COGNEX CORPORATION

Methods and systems for extracting a one-dimensional (1D) signal from a two-dimensional (2D) digital image along a projection line are provided herein. The methods and systems store the digital image in a memory hierarchy wherein non-blocking prefetch operations can fetch pixels from a main store to a data cache. A prefetch plan, pixel processing plan, and prefetch distance are selected responsive to the orientation of the projection line. The prefetch plan uses a first memory address order that is designed to be favorable for efficiently fetching pixels from the main store to the data cache for the given orientation. The pixel processing plan uses a second address order that is designed to be favorable for computing a 1D signal along the projection line. The pixel processing plan is used in coordination with the prefetch plan to compute the one-dimensional signal, so that pixels are fetched from the main store to the data cache in advance of being used by the pixel operations by an amount of time that is responsive to the prefetch distance.

This invention provides a vision system camera, and associated methods of operation, having a multi-core processor, high-speed, high-resolution imager, FOVE, auto-focus lens and imager-connected pre-processor to pre-process image data provides the acquisition and processing speed, as well as the image resolution that are highly desirable in a wide range of applications. This arrangement effectively scans objects that require a wide field of view, vary in size and move relatively quickly with respect to the system field of view. This vision system provides a physical package with a wide variety of physical interconnections to support various options and control functions. The package effectively dissipates internally generated heat by arranging components to optimize heat transfer to the ambient environment and includes dissipating structure (e.g. fins) to facilitate such transfer. The system also enables a wide range of multi-core processes to optimize and load-balance both image processing and system operation (i.e. auto-regulation tasks).

The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to determine parameters for image acquisition. One or more image sensors are each arranged to capture a set of images of a scene, and each image sensor comprises a set of adjustable imaging parameters. A projector is configured to project a moving pattern on the scene, wherein the projector comprises a set of adjustable projector parameters. The set of adjustable projector parameters and the set of adjustable imaging parameters are determined, based on a set of one or more constraints, to reduce noise in 3D data generated based on the set of images.

Techniques include systems, computerized methods, and computer readable media for creating a graphical program in a graphical program development environment. A spreadsheet node having an input terminal in the graphical program is instantiated. The spreadsheet node is associated with a spreadsheet that specifies a list of functions to be executed in a computing device, and the input terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first node, indicating a data connection between the first terminal of the first node and the input terminal of the spreadsheet node. The input terminal of the spreadsheet node is associated with a first cell in the spreadsheet, indicating that the first cell in the spreadsheet be populated with any data received by the input terminal. A human readable file is generated specifying the graphical program, including the spreadsheet node.

Embodiments related to local tone mapping for symbol reading. A local pixel neighborhood metric is determined for at least one raw pixel in a region-of-interest, which identifies on one or more raw pixels near the at least one raw pixel. A local mapping function is determined for the at least one raw pixel that maps the value of the raw pixel to a mapped pixel value with a mapped bit depth that is smaller than the bit depth associated with the raw image. The local mapping function is based on a value of at least one other raw pixel near the at least one raw pixel within the local pixel neighborhood metric, and at least one parameter determined based on the raw image. A mapped image is computed for the region-of-interest by applying the local mapping function to the raw image.

Evaluating a symbol on an object can include acquiring a first image of the object, including the symbol. A second image can be derived from the first image based upon determining a saturation threshold for the second image and possibly scaling of pixel values to a reduced bit-depth for the second image.

This invention provides a vision system camera, and associated methods of operation, having a multi-core processor, high-speed, high-resolution imager, FOVE, auto-focus lens and imager-connected pre-processor to pre-process image data provides the acquisition and processing speed, as well as the image resolution that are highly desirable in a wide range of applications. This arrangement effectively scans objects that require a wide field of view, vary in size and move relatively quickly with respect to the system field of view. This vision system provides a physical package with a wide variety of physical interconnections to support various options and control functions. The package effectively dissipates internally generated heat by arranging components to optimize heat transfer to the ambient environment and includes dissipating structure (e.g. fins) to facilitate such transfer. The system also enables a wide range of multi-core processes to optimize and load-balance both image processing and system operation (i.e. auto-regulation tasks).

Techniques include systems, computerized methods, and computer readable media for creating a graphical program in a graphical program development environment. A spreadsheet node having an input terminal in the graphical program is instantiated. The spreadsheet node is associated with a spreadsheet that specifies a list of functions to be executed in a computing device, and the input terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first node, indicating a data connection between the first terminal of the first node and the input terminal of the spreadsheet node. The input terminal of the spreadsheet node is associated with a first cell in the spreadsheet, indicating that the first cell in the spreadsheet be populated with any data received by the input terminal. A human readable file is generated specifying the graphical program, including the spreadsheet node.

Evaluating a symbol on an object can include acquiring a first image of the object, including the symbol. A second image can be derived from the first image based upon determining a saturation threshold for the second image and possibly scaling of pixel values to a reduced bit-depth for the second image.

Techniques include systems, computerized methods, and computer readable media for creating a graphical program in a graphical program development environment. A spreadsheet node having an input terminal in the graphical program is instantiated. The spreadsheet node is associated with a spreadsheet that specifies a list of functions to be executed in a computing device, and the input terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first node, indicating a data connection between the first terminal of the first node and the input terminal of the spreadsheet node. The input terminal of the spreadsheet node is associated with a first cell in the spreadsheet, indicating that the first cell in the spreadsheet be populated with any data received by the input terminal. A human readable file is generated specifying the graphical program, including the spreadsheet node.