System and method for determining and controlling focal distance in a vision system camera
First Claim
1. A system for determining focal distance of a lens assembly comprising:
- a variable lens located along an optical axis of the lens assembly constructed and arranged to provide a variable focus setting;
a calibration assembly integral with the lens assembly, the calibration assembly including a projected pattern of light that variably projects upon a camera sensor receiving light from the lens assembly based upon the focus setting of the variable lens; and
a focus process that determines the focal distance of the lens assembly at the focus setting based upon predetermined calibration information with respect to the pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method for determining and controlling focal distance in a lens assembly of a vision system camera using an integral calibration assembly that provides the camera'"'"'s image sensor with optical information that is relative to focal distance while enabling runtime images of a scene to be acquired along the image axis. The lens assembly includes a variable lens located along an optical axis that provides a variable focus setting. The calibration assembly generates a projected pattern of light that variably projects upon the camera sensor based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. That is, the appearance and/or position of the pattern varies based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. This enables a focus process to determine the current focal length of the lens assembly based upon predetermined calibration information stored in association with a vision system processor running the focus process.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for determining focal distance of a lens assembly comprising:
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a variable lens located along an optical axis of the lens assembly constructed and arranged to provide a variable focus setting; a calibration assembly integral with the lens assembly, the calibration assembly including a projected pattern of light that variably projects upon a camera sensor receiving light from the lens assembly based upon the focus setting of the variable lens; and a focus process that determines the focal distance of the lens assembly at the focus setting based upon predetermined calibration information with respect to the pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining focal distance of a lens assembly including a variable focus lens comprising the steps of:
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providing a focus setting to the variable lens; projecting, with a calibration assembly, a pattern of light that variably projects upon a camera sensor receiving light from the lens assembly based upon the focus setting of the variable lens; and determining the focal distance of the lens assembly at the focus setting based upon predetermined calibration information with respect to the pattern. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification