Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation

Cognex Corporation

Robert J Tremblay, Ii

Brian Phillips

John F Keating

Brian V Mirtich

Steven M Whitman

Andrew Eames

Michael C Moed

Jason Davis

George J Costigan

David R King

James Hoffmaster

Steven Goodspeed

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.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for processing a height map

This invention provides a system and method for employing GUI-based non-numeric slide buttons and bar meters to setup and monitor operating parameters of a vision system. Graphical representations of operating parameters are displayed in a parameter box on the GUI with moving bars that are shaded, patterned or colored so as to provide a relative level between two extremes on a scale of the given operating parameter. Input of operating parameter settings with respect to the scale is made by moving a setting slider along the scale between the extremes. The position of the slider establishes the user-input setting relative to the scale. In an illustrative embodiment, scales, level bars and setting sliders can also be displayed on the image view itself, adjacent to a given image view feature, which is the subject of the scale.

System and method for displaying and using non-numeric graphic elements to control and monitor a vision system

This invention provides a system and method for automating the setup of Locators and Detectors within an image view of an object on the HMI of a vision detector by determining detectable edges and best fitting the Locators and Detectors to a location on the object image view following the establishment of an user selected operating point on the image view, such as by clicking a GUI cursor. In this manner, the initial placement and sizing of the graphical elements for Locator and Detector ROIs are relatively optimized without excessive adjustment by the user. Locators can be selected for direction, including machine or line-movement direction, cross direction or angled direction transverse to cross direction and movement direction. Detectors can be selected based upon particular analysis tools, including brightness tools, contrast tools and trained templates. The Locators and detectors are each associated with a particular set of operating parameters, such as activation threshold, which are displayed in a control box within the GUI (and can be accessed by clicking on the specific Locator or Detector. A parameter bar can also be provided adjacent to the depiction of the Detector on the image view for easy reference. Both Locators and Detectors may be manually readjusted once automatically placed and sized by drag and drop techniques.

System and method for assigning analysis parameters to vision detector using a graphical interface

This invention provides a system and method for employing GUI-based non-numeric slide buttons and bar meters to setup and monitor operating parameters of a vision system (the term 'vision system' as used herein including the above-described vision detector). Such parameters can include, but are not limited to the threshold at which a feature is activated in viewing an image. Operating parameters also include the under-lying range of contrast values and levels of brightness intensities (or by input inversion, the level of darkness) recognized and acted upon by the vision system. Graphical representations of operating parameters are displayed in a parameter box on the GUI with moving bars that are shaded, patterned or colored so as to provide a relative level between two extremes on a scale of the given operating parameter. The endpoints of the scale can be established by analyzing the relevant extremes on a subject image view. The current level of the given parameter is displayed as a bar that extends a distance along the scale that is proportional to the current level of the parameter along the scale. Input of operating parameter settings with respect to the scale is made by moving a setting slider along the scale between the extremes. The position of the slider establishes the user-input setting relative to the scale. In an illustrative embodiment, scales, level bars and setting sliders can also be displayed on the image view itself, adjacent to a given image view feature, which is the subject of the scale.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Framingham, MA, United States of America

Robert J Tremblay, Ii