Abstract: This invention provides an aimer assembly for a vision system that is coaxial (on-axis) with the camera optical axis, thus providing an aligned aim point at a wide range of working distances. The aimer includes a projecting light element located aside the camera optical axis. The beam and received light from the imaged (illuminated) scene are selectively reflected or transmitted through a dichoric mirror assembly in a manner that permits the beam to be aligned with the optical axis and projected to the scene while only light from the scene is received by the sensor. The aimer beam and illuminator employ differing light wavelengths. In a further embodiment, an internal illuminator includes a plurality of light sources below the camera optical axis. Some of the light sources are covered by a prismatic structure for close distance, and other light sources are collimated, projecting over a longer distance.

Abstract: A coherent beam moves across a stationary line generator, allowing the speckle pattern projected through the diffuser onto the surface—for example using a MEMS mirror, or another arrangement that is free of a moving mass, such as solid state beam deflector (e.g. an AOM). Where an image sensor is employed, such as a DS, the beam is moved at a speed of at least ½ cycle per image frame so that the full length of the line within the imaged scene is captured by the image sensor. The distance traversed on the diffuser provides sufficient uncorrelated speckle patterns within an exposure time to average to a smooth line. The MEMS mirror can be arranged to oscillate in two substantially orthogonal degrees of freedom so that the line is generated along a first direction and the line moves along the working surface in a second direction.

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: A positioning system for an optical system can include a support frame and a flexure arrangement. The flexure arrangement can be configured to secure an optical-system component relative to a support frame, with the optical-system component in a first orientation. The flexure arrangement can be configured to resiliently deform, upon application of a transient stress to the optical system, to move the optical-system component relative to the support frame along at least one degree of freedom. The flexure arrangement can be configured to return the optical-system component to the first orientation upon removal of the transient stress.

Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to systems, methods, and computer readable media for data pre-processing for stereo-temporal image sequences to improve three-dimensional data reconstruction. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to systems, methods, and computer readable media for improved correspondence refinement for image areas affected by oversaturation. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to systems, methods, and computer readable media configured to fill missing correspondences to improve three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction. The techniques include identifying image points without correspondences, using existing correspondences and/or other information to generate approximated correspondences, and cross-checking the approximated correspondences to determine whether the approximated correspondences should be used for the image processing.

Abstract: Techniques include systems, computerized methods, and computer readable media for creating a graphical program in a graphical program development environment. A spreadsheet node having an input terminal in the graphical program is instantiated. The spreadsheet node is associated with a spreadsheet that specifies a list of functions to be executed in a computing device, and the input terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first node, indicating a data connection between the first terminal of the first node and the input terminal of the spreadsheet node. The input terminal of the spreadsheet node is associated with a first cell in the spreadsheet, indicating that the first cell in the spreadsheet be populated with any data received by the input terminal. A human readable file is generated specifying the graphical program, including the spreadsheet node.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to test a pose of a three-dimensional model. A three-dimensional model is stored, the three dimensional model comprising a set of probes. Three-dimensional data of an object is received, the three-dimensional data comprising a set of data entries. The three-dimensional data is converted into a set of fields, comprising generating a first field comprising a first set of values, where each value of the first set of values is indicative of a first characteristic of an associated one or more data entries from the set of data entries, and generating a second field comprising a second set of values, where each second value of the second set of values is indicative of a second characteristic of an associated one or more data entries from the set of data entries, wherein the second characteristic is different than the first characteristic.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated time-of-flight sensor that delivers distance information to a processor associated with the camera assembly and vision 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: This provides an ID reader, typically configured for handheld operation, which integrates three types of illumination into a compact package that generates robust performance and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, such as dust and moisture. These illumination types include, direct (diffuse) light, low-angle light and polarized light. The ID reader includes a sealed reader module assembly having the illuminators in combination with an imager assembly (optics and image sensor) at its relative center. Additionally, also an on-axis aimer and a variable focus system with liquid lens have been integrated in this module and is placed on axis using a mirror assembly that includes a dichroic filter. As the optimal distance to read a code with low-angle light is typically shorter than the optimal distance to use the polarized illumination a variable (e.g. liquid) lens can adjust the focus of the reader to the optimal distance for the selected illumination.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to test a pose of a model to image data. Image data of an object is received, the image data comprising a set of data entries. A set of regions of the image data are determined, wherein each region in the set of regions comprises an associated set of neighboring data entries in the set of data entries. Processed image data is generated, wherein the processed image data comprises a set of cells that each have an associated value, and generating the processed image data comprises, for each region in the set of regions, determining a maximum possible score of each data entry in the associated set of neighboring data entries from the image data, setting one or more values of the set of values based on the determined maximum possible score, and testing the pose of the model using the processed image data.

