Patents by Inventor Michael Leo Kress

Michael Leo Kress 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).

  • Patent number: 11633763
    Abstract: A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a camera and a computing system, wherein the camera is configured to capture multiple images of a transparent container as the transparent container is transported along a conveyor. Thus, the camera captures several images of the transparent container when the transparent container is at different positions relative to the camera. The container inspection system detects a defect in the transparent container based upon one or more images in the several images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED VISION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 11047803
    Abstract: A glass container inspection system including a diffuse illuminator configured to provide diffused light arranged to illuminate a portion of a glass container symmetrically about a central axis of the container. The inspection system further includes an image capture system that generates at least one image that includes a plurality of views of the glass container illuminated by the diffused light. The at least one image may include a view of the portion of the container reflected by a mirror. The glass container inspection system yet further includes a computing system in communication with the image capture system. The computing system can be configured to output an indication as to whether the container is defective based upon the data from the image capture system. The computing system can be further configured to output the indication responsive to detecting a check in the sidewall of the glass container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin James Crissman, Michael Leo Kress, Jacob Joseph Trombetta
  • Publication number: 20210178431
    Abstract: A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a camera and a computing system, wherein the camera is configured to capture multiple images of a transparent container as the transparent container is transported along a conveyor. Thus, the camera captures several images of the transparent container when the transparent container is at different positions relative to the camera. The container inspection system detects a defect in the transparent container based upon one or more images in the several images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 10899138
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection and manufacture system. The system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Michael Leo Kress, Amir Novini
  • Patent number: 10495445
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to determining whether at least a portion of a sidewall of a glass container has insufficient thickness. A glass container inspection system comprises an infrared camera in communication with a computing system. The infrared camera is configured to capture an infrared image of an exterior of the sidewall of the glass container at long-wavelength infrared as the glass container undergoes a temperature change. The computing system receives the infrared image from the infrared camera and outputs an indication that at least the portion of the sidewall of the glass container has insufficient thickness based on the infrared image. The indication may also be based on a statistical model derived from infrared images of glass containers having sidewalls of known sufficient thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Amir Novini, Richard A. Sones, Kellen Reusser
  • Patent number: 10422755
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies related to inspecting transparent containers for both opaque and transparent defects. An emitter is configured to direct a color gradient through a sidewall of a transparent container, such that color of light that passes through the sidewall varies across the sidewall. A camera is configured to capture an image of the sidewall of the transparent container while the color gradient passes through the sidewall of the container. A computing system receives the image and determines whether the sidewall of the container includes either an opaque or a transparent defect based upon the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Michael Leo Kress, Kris Brumbaugh, Kellen Reusser
  • Publication number: 20190283445
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection and manufacture system. The system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Michael Leo Kress, Amir Novini
  • Patent number: 10393670
    Abstract: A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a light source that emits a flash of light when a container is detected as being in an inspection region. The container inspection system further includes a light director element that receives a portion of the flash of light and forms a tapering field of light that illuminates an exterior surface of a sidewall of the container when the container is in the inspection region. The container inspection system further comprises a camera that generates an image of the exterior surface when such surface is illuminated by the tapering field of light. A computing system receives the image and outputs an indication as to whether or not the container is defective based upon the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Kris Brumbaugh, Michael Leo Kress, Bryan Murdoch
  • Publication number: 20190195619
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to determining whether at least a portion of a sidewall of a glass container has insufficient thickness. A glass container inspection system comprises an infrared camera in communication with a computing system. The infrared camera is configured to capture an infrared image of an exterior of the sidewall of the glass container at long-wavelength infrared as the glass container undergoes a temperature change. The computing system receives the infrared image from the infrared camera and outputs an indication that at least the portion of the sidewall of the glass container has insufficient thickness based on the infrared image. The indication may also be based on a statistical model derived from infrared images of glass containers having sidewalls of known sufficient thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Amir Novini, Richard A. Sones, Kellen Reusser
  • Patent number: 10309908
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection. The container inspection system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Bryan Murdoch
  • Publication number: 20180195974
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection. The container inspection system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Leo Kress, Bryan Murdoch
  • Publication number: 20180156740
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies related to inspecting transparent containers for both opaque and transparent defects. An emitter is configured to direct a color gradient through a sidewall of a transparent container, such that color of light that passes through the sidewall varies across the sidewall. A camera is configured to capture an image of the sidewall of the transparent container while the color gradient passes through the sidewall of the container. A computing system receives the image and determines whether the sidewall of the container includes either an opaque or a transparent defect based upon the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Michael Leo Kress, Kris Brumbaugh, Kellen Reusser
  • Patent number: 8284988
    Abstract: A method and configuration to estimate the dimensions of a cuboid. The configuration includes two image acquisition units offset from each other with at least one of the units positioned at a defined acquisition height above a background surface. Image processing techniques are used to extract a perimeter of a top surface of the cuboid, placed on the background surface, from pairs of acquired images. A height estimation technique is used to calculate an absolute height of the cuboid. The absolute height of the cuboid is used, along with the extracted perimeter of the top surface of the cuboid, to calculate an absolute length and an absolute width of the cuboid. The height, length, and width may be used to calculate an estimated volume of the cuboid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Kris Brumbaugh, Michael Leo Kress
  • Publication number: 20100290665
    Abstract: A method and configuration to estimate the dimensions of a cuboid. The configuration includes two image acquisition units offset from each other with at least one of the units positioned at a defined acquisition height above a background surface. Image processing techniques are used to extract a perimeter of a top surface of the cuboid, placed on the background surface, from pairs of acquired images. A height estimation technique is used to calculate an absolute height of the cuboid. The absolute height of the cuboid is used, along with the extracted perimeter of the top surface of the cuboid, to calculate an absolute length and an absolute width of the cuboid. The height, length, and width may be used to calculate an estimated volume of the cuboid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Vision Company, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Kris Brumbaugh, Michael Leo Kress