Standard has been lifted to an international level.

 

GenICam standard group elects Chairs

The GenICam standard working group has elected its Chairs for the upcoming two-year term. During the International Vision Standards Meeting – Fall ’25 in Haikou, China, Michael Schmidt (Basler) was re-elected as Chair. Also the long-serving Vice-chair Christoph Zierl (MvTec) was re-elected, along with the two additional Vice-chairs James Falconer (Pleora Technologies) and Marcel Naggatz (Baumer Optronic). The election guarantees continuity and provides the option of a smooth handover in the event of future changes in Chairship. It is pending approval of the EMVA board representing the hosting association EMVA.

 

Caption: Group photo of the new GenICam Chairs team. Left to right: James Falconer Michael Schmidt, Marcel Naggatz, Christoph Zierl.

October meeting of TC42 WG28 (former EMVA 1288)

The latest meeting of the ISO working group TC42 WG28 took place on October 14th at Apple in Cupertino, California. During the meeting the current standard draft was revised and commented on. The following things were discussed:

  • The document still needs to be reviewed for ISO terminology
  • The scope of the current document is inconsistent with the scope in form 4 (document N6). The scope of form 4 should be used. Especially mentioning the machine vision application in the scope is important.
  • Exporting the document in word format seems to lead to strange looking formulae and the group hopes that ISO fixes that in the final publication.

After the discussion the draft was transferred to a working draft study (Stage 20.20) and was open for comments until November 3rd.  Addressing the comments is now possible until end of 2025. A second commenting period will last from beginning of January until end of January. Addressing these comments will then be possible until the next meeting of the group which is scheduled at CIPA in Tokyo February 24th to 27th with WG28 most likely meeting in the afternoon of Feb. 24th Tokyo time. The meeting thereafter will be in Boulder, Colorado USA, June 1st to 4th, 2026.

Interview with Dietmar Wüller | Image Engineering

Standardization is the key to the success of machine vision technology. Machine vision standards are commonly developed in the standard working groups and here by dedicated individuals. The EMVA interview series ‘Faces of Machine Vision Standards‘ introduces engineers having joined a standard working group and talk about their motivation to contribute and which experience they take out for their daily work.

EMVA with the CEO emeritus of Image Engineering, Dietmar Wüller, who as convenor is leading the newly formed ISO working group ISO 24942 in which the formerly EMVA-hosted standard EMVA 1288 was converted and is now further developed:

 

What is your background in machine vision standardization?

In the early 1990s, I pursued my studies in photographic technology at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, a period that coincided with the emergence of digital imaging. In 1997, I established Image Engineering and developed the first camera test stand. To avoid reinventing the wheel, I joined the ISO committee and built the test stand using standards that were under development at the time. In 2007, as the production of test equipment had become a significant part of Image Engineering’s business operations, I became involved with EMVA 1288, primarily as an observer. At that time, the majority of machine vision camera manufacturers either developed their own test equipment or procured it from the two existing companies that offered solutions in this area. Other imaging applications generally did not provide access to the linear raw data. For this reason, my company did not create its own test solution. With the release of version 4.0, there was a notable increase in interest, particularly among automotive applications that began exploring EMVA 1288.

How is standards work at ISO different from EMVA 1288?

The development within the EMVA-hosted working group was technology-driven. The processes were straightforward, and experts contributed according to their areas of expertise. The release of a new version was contingent upon the approval of the relevant experts. By contrast, developing a standard within an international standards organization such as ISO is a significantly more formal process. The initiation of the project is contingent upon the affirmative response from a designated number of countries that also have to nominate experts. Following the initiation of the project, the development process is characterized by its technical complexity and is managed by the specialists. Once the technical work is complete, the document will undergo a series of review phases. During these phases, the document will be voted on by the participating countries, which will also provide comments on the text. Each country is allotted one vote, irrespective of its size or the number of experts it deploys.

What is your role as convenor in the working group that manages ISO 24942?

The role of the convenor of a working group entails several key responsibilities. These include the coordination of activities, the management of meetings, and the assurance of adherence to formal development aspects. In the current working group, the ISO 24942 project is the sole active initiative. I serve in a dual capacity, assuming the role of both convenor and project leader for the ISO 24942 project. My responsibilities as project leader include coordinating the technical work and leading the editing of the document. I also address comments from experts and later from countries, among other tasks.

