Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.

John J Merva

Howard K Stern

Timothy P White

Sheila Bergeron Dunn

William P Bouvier

A miniature inspection system for observing an object. The system comprises a camera ( ) defining an optical axis ( ) defined between the camera ( ) and the object when located at the object inspection location. A ring light ( ) is located concentrically with respect to and along the optical axis at a location between an entrance aperture of the camera ( ) and the object, when located at the object observing location. A field lens ( ) is located along the optical axis at a location between the camera ( ) and the object, when placed at the object observing location. A mirror or a penta-prism ( ) may be located along the optical axis, between the camera ( ) and the field lens, so that light reflected from the object along the optical axis is reflected by either the mirror or the penta-prism ( ) toward the entrance aperture of the camera ( ). An illumination source ( ), may be also provided to supply illumination along the optical axis of the system.

Miniature inspection system

An imager for illuminating and imaging encoded symbology to facilitate decoding of the symbology and which provides both &ldquo;bright field&rdquo; and &ldquo;dark field&rdquo; illumination patterns is provided with an illumination directing device to direct the &ldquo;bright field&rdquo; illumination pattern into an alternative &ldquo;dark field&rdquo; illumination pattern. In one embodiment the illumination directing device takes the configuration of a disc that is selectively positionable in front of the imager and removable therefrom depending upon whether or not the illumination pattern is to be changed. The disc snap fits into a position at the front of the imager housing and includes a fresnel configured outer ring, a light blocking inner ring, and a light transmissive center. The fresnel configuration receives light and redirects the light forward of the imager and towards a center line passing through the device to provide the alternative illumination pattern. Other embodiments of illumination directing devices are to be carried by the imager for disposition in either operative or inoperative positions; while still other embodiments of illumination directing devices selectively position collimating lenses and reflective surfaces to receive and redirect light from the images or permit the light from the imager to provide an unmodified illumination pattern.

Growing community of inventors

Weare, NH, United States of America

John J Merva