Abstract: An illumination system is provided for an optical system that includes an imaging device for acquiring an image of a target, for decoding of a symbol or other analysis. The illumination system can include a first light source configured to provide illumination of a first wavelength, a second light source configured to provide illumination of a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength. The light sources can be controlled for operations that include: illuminating the target with the first and second light sources simultaneously for acquisition of the image of the target; and altering an illumination output of at least one of the first light source or the second light source, while maintaining non-zero illumination output for at least one of the first light source or the second light source, to indicate a status of the optical system.

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 comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV and applying different decode algorithms to code candidates in the obtained image to attempt to decode the code candidates wherein the decode algorithm applied to each candidate is a function of the location of the code candidate in the FOV.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to determine parameters for image acquisition. One or more image sensors are each arranged to capture a set of images of a scene, and each image sensor comprises a set of adjustable imaging parameters. A projector is configured to project a moving pattern on the scene, wherein the projector comprises a set of adjustable projector parameters. The set of adjustable projector parameters and the set of adjustable imaging parameters are determined, based on a set of one or more constraints, to reduce noise in 3D data generated based on the set of images.

Abstract: This invention applies dynamic weighting between a point-to-plane and point-to-edge metric on a per-edge basis in an acquired image using a vision system. This allows an applied ICP technique to be significantly more robust to a variety of object geometries and/or occlusions. A system and method herein provides an energy function that is minimized to generate candidate 3D poses for use in alignment of runtime 3D image data of an object with model 3D image data. Since normals are much more accurate than edges, the use of normal is desirable when possible. However, in some use cases, such as a plane, edges provide information in relative directions the normals do not. Hence the system and method defines a “normal information matrix”, which represents the directions in which sufficient information is present. Performing (e.g.) a principal component analysis (PCA) on this matrix provides a basis for the available information.

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 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 vision system camera, and associated methods of operation, having a multi-core processor, high-speed, high-resolution imager, FOVE, auto-focus lens and imager-connected pre-processor to pre-process image data provides the acquisition and processing speed, as well as the image resolution that are highly desirable in a wide range of applications. This arrangement effectively scans objects that require a wide field of view, vary in size and move relatively quickly with respect to the system field of view. This vision system provides a physical package with a wide variety of physical interconnections to support various options and control functions. The package effectively dissipates internally generated heat by arranging components to optimize heat transfer to the ambient environment and includes dissipating structure (e.g. fins) to facilitate such transfer. The system also enables a wide range of multi-core processes to optimize and load-balance both image processing and system operation (i.e.

Abstract: A 3D measurement method including: projecting a pattern sequence onto a moving object; capturing a first image sequence with a first camera and a second image sequence synchronously to the first image sequence with a second camera; determining corresponding image points in the two sequences; computing a trajectory of a potential object point from imaging parameters and from known movement data for each pair of image points that is to be checked for correspondence. The potential object point is imaged by both image points in case they correspond. Imaging object positions derived therefrom at each of the capture points in time into image planes respectively of the two cameras. Corresponding image points positions are determined as trajectories in the two cameras and the image points are compared with each other along predetermined image point trajectories and examined for correspondence; lastly performing 3D measurement of the moved object by triangulation.

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: Determining dimensions of an object can include determining a distance between the object and an imaging device, and an angle of an optical axis of the imaging device. One of more features of the object can be identified in an image of the object. The dimensions of the object can be determined based upon the distance, the angle, and the one or more identified features.