What potential do you see for the former EMVA 1288 standard under ISO?

While I don’t anticipate significant technical advancements in the near future, the document will likely gain global recognition. Most countries comply with international standards rather than creating their own, as doing so is the norm in the global business community. This will help to prevent the generation of competing standards in other countries, although it should be noted that this approach does not completely eliminate the risk of such occurrences.

Results of ISO-TC42-WG28 meeting in Berlin

The ISO working group TC42-WG28 (formerly EMVA 1288) met on June 26th in Berlin.

Main topic for the 31 in person as well as virtual attendees was the transfer of the EMVA 1288 text to the ISO online standards development (OSD) platform. In a next step, the document will be opened for comments by all experts until the next meeting, whereas the working group experts are asked to specifically comment on the text where the original document does not follow ISO directives.
The working group aims to get the standards document to a publication quickly while changes and additions would then be made in a future revision.

In addition, during the meeting Prof. Dr. Bernd Jähne (Chair of the EMVA1288 working group hosted by the EMVA) presented an example report for a camera and described the different elements that are measured according to the upcoming standard.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place at Apple in Cupertino in the morning of October 14th Pacific Time.

Interview with Simon Wölzmüller | Stemmer Imaging

Standardization is the key to the success of machine vision technology. Machine vision standards are commonly developed in the standard working groups and here by dedicated individuals. The EMVA interview series ‘Faces of Machine Vision Standards‘ introduces engineers having joined a standard working group and talk about their motivation to contribute and which experience they take out for their daily work.

EMVA recently spoke with GenICam working group member Simon Wölzmüller, Deputy Team Manager Software Development & Research at STEMMER IMAGING AG:

 

Why do you participate in the GenICam WG?

As a comparably inexperienced developer in our company, I started learning from very active members of the standards working group six years ago. The deeper I understood our in-house machine vision SDK (Common Vision Blox), its architecture and its interaction with manufacturers’ hardware; the more I realized the importance and the benefit of standardized interfaces and communication protocols. Naturally, the expectations and circumstances in software development especially in the machine vision industry are changing rapidly, which makes continuous development and maintenance of such profound standards even more important. The necessary contribution in the technical sense, but also the lively exchange and the discussions at regular meetings represent a great opportunity for improvements, but also a meaningful enrichment of my personal working life.

Which GenICam parts do you intend to shape with your input?

As my daily work has focused on the development of standards-compliant generic data acquisition software and with that deeper knowledge about GenTL, GenDC and GenAPI became necessary, I could very well imagine contributing to the future shaping of these components – always with an eye on the specifications of GEV and U3V. I also started to work on the feasibility analysis and the transformation of the build and deployment infrastructure, as well as on the modernization of the internal communication and collaboration tools.

How does your company benefit from your WG participation?

STEMMER IMAGING obviously benefits from the popularity and proliferation of the GenICam standard within the hardware and software landscape of the machine vision industry. Also, the commitment of sending contributing developers to the committees and working groups generates important expertise and experience that enriches in-house development. The community is a great point of exchange of knowledge and there is – without exception – no question that is left unanswered.

What was your biggest light bulb moment in the GenICam collaboration?

Even though I don’t have a long history of participation, I found the need for face-to-face meetings after the COVID pandemic even more than useful. In my opinion, the IVSM in Vienna 2023, for example, showed that the working group meetings are core to standardization; they accelerate and even improve standards development. Furthermore, the plugfest always surprises me with inspiring moments of ‘connectivity’. When I see that the standard working groups – albeit at a very mature stage – are still developing the standards and reference implementations, and are even continuously working on new topics, my image of them as a living entity in the business is strengthened.

Interview with Eric Bourbonnais | Teledyne DALSA

Standardization is the key to the success of machine vision technology. Machine vision standards are commonly developed in the standard working groups and here by dedicated individuals. The EMVA interview series ‘Faces of Machine Vision Standards‘ introduces engineers having joined a standard working group and talk about their motivation to contribute and which experience they take out for their daily work.

EMVA recently spoke with GenICam working group member Eric Bourbonnais, Technical Leader / 2D Mid-Market at Teledyne Vision Solutions:

 

Why do you participate in the GenICam WG?

