Patents by Inventor Justin Testa
Justin Testa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9798910Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a process associated with an item to be imaged is disclosed. The process requires data associated with a plurality of required features of the item to be imaged. A handheld device is used to obtain a sequence of images. For at least a subset of the obtained images, a camera field of view is directed toward the item from different relative juxtapositions while obtaining the images. At least a subset of the obtained images are examined to identify the required features. Images are obtained until each of the required features are identified in at least one image. Feedback is provided to a user indicating at least one additional required features to be imaged, required features that have already been imaged and guidance indicating how to manipulate the handheld device to obtain images of additional required features.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATIONInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, Justin Testa
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Patent number: 9329332Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATIONInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Patent number: 9298960Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATIONInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Publication number: 20150016139Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Publication number: 20150014415Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Patent number: 8770483Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Patent number: 8740078Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Publication number: 20130233926Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Publication number: 20130194819Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicants: Cognex Technology and Investment Corp., Cognex CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Patent number: 8342405Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar
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Patent number: 8282000Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadahar
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Publication number: 20120206592Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a process associated with an item to be imaged is disclosed. The process requires data associated with a plurality of required features of the item to be imaged. A handheld device is used to obtain a sequence of images. For at least a subset of the obtained images, a camera field of view is directed toward the item from different relative juxtapositions while obtaining the images. At least a subset of the obtained images are examined to identify the required features. Images are obtained until each of the required features are identified in at least one image. Feedback is provided to a user indicating at least one additional required features to be imaged, required features that have already been imaged and guidance indicating how to manipulate the handheld device to obtain images of additional required features.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, Justin Testa
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Publication number: 20120118967Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar
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Publication number: 20120118966Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar
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Publication number: 20110309149Abstract: A method and system for use with a portable device including a processor, at least some embodiments of the method including the steps of providing an identification tag on at least one item that includes item identifying information, obtaining item identifying information from the identification tag via the portable device, obtaining at least one image of the at least one item via the portable device and performing a supplemental process using the identifying information and the at least one image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: COGNEX TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENT CORPORATIONInventor: Justin Testa
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Patent number: 8061613Abstract: A system and method is provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A ring-shaped illuminator is provided, and is segmented into a plurality of individually-controllable lighting portions which can be, for example, quadrants. Initially, illumination is provided to the symbol through an initial set of lighting conditions. Feedback from acquired image data is then used to determine whether the lighting is suitable for decoding the symbol and, if not, a controller varies the lighting applied to the symbol, and additional image data is acquired. This process is continued until suitable conditions are met. Alternatively, activation and deactivation of the lighting segments can be manually selected by an operator to provide suitable conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
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Patent number: 8061614Abstract: A system and method is provided for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source, such as an LED ring illuminator to an outlet that directs the light appropriately as either bright field illumination, dark field illumination or both. The light pipe can include concentric cylinders, typically with a bright field illuminator nested within a dark field illuminator. The tip of the dark field illuminator may be angled so as to internally reflect light inwardly toward the central optical axis of a camera at a low angle. The tip can be located near the focal plane of the camera for the desired field of view. The field of view of the camera sensor can be modified to reject data outside of a illumination field of a particular shape. This illumination field can be created by shaping the light pipe in a predetermined form that projects the modified illumination field.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar
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Patent number: 7963448Abstract: A method and system for use with a portable device including a processor, at least some embodiments of the method including the steps of providing an identification tag on at least one item that includes item identifying information, obtaining item identifying information from the identification tag via the portable device, obtaining at least one image of the at least one item via the portable device and performing a supplemental process using the identifying information and the at least one image.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventor: Justin Testa
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Publication number: 20110024504Abstract: A system and method is provided for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source, such as an LED ring illuminator to an outlet that directs the light appropriately as either bright field illumination, dark field illumination or both. The light pipe can include concentric cylinders, typically with a bright field illuminator nested within a dark field illuminator. The tip of the dark field illuminator may be angled so as to internally reflect light inwardly toward the central optical axis of a camera at a low angle. The tip can be located near the focal plane of the camera for the desired field of view. The field of view of the camera sensor can be modified to reject data outside of a illumination field of a particular shape. This illumination field can be created by shaping the light pipe in a predetermined form that projects the modified illumination field.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar
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Patent number: 7823783Abstract: A system and method is provided for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source, such as an LED ring illuminator to an outlet that directs the light appropriately as either bright field illumination, dark field illumination or both. The light pipe can include concentric cylinders, typically with a bright field illuminator nested within a dark field illuminator. The tip of the dark field illuminator may be angled so as to internally reflect light inwardly toward the central optical axis of a camera at a low angle. The tip can be located near the focal plane of the camera for the desired field of view. The field of view of the camera sensor can be modified to reject data outside of a illumination field of a particular shape. This illumination field can be created by shaping the light pipe in a predetermined form that projects the modified illumination field.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesh Nadabar