Abstract: A system enabling conversion of a conventional ringlight for differential illumination such as dark field or Rheinberg illumination is disclosed. The system comprises a ringlight having an annular light emitting portion and a hood that fits over the ringlight. The hood has an aperture and an annular reflective surface, disposed opposite the light emitting portion, that reflects the light from the ringlight through the aperture. An angle of the annular reflective surface is selected relative to a direction of light from the ringlight to form a cone of light exiting the aperture. To ensure good contrast, a light baffle in the form of a sleeve, inserted into the ringlight, may be incorporated to prevent stray light from the ringlight from directly exiting through the aperture. The differential illumination produced by the invention is applicable to machine vision applications, but also microscopy, gemology, and serology, for example.

Abstract: A system enabling conversion of a conventional ringlight for differential illumination such as dark field or Rheinberg illumination is disclosed. The system comprises a ringlight having an annular light emitting portion and a hood that fits over the ringlight. The hood has an aperture and an annular reflective surface, disposed opposite the light emitting portion, that reflects the light from the ringlight through the aperture. An angle of the annular reflective surface is selected relative to a direction of light from the ringlight to form a cone of light exiting the aperture. To ensure good contrast, a light baffle in the form of a sleeve, inserted into the ringlight, may be incorporated to prevent stray light from the ringlight from directly exiting through the aperture. The differential illumination produced by the invention is applicable to machine vision applications, but also microscopy, gemology, and serology, for example.

Abstract: A planar parallel plate direct vision prism including two glasses for dispersing light as a function of color is disclosed. Also disclosed is an optical system which includes a first optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms for dispersing light as a function of color. The degree and orientation of the light dispersed is controlled by rotating the two prisms of the first assembly in relation to each other and together in unison. A fiber optic bundle transmits the dispersed light and a second optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms recombines the dispersed light emerging from the fiber optic bundle. The degree and orientation of the light recombined is controlled by rotating the prisms of the second optical assembly in relation to each other and together in unison.

Abstract: A planar parallel plate direct vision prism including two glasses for dispersing light as a function of color is disclosed. Also disclosed is an optical system which includes a first optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms for dispersing light as a function of color. The degree and orientation of the light dispersed is controlled by rotating the two prisms of the first assembly in relation to each other and together in unison. A fiber optic bundle transmits the dispersed light and a second optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms recombines the dispersed light emerging from the fiber optic bundle. The degree and orientation of the light recombined is controlled by rotating the prisms of the second optical assembly in relation to each other and together in unison.

Abstract: A linear lighting system includes a rod made of a material such as glass surrounded by an outer layer of cladding of lower refractive index than the glass. The rod is ground flat on one side to produce a flat rough surface with the texture oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Light from a light source enters the rod at one end of the rod. As the light propagates down the rod, it is scattered by the rough flat surface. Some of the scattered light strikes the rounded surface at an angle which allows it to pass through the cladding and escape the rod, thus producing uniform linear lighting emitted from the round side of the rod.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp light output is maximized by cooling the cathode regions. Mercury vapor pressure is maintained at an optimum or desired level for light production by cooling the cathode areas of the lamp. The cooled cathode areas of the lamp collect cathode emissive material and mercury vapor condensates. Thus, the light output remains uniform and constant. The functional length of the lamp is not degraded by the deposition of either cathode material or mercury vapor condensates. Cooling can be effected by forcing cool air against the exterior of the lamp adjacent the cathodes or by using forced water heat exchangers. By cooling the respective cathode regions equally, the amount of deposition in the respective regions is substantially the same. Thus, gradations of deposition are avoided. The constant high output fluorescent lamp can be used with electronic inspection equipment and machine vision measurement devices.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.

Abstract: Free parallel ends of optical fibers are spaced apart between a viewing window of the one way type disposed to provide an inner reflective surface and a rear facing mirror in back of which the fibers are bundled against which light of constantly changing color is directed. While some free filament ends may be stationary, others are subject to displacement in a manner such that their lit ends appear as pin points of light moving in space.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.