Abstract: This invention provides 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.

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: This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor or vision processor, and their associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses. An optional connector is provided on the front plate to accept an electrical connection for a liquid lens component. The front plate includes a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive on at lest the front face thereof. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens.

Abstract: A method and camera assembly for use in a machine vision system, the assembly comprising a support structure forming a mounting flange that is configured for coupling with any of a plurality of exchangeable electrically controllable adjustable focal length lens assemblies, a two dimensional image sensor supported by the support structure and forming a sensor plane spaced from the mounting flange by a flange focal distance and a processor programmed with a flange focal distance error and to use the flange focal distance error to generate lens control signals to compensate for the flange focal distance error when a lens is mounted to the mounting flange.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: In some aspects, camera systems can include a camera enclosure, a lens disposed in or along the camera enclosure along an optical axis of the camera system, and an optical accessory attached to camera enclosure, where the optical accessory is attached using a magnetic retention force that is provided by at least one magnetic element.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for laser profiling that simplifies the task of setting up and using laser profiling systems and associated applications by providing a profiler assembly that includes a predetermined arrangement of lens and spaced-apart laser in which the geometry and calibration parameters are predetermined. The profiler assembly is adapted to mount directly into the camera mount (typically threaded) of a conventional vision system camera. All components needed to perform the profiling task can be integrated into the profiler assembly. The integration of components in a single interchangeable/exchangeable assembly makes it straightforward to optimize/adapt the assembly for a particular profiling application.

Abstract: An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for expanding the field of view of a vision system camera assembly such that the field of view is generally free of loss of normal resolution across the entire expanded field. A field of view expander includes outer mirrors that receive light from different portions of a scene. The outer mirrors direct light to tilted inner mirrors of a beam splitter that directs the light aligned with a camera axis to avoid image distortion. The inner mirrors each direct the light from each outer mirror into a strip on the sensor, and the system searches features. The adjacent fields of view include overlap regions sized and arranged to ensure a centralized feature appears fully in at least one strip. Alternatively, a moving mirror changes position between acquired image frames so that a full width of the scene is imaged in successive frames.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for laser profiling that simplifies the task of setting up and using laser profiling systems and associated applications by providing a profiler assembly that includes a predetermined arrangement of lens and spaced-apart laser in which the geometry and calibration parameters are predetermined. The profiler assembly is adapted to mount directly into the camera mount (typically threaded) of a conventional vision system camera. All components needed to perform the profiling task can be integrated into the profiler assembly. The integration of components in a single interchangeable/exchangeable assembly makes it straightforward to optimize/adapt the assembly for a particular profiling application.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining and controlling focal distance in a lens assembly of a vision system camera using an integral calibration assembly that provides the camera's image sensor with optical information that is relative to focal distance while enabling runtime images of a scene to be acquired along the image axis. The lens assembly includes a variable lens located along an optical axis that provides a variable focus setting. The calibration assembly generates a projected pattern of light that variably projects upon the camera sensor based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. That is, the appearance and/or position of the pattern varies based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. This enables a focus process to determine the current focal length of the lens assembly based upon predetermined calibration information stored in association with a vision system processor running the focus process.

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: This invention provides a system and method for expanding the field of view of a vision system camera assembly such that the field of view is generally free of loss of normal resolution across the entire expanded field. A field of view expander includes outer mirrors that receive light from different portions of a scene. The outer mirrors direct light to tilted inner mirrors of a beam splitter that directs the light aligned with a camera axis to avoid image distortion. The inner mirrors each direct the light from each outer mirror into a strip on the sensor, and the system searches features. The adjacent fields of view include overlap regions sized and arranged to ensure a centralized feature appears fully in at least one strip. Alternatively, a moving mirror changes position between acquired image frames so that a full width of the scene is imaged in successive frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recalibrating a liquid lens. In one embodiment, a lens holder is provided to adjust the focal length of the lens as a function of temperature. In another embodiment, a recalibration circuit including a second lens of similar characteristics to the imaging lens is used to determine an appropriate focus. In other embodiments, an open loop calibration process is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a handheld code reader that has a plurality of operating characteristics where each operating characteristic can have a plurality of different states wherein a recipe includes a specific set of states of at least first and second characteristics, the method for switching between recipes and comprising the steps of specifying a circumstance set including at least one of reader orientation and a threshold movement level for the reader, monitoring at least one of movement and orientation of the reader, determining when the circumstance set occurs and changing from a current recipe to a next recipe when the circumstance set occurs.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system housing having a front plate assembly that accommodates a plurality of lens mount types. The front plate includes a central aperture that is located at a predetermined axial (camera axis) distance from a plane of an image sensor. The aperture is stepped from a wider diameter adjacent to the front to a narrower diameter more adjacent to the sensor. This arrangement enables threaded mounting of a plurality of lens mount types, for example M12 and C-Mount. The exterior (front) surface of the front plate includes threaded holes and a removable spring clip arrangement constructed to accommodate a liquid lens positioned over the aperture with an associated lens assembly mounted within the aperture and in optical communication with the liquid lens. The lens is operated using an electrical connection provided by a cable that interconnects with a multi-pin socket positioned on the front plate.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor, vision processor, or the associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses, and a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens. The arrangement of lighting elements is highly variable and the user can be supplied with an illumination assembly that best suits its needs without need to change the vision system processor, sensor or housing.

Abstract: A method for scanning and decoding encoded symbols comprises processing low resolution image data from a full field of view and/or high resolution image data from one or more windowed segments of the field of view to provide imaging that is easily adaptable to different types of symbols and varying environmental conditions. The scanning method can be switched between the low resolution mode and the high resolution mode automatically based on whether the low resolution data is sufficiently accurate to decode the symbol.

Abstract: A hand held industrial identification symbol reader projects diffuse illumination onto a region of interest to produce high contrast images of symbols. The diffuse illumination is particularly well suited for producing images of symbols that are marked directly on objects. The diffuse illumination is created through the use of an optically translucent diffuser having a generally tapered shape that distributes diffuse illumination throughout the field of view of the reader. The diffuse illumination can be supplemented with dark field illumination using selectively actuated illumination sources.

Abstract: A method for scanning and decoding encoded symbols comprises processing low resolution image data from a full field of view and/or high resolution image data from one or more windowed segments of the field of view to provide imaging that is easily adaptable to different types of symbols and varying environmental conditions. The scanning method can be switched between the low resolution mode and the high resolution mode automatically based on whether the low resolution data is sufficiently accurate to decode the symbol.