Abstract: A portable machine vision component for use in machine vision systems is provided. The component can include a base portion configured to removably connect with a machine vision device, the base portion including an electrical input and an electrical output. The component can also include a control system operatively connected with the base portion, the control system configured to control an operation of the machine vision device and to receive feedback from the machine vision device. The component can further include one or more interface elements associated with the base portion, the one or more interface elements configured to allow a user to access the control system and communicate with the machine vision device.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for use with a mobile device with a camera or a case for the mobile device can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to be secured to at least one of the mobile device and the case. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the camera and can be configured to be removably secured to the attachment base. The attachment base can removably secure the attachment body to the mobile device or the case when the attachment body is removably secured to the attachment base.

Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A handheld scanner incorporates vision software to allow the handheld scanner to be trained for OCR. The handheld scanner can include a user interface to allow a user to associate an image of a mark with electronic data for the mark. The user interface, along with a range finder, can also be used to influence variables that affect the quality of an image scan, thereby improving the quality of results for the image scan and/or decode process.

Abstract: A connecting system is provided for machine vision operations using a mobile device. The connecting system can include a machine vision system with an imaging device, as well as an identification feature associated with the machine vision system. The identification feature can include at least one of: a symbol for communicating identification information for the machine vision system to the mobile device via an imaging of the symbol by a camera associated with the mobile device, and an electronic identification device for communicating the identification information to the mobile device via electronic transmission to the mobile device. The identification information, when received at the mobile device, can facilitate connecting of the mobile device with the machine vision system for interoperation of the mobile device and the machine vision system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

Abstract: An aimer accessory for a mobile device and method of use is provided. The accessory includes a body configured for being affixed to the mobile device. The body includes a collimator terminating with a grating disposed in a distal portion thereof. The grating is configured to receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and to generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode. Registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area enhances the ability of the mobile device to capture a barcode image. Registration may be configured for blind or target mode scanning. In blind mode, the registration occurs on detection of the light pattern and barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device. In target mode, the registration occurs on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in a viewing angle of the camera.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: This invention provides a lens assembly for a vision system, allowing for a constant magnification at various focal distances. The lens assembly resides movably/adjustably along the optical axis relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, the lens assembly includes a fixed rear lens and a front lens that is moved mechanically to focus the object image on the image sensor. The lens assembly can alternatively include a liquid lens that is controlled to adjust magnification with respect to a fixed front lens so as to maintain a constant system magnification. The liquid lens resides between the (fixed) front lens assembly and the image sensor and can be controlled to focus the image onto the image sensor.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method to validate the accuracy of camera calibration in a single or multiple-camera embodiment, utilizing either 2D cameras or 3D imaging sensors. It relies upon an initial calibration process that generates and stores camera calibration parameters and residual statistics based upon images of a first calibration object. A subsequent validation process (a) acquires images of the first calibration object or a second calibration object having a known pattern and dimensions; (b) extracts features of the images of the first calibration object or the second calibration object; (c) predicts positions expected of features of the first calibration object or the second calibration object using the camera calibration parameters; and (d) computes a set of discrepancies between positions of the extracted features and the predicted positions of the features.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for aligning a wafer for fabrication. A first image of a first portion of a wafer is received from a first image capturing device. A second image of a second portion of the wafer is received from a second image capturing device, wherein an image capturing device transform defines a first relationship between the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device. A first fiducial pattern in the first image and a second fiducial pattern in the second image are identified, based on the image capturing device transform, a fiducial transform that defines, based on a specification for the wafer, a second relationship between the first fiducial pattern and the second fiducial pattern, and a threshold value configured to identify low contrast fiducial patterns on wafers. An alignment of the wafer is determined based on the identified first and second fiducial patterns.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for decoding symbology that contains a respective data set using multiple image frames of the symbol, wherein at least some of those frames can have differing image parameters (for example orientation, lens zoom, aperture, etc.) so that combining the frames with an illustrative multiple image application allows the most-readable portions of each frame to be stitched together. And unlike prior systems which may select one “best” image, the illustrative system method allows this stitched image to form a complete, readable image of the underlying symbol. In an illustrative embodiment the system and method includes an imaging assembly that acquires multiple image frames of the symbol in which some of those image frames have discrete, differing image parameters from others of the frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a handheld mark reader that reduce the time between activation of the reader's trigger and the reader returning a successful decode response. Image processing may be performed prior to the user actuating the trigger and thus obtaining a decodable image with reduced delay. Separate pre-trigger and post-trigger parameters may be used for image decoding. A feedback loop may be incorporated for repeated parameter updates. An adjustable lens may be utilized either with illumination OFF or ON.

