Abstract: A super resolution bore imaging system is disclosed for imaging a cylindrical bore. The system includes a controller, a photodetector configuration having a known pixel geometry, and an imaging arrangement that images bore surface segments onto the photodetector. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to acquire respective combinable sets of raw bore segment image data using the pixels of the photodetector configuration positioned, relative to the bore segment, at respective imaging-Z coordinates which are separated along the bore axial direction by a subpixel shift. In some embodiments, the pixel geometry is configured to provide super resolution along the circumferential direction without a change in position along the circumferential direction between acquiring the respective sets of image data. The controller combines the sets of raw image data to form a super resolution image data for the bore segment.

Abstract: A super resolution bore imaging system is disclosed for imaging a cylindrical bore. The system includes a controller, a photodetector configuration having a known pixel geometry, and an imaging arrangement that images bore surface segments onto the photodetector. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to acquire respective combinable sets of raw bore segment image data using the pixels of the photodetector configuration positioned, relative to the bore segment, at respective imaging-Z coordinates which are separated along the bore axial direction by a subpixel shift. In some embodiments, the pixel geometry is configured to provide super resolution along the circumferential direction without a change in position along the circumferential direction between acquiring the respective sets of image data. The controller combines the sets of raw image data to form a super resolution image data for the bore segment.

Abstract: A tire direct-pressure shaping and electromagnetic induction heating curing method uses an inner metal mold including large and small segments, a telescoping mechanism, supporting plates attached to the segments, and induction heating coils. A cavity in the middle of the segments is filled of phase change material. The temperature of the mold rises rapidly by the thermal effect of an eddy current generated on the surface of the segments to heat the green tire. When the middle part of the segment is heated to a certain temperature, the phase change material absorbs and stores the excess heat. Therefore, the temperature of the middle part of the segment differs from one of two ends of the segment. Once the tire is cured, the inner mold in the expanded condition and the outer mold support very high pressure for the green tire together.

Abstract: A tire direct-pressure shaping and electromagnetic induction heating curing method uses an inner metal mold including large and small segments, a telescoping mechanism, supporting plates attached to the segments, and induction heating coils. A cavity in the middle of the segments is filled of phase change material. The temperature of the mold rises rapidly by the thermal effect of an eddy current generated on the surface of the segments to heat the green tire. When the middle part of the segment is heated to a certain temperature, the phase change material absorbs and stores the excess heat. Therefore, the temperature of the middle part of the segment differs from one of two ends of the segment. Once the tire is cured, the inner mold in the expanded condition and the outer mold support very high pressure for the green tire together.

Abstract: A tire direct-pressure shaping and electromagnetic induction heating curing method and apparatus uses an inner metal mold including large and small segments, a telescoping mechanism, supporting plates attached to the segments, and induction heating coils. A cavity in the middle of the segments is filled of phase change material. The temperature of the mold rises rapidly by the thermal effect of an eddy current generated on the surface of the segments to heat the green tire. When the middle part of the segment is heated to a certain temperature, the phase change material absorbs and stores the excess heat. Therefore, the temperature of the middle part of the segment differs from one of two ends of the segment. Once the tire is cured, the inner mold in the expanded condition and the outer mold support very high pressure for the green tire together.

Abstract: A tire direct-pressure shaping and electromagnetic induction heating curing method and apparatus uses an inner metal mold including large and small segments, a telescoping mechanism, supporting plates attached to the segments, and induction heating coils. A cavity in the middle of the segments is filled of phase change material. The temperature of the mold rises rapidly by the thermal effect of an eddy current generated on the surface of the segments to heat the green tire. When the middle part of the segment is heated to a certain temperature, the phase change material absorbs and stores the excess heat. Therefore, the temperature of the middle part of the segment differs from one of two ends of the segment. Once the tire is cured, the inner mold in the expanded condition and the outer mold support very high pressure for the green tire together.

Abstract: A user interface for setting parameters for an edge location video tool is provided. In one implementation, the user interface includes a multi-dimensional parameter space representation with edge zones that allows a user to adjust a single parameter combination indicator in a zone in order to adjust multiple edge detection parameters for detecting a corresponding edge. The edge zones indicate the edge features that are detectable when the parameter combination indicator is placed within the edge zones. In another implementation, representations of multiple edge features that are detectable by different possible combinations of the edge detection parameters are automatically provided in one or more windows. When a user selects one of the edge feature representation, the corresponding combination of edge detection parameters is set as the parameters for the edge location video tool.

