Machine Vision Makers See More Opportunities; Puts Sight Into Robots; Used in everything from affixing labels onto beer bottles to making autos.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: J. BONASIA

Don't look now, but machine vision's coming into sharper focus.

Machine vision refers to complex systems that combine cameras with sensors and software to spot patterns, inspect parts and guide robotics.

The technology is improving fast, say people in the field. Computing power is getting cheaper, while digital sensors, cameras and solid-state parts for lighting are getting better.

Vision systems have applications for nearly every field, says Nello Zuech, head of consulting firm Vision Systems International.

"There isn't an industry today that isn't making use of machine vision," he said. "Very simple systems are …