Patents by Inventor Steven N. Goodspeed

Steven N. Goodspeed 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: 20120120490
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, devices for image acquisition that use seals between concentrically disposed portions of an enclosure and an optics assembly in order to protect image acquisition components from the surrounding environment while providing adequate friction for both adjusting and locking focus. Such devices can include an image capture medium that is disposed within an enclosure and an optics assembly that is also disposed within that enclosure. The optics assembly, which includes at least a lens, can have a cylindrical outer diameter along at least a portion of its length that is received within the enclosure along a length that has a corresponding cylindrical inner diameter. A first seal is disposed between, and in contact with, the optics assembly and the enclosure. That seal permits rotation of the optics assembly for purposes of focusing the lens, while preventing contamination from the environment from entering into the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Costigan, Steven N. Goodspeed, Robert J. Tremblay, John F. Keating, Brian S. Phillips, James Hoffmaster
  • Patent number: 8033670
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, devices for image acquisition that use seals (e.g., O-rings) between concentrically disposed portions of an enclosure and an optics assembly (or sub-assemblies thereof) in order to protect image acquisition components from the surrounding environment (and vice versa) while, at the same time, providing adequate friction for both adjusting and locking focus. Such devices include, in one aspect of the invention, an image capture medium (e.g., a CMOS sensor, CCD array, etc.) that is disposed within an enclosure and an optics assembly that is also disposed within that enclosure, rotatably. The optics assembly, which includes at least a lens, can have a cylindrical outer diameter along at least a portion of its length that is received within the enclosure along a length that has a corresponding cylindrical inner diameter. A first seal (e.g., an “O-ring”) is disposed between, and in contact with, the optics assembly and the enclosure, e.g., along these corresponding lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: George Costigan, Steven N. Goodspeed, Robert J. Tremblay, John F. Keating, Brian S. Phillips, James Hoffmaster
  • Patent number: 7417803
    Abstract: A machine vision image acquisition system is provided with a housing or enclosure that protects the acquisition system components from an industrial environment. The machine vision image acquisition system has a focusing mechanism that can be actuated externally to the housing. The focusing mechanism uses a gear drive to transmit externally actuated focus adjustments to the optical components of the acquisition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: George Costigan, Steven N. Goodspeed, David R. King, Robert J. Tremblay, II, John F. Keating, Brian S. Phillips, James Hoffmaster
  • Publication number: 20080158678
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, devices for image acquisition that use seals (e.g., O-rings) between concentrically disposed portions of an enclosure and an optics assembly (or sub-assemblies thereof) in order to protect image acquisition components from the surrounding environment (and vice versa) while, at the same time, providing adequate friction for both adjusting and locking focus. Such devices include, in one aspect of the invention, an image capture medium (e.g., a CMOS sensor, CCD array, etc.) that is disposed within an enclosure and an optics assembly that is also disposed within that enclosure, rotatably. The optics assembly, which includes at least a lens, can have a cylindrical outer diameter along at least a portion of its length that is received within the enclosure along a length that has a corresponding cylindrical inner diameter. A first seal (e.g., an “O-ring”) is disposed between, and in contact with, the optics assembly and the enclosure, e.g., along these corresponding lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Costigan, Steven N. Goodspeed, Robert J. Tremblay, John F. Keating, Brian Phillips, James Hoffmaster
  • Patent number: 4287433
    Abstract: A transistor logic tristate output device with plural phase splitter transistor means coupled in parallel configuration jointly to control sinking of current by the pulldown element with only one of the plural phase splitter transistor means coupled to control sourcing of current by the pullup element. In a preferred embodiment dual phase splitter transistors define a relatively low resistance path from high potential for controlling the pulldown element and a relatively high resistance path from high potential through the enable gate restricting power consumption in the high impedance third state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp.
    Inventor: Steven N. Goodspeed