Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an energy polarization altering dielectric material, such as ice or snow, on a surface, such as a part of an aircraft, which normally specularly reflects incident energy, such as light, when there is no such dielectric present. The energy is conveyed from a transmitter along a path to the surface and the incident energy is reflected from the surface along a path to a receiver with a dielectric on the surface destroying any polarization, such as circular, of the energy and that reflected from a specular portion maintaining the polarization. An optical system in one or both of the paths operates in an isolator state to produce an image of the dielectric portion having a first intensity level and that of the specular portion passing through the optical system having a different intensity level.

Abstract: A method for determining coplanarity with 3-D sensing means of substrates for ball grid array, column grid array, and similar surface mount integrated circuit chips, in which opaque fiducials are provided as index pads. Heights of the index pads are correlated with signal pad heights in a neighborhood about the index pads. The index pads are opaque to incident radiation from the 3-D sensor. The index pads reflect sufficient radiation to be detected easily by the 3-D sensor. The index pads are disposed in a prearranged pattern over a domain of ball grid array signal pads. The index pads are restricted to a predetermined range of heights.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided to efficiently use 3-D vision systems to measure selected features of objects that are semi-constrained in compartmented trays having a uniform geometric arrangement. The methods are particularly well suited for optimizing the 3-D measurement of leads on integrated circuit devices which are packaged in trays. For obtaining the three-dimensional data, a multi-pocketed tray is provided with tray pockets arranged in rows and columns. Corresponding sides of the multiple parts or devices in a row or column are scanned sequentially with at least one three-dimensional sensor. This scanning procedure is repeated for all rows and columns containing sides of the devices from which data is to be obtained. The devices can be first aligned by applying directional vibration to the tray to drive all the parts or devices to the same corner or side of the respective pockets.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided to efficiently use 3-D vision systems to measure selected features of objects that are semi-constrained in compartmented trays having a uniform geometric arrangement. The methods are particularly well suited for optimizing the 3-D measurement of leads on integrated circuit devices which are packaged in trays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusion of three dimensional data due to an active optical triangulation based vision sensor, and two-dimensional data obtained from an independent TV camera. The two sensors are aligned so that their view volumes are partially overlapped. In the course of a calibration process, a planar target is placed and depressed through the common view volume of the two sensors. The illuminant of vision sensor projects a stripe onto the target. As the stripe is traversed across the target incrementally, it is imaged at every position not only by the camera of the vision sensor, but also by the independent TV camera. The calibration process yields a table which connects the resolution cells of the TV camera to a set of rays whose equations are established in the coordinate measurement system of the three dimensional vision sensor. The calibration table is subsequently used to inter-relate points in either sensory space via their connecting rays.

Abstract: A method for producing relative motion on multiple articles by providing a tray with cavities, locating each article in a separate cavity and banking all articles against a similar cavity wall without tilting the tray, movement of the articles being generated by placing the tray between a horizontal vibration device and at least one cooperating bumper, the vibrations having an amplitude decreasing with time according to a predetermined decay envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use in determining the location of object surface points wherein a short pulse of optical energy is projected at the object surface and a time dependent gain function is used to modify the reflected optical energy resulting from the pulse so that time delay information indicative range can be developed and processed.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for automation of the masking process for spray painting and other material spray deposition. The methods provide masking simultaneous with the material spray to thereby eliminate additional mask application and removal processes. The arrangements provide non-contact masking and unused material recovery. Air curtain masking and solid non-consumable masking methods are provided.

Abstract: An inspection system for irregular objects such as solder joints wherein the system utilizes first and second sensors adapted to be pivotable about a common pivot axis and such that the projection axes of the sensors and the pivot axes are able to intersect at a common.

Abstract: A practice for developing data for use in the three-dimensional location of the points on an object surface wherein first and second sensor means are used to cause first and second electromagnetic radiation to be directed at the object surface at first and second directions which are in a common plane.

