Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael A. Jaskolski
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Patent number: 8181878Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating an in-focus or an out-of-focus condition for an imaging device (1, 2) in an optical reading and decoding apparatus (20) for receiving a coded image from a target area (29) on an article or package. In the method of the invention, two beams of light (27, 28) are generated to provide two illuminated aiming marks (32, 33) on the target. An in-focus condition is indicated when the two aiming marks are in a pre-defined spatial relationship relative to each other on the target. The in-focus condition or an out-of-focus condition can be signaled by controlling attributes of aiming marks (32, 33) or by controlling attributes of status indicator LEDs (12) on the apparatus (20) or by controlling an audible sound.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Laurens Nunnink, William H. Equitz, Joerg Kuechen
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Patent number: 8169478Abstract: A method for calibrating a mark quality verifier assembly wherein the assembly includes a camera including a camera field of view (FOV) and a processor for running software programs that are stored in a memory that is accessible to the processor, the method comprising the steps of providing a calibration program in the memory that is accessible by the processor, providing a calibration code on a surface of a calibration tool wherein the calibration code includes calibration information, positioning the calibration tool adjacent the camera so that the calibration code is within the FOV, obtaining at least one image of the calibration code via the camera, using information in the calibration code to determine that a verifier calibration process should be performed and commencing the calibration program when the calibration code indicates that a calibration process should be performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventors: Sateesha Nadabar, Venkat K. Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 8108176Abstract: A method and system for applying a two dimensional mark on a first surface of a component and assessing mark quality, the method including the steps of positioning a component with a first surface at a first station, applying a two dimensional mark to the first surface at the first station wherein the applied mark is intended to codify a first information subset, obtaining an image of the applied two dimensional mark at the first station, performing a mark quality assessment on the obtained image and performing a secondary function as a result of the mark quality assessment.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventors: Sateesha Nadabar, Venkat K. Gopalakrishnan, Carl W. Gerst
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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: 8027802Abstract: A method and system for applying a two dimensional mark on a first surface of a component and assessing mark quality, the method comprising the steps of positioning a component with a first surface at a first station, applying a two dimensional mark to the first surface at the first station wherein the applied mark is intended to codify a first information subset, obtaining an image of the applied two dimensional mark at the first station, performing a mark quality assessment on the obtained image and performing a secondary function as a result of the mark quality assessment.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventors: Sateesha Nadabar, Venkat Gopalakrishnan, Carl W. Gerst
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Patent number: 8018352Abstract: A traffic signal head having a signal lamp or signal ball with an embedded video monitoring system can be provided to perform vehicle detection to inform an intelligent traffic control system. Video monitoring of traffic lanes facing the signal head can be analyzed by such a system to emulate inductive loop signals that are input signals to traffic control systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventors: Robert Shillman, David Schatz
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Patent number: 7970924Abstract: A method and system for rendering Ethernet linked components deterministic, the method including the step of storing a communication rule set in each of at least two Ethernet linked components where the set specifies rules by which the two components communicate and monitoring communications between the two components to identify any rule that is not followed and then activating an alarm function when a rule is not followed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Jeremy A. Sarao, Dennis Bach
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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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Patent number: 7874487Abstract: This provides a plurality of novel features that can be applied variously to a reader. In one embodiment, the light pipe is constructed from durable polycarbonate for increased shock resistance and can define a rectangular cross section. The chamfered end of the light pipe is textured or frosted to further diffuse refracted light passing through the end so as to present a more even effect. The conical/tapered diffuser within the light pipe is illuminated by a reflector with a white textured surface that reflects a plurality of rearward-directed illumination sources back into the diffuser. The reflector can define a predetermined cross section that directs further light into the forwardmost, remote regions of the diffuser to generate a better spread of light and alleviate spotting effects. The textured surface on the chamfered light pipe end can be employed to better project indicator light.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Laurens Nunnink, William H Equitz
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Patent number: 7857218Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a handheld code reader that has an operating characteristic that can have at least first and second different states, the method for switching between the different states of the operating characteristic, the method comprising the steps of specifying a circumstance set including at least one of reader orientation and a threshold movement level for the reader, monitoring at least one of movement and orientation of the reader determining when the circumstance set occurs and changing the operating characteristic state when the circumstance set occurs, wherein the operating characteristic is one of an illumination mode and a code decoding algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventor: Laurens Nunnink
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Patent number: 7823789Abstract: An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventor: Laurens Nunnink
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Patent number: 7380016Abstract: A method and system for rendering Ethernet linked components deterministic, the method including the step of storing a communication rule set in each of at least two Ethernet linked components where the set specifies rules by which the two components communicate and monitoring communications between the two components to identify any rule that is not followed and then activating an alarm function when a rule is not followed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventors: Jeremy A. Sarao, Dennis Bach
