Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring images of objects using an imaging device and a controllable mirror. The controllable mirror can be controlled to change a field of view for the imaging device, including so as to acquire images of different locations, of different parts of an object, or with different degrees of zoom.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scanning a side of an object to identify a region of interest is provided. The method can include determining, using one or more computing devices, a distance between a side of an object and an imaging device, determining, using the one or more computing devices, a scanning pattern for an imaging device that includes a controllable mirror, based on the distance between the side of the object and the imaging device, moving a controllable mirror according to the scanning pattern to acquire, using the one or more computing device and the imaging device, a plurality of images of the side of the object, and identifying, using the one or more computing devices, the region of interest based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated time-of-flight sensor that delivers distance information to a processor associated with the camera assembly and vison system. The distance is processed with the above-described feedback control, to auto-focus the camera assembly's variable lens during runtime operation based on the particular size/shape object(s) within the field of view. The shortest measured distance is used to set the focus distance of the lens. To correct for calibration or drift errors, a further image-based focus optimization can occur around the measured distance and/or based on the measured temperature. The distance information generated by the time-of-flight sensor can be employed to perform other functions. Other functions include self-triggering of image acquisition, object size dimensioning, detection and analysis of object defects and/or gap detection between objects in the field of view and software-controlled range detection to prevent unintentional reading of (e.g.

Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to systems, methods, and computer readable media for detecting movement in a scene. A first temporal pixel image is generated based on a first set of images of a scene over time, and a second temporal pixel image is generated based on a second set of images. One or more derived values are determined based on values of the temporal pixels in the first temporal pixel image, the second temporal pixel image, or both. Correspondence data is determined based on the first temporal pixel image and the second temporal pixel image indicative of a set of correspondences between image points of the first set of images and image points of the second set of images. An indication of whether there is a likelihood of motion in the scene is determined based on the one or more derived values and the correspondence data.

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: Systems and methods reduce temperature induced drift effects on a liquid lens used in a vision system. A feedback loop receives a temperature value from a temperature sensor, and based on the received temperature value, controls a power to the heating element based on a difference between the measured temperature of the liquid lens and a predetermined control temperature to maintain the temperature value within a predetermined control temperature range to reduce the effects of drift. A processor can also control a bias signal applied to the lens or a lens actuator to control temperature variations and the associated induced drift effects. An image sharpness can also be determined over a series of images, alone or in combination with controlling the temperature of the liquid lens, to adjust a focal distance of the lens.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for using an area scan sensor of a vision system, in conjunction with an encoder or other knowledge of motion, to capture an accurate measurement of an object larger than a single field of view (FOV) of the sensor. It identifies features/edges of the object, which are tracked from image to image, thereby providing a lightweight way to process the overall extents of the object for dimensioning purposes. Logic automatically determines if the object is longer than the FOV, and thereby causes a sequence of image acquisition snapshots to occur while the moving/conveyed object remains within the FOV until the object is no longer present in the FOV. At that point, acquisition ceases and the individual images are combined as segments in an overall image. These images can be processed to derive overall dimensions of the object based on input application details.

Abstract: A system may comprise a transport device for moving at least one object, wherein at least one substantially planar surface of the object is moved in a known plane locally around a viewing area, wherein the substantially planar surface of the object is occluded except when the at least one substantially planar surface passes by the viewing area, at least one 2D digital optical sensor configured to capture at least two sequential 2D digital images of the at least one substantially planar surface of the at least one object that is moved in the known plane around the viewing area, and a controller operatively coupled to the 2D digital optical sensor, the controller performing the steps of: a) receiving a first digital image, b) receiving a second digital image, and c) stitching the first digital image and the second digital image using a stitching algorithm to generate a stitched image.

