US 12,356,087 B2
System and method for extending depth of field for 2D vision system cameras in the presence of moving objects
Jose Fernandez Dorado, Aachen (DE); Esther Oteo Lozano, Aachen (DE); Pablo Garcia Campos, Aachen (DE); and Laurens Nunnink, Simpleveld (NL)
Assigned to Cognex Corporation, Natick, MA (US)
Filed by Cognex Corporation, Natick, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/923,219.
Prior Publication US 2022/0014682 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. H04N 23/959 (2023.01); G02B 3/14 (2006.01); G02B 7/00 (2021.01); G02B 7/02 (2021.01); G02B 7/182 (2021.01); G03B 5/06 (2021.01); G03B 13/32 (2021.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 23/959 (2023.01) [G02B 3/14 (2013.01); G02B 7/003 (2013.01); G02B 7/021 (2013.01); G02B 7/1822 (2013.01); G03B 5/06 (2013.01); G03B 13/32 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06K 7/1417 (2013.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for maximizing depth of field (DOF) with respect to an object imaged by a vision system camera comprising:
an image sensor that transmits image data to a vision system processor, the image sensor defining a system optical axis;
a lens assembly arranged to provide a high DOF and low drift, the lens assembly defining a steerable lens optical axis;
a variable lens, arranged between the lens assembly and the image sensor, that changes focus in response to the vision system processor; and
a tilting mechanism that steers the steerable lens optical axis relative to the system optical axis in response to object distance information in the vision system processor so as to maximize DOF, wherein the variable lens changing focus includes changing a focal length based on a current angle of the steerable lens optical axis relative to the system optical axis.