Abstract: A method for improving repeatability in edge location measurement results of a machine vision inspection system comprises: placing a workpiece in a field of view of the machine vision inspection system; providing an edge measurement video tool comprising an edge-referenced alignment compensation defining portion; operating the edge measurement video tool to define a region of interest of the video tool which includes an edge feature of the workpiece; operating the edge measurement video tool to automatically perform scan line direction alignment operations such that the scan line direction of the edge measurement video tool is aligned along a first direction relative to the edge feature, wherein the first direction is defined by predetermined alignment operations of the edge-referenced alignment compensation defining portion; and performing edge location measurement operations with the region of interest in that position.

Abstract: A method for improving repeatability in edge location measurement results of a machine vision inspection system comprises: placing a workpiece in a field of view of the machine vision inspection system; providing an edge measurement video tool comprising an edge-referenced alignment compensation defining portion; operating the edge measurement video tool to define a region of interest of the video tool which includes an edge feature of the workpiece; operating the edge measurement video tool to automatically perform scan line direction alignment operations such that the scan line direction of the edge measurement video tool is aligned along a first direction relative to the edge feature, wherein the first direction is defined by predetermined alignment operations of the edge-referenced alignment compensation defining portion; and performing edge location measurement operations with the region of interest in that position.

Abstract: A user interface for setting parameters for an edge location video tool is provided. In one implementation, the user interface includes a multi-dimensional parameter space representation with edge zones that allows a user to adjust a single parameter combination indicator in a zone in order to adjust multiple edge detection parameters for detecting a corresponding edge. The edge zones indicate the edge features that are detectable when the parameter combination indicator is placed within the edge zones. In another implementation, representations of multiple edge features that are detectable by different possible combinations of the edge detection parameters are automatically provided in one or more windows. When a user selects one of the edge feature representation, the corresponding combination of edge detection parameters is set as the parameters for the edge location video tool.

Abstract: A user interface for setting parameters for an edge location video tool is provided. The user interface includes a multi-dimensional parameter space representation that allows a user to adjust a single parameter combination indicator in order to adjust multiple edge detection parameters at once. One or more edge feature representation windows may be provided which indicate the edge features detectable by the current configuration of the edge detection parameters.

Abstract: A method for operating an edge focus tool to focus the optics of a machine vision inspection system proximate to an edge adjacent to a beveled surface feature is provided. The method comprises defining a region of interest (ROI) including the edge in a field of view of the machine vision inspection system; acquiring an image stack of the ROI over a Z range including the edge; generating a point cloud including a Z height for a plurality of points in the ROI, based on determining a best focus Z height measurement for the plurality of points; defining a proximate subset of the point cloud comprising points proximate to the beveled surface feature and corresponding to the shape of the beveled surface feature; defining a Z-extremum subset of the proximate subset of the point cloud; and focusing the optics at a Z height corresponding to the Z-extremum subset.

Abstract: A multi-region focus navigation interface for a machine vision inspection system is provided to assist a user with user-directed or manual focus operations. The multi-region focus navigation interface comprises a plurality of regional focus elements, each corresponding to a respective region of interest and superimposed on a displayed field of view. Each focus element comprises at least first and second operating states corresponding to its focus distance being in a close or intermediate range, respectively. Each operating state comprises a respective graphical focus indicator. For the intermediate range, a focus improvement direction may also be indicated. In one embodiment, in the close range operating state, a user may activate a region focus element to perform autofocus operations, while in the intermediate range operating state, a user may activate a focus element to perform operations that move toward the focus height by a predetermined step size.

Abstract: A high-intensity light source configuration has a long lifetime and can be modulated at a high rate. The configuration includes a movable member mounted to an actuator; a light-emitting phosphor region associated with the movable member; an input light source that illuminates the light-emitting phosphor region at a spot that is fixed relative to an emitted light output region; and a light source controller controlling the movable member actuator and the input light source. The input light source (e.g., laser) provides high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot, causing the light-emitting phosphor region to emit high-intensity output light. The light-emitting phosphor region is moved relative to the illuminated spot so as to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, to thereby extend the life of the light source configuration. The phosphor region may emit broadband light and/or may include respective sub-regions having phosphors that emit respective peak wavelengths.