Abstract: A multispectral light assembly includes a multispectral light source configured to generate a plurality of different wavelengths of light, a light pipe positioned in front of the multispectral light source and configured to provide color mixing for two or more of the plurality of different wavelengths, a diffusive surface on the light pipe exit surface, and a projection lens positioned in front of the diffusive surface. A processor device is in communication with the multispectral light assemblies to control activation of the multispectral light source. A machine vision system includes an illumination assembly with a plurality of multispectral light assemblies, an optics assembly, a sensor assembly, and a processor device in communication with the optics assembly, the sensor assembly, and the illumination assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of an object with reduced distortion are described. In some aspects, a system includes at least two image sensors, at least two projectors, and a processor. Each image sensor is configured to capture one or more images of an object. Each projector is configured to illuminate the object with an associated optical pattern and from a different perspective. The processor is configured to perform the acts of receiving, from each image sensor, for each projector, images of the object illuminated with the associated optical pattern and generating, from the received images, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the object. The three-dimensional reconstruction has reduced distortion due to the received images of the object being generated when each projector illuminates the object with an associated optical pattern from the different perspective.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for finding line features in an image that allows multiple lines to be efficiently and accurately identified and characterized. When lines are identified, the user can train the system to associate predetermined (e.g. text) labels with respect to such lines. These labels can be used to define neural net classifiers. The neural net operates at runtime to identify and score lines in a runtime image that are found using a line-finding process. The found lines can be displayed to the user with labels and an associated probability score map based upon the neural net results. Lines that are not labeled are generally deemed to have a low score, and are either not flagged by the interface, or identified as not relevant.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for runtime determination (self-diagnosis) of camera miscalibration (accuracy), typically related to camera extrinsics, based on historical statistics of runtime alignment scores for objects acquired in the scene, which are defined based on matching of observed and expected image data of trained object models. This arrangement avoids a need to cease runtime operation of the vision system and/or stop the production line that is served by the vision system to diagnose if the system's camera(s) remain calibrated. Under the assumption that objects or features inspected by the vision system over time are substantially the same, the vision system accumulates statistics of part alignment results and stores intermediate results to be used as indicator of current system accuracy. For multi-camera vision systems, cross validation is illustratively employed to identify individual problematic cameras.

Abstract: An optical system can include an optical arrangement supported by an optical chassis. A flexure arrangement can support the optical chassis relative to a separate structure to maintain a calibrated distance between optical components of the optical arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce temperature induced drift effects on a liquid lens used in a vision system. A feedback loop receives a temperature value from a temperature sensor, and based on the received temperature value, controls a power to the heating element based on a difference between the measured temperature of the liquid lens and a predetermined control temperature to maintain the temperature value within a predetermined control temperature range to reduce the effects of drift. A processor can also control a bias signal applied to the lens or a lens actuator to control temperature variations and the associated induced drift effects. An image sharpness can also be determined over a series of images, alone or in combination with controlling the temperature of the liquid lens, to adjust a focal distance of the lens.

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 scoring trained probes for use in analyzing one or more candidate poses of a runtime image is provided. A set of probes with location and gradient direction based on a trained model are applied to one or more candidate poses based upon a runtime image. The applied probes each respectively include a discrete set of position offsets with respect to the gradient direction thereof. A match score is computed for each of the probes, which includes estimating a best match position for each of the probes respectively relative to one of the offsets thereof, and generating a set of individual probe scores for each of the probes, respectively at the estimated best match position.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for editing a graphical program using a graphical programming interface. Editing the graphical program may include displaying, via the graphical programming interface, a plurality of existing graphical components that provide functionality for at least one computer program thread; receiving data indicating a selection of a new graphical component for inserting into the plurality of existing graphical components; determining, based on an associated graphical component of the plurality of existing graphical components, a set of one or more placement locations for inserting the new graphical component; and displaying, on the graphical programming interface, the set of one or more placement locations.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for measuring object characteristics by interpolating the object characteristics using stored associations. A first image of at least part of a ground surface with a first representation of a laser line projected onto the ground surface from a first pose is received. A first association between a known value of the characteristic of the ground surface of the first image with the first representation is determined. A second image of at least part of a first training object on the ground surface with a second representation of the laser line projected onto the first training object from the first pose is received. A second association between a known value of the characteristic of the first training object with the second representation is determined. The first and second association for measuring the characteristic of a new object are stored.

Abstract: An optical system can include a receiver secured to a first optical component and a flexure arrangement secured to a second optical component. The flexure arrangement can include a plurality of flexures, each with a free end that can extend away from the second optical component and into a corresponding cavity of the receiver. Each of the cavities can be sized to receive adhesive that secures the corresponding flexure within the cavity when the adhesive has hardened, and to permit adjustment of the corresponding flexure within the cavity, before the adhesive has hardened, to adjust an alignment of the first and second optical components relative to multiple degrees of freedom.