Patents by Inventor Ivan Bachelder

Ivan Bachelder 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).

  • Patent number: 11875219
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Publication number: 20230400295
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to predicting height information for an object. First distance data is determined at a first time when an object is at a first position that is only partially within the field-of-view. Second distance data is determined at a second, later time when the object is at a second, different position that is only partially within the field-of-view. A distance measurement model that models a physical parameter of the object within the field-of-view is determined for the object based on the first and second distance data. Third distance data indicative of an estimated distance to the object prior to the object being entirely within the field-of-view of the distance sensing device is determined based on the first distance data, the second distance data, and the distance measurement model. Data indicative of a height of the object is determined based on the third distance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: CHEN GAO, Ivan Bachelder
  • Publication number: 20230169687
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: Ivan Bachelder
  • Patent number: 11624606
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to predicting height information for an object. First distance data is determined at a first time when an object is at a first position that is only partially within the field-of-view. Second distance data is determined at a second, later time when the object is at a second, different position that is only partially within the field-of-view. A distance measurement model that models a physical parameter of the object within the field-of-view is determined for the object based on the first and second distance data. Third distance data indicative of an estimated distance to the object prior to the object being entirely within the field-of-view of the distance sensing device is determined based on the first distance data, the second distance data, and the distance measurement model. Data indicative of a height of the object is determined based on the third distance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Chen Gao, Ivan Bachelder
  • Publication number: 20220318539
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 11216630
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 11151346
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to decode a symbol in a digital image. A digital image of a portion of a symbol is received, which includes a grid of pixels and the symbol includes a grid of modules. A spatial mapping is determined between a contiguous subset of modules in the grid of modules to the grid of pixels. Causal relationships are determined, using the spatial mapping, between each module and the grid of pixels. A set of valid combinations of values of neighboring modules in the contiguous subset of modules are tested against the grid of pixels using the causal relationships. A value of at least one module of the two or more neighboring modules is determined based on the tested set of valid combinations. The symbol is decoded based on the determined value of the at least one module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Bachelder, James A. Negro
  • Patent number: 11138397
    Abstract: Embodiments related to local tone mapping for symbol reading. A local pixel neighborhood metric is determined for at least one raw pixel in a region-of-interest, which identifies on one or more raw pixels near the at least one raw pixel. A local mapping function is determined for the at least one raw pixel that maps the value of the raw pixel to a mapped pixel value with a mapped bit depth that is smaller than the bit depth associated with the raw image. The local mapping function is based on a value of at least one other raw pixel near the at least one raw pixel within the local pixel neighborhood metric, and at least one parameter determined based on the raw image. A mapped image is computed for the region-of-interest by applying the local mapping function to the raw image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Chen Gao, Ivan Bachelder
  • Publication number: 20210262780
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to predicting height information for an object. First distance data is determined at a first time when an object is at a first position that is only partially within the field-of-view. Second distance data is determined at a second, later time when the object is at a second, different position that is only partially within the field-of-view. A distance measurement model that models a physical parameter of the object within the field-of-view is determined for the object based on the first and second distance data. Third distance data indicative of an estimated distance to the object prior to the object being entirely within the field-of-view of the distance sensing device is determined based on the first distance data, the second distance data, and the distance measurement model. Data indicative of a height of the object is determined based on the third distance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Chen Gao, Ivan Bachelder
  • Patent number: 10937183
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: José Fernandez-Dorado, Emilio Pastor Mira, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Ivan Bachelder, Laurens Nunnink, Torsten Kempf, Savithri Vaidyanathan, Kyra Moed, John Bryan Boatner
  • Publication number: 20200410184
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Publication number: 20200302138
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to decode a symbol in a digital image. A digital image of a portion of a symbol is received, which includes a grid of pixels and the symbol includes a grid of modules. A spatial mapping is determined between a contiguous subset of modules in the grid of modules to the grid of pixels. Causal relationships are determined, using the spatial mapping, between each module and the grid of pixels. A set of valid combinations of values of neighboring modules in the contiguous subset of modules are tested against the grid of pixels using the causal relationships. A value of at least one module of the two or more neighboring modules is determined based on the tested set of valid combinations. The symbol is decoded based on the determined value of the at least one module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Bachelder, James A. Negro
  • Publication number: 20200242793
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: José Fernandez-Dorado, Emilio Pastor Mira, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Ivan Bachelder, Laurens Nunnink, Torsten Kempf, Savithri Vaidyanathan, Kyra Moed, John Bryan Boatner
  • Patent number: 10699089
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding barcodes. A scan signal is acquired along a scan through a barcode. A first character unit grid for a unit width pattern within the barcode along the scan is determined. At least one set of sampling coefficients relating the unit width pattern to a portion of the scan signal is determined based on the first character unit grid. The element width pattern for the unit width pattern is determined based on the at least one set of sampling coefficients and the portion of the scan signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Bachelder, James A. Negro, Shekhar Sastry, Yael Steinsaltz
  • Patent number: 10679024
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 10628648
    Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for locating barcodes applied to objects are provided. A method can receive a first image of a first barcode fragment applied to a first object captured at a first time and identify a first position of the first barcode fragment. The method can also receive a second image of a second barcode fragment captured at a second time and identify a second position of the second barcode fragment. The method can also predict a range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time based on a tracking model that tracks the first barcode fragment based on the first position, and determine that the first barcode fragment and the second barcode fragment correspond to the same barcode, if the second position is within the range of possible positions of the first barcode fragment at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Negro, Ivan Bachelder
  • Patent number: 10607047
    Abstract: Embodiments related to local tone mapping for symbol reading. A local pixel neighborhood metric is determined for at least one raw pixel in a region-of-interest, which identifies on one or more raw pixels near the at least one raw pixel. A local mapping function is determined for the at least one raw pixel that maps the value of the raw pixel to a mapped pixel value with a mapped bit depth that is smaller than the bit depth associated with the raw image. The local mapping function is based on a value of at least one other raw pixel near the at least one raw pixel within the local pixel neighborhood metric, and at least one parameter determined based on the raw image. A mapped image is computed for the region-of-interest by applying the local mapping function to the raw image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chen Gao, Ivan Bachelder
  • Patent number: 10599902
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to decode a symbol in a digital image. A digital image of a portion of a symbol is received, which includes a grid of pixels and the symbol includes a grid of modules. A spatial mapping is determined between a contiguous subset of modules in the grid of modules to the grid of pixels. Causal relationships are determined, using the spatial mapping, between each module and the grid of pixels. A set of valid combinations of values of neighboring modules in the contiguous subset of modules are tested against the grid of pixels using the causal relationships. A value of at least one module of the two or more neighboring modules is determined based on the tested set of valid combinations. The symbol is decoded based on the determined value of the at least one module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Bachelder, James A. Negro
  • Publication number: 20200034591
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Ivan A. Bachelder, Chen Gao, Francisco Azcona Guerrero, Jose Fernandez Dorado, Esther Oteo Lozano, Andreas Weber
  • Publication number: 20190171853
    Abstract: Embodiments related to local tone mapping for symbol reading. A local pixel neighborhood metric is determined for at least one raw pixel in a region-of-interest, which identifies on one or more raw pixels near the at least one raw pixel. A local mapping function is determined for the at least one raw pixel that maps the value of the raw pixel to a mapped pixel value with a mapped bit depth that is smaller than the bit depth associated with the raw image. The local mapping function is based on a value of at least one other raw pixel near the at least one raw pixel within the local pixel neighborhood metric, and at least one parameter determined based on the raw image. A mapped image is computed for the region-of-interest by applying the local mapping function to the raw image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Chen Gao, Ivan Bachelder