John P Keating

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:

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:

20130112750, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Nov 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/288104

Inventors:

James Negro - Arlington MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Michael C. Moed - Hopkinton MA, US

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

235454

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of a first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

US Patent:

20180157886, Jun 7, 2018

Filed:

Sep 11, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/700620

Inventors:

- Natick MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Michael C. Moed - Hopkinton MA, US

International Classification:

G06K 7/14
G06K 7/10

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

US Patent:

20140361084, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Feb 27, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/191695

Inventors:

James Negro - Arlington MA, US
John F. Keating - Medway MA, US
Michael C. Moed - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

COGNEX CORPORATION - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06K 7/14
G06K 7/10

US Classification:

23546209

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.

US Patent:

20140119661, May 1, 2014

Filed:

Aug 29, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/013074

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

COGNEX CORPORATION - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06K 9/46

US Classification:

382190

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.