Patents Assigned to VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL ULC
  • Publication number: 20220113259
    Abstract: A method of identifying an item on a surface of a workpiece is disclosed. An optical device identifies an item on the surface of a workpiece. An item identification system includes a light projector and a photogrammetry system. One of the light projector and the photogrammetry system generates a three-dimensional coordinate system within the work cell. One of the light projector and the photogrammetry system identifies a location of the surface of the workpiece within the three-dimensional coordinates system. The controller calculates geometric location of the item on the surface of the work piece in the three-dimensional coordinate system as identified by the optical device. The controller signals the light projector to project a beam of light onto the surface of the workpiece identifying a disposition of the item disposed upon the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL, ULC
    Inventors: Kurt D. Rueb, Jeff Erbrecht, Beth McAndless, Vincent Tran
  • Patent number: 11295461
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying location and orientation of a piece attached to a work surface for s manufacturing a workpiece is disclosed. A controller is programmed with design data for manufacturing steps. Multiple layers of ply are sequentially layered over a work surface. An imaging system capable of redirecting a field of view along the work surface is provided. A light projector is provided for projecting reference features onto the work surface. The light projector projects a reference feature to a known location relative to the piece applied to the work surface within the field of view of the imaging device. The imaging device generates an image of the reference features projected by the light projector and of the piece applied onto the work surface. The controller compares the location of the piece on the work surface with the design data validating accurate placement of the piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Publication number: 20220003536
    Abstract: A method for validating the placement of pieces in an assembly task by scanning a coherent light source, such as a laser, over a surface and characterizing the detected interference speckle pattern to discriminate the position of the placed piece from the surface on which the piece is placed. This discrimination is possible even if the characteristic features of the piece and background are smaller than the resolution of the scanning system. In addition, characteristics of the piece, such as the orientation of fibers in the material, may be sensed by classification of the associated speckle response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL, ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 11022554
    Abstract: A method of detecting a presence of foreign material in a ply is disclosed. A source of foreign material is marked with a fluorescent indicator. The source of foreign material is separated from the ply. An illumination source is provided for illuminating the ply at a different wavelength than the fluorescent indicator fluoresces so that the ply reflects light at a different wavelength. A sensor detects illumination of the ply and fluorescent indicator included in the foreign material disposed upon the ply. Differences in light reflected from the ply and fluorescence of the indicator disposed in the foreign material are detected thereby identifying existence of the foreign material in the ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 11010574
    Abstract: A method of optically scanning indicia on an object includes providing a coherent light source for illuminating the object with coherent light. The object is marked with indicia including a first feature and a second feature, with the first feature including reflection of coherent light and said second feature including emittance of non-coherent light when illuminated. An imaging device is capable of distinguishing coherent light from non-coherent light. The indicia are illuminated with coherent light generated by the coherent light source causing the indicia to reflect coherent light and emit non-coherent light. The coherent light is distinguished from the non-coherent light emitted from the indicia by a controller for identifying a pattern of one of said first feature and said second feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 10950057
    Abstract: A method of identifying an accurate assembly of a component onto a workpiece to an operator includes the use of a laser projector and a headset or goggles. The laser projector projects laser images relative to the workpiece. The headset or goggles includes an imaging device and a display element. A location of the laser projector, the imaging device and the display element is registered in a common coordinate system relative to the workpiece. The imaging device generates an image of a view of the workpiece appearing in the display element when viewed by the operator though the display element. A computer generated image of the component is overlaid upon the image of the workpiece being disposed in a geometrically accurate location on the image of the workpiece. The image of the workpiece appearing in the display element is registered to the three dimensional coordinate system defined relative to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL, ULC
    Inventors: Kurt D. Rueb, Jeffrey B. Erbrecht
  • Patent number: 10935502
    Abstract: A method for detecting inconsistencies in an assembly using an energy source and an imaging device is disclosed. An energy source directs energy through first scanning mirrors toward a surface of the laminated composite assembly raising an energy level of an inspection area. An imaging device directs a view through second scanning mirrors toward the inspection area and the imaging device detects a rate of change in energy at the surface of the laminated composite. Movement of the first scanning mirrors is synchronized with movement of the second scanning mirrors for directing a view of the imaging device to the inspection area after the energy level of the area of the surface has been raised. The imaging device detects dissipation of energy at the area of the surface being inspected and identifies inconsistencies associated defects in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL, ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 9881383
    Abstract: A method of accurately projecting a laser image pattern on a work surface and continuously compensating for relative dynamic movement between the laser and the work surface, including establishing a position of the camera in three dimensions relative to the work surface by locating the targets in the camera image, establishing a position of the laser relative to the work surface utilizing the fixed position of the laser relative to the camera, and using a computer to continuously adjust the rotation of the laser projector mirrors in response to dynamic movement of the laser projector relative to the work surface as determined by the camera. In one embodiment, the computer continuously tracks at least two prior locations of the laser projector relative to the work surface and predicts the next location of the laser, compensating for movement of the laser relative to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL ULC
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb