Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining color, presence and/or polarity of a component in a printed circuit board includes a sensor and an LED positioned behind a faceplate