Patents by Inventor Michael C. Moed

Michael C. Moed 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: 20250104356
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and systems for three-dimensional (3D) inspection using deep learning model pre-trained with two-dimensional (2D) images. The techniques include transforming a 3D representation (e.g., captured 3D point cloud, 3D profiles, meshes, voxels) to a 2D map, which can be input to a deep learning model pre-trained with 2D images. The 2D map includes elements disposed in an array. Each element includes a vector of a number of geometric features. Such a configuration enables the 2D map to be in a structure acceptable by the 2D deep learning model. The 2D deep learning model generates an output based on the 2D map and provides the output to a subsystem for generating an inspection result. The inspection result can have a 3D result such as a surface area and/or volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Alejandro Moreno, Hongwei Zhu, Martin SchaufuĂź, Ali Zadeh, Michael C. Moed, Chenye Li
  • Patent number: 10775160
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Publication number: 20190265027
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Patent number: 10325129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Negro, John F. Keating, Michael C. Moed
  • Patent number: 10041786
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Publication number: 20180157886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: James Negro, John F. Keating, Michael C. Moed
  • Patent number: 9803975
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Carl W. Gerst, III
  • Publication number: 20170299380
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Patent number: 9760752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Negro, John F. Keating, Michael C. Moed
  • Patent number: 9626776
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods can process height maps. For example, the disclosed computerized method of determining posture information of an object in a two-dimensional height map captured by a range sensor system can include receiving the height map of the object captured by the range sensor system, generating a plurality of one-dimensional slices of the height map and a location record indicating locations of the plurality of one-dimensional slices on the height map, identifying points of interest in the plurality of one-dimensional slices, determining locations of the identified points of interest in the height map based on the location record, and determining the posture information of the object based on the locations of the identified points of interest in the height map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Davis, Michael C. Moed, Robert J. Tremblay, II
  • Patent number: 9605950
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Publication number: 20170023353
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. MOED, Carl W. Gerst, III
  • Patent number: 9286530
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Carl W. Gerst, III
  • Patent number: 9189670
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for capturing, detecting and extracting features of an ID, such as a 1D barcode, that employs an efficient processing system based upon a CPU-controlled vision system on a chip (VSoC) architecture, which illustratively provides a linear array processor (LAP) constructed with a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) architecture in which each pixel of the rows of the pixel array are directed to individual processors in a similarly wide array. The pixel data are processed in a front end (FE) process that performs rough finding and tracking of regions of interest (ROIs) that potentially contain ID-like features. The ROI-finding process occurs in two parts so as to optimize the efficiency of the LAP in neighborhood operations—a row-processing step that occurs during image pixel readout from the pixel array and an image-processing step that occurs typically after readout occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan
  • Publication number: 20150178956
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods can process height maps. For example, the disclosed computerized method of determining posture information of an object in a two-dimensional height map captured by a range sensor system can include receiving the height map of the object captured by the range sensor system, generating a plurality of one-dimensional slices of the height map and a location record indicating locations of the plurality of one-dimensional slices on the height map, identifying points of interest in the plurality of one-dimensional slices, determining locations of the identified points of interest in the height map based on the location record, and determining the posture information of the object based on the locations of the identified points of interest in the height map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Jason DAVIS, Michael C. MOED, Robert J. TREMBLAY, II
  • Publication number: 20140361084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Negro, John F. Keating, Michael C. Moed
  • Publication number: 20140347473
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for measuring displacement of an object surface having a displacement sensor that projects a line on the object surface and receives light from the projected line at an imager in a manner defines a plurality of displacement values in a height direction. A vision system processor operates on rows of imager pixels to determine a laser line center in columns of imager pixels in each of a plurality of regions of interest. Each region of interest defines a plurality of rows that correspond with expected locations of the projected line on the object surface. A GUI can be used to establish the regions. In further embodiments, the system generates grayscale images with the imager. These grayscale images can be compared to a generated height image to compensate for contrast-induced false height readings. Imager pixels can be compared to a reference voltage to locate the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Wolff, Michael C. Moed, Mikhail Akopyan, Robert Tremblay, Willard Foster, Aaron S. Wallack
  • Patent number: 8740081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of a first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: James Negro, John F. Keating, Michael C. Moed
  • Patent number: 8646689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a camera that includes a field of view (FOV), the apparatus for indicating at least a first portion of a field of view for analysis and comprising a light source for generating a first light pattern that is directed onto an object surface within the FOV while the light source remains stationary with respect to the object, an adjuster for, while the first light pattern subtends a surface of the object and without moving the light source with respect to the object, modifying the first light pattern to generate a first deformed light pattern that is directed onto the object surface in the FOV and a manual input device for controlling the adjuster to indicate how the first light pattern is to be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C Moed, Robert T Tremblay, Carl W Gerst, III, William Equitz
  • Publication number: 20140021259
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Carl W. Gerst, III