Abstract: This invention provides a lens assembly for a vision system, allowing for a constant magnification at various focal distances. The lens assembly resides movably/adjustably along the optical axis relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, the lens assembly includes a fixed rear lens and a front lens that is moved mechanically to focus the object image on the image sensor. The lens assembly can alternatively include a liquid lens that is controlled to adjust magnification with respect to a fixed front lens so as to maintain a constant system magnification. The liquid lens resides between the (fixed) front lens assembly and the image sensor and can be controlled to focus the image onto the image sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene. Multiple radiation patterns are produced by spatially modulating each of multiple first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more modulating structures, each first radiation having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations. The location on the object is illuminated with a portion of each of two or more of the radiation patterns, the location producing multiple object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the multiple radiation patterns. Multiple measured values are produced by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements. The location on the object is estimated based on the multiple measured values.

Abstract: A system and method for training multiple pattern recognition and registration models commences with a first pattern model. The model is trained from multiple images. Composite models can be used to improve robustness or model small differences in appearance of a target region. Composite models combine data from noisy training images showing instances of underlying patterns to build a single model. A pattern recognition and registration model is generated that spans the entire range of appearances of the target pattern in the set of training images. The set of pattern models can be implemented as either separate instances of pattern finding models or as a pattern multi-model. The underlying models can be standard pattern finding models or pattern finding composite models, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A system and method for training multiple pattern recognition and registration models commences with a first pattern model. The model is trained from multiple images. Composite models can be used to improve robustness or model small differences in appearance of a target region. Composite models combine data from noisy training images showing instances of underlying patterns to build a single model. A pattern recognition and registration model is generated that spans the entire range of appearances of the target pattern in the set of training images. The set of pattern models can be implemented as either separate instances of pattern finding models or as a pattern multi-model. The underlying models can be standard pattern finding models or pattern finding composite models, or a combination of both.

Abstract: This invention provides a trigger for a vision system that can be set using a user interface that allows the straightforward variation of a plurality of exposed trigger parameters. Illustratively, the vision system includes a triggering mode in which the system keeps acquiring an image of a field of view with respect to objects in relative motion. The system runs user-configurable “trigger logic”. When the trigger logic succeeds/passes, the current image or a newly acquired image is then transmitted to the main inspection logic for processing. The trigger logic can be readily configured by a user operating an interface, which can also be used to configure the main inspection process, to trigger the vision system by tools such as presence-absence, edge finding, barcode finding, pattern matching, image thresholding, or any arbitrary combination of tools exposed by the vision system in the interface.

Abstract: A method includes producing two or more measurements by an image sensor having a pixel array, the measurements including information contained in a set of sign-bits, the producing of each measurement including (i) forming an image signal on the pixel array; and (ii) comparing accumulated pixel currents output from pixels of the pixel array in accordance with the image signal and a set of pixel sampling patterns to produce the set of sign-bits of the measurement; buffering at least one of the measurements to form a buffered measurement; comparing information of the buffered measurement to information of the measurements to produce a differential measurement; and combining the differential measurement with information of the set of pixel sampling patterns to produce at least a portion of one or more digital images relating to one or more of the image signals formed on the pixel array.