Abstract: A high-intensity light source configuration has a long lifetime and can be modulated at a high rate. The configuration includes a movable member mounted to an actuator; a light-emitting phosphor region associated with the movable member; an input light source that illuminates the light-emitting phosphor region at a spot that is fixed relative to an emitted light output region; and a light source controller controlling the movable member actuator and the input light source. The input light source (e.g., laser) provides high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot, causing the light-emitting phosphor region to emit high-intensity output light. The light-emitting phosphor region is moved relative to the illuminated spot so as to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, to thereby extend the life of the light source configuration. The phosphor region may emit broadband light and/or may include respective sub-regions having phosphors that emit respective peak wavelengths.

Abstract: A low cost digital ruler with desirable ergonomic characteristics and accuracy. A low friction sliding position indicator includes a compliant element that forces its connection pads against the ruler's electronic scale contacts, to determining measurement positions. The position indicator includes an instrument receiving feature that engages a writing instrument and moves in conjunction with it, thereby measuring a line as it is drawn. A position indicator preload arrangement includes the compliant element, which is deflected to exert a preload that forces the sliding position indicator against a housing of the digital ruler. Alignment features of the position indicator and housing have cross sections that provide a self-aligning angled interference fit, which accurately aligns the sliding position indicator, under the action of the preload force. Misalignment constraint surfaces constrain the sliding position indicator in approximate alignment by, even if an external force overcomes the preload force.

Abstract: A high-intensity light source configuration has a long lifetime and can be modulated at a high rate. The configuration includes a movable member mounted to an actuator; a light-emitting phosphor region associated with the movable member; an input light source that illuminates the light-emitting phosphor region at a spot that is fixed relative to an emitted light output region; and a light source controller controlling the movable member actuator and the input light source. The input light source (e.g., laser) provides high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot, causing the light-emitting phosphor region to emit high-intensity output light. The light-emitting phosphor region is moved relative to the illuminated spot so as to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, to thereby extend the life of the light source configuration. The phosphor region may emit broadband light and/or may include respective sub-regions having phosphors that emit respective peak wavelengths.

Abstract: A method characterizes field of view (FOV) distortion and may correct machine vision measurements accordingly. A plurality of distorted images are acquired, with the same calibration target at a plurality of spaced-apart locations within the FOV. The method analyzes the images and determines distortion parameters that can correct the distortions in the images such that features included in the calibration target pattern achieve a sufficient or optimum degree of congruence between the various images. Distortion parameters may be determined for each optical configuration (e.g., lens combination, magnification, etc.) that is used by a machine vision inspection system. The distortion parameters may then be used to correct FOV distortion errors in subsequent inspection and measurement operations.

Abstract: A low cost digital ruler with desirable ergonomic characteristics and accuracy. A low friction sliding position indicator includes a compliant element that forces its connection pads against the ruler's electronic scale contacts, to determining measurement positions. The position indicator includes an instrument receiving feature that engages a writing instrument and moves in conjunction with it, thereby measuring a line as it is drawn. A position indicator preload arrangement includes the compliant element, which is deflected to exert a preload that forces the sliding position indicator against a housing of the digital ruler. Alignment features of the position indicator and housing have cross sections that provide a self-aligning angled interference fit, which accurately aligns the sliding position indicator, under the action of the preload force. Misalignment constraint surfaces constrain the sliding position indicator in approximate alignment by, even if an external force overcomes the preload force.

Abstract: A method for operating a video tool to perform precision edge detection in an image. The method includes determining estimated image intensity values corresponding to positions along a straight line aligned with a defined scan line orientation. The location of an edge point along the straight line is determined based on the estimated intensity values and their positions along the straight line. The method reduces sub-pixel orientation-dependent variations that may otherwise be present in edge measurements. Intensity values may be estimated by interpolating between nearest neighbor image pixel intensity values. When positions along the straight line are chosen to coincide with a pixel row or column, the interpolating may be linear interpolation between the intensities of just two adjacent pixels.