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Patent number: 7297969Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a web of material having a web length dimension and a web surface, the method for placing mark sequences on the web surface every X distance along the web length dimension identifying location along the web length dimension, the method comprising the steps of monitoring web location, every X distance, placing a sequence of N marks on the web surface along the web length wherein each two adjacent marks define a space length dimension and wherein the pattern of space length dimensions formed by the N marks in the sequence together specify a specific web length location. The invention also includes a marking and defect locating system including a high speed printer and a high resolution, high speed camera to facilitate the methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Wolinsky, Markku Jaaskelainen
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Patent number: 6914679Abstract: An apparatus for directing uniform intensity light onto a surface where the light is provided at an acute angle with respect to the surface including a light source that generates initial light rays that are essentially perpendicular to the surface and a guidance member positioned between the source and the surface which receives the initial rays and redirects the rays such that redirected rays are parallel and form acute angles with respect to the surface, the source and guidance member juxtaposed with respect to the surface so that the redirected rays subtend the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment CorporationInventors: Michael P. Nettekoven, Darin Cerny
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Patent number: 6556950Abstract: A data construct set and method for use with an industrial process which is controlled according to execution code wherein a processor running the code generates requests to mechanical resources to cause the resources to perform the process, the construct enabling generation of diagnostic code interspersed within the execution code which, when an event is to occur, indicates the event to occur, the invention also including status based diagnostics generally and methods of using the data construct set for generating both execution code and status based diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Marvin J. Schwenke, J. Andrew Sinclair, Josiah C. Hoskins, Ruven E. Brooks
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Patent number: 6553268Abstract: A programming language for programming industrial controllers in relay ladder logic language, the programming language including both extensions to standard RLL rung form itself and extensions wholly independent of the standard form. The language uses a plurality of templates, each template including truly reusable relay ladder language sections. Most templates also include specifications identifying other templates which provide additional language logic required to define job-specific aspects of the referencing template. Using the templates a machine tree can be provided which mirrors an industrial process. By compiling all of the templates, a relay ladder language program can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Marvin J. Schwenke, J. Andrew Sinclair, Raymond J. Staron
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Patent number: 6549434Abstract: A harmonic mitigating apparatus connected between a three phase power source and a load provides a multiple-winding reactor for reducing harmonics directed from the load to the source, the apparatus including, for each system phase, first and second line windings in series between the source and load and oriented so as to have the same polarity such that the winding fluxes add thereby increasing total reactance to harmonics directed from the load to the supply, the apparatus also including at least one trap circuit including a series inductance and capacitor for each phase and linked between the first and second line windings and a neutral point (or another phase), the trap circuit characterized by a reactance that is lower than the reactance of the first line winding such that harmonics flow into the trap circuit, for each phase, at least two of the first and second line windings and the trap winding arranged on the same core.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dongsheng Zhou, Gary L. Skibinski, Walt A. Maslowski, Brian R. Buchholz, Nick N. Guskov
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Patent number: 6541933Abstract: Method and apparatus for eliminating greater than twice motor overvoltage by altering modulating signals provided to a PWM controller which in turn provides firing pulses to a PWM inverter. The modulating waves are altered by either tying them to positive or negative DC buses or limiting the maximum magnitudes to a maximum magnitude value above which modulating waveforms are known to cause greater than twice overvoltage. Pass through modulating waveform angles at which waveforms have to be modified are determined as a function of modulating waveform symmetries and the first pass through angle within a waveform cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Leggate, Russel J. Kerkman
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Patent number: 6483049Abstract: A contact assembly comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced apart fixed contacts supported in an electrically insulating body, an actuator displaceable relative to the body between first and second positions, and a plurality of movable contacts mounted on the actuator. Each movable contact is positioned on the actuator so as to interconnect the contacts of one of the pairs of fixed contacts only when the actuator is in one of the first and second positions. Each fixed contact has two limbs defining an L-shape, one limb defining a single leg which extends through an aperture formed in a partition defined by the body and the other limb extending to one side of the leg to define a head supporting a terminal for gripping a wire. Each movable contact is displaceable into contact with the leg of each of the respective pairs of fixed contacts on the side of the leg from which the head extends and on the side of the partition remote from the head.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: EJA Engineering LimitedInventor: Mehdi Mohtasham
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Patent number: 6477067Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing distortion at the outputs of an inverter system, the apparatus including a polarity discriminator for determining the polarity of a current passing through an output terminal to a load, a compensator programmed with different upper and lower compensation values and controlled by the discriminator to provide the upper compensation value as an output when the current polarity is positive and providing the lower compensation value when the polarity is negative and a combiner for receiving a modulating signal and the compensation value provided by the compensator and mathematically combining the two signals to generate a modified modulating signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Russel J. Kerkman, David Leggate