Cognex has patented a system and method for 3D imaging of complex objects, utilizing both available and absent image data to compute dimensions. The patented composite 3D blob tool identifies positive and negative image data to define connected objects, refining dimensions based on height information and object location. GlobalData’s report on Cognex gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Cognex, AI-assisted repair estimation was a key innovation area identified from patents. Cognex's grant share as of May 2024 was 52%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Composite 3d blob tool for vision system
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11966996B2) discloses a composite 3D blob tool designed for a vision system equipped with a processor that processes 3D image data obtained from an object using a 3D camera assembly. The tool includes a blob tool process stored in a computer memory accessible by the processor, which identifies positive and negative 3D image data in the acquired data. By combining this information, the tool defines connected objects based on z-dimension height information and refines the x-y dimensions of the object using predetermined projection angles of illumination and the object's location in the field of view. This innovative approach allows for the removal of shadows and enhances object recognition accuracy.
Furthermore, the patent claims detail the analysis of connected objects for spatial significance based on calibration information in the 3D camera assembly, catering to scenarios where objects have varying heights or are placed side by side. The tool is compatible with various types of 3D camera assemblies such as stereo cameras, structured illumination-based cameras, time-of-flight-based cameras, or profilers. Additionally, the tool defines a bounding box containing both the shadow and positive 3D image data above a reference surface, which could be a conveyor surface. The results of the 3D blob tool can be utilized by a gating assembly to direct objects to different destinations based on their features, showcasing the practical applications of this technology in automated systems for object sorting and quality control.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