Abstract: A three-dimensional optical measurement system, where it is desired to move the light beam or plane to more than one position to increase the amount of data acquired. A rotating disk is provided with segments of lenses, zone plates or other rotationally invariant grating patterns on it. The beam or plane is passed through the segments as the disk rotates and is deflected to predetermined angles. The accurate repeatablility of this arrangement allows the use of calibration data and encoding of the light planes for ambiguity resolution to provide an accurate measurement system. Diverging beam light sources are readily accommodated. Similarly translating frames with segments of translationally invariant lenses or grating patterns may be used. Two-dimensional holographic gratings may be used to generate raster scans.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating the defects in an object wherein data related to the object is processed to develop an indication for each defect in a first group of defects and to further develop a composite indication for the defects in the remaining composite group of defects and wherein, depending upon the level of the composite indication, the data is further processed with respect to the composite group of defects.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the location of sprayed viscous material, in which a spray head forms a stream of the viscous material, and has at least three orifices for forming air streams. The orifices are disposed at substantially equal angles around the material stream. Air pressure is applied to the orifices, and this air pressure is controlled by a valve. The valve is adjusted proportional to the position of a plate that is positioned by a control. The spray head has at least three additional orifices that form second air streams placed symmetrically about the viscous material streams. These second air streams are directed to impinge upon the viscous material after the latter is deposited on a surface. An additional valve controls air pressure applied to the additional orifices, and this additional valve is adjusted proportional to the position of the plate.

Abstract: A system for object surface determination in which the projector/detector sensor of the system is controlled by a control detector which is responsive to a plurality of different parts of a portion of the reflected radiation being sensed by the projector/detector sensor.

Abstract: A method for measuring the position and orientation changes of a 3-D sensor relative to a robot mount and for measuring the positioning and orienting changes of the robot mount. All measurements reveal changes relative to a baseline measurement. A novel reference provides a low-cost measurement aid. A reference object is placed within the work volume of the robot carrying the sensor which is capable of making three-dimensional measurements. The reference object has a shape that enables unambiguous determination of its location and orientation. The reference object is measured from predetermined orientations, and the measurements are recorded in a memory. These measurements form a baseline measurement set. The measurement step is repeated at a later time, and another measurement set is produced. The baseline measurement set and the other measurement set are processed to determine robot positioning errors and sensor location errors.

Abstract: An arrangement for improved dispensed material bead profile control, in which a viscous material is dispensed in a stream upon a surface. The stream is transported along that surface and forms a bead of the viscous material. The bead is then confined with air streams which also reshape the profile of the bead. The material is dispensed by a nozzle which has at least two orifices in its proximity. One orifice is located at a distance from the nozzle which is greater than for the other orifice. The orifices form air streams under pressure and direct the air streams toward the material stream, as well as toward the bead formed on the surface when the material stream is transported along that surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for calibrating distance measuring instruments, in particular, optical three dimensional measurement sensors. The method is not restricted to aligning the motion of the calibrating surface to be parallel to the sensor centerline. Accordingly more than one sensor can be present during the calibration procedure. This leads to the practicality of aligning multiple sensor systems using a common translation stage for all sensors or using translation stages that are a part of the system. The joint calibration of sensors embedded in a system guarantees proper registration without additional steps. A method for calibrating optical sensors to accuracies approaching the wavelength of light is given.

Abstract: Leak detector arrangement for the detection of small openings in car bodies or other enclosures or containers which may permit undesired passage of water, fumes, or other fluids in which phase coded or linearly frequency modulated sound waves are directed towards potential leak areas. The portion of these waves which pass through the leak openings is received, and these signals are processed so as to discriminate these leak signals from other sound waves normally entering the receiver from other parts or from other sources. The discriminated signals are compared with a threshold so as to determine the absence or presence of a leak.

Abstract: A 3-D measurement system utilizing a holographic scanner is provided with beam direction compensation means for compensating for changes in angular deflection of the scanner and further means is provided for synchronizing the scanner diffraction segments with the camera imaging mechanism of the 3-D system as well as for providing multiple offsets of the projected beam.

Abstract: An arrangement for gating receivers of electro-magnetic energy where optical gating means are not available or not as advantageous as gating the detector array outputs. Appropriate passive and active discharge paths for the detecting elements are provided. Path isolation means are provided for interconnecting detector and memory elements. The gated receivers are applied to obtaining 3-D surface measurements based on the time of flight of a transmitted energy pulse.