Reading multiple image files with Simulink

Is it possible to read multiple image files e.g., the contents of a folder, in Simulink? I need to read a sequence of images from a folder, one at a time.

Answer 1

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

Use Image From File block

[Ahmed A. Selman]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I meant (sequence of multiple files, automatically file1 then file2 .. then fileN). The image from file block reads a single file each time-- I already tried it.

I've also tried Embedded MATLAB Function and MATLAB Fcn, and Fcn.. All seems to read either single file at each run. If I could have an embedded code to read multiple files, the output generates an error (either must be a single valued or with a non-structured data)...

I can skip this and convert the images into a movie and read it, yet I still wonder if it is possible to do it with a group of image files, using Simulink.

[Kaustubha Govind]

You should be able to use the Embedded MATLAB Function block or MATLAB S-function block to implement your own code that loops through a set of files and reads them. As long as the size of the output doesn't change, this should work. What errors are you seeing exactly?

[Ahmed A. Selman]

The error in the case of Embedded M Function is about non structured data output. When tried to have a structure data to read files, then hand-over the info fed in to the output of the function.. the Embedded M Function generates error (structured type data is not allowed). A sample of the code that causes the error is:

% Open files from a whole folder 
addpath 'M:\Result_files';
MyFolder = fullfile('M:\Result_files');
MyDirOutput = dir(fullfile(MyFolder,'*.jpg'));
MyFileNames = {MyDirOutput.name}' ; % <------- Here
lfn=length(fileNames); ... etc

and walking around it causes the output to be huge and useless. Of course I took care to add

eml.extrinsic

to declare built-in functions.

As of Level-1 or -2 S Functions, it's a whole new story for me. That's why I thought to ask someone before I spend more time trying to find a solution. Anyway, thanks a lot :)

[Kaustubha Govind]

You might want to read the documentation on using structures in the MATLAB Function block to resolve the errors.

[Ahmed A. Selman]

I've solved it. Many thanks to your earlier comment "@Kaustubha Govind: As long as the size of the output doesn't change, this should work". My regards.