Patents by Inventor Benjamin Braker

Benjamin Braker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230392920
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Moore, Benjamin Braker, Daniel Feldkhun
  • Publication number: 20230314666
    Abstract: Microlens array formation and alignment to heterogeneously integrated optoelectronic devices. Optoelectronic devices are printed or transferred in a single process step while also creating inactive optoelectronic devices that are precisely shaped for alignment purposes rather than for optical or electrical performance. Microlenses are integrated monolithically. The microlenses are aligned directly to a fiducial generated by the device integration step, reducing overall misalignment. Additionally, we use specific optical designs for the lenses to add novel functionalities to the system. By designing the lenses with engineered offsets, distances and curvatures with respect to the arrays of optoelectronic devices, we control properties of light such as: angles, phase, beam widths, and wavelength dependence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Omer Tzang, Keith Behrman, Kaia Williams, Benjamin Braker, Robert T. Weverka, Charles Anderson, Elizabeth Strong
  • Patent number: 11680790
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Eric Moore, Daniel Feldkhun
  • Publication number: 20230185064
    Abstract: A compact bi-telecentric device includes refractive lenses and takes in light from a grid of emitters at the object plane and images them to a grid of receivers. It provides the capacity to combine multiple wavelengths of emitters at the object plane into a single receiver. The device is quite compact, less than 25 mm in length from object to image, and having a maximum diameter for any element of less than 4 mm. The device includes four optical lens elements, three of which have a positive focal length and one of which has a negative focal length. The device includes at least one diffractive optical element. The lens elements are separated into two distinct groups which each have positive optical power, separated by an aperture stop which may or may not be enabled by a physical surface. A diffractive element enables wavelength division multiplexing and compensates for distortion from the bi-telecentric device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Kaia Williams, Benjamin Braker, Omer Tzang, Robert T. Weverka, Keith Behrman
  • Patent number: 11282220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for 3D measurement and/or pattern generation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a method of pattern projection that may include projecting one or more patterns. Each pattern from the one or more patterns may include an arrangement of three or more symbols that are arranged such that for each symbol in the arrangement, a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most proximal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement is less than a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most distal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement. Some embodiments further include: illuminating an object using the one or more projected patterns; collecting one or more images of the illuminated object; and/or computing one or more 3D locations of the illuminated object based on the one or more projected patterns and the one or more collected images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Zihan Hans Liu, Nathaniel Bogan, Andrew Hoelscher, Eric Moore, Benjamin Braker
  • Publication number: 20210382259
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Goodale, Andrew Parrett, John Filhaber, Benjamin Braker
  • Patent number: 11054506
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
  • Patent number: 11016260
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Goodale, Andrew Parrett, John Filhaber, Benjamin Braker
  • Publication number: 20210019896
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for 3D measurement and/or pattern generation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a method of pattern projection that may include projecting one or more patterns. Each pattern from the one or more patterns may include an arrangement of three or more symbols that are arranged such that for each symbol in the arrangement, a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most proximal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement is less than a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most distal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement. Some embodiments further include: illuminating an object using the one or more projected patterns; collecting one or more images of the illuminated object; and/or computing one or more 3D locations of the illuminated object based on the one or more projected patterns and the one or more collected images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Zihan Hans Liu, Nathaniel Bogan, Andrew Hoelscher, Eric Moore, Benjamin Braker
  • Publication number: 20200309914
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
  • Patent number: 10699429
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for 3D measurement and/or pattern generation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a method of pattern projection that may include projecting one or more patterns. Each pattern from the one or more patterns may include an arrangement of three or more symbols that are arranged such that for each symbol in the arrangement, a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most proximal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement is less than a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most distal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement. Some embodiments further include: illuminating an object using the one or more projected patterns; collecting one or more images of the illuminated object; and/or computing one or more 3D locations of the illuminated object based on the one or more projected patterns and the one or more collected images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Zihan Hans Liu, Nathaniel Bogan, Andrew Hoelscher, Eric Moore, Benjamin Braker
  • Patent number: 10627489
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
  • Patent number: 10571668
    Abstract: Catadioptric projector systems, devices, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a catadioptric projector that may include: a radiation source; a static pattern generating element and/or a time-varying pattern generating element configured to condition radiation from the radiation source to produce the patterned illumination; and/or a convex reflector positioned to project the patterned illumination. Some embodiments include a system that includes a catadioptric projector and a camera configured to acquire one or more images based on the patterned illumination. Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments are provided to estimate a distance to a point on an object based on the one or more acquired images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Eric D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20200049923
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Goodale, Andrew Parrett, John Filhaber, Benjamin Braker
  • Publication number: 20190353472
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Eric Moore, Daniel Feldkhun
  • Publication number: 20190302234
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
  • Patent number: 10317193
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Eric Moore, Daniel Feldkhun
  • Patent number: 10295655
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
  • Publication number: 20190139242
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for 3D measurement and/or pattern generation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a method of pattern projection that may include projecting one or more patterns. Each pattern from the one or more patterns may include an arrangement of three or more symbols that are arranged such that for each symbol in the arrangement, a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most proximal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement is less than a degree of similarity between said symbol and a most distal of the remaining symbols in the arrangement. Some embodiments further include: illuminating an object using the one or more projected patterns; collecting one or more images of the illuminated object; and/or computing one or more 3D locations of the illuminated object based on the one or more projected patterns and the one or more collected images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Zihan Hans Liu, Nathaniel Bogan, Andrew Hoelscher, Eric Moore, Benjamin Braker
  • Publication number: 20180335506
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald