Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for calibrating machine vision systems. A system includes: one or more cameras; a motion rendering device; and a calibration module. The calibration module is configured to acquire, from a first camera of the one or more cameras, a plurality of images of a calibration target comprising a calibration pattern that provides a plurality of calibration features; extract calibration features of the plurality of calibration features from the plurality of images, wherein physical positions of the plurality of calibration features are in a calibration target length unit associated with the calibration target; determine a ratio between the calibration target length unit and a motion rendering device length unit associated with the motion rendering device; and provide a first calibration for the first camera based on the ratio.

Abstract: An illumination assembly is provided for use with a light source and an illumination target. A first light collector can be disposed to receive and direct light from the light source. A first diffuser can be disposed at least partly between the first light collector and the illumination target. The first diffuser can be configured to diffuse at least part of the light directed by the first light collector to provide a first illumination pattern on the illumination target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding barcodes. A scan signal is acquired along a scan through a barcode. A first character unit grid for a unit width pattern within the barcode along the scan is determined. At least one set of sampling coefficients relating the unit width pattern to a portion of the scan signal is determined based on the first character unit grid. The element width pattern for the unit width pattern is determined based on the at least one set of sampling coefficients and the portion of the scan signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: The present application discloses a probe placement module for placing probes on a virtual object depicted in an image. The probe placement module is configured to place probes on interest points of an image so that the probes can accurately represent a pattern depicted in the image. The probe placement module can be configured to place the probes so that the probes can extract balanced information on all degrees of freedom associated with the pattern's movement, which improves the accuracy of the model generated from the probes.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for locating barcodes applied to objects are provided. A method can receive a first image of a first barcode fragment applied to a first object captured at a first time and identify a first position of the first barcode fragment. The method can also receive a second image of a second barcode fragment captured at a second time and identify a second position of the second barcode fragment. The method can also predict a range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time based on a tracking model that tracks the first barcode fragment based on the first position, and determine that the first barcode fragment and the second barcode fragment correspond to the same barcode, if the second position is within the range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time.

Abstract: An aimer module for a mobile device and method of use can assist in capturing a barcode image. The aimer module can receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode, including through the use of a grating, a configuration of mirrors, light pipes, or other methods for bending or controlling the lamp source of the mobile device. Registration of the light pattern and the barcode in or near the scan area can enable a camera of the mobile device to capture and decode the barcode.

Abstract: An attachment for use with a mobile device with an imaging device and a mobile-device light source can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to secure the attachment body to the mobile device via a case for the mobile device. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the imaging device, and an optical sensor to receive optical control signals from the mobile-device light source.

Abstract: This invention provides a modular vision system. In an embodiment, the modular vision system comprises at least three primary modules/components. A main module contains a vision sensor and processor. An optical module contains a lens, focusing and illumination assemblies. An interface module contains external connectors. This combination enables either a linear or angled arrangement. The main module includes with a mating surface on the side opposite the sensor that is angled with respect to the sensor plane. The interface module defines a mating surface with respect the surface containing the connectors for the cables. A connector removably interconnects the interface module and the main module. The connector assembly, and each individual contact, is constructed and arranged to enable interconnection of the main and interface modules in both the straight and right angle arrangements by rotating the modules about a 180-degree orientation.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products for determining the presence of an object on a target surface. A machine vision system includes a first image capture device configured to image a first portion of a target surface from a first viewpoint and a second image capture device configured to image a second portion of the target surface from a second viewpoint. The machine vision system is configured to acquire a first image from the first image capture device, a second image from the second image capture device, rectify the first image and second image, retrieve a disparity field, generate difference data by comparing, based on the mappings of the disparity field, image elements in the first rectified image and a second image elements in the second rectified image; and determine whether the difference data is indicative of an object on the target surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for finding features in images that exhibit saddle point-like structures using relatively computationally low-intensive processes, illustratively consisting of an anti-correlation process, and associated anti-correlation kernel, which operates upon a plurality of pixel neighborhoods within the image. This process enables an entire image to be quickly analyzed for any features that exhibit such saddle point-like structures by determining whether the anti-correlation kernel generates a weak or strong response in various positions within the image. The anti-correlation kernel is designed to generate a strong response regardless of the orientation of a saddle point-like structure. The anti-correlation process examines a plurality of pixel neighborhoods in the image, thereby locating any saddle point-like structures regardless of orientation, as it is angle-independent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading a two-dimensional matrix symbol or for determining if a two-dimensional matrix symbol is decodable are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a data reading algorithm that receives an image, locates at least a portion of the data modules within the image without using a fixed pattern, fits a model of the module positions from the image, extrapolates the model resulting in predicted module positions, determines module values from the image at the predicted module positions, and extracts a binary matrix from the module values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method including the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV, attempting to decode a code candidate in the image using a first decode algorithm, and where the attempt to decode the code candidate fails, maintaining the image in memory. The method including repeating the above steps until one of a threshold number of attempts to decode the code candidate have failed and the code candidate has been successfully decoded. Further, the method includes accessing the images maintained in memory and attempting to decode the code candidate in at least a subset of the images stored in memory using a second decode algorithm that is different than the first decode algorithm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto-tuning a handheld scanning device that can account for changes in the orientation between the handheld scanning device and a presented symbol can include capturing a first image containing a presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter and parameters associated with capturing the first image containing the presented symbol, capturing a subsequent image containing the presented symbol, recording an orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, comparing the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the subsequent images to the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent image, determining if the orientation parameter of the presented symbol contained in the subsequent images is substantially similar to the orientation parameter of the symbol contained in the first image, and recording parameters associated with capturing the subsequent images containing the presented symbol.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for enabling control of an illuminator having predetermined operating parameters by a vision system processor/core based upon stored information regarding parameters that are integrated with the illuminator. The parameters are retrieved by the processor, and are used to control the operation of the illuminator and/or the camera during image acquisition. In an embodiment, the stored parameters are a discrete numerical or other value that corresponds to the illuminator type. The discrete value maps to a corresponding value in look-up table/database associated with the camera that contains parameter sets associated with each of a plurality of values in the database. The data associated with the discrete value in the camera contains the necessary parameters or settings for that illuminator type. In other embodiments, some or all of the actual parameter information can be stored with the illuminator and retrieved by the camera processor.

Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.

Abstract: A system and method for automated determination of position and movement of a contact lens with respect to a subject wearer's eye based upon a complimentary pair of images, acquired in rapid succession, in which one image of the pair is acquired using light that allows viewing of the pupil and/or limbus through the lens and the other image is acquired using light that is absorbed by the lens to generate an opaque image with a defined edge relative to the surrounding sclera. The images of the pair are acquired in close enough temporal proximity to ensure that eye movement in the interval therebetween is insignificant and both images are in the same approximate reference frame. Thus, the location of the pupil and limbus in one image can be accurately compared with the location of the contact lens edge in the other image.

Abstract: A machine vision system to form a one dimensional digital representation of a low information content scene, e.g., a scene that is sparsely illuminated by an illumination plane, and the one dimensional digital representation is a projection formed with respect to columns of a rectangular pixel array of the machine vision system.

Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for locating barcodes applied to objects are provided. A method can receive a first image of a first barcode fragment applied to a first object captured at a first time and identify a first position of the first barcode fragment. The method can also receive a second image of a second barcode fragment captured at a second time and identify a second position of the second barcode fragment. The method can also predict a range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time based on a tracking model that tracks the first barcode fragment based on the first position, and determine that the first barcode fragment and the second barcode fragment correspond to the same barcode, if the second position is within the range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time.