John J Keating

US Patent:

7417803, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Nov 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/991601

Inventors:

George Costigan - Westford MA, US
Steven N. Goodspeed - Westford MA, US
David R. King - Norfolk MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
James Hoffmaster - Dedham MA, US

Assignee:

Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation - Mt. View CA

International Classification:

G02B 15/14
G02B 7/02
G02B 7/04
G03B 17/00
G03B 17/18

US Classification:

359694, 359696, 359698, 359823, 396 55, 396 59, 396 75, 396 85, 396 89, 396 91, 396137, 396144, 396147, 348345

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.

US Patent:

7636449, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Nov 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/987497

Inventors:

Brian V. Mirtich - Medfield MA, US
Andrew Eames - Ashland MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Steven Whitman - Danville NH, US

Assignee:

Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation - Mt. View CA

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382100, 382141, 382145, 382152

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7720315, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Nov 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/988120

Inventors:

Brian V. Mirtich - Medfield MA, US
Andrew Eames - Ashland MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Steven Whitman - Danville MA, US

Assignee:

Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation - Mt. View CA

International Classification:

G06K 9/03

US Classification:

382309, 382141

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

8033670, Oct 11, 2011

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/618132

Inventors:

George Costigan - Westford MA, US
Steven N. Goodspeed - Westford MA, US
Robert J. Tremblay - Framingham MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
James Hoffmaster - Dedham MA, US

Assignee:

Cognex Corporation - Natick MA

International Classification:

G02B 23/16
G02B 7/02
G02B 7/04
G02B 13/16

US Classification:

359507, 359513, 359825, 359829, 359830, 359900, 348294, 348345, 250216

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.

US Patent:

8127247, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Dec 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/616726

Inventors:

Robert J. Tremblay - Framingham MA, US
Brian S. Philips - Sherborn MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Andrew Eames - Ashland MA, US
Steven Whitman - Danville MA, US
Brian V. Mirtich - Medfield MA, US

Assignee:

Cognex Corporation - Natick MA

International Classification:

H04N 5/232

US Classification:

715788, 715771, 715972, 715718, 715774, 382149

Abstract:

This invention provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that operates in connection with a machine vision detector or other machine vision system, which provides a highly intuitive and industrial machine-like appearance and layout. The GUI includes a centralized image frame window surrounded by panes having buttons and specific interface components that the user employs in each step of a machine vision system set up and run procedure. One pane allows the user to view and manipulate a recorded filmstrip of image thumbnails taken in a sequence, and provides the filmstrip with specialized highlighting (colors or patterns) that indicate useful information about the underlying images. The programming of logic is performed using a programming window that includes a ladder logic arrangement.

US Patent:

8542930, Sep 24, 2013

Filed:

Dec 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/982007

Inventors:

James A. Negro - Arlington MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US

Assignee:

Cognex Corporation - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06K 9/36
G06K 7/00
G06K 7/10

US Classification:

382190, 382232, 382312, 235435, 23546201

Abstract:

Systems and methods for use with a mark reader that reduce the trigger-to-decode response time by prioritizing images to be decoded based on the likelihood of a successful decode are provided. A reader attempts to decode a priority image(s) first to avoid attempting to decode images that are less likely than other images to be successfully decoded. Images are rated based on feature attributes, and then prioritized for decoding. Image feature attributes are correlated with parameter groups, and the parameter groups are prioritized for use in subsequent image acquisitions.

US Patent:

20100318936, Dec 16, 2010

Filed:

Aug 24, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/862135

Inventors:

Robert J. Tremblay - Grafton MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Andrew Eames - Ashland MA, US
Steven Whitman - Danville NH, US
Brian V. Mirtich - Medfield MA, US

Assignee:

COGNEX CORPORATION - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715781, 715840, 715838

Abstract:

This invention provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that operates in connection with a machine vision detector or other machine vision system, which provides a highly intuitive and industrial machine-like appearance and layout. The GUI includes a centralized image frame window surrounded by panes having buttons and specific interface components that the user employs in each step of a machine vision system set up and run procedure. One pane allows the user to view and manipulate a recorded filmstrip of image thumbnails taken in a sequence, and provides the filmstrip with specialized highlighting (colors or patterns) that indicate useful information about the underlying images. The programming of logic is performed using a programming window that includes a ladder logic arrangement.

US Patent:

20120120490, May 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/269966

Inventors:

George Costigan - Westford MA, US
Steven N. Goodspeed - Westford MA, US
Robert J. Tremblay - Framingham MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Brian S. Phillips - Sherborn MA, US
James Hoffmaster - Dedham MA, US

Assignee:

COGNEX CORPORATION - Natick MA

International Classification:

G02B 7/02

US Classification:

359507

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.