I have been involved in the development of the GenICam standard since 2006. As a GigE Vision camera manufacturer, my company needed to learn more about this new standard, which was mandatory for GigE Vision. Participating in the GenICam working group gives me the opportunity to influence the GenICam standard in a way that benefits my company. It also allows me to collaborate with members from other companies, facilitating the exchange of ideas to find better solutions for the standard while simultaneously enhancing my own knowledge.
As time passed, it became clear that the development of this software standard would be crucial for machine vision standards. The GenICam modules are now referenced by most machine vision standards released today.
As the chair of the GigE Vision standard, it is even more important to participate in the development of GenICam due to the close relationship between the two standards.

Which GenICam parts do you intend to shape with your input?

The GenAPI and SFNC are the two main modules to which I have contributed the most in the past. Recently, I have been focusing on developing the device validation suite, which can be integrated into the certification process of machine vision standards that use normative references to the GenICam standard. The first version should be available later in 2024.

How does your company benefit from your WG participation?

My company is developing multiple products that use GenICam modules. Having someone with in-depth knowledge, the ability to influence the standard, and the capability to implement changes has been incredibly beneficial.

What was your biggest light bulb moment in the GenICam collaboration?

I don’t have a single “light bulb” moment that stands out; rather, my experience is marked by a long history of great collaboration. Over the years, working closely with industry experts and fellow members of the GenICam working group has led to numerous incremental improvements and innovations. This ongoing teamwork has been essential in refining the GenICam standard and ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the machine vision industry. Each collaborative effort has contributed to a collective success that benefits everyone involved.

Interview with Stefan Battmer | Balluff

Standardization is the key to the success of machine vision technology. Machine vision standards are commonly developed in the standard working groups and here by dedicated individuals. The EMVA interview series ‘Faces of Machine Vision Standards‘ introduces engineers having joined a standard working group and talk about their motivation to contribute and which experience they take out for their daily work.

EMVA recently spoke with GenICam working group member Stefan Battmer, Product Owner – Machine Vision APIs and Drivers at Balluff:

 

Why do you participate in the GenICam WG?

For me as a software developer by heart exchanging design ideas with a group of experts from all over the world was kind of a dream coming true. What could result in a better solution than something that has been approved by an international group of people facing similar or even the same challenges than yourself? As a result, to me it comes as no surprise, that GenICam and the various documents and standards that come with it have proven to be invaluable for both customers as well as device and software vendors since it greatly reduces integration and development time for all parties and allows to solve almost every problem today’s machine vision applications are facing.

Which GenICam parts do you intend to shape with your input?

Balluff (formerly MATRIX VISION) has been part of the GenICam working group since 2007. I joined the GenApi release team when GenApi became available on Linux based ARM platforms more than 10 years ago and since then I am a permanent member of the GenApi release team, providing the official ARM binaries to the community. Apart from that we also maintain the GenICam PFNC (Pixel Format Naming Convention) document. This work includes processing requests for new pixel formats, organizing discussions and votes on proposed changes. Right now, we focus on one of the more recent initiatives within the GenICam community which aims to specify a C-API specification that is supposed to overcome certain limitations of GenApi. Once resolved, this will allow to make even better use of the GenICam standard for technologies and platforms especially when dealing with systems having very limited resources.

How does your company benefit from your WG participation?

Meeting experts from the machine vision industry from all over the world and learning from them has proven to be a huge inspiration for my own work and the way we as a company approach today’s market demand. Before GenICam, for us as a machine vision camera supplier usually the integration of our devices into a third-party software package meant to develop some kind of adapter library/package. Nowadays with all the standards like GenICam and GenTL third party software usually almost instantly can use the full potential of our devices without the need for such a specific adapter, significantly reducing maintenance effort and the need for specific domain knowledge. Our customers also directly benefit from that since the robustness and overall user experience of these interfaces is excellent and comparing hardware between different vendors became a lot easier.

What was your biggest light bulb moment in the GenICam collaboration?

It’s hard to pinpoint the light bulb moment. In fact, there have been several such moments at every meeting I can remember. Plugfests for example are almost guaranteed to provide you with an eye opener on how to improve your product. Apart from that I see the face-to-face meetings as being crucial for the success of the standard, since a lot of important ideas came out of coffee breaks or over dinner when experts stuck their heads together.