Abstract: A machine vision development environment that may utilize a control flow representation (preferably a state diagram representation) to specify and execute machine vision routines (e.g., sometimes referred to as inspection routines). A user may first create one or more machine vision routines using any of various methods. The user may then graphically specify a sequence of machine vision steps or operations, e.g., a machine vision inspection, using a state diagram representation. The state diagram representation may comprise a plurality of icons which represent states with corresponding operations or functions, such as, for example, Load Inspection, Part Ready, Run Inspection, Read Digital Input, etc. The various icons may be connected by wires that indicate control flow transitions, e.g., state transitions, among the states. The state diagram may then be executed to control the machine vision routines.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ladder top for a stepladder. The top comprises a plane having a front and a rear. The plane has a bin with a curved front side adjacent the front of the plane for holding small electrical parts. The plane has at least one screwdriver hole for holding the screwdriver. The plane has a hammer/drill holster slot. The plane has a pliers slot. The plane has a wire strippers slot and a channel locks slots. A method for using a ladder top for a stepladder.

Abstract: A machine vision development environment that may utilize a control flow representation (preferably a state diagram representation) to specify and execute machine vision routines (e.g., sometimes referred to as inspection routines). A user may first create one or more machine vision routines using any of various methods. The user may then graphically specify a sequence of machine vision steps or operations, e.g., a machine vision inspection, using a state diagram representation. The state diagram representation may comprise a plurality of icons which represent states with corresponding operations or functions, such as, for example, Load Inspection, Part Ready, Run Inspection, Read Digital Input, etc. The various icons may be connected by wires that indicate control flow transitions, e.g., state transitions, among the states. The state diagram may then be executed to control the machine vision routines.

Abstract: Several preferred embodiments are disclosed for a tool-less blade clamping apparatus for a reciprocating tool of the type which has a reciprocating plunger which has a tool attachment receiving slot for receiving a tool attachment of the type that has a shank portion. The clamping apparatus has an unclamped position and a clamped position. In the unclamped position, a tool attachment can be easily inserted and when it is in its clamped position, the tool attachment is securely retained. The preferred embodiments have at least one spring biasing the apparatus toward the clamped position, a releasable retaining mechanism for holding the apparatus in its unclamped position after being placed in that position. When the blade shank portion is inserted into the slot a predetermined distance, the shoulders of the shank portion release the retaining mechanism to move it to its clamped position.

Abstract: A system and method for performing machine vision inspection of display devices or display-based products, such as LCD-based products. A user may first interact with a display inspection test configurator to create or specify a display inspection algorithm or script comprising a plurality of display inspection functions. A test executive sequence that implements the display inspection algorithm may then be automatically, i.e., programmatically generated. The test executive sequence may then be executed to perform machine vision tests of one or more display devices.

Abstract: A system and method that reduces system cost in testing defective batteries. In a particular embodiment, a test system may be configured to reduce system cost by wiring two-wire relays from a plurality of batteries to a plurality of multiplexers located in a first stage. The number of two-wire relays is equal to: B/2+4.5 if B is odd B/2+5 if B is even where B is the number of batteries. The batteries may be associated with a particular combination of input channels of the multiplexers located in the first stage. The outputs of the multiplexers located in the first stage may then be connected to the inputs of at least one multiplexer located in a second stage. The outputs of the at least one multiplexer located in the second stage may then be connected to at least one instrument, such as a multimeter.