Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining the location and characteristics of certain surface features that comprises elevated or depressed regions with respect to a smooth surrounding surface on an object. A filter acts on a range image of the scene. A filter defines an annulus or other perimeter shape around each pixel in which a best-fit surface is established. A normal to the pixel allows derivation of local displacement height. The displacement height is used to establish a height deviation image of the object, with which bumps, dents or other height-displacement features can be determined. The bump filter can be used to locate regions on a surface with minimal irregularities by mapping such irregularities to a grid and then thresholding the grid to generate a cost function. Regions with a minimal cost are acceptable candidates for application of labels and other items in which a smooth surface is desirable.

Abstract: This invention provides an easy-to-manufacture, easy-to-analyze calibration object which combines measurable and repeatable, but not necessarily accurate, 3D features—such as a two-sided calibration object/target in (e.g.) the form of a frustum, with a pair of accurate and measurable features, more particularly parallel faces separated by a precise specified thickness, so as to provide for simple field calibration of opposite-facing DS sensors. Illustratively, a composite calibration object can be constructed, which includes the two-sided frustum that has been sandblasted and anodized (to provide measurable, repeatable features), with a flange whose above/below parallel surfaces have been ground to a precise specified thickness. The 3D corner positions of the two-sided frustum are used to calibrate the two sensors in X and Y, but cannot establish absolute Z without accurate information about the thickness of the two-sided frustum; the flange provides the absolute Z information.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining the location and characteristics of certain surface features that comprises elevated or depressed regions with respect to a smooth surrounding surface on an object. A filter acts on a range image of the scene. A filter defines an annulus or other perimeter shape around each pixel in which a best-fit surface is established. A normal to the pixel allows derivation of local displacement height. The displacement height is used to establish a height deviation image of the object, with which bumps, dents or other height-displacement features can be determined. The bump filter can be used to locate regions on a surface with minimal irregularities by mapping such irregularities to a grid and then thresholding the grid to generate a cost function. Regions with a minimal cost are acceptable candidates for application of labels and other items in which a smooth surface is desirable.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining the location and characteristics of certain surface features that comprises elevated or depressed regions with respect to a smooth surrounding surface on an object. A filter acts on a range image of the scene. A filter defines an annulus or other perimeter shape around each pixel in which a best-fit surface is established. A normal to the pixel allows derivation of local displacement height. The displacement height is used to establish a height deviation image of the object, with which bumps, dents or other height-displacement features can be determined. The bump filter can be used to locate regions on a surface with minimal irregularities by mapping such irregularities to a grid and then thresholding the grid to generate a cost function. Regions with a minimal cost are acceptable candidates for application of labels and other items in which a smooth surface is desirable.

