Abstract: A system and method for communicating at least one of updated configuration information and hardware setup recommendations to a user of an ID decoding vision system is provided. An image of an object containing one or more IDs is acquired with a mobile device. The ID associated with the object is decoded to derive information. Physical dimensions of the ID associated with the object are determined. Based on the information and the dimensions, configuration data can be transmitted to a remote server that automatically determines setup information for the vision system based upon the configuration data. The remote server thereby transmits at least one of (a) updated configuration information to the vision system and (b) hardware setup recommendations to a user of the vision system based upon the configuration data.

Abstract: This invention provides a module/base assembly for a handheld device. The module includes an imager with optics and image acquisition/processing processors that provide high speed acquisition and handling of acquired image data. The acquired image data is processed by the device processor using a module application that resides within the device. A removable retaining component mounts within the base. The base houses a battery and charging assembly e.g. an inductive charging unit. The inductive charging unit can be adapted to pass data, in addition to power, between the inductive coils and the charging unit can be interconnected to a data network with attached devices that employ data from the module. The base can charge the device via a connector and/or wireless charging arrangement. Data communication between the base and mobile device can occur using an RF link, e.g. an integrated Bluetooth® functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating at least one of updated configuration information and hardware setup recommendations to a user of an ID decoding vision system is provided. An image of an object containing one or more IDs is acquired with a mobile device. The ID associated with the object is decoded to derive information. Physical dimensions of the ID associated with the object are determined. Based on the information and the dimensions, configuration data can be transmitted to a remote server that automatically determines setup information for the vision system based upon the configuration data. The remote server thereby transmits at least one of (a) updated configuration information to the vision system and (b) hardware setup recommendations to a user of the vision system based upon the configuration data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating at least one of updated configuration information and hardware setup recommendations to a user of an ID decoding vision system is provided. An image of an object containing one or more IDs is acquired with a mobile device. The ID associated with the object is decoded to derive information. Physical dimensions of the ID associated with the object are determined. Based on the information and the dimensions, configuration data can be transmitted to a remote server that automatically determines setup information for the vision system based upon the configuration data. The remote server thereby transmits at least one of (a) updated configuration information to the vision system and (b) hardware setup recommendations to a user of the vision system based upon the configuration data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system camera assembly that includes an optics and illumination module that is removably attached thereto, and that is arranged to project illumination along an optical axis of the imager. This arrangement allows for short exposure time and a short working distance from an imaged scene/surface under inspection. A semi-reflecting mirror turns a structured illumination beam from an illumination axis onto the optical axis while allowing light from the imaged scene to pass through the mirror and into the imager optics. The front end of the module contains a collimating optics that causes a collimated beam from the mirror to strike the surface at various off-axis angles. The collimating optics can include a telecentric lens assembly that can comprise a pair of stacked lenses having a perimeter that is equal to or greater than the area of interest on the surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for separating a field of view (FOV) of a scene imaged by a vision system camera assembly, in which a separating mirror assembly redirects a first optical path of at least a first optics with respect to at least a first image sensor in the camera assembly. A first reflecting assembly redirects the first optical path from the separating mirror toward a first FOV. The first optical path is extended free of splitting the image. The separating mirror assembly redirects a second optical path of a second optics with respect to a second image sensor in the camera assembly. A second reflecting assembly redirects the second optical path from the separating mirror toward a second FOV. The second optical path is extended free of splitting the image projected from the scene on the second image sensor.

Abstract: This invention provides a module/base assembly for a handheld device. The module includes an imager with optics and image acquisition/processing processors that provide high speed acquisition and handling of acquired image data. The acquired image data is processed by the device processor using a module application that resides within the device. A removable retaining component mounts within the base. The base houses a battery and charging assembly e.g. an inductive charging unit. The inductive charging unit can be adapted to pass data, in addition to power, between the inductive coils and the charging unit can be interconnected to a data network with attached devices that employ data from the module. The base can charge the device via a connector and/or wireless charging arrangement. Data communication between the base and mobile device can occur using an RF link, e.g. an integrated Bluetooth® functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for analysis of images of direct part mark identification codes to measure and assess a print quality. Methods to assess the quality of a direct part mark identification code are presented that provide diagnostic information of a code that cannot be assessed using verification methods that require the results of a valid decoding step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.

Abstract: This invention provides a module for a handheld device. The module includes an imager with optics and image acquisition/processing processors that provide high speed acquisition and handling of acquired image data—such as IDs. The acquired image data is processed by the device processor using a module application that resides within the device. The module includes indicators and/or alarms that can indicate success in reading an ID. A subframe removably mounts within the module's main body/frame and carries the device. The subframe can vary to accommodate different devices within a single main body/frame geometry. The main body/frame includes appropriate structures (ports) to enable optical transmission to, for example, cameras and illuminators so that various native functions of the device can be employed as desired. The main body/frame can also house a battery and charging assembly that supplies power to the device and allows charging through-for example and inductive charging unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.

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. The handheld scanner can also use a font description file during the decode process. The font description file can be generated using a synthetic image file of a character. The synthetic image file can be created by interpreting a marker font file.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for analysis of images of direct part mark identification codes to measure and assess a print quality. Methods to assess the quality of a direct part mark identification code are presented that provide diagnostic information of a code that cannot be assessed using verification methods that require the results of a valid decoding step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and methods for reading optical codes. The image device comprises a sensor, a lens, a plurality of illumination devices, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The sensor is configured to sense with a predetermined number of lines of pixels, where the predetermined lines of pixels are arranged in a predetermined position. The lens has an imaging path along an optical axis. The plurality of illumination devices are configured to transmit an illumination pattern along the optical axis, and the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to fold the optical axis.