Abstract: This invention provides an easy-to-manufacture, easy-to-analyze calibration object which combines measurable and repeatable, but not necessarily accurate, 3D features—such as a two-sided calibration object/target in (e.g.) the form of a frustum, with a pair of accurate and measurable features, more particularly parallel faces separated by a precise specified thickness, so as to provide for simple field calibration of opposite-facing DS sensors. Illustratively, a composite calibration object can be constructed, which includes the two-sided frustum that has been sandblasted and anodized (to provide measurable, repeatable features), with a flange whose above/below parallel surfaces have been ground to a precise specified thickness. The 3D corner positions of the two-sided frustum are used to calibrate the two sensors in X and Y, but cannot establish absolute Z without accurate information about the thickness of the two-sided frustum; the flange provides the absolute Z information.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for reading and decoding ID features located on a surface of a curved, sloped and/or annular object, such as a tire moving on a conveyor. A plurality of 3D sensors are operatively connected to a vision system processor. The sensors are calibrated by calibration parameters to generate a stitched-together 3D image of a field of view in a common coordinate space. A motion conveyance (e.g. a conveyor) causes the object and the 3D sensors to move in relative motion, and the conveyance provides motion information to the vision system processor. An ID finder locates ID features within a version of the 3D image and a decoder (e.g. an OCR reader) generates data from the ID features. The ID finder can locate a trained portion of the ID and the search for variable code elements at a known orientation relative to the trained portion.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides an easy-to-manufacture, easy-to-analyze calibration object which combines measurable and repeatable, but not necessarily accurate, 3D features—such as a two-sided calibration object/target in (e.g.) the form of a frustum, with a pair of accurate and measurable features, more particularly parallel faces separated by a precise specified thickness, so as to provide for simple field calibration of opposite-facing DS sensors. Illustratively, a composite calibration object can be constructed, which includes the two-sided frustum that has been sandblasted and anodized (to provide measurable, repeatable features), with a flange whose above/below parallel surfaces have been ground to a precise specified thickness. The 3D corner positions of the two-sided frustum are used to calibrate the two sensors in X and Y, but cannot establish absolute Z without accurate information about the thickness of the two-sided frustum; the flange provides the absolute Z information.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining the location and characteristics of certain surface features that comprises elevated or depressed regions with respect to a smooth surrounding surface on an object. A filter acts on a range image of the scene. A filter defines an annulus or other perimeter shape around each pixel in which a best-fit surface is established. A normal to the pixel allows derivation of local displacement height. The displacement height is used to establish a height deviation image of the object, with which bumps, dents or other height-displacement features can be determined. The bump filter can be used to locate regions on a surface with minimal irregularities by mapping such irregularities to a grid and then thresholding the grid to generate a cost function. Regions with a minimal cost are acceptable candidates for application of labels and other items in which a smooth surface is desirable.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for estimating the time of a set of pulses based upon a plurality of position measurements of a moving object provided by a non-contacting sensor, such as a one-dimensional optical sensor that tracks movements of object features and reports position measurements with respect to time. Position measurements determine the estimated velocity. The velocity and position measurement allow the timing of a next pulse to be updated, based upon the time of the previous pulse. The pulse is output at the time of the last updated time before the first new position measurement received after the estimated pulse output time. The system allows pulses to be precisely delivered at predetermined motion distances. Where the distance is too short for the measurement rate, the system compares estimated pulse times to clock-generated pulse times and updates the clock-generated pulse times based upon the difference.

Abstract: An organizing system for drawers and cabinets for attachment to opposing walls is disclosed which includes at least one main support that includes a pair of holes in the opposing walls. The pair of holes are in opposing alignment with one another. The system further includes a pair of attachment pins. Each pin is pressed into one of the pair of holes in the walls. The head of the pin has a top surface. A primary support rod having two ends extends between the top surfaces of the heads of the pair of attachment pins such that an abutment point is created at each end of the primary support rod between each primary support rod end and the top surface of each attachment pin. Fittings slide over the abutment point to secure the primary support rod with respect to each attachment pin.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a human/machine interface (HMI) for use with machine vision systems (MVSs) that provides the machine vision system processing functionality at the sensor end of the system, and uses a communication interface to exchange control, image and analysis information with a standardized, preferably portable device that can be removed from the MVS during runtime. In an illustrative embodiment, this portable device can be a web-browser equipped computer (handheld, laptop or fixed PC) or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The communication interface on the sensor-end of the system is adapted to communicate over a cable or wireless communication link (for example infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF)), with a corresponding communication interface in the portable device.

Abstract: A system adapted to support items normally used in the kitchen, with the system being mounted on a backsplash wall. The system comprises a rail tube and mounting sleeves for supporting the rail tube on the wall. The rail tube is square in cross-section, and is mounted with a corner of the square being uppermost. Various supporting members are suspended from the rail tube, with the supporting members having an upper loop of the same square configuration as the rail tube. One supporting member suspendable from the rail tube is a paper towel holder having a horizontally extending frame. Two sides of the frame have a swaged area, and a hollow tube, having spaced notches, is mounted on the frame by placing the notches over the swaged areas. A roll of paper towels is supported by the tube.

Abstract: A system adapted to support items normally used in the kitchen, with the system being mounted on a backsplash wall. The system comprises a rail tube and mounting sleeves for supporting the rail tube on the wall. The rail tube is square in cross-section, and is mounted with a corner of the square being uppermost. Various supporting members are suspended from the rail tube, with the supporting members having an upper loop of the same square configuration as the rail tube. One supporting member suspendable from the rail tube is a paper towel holder having a horizontally extending frame. Two sides of the frame have a swaged area, and a hollow tube, having spaced notches, is mounted on the frame by placing the notches over the swaged areas. A roll of paper towels is supported by the tube. Another structure suspended from the rail tube is a rack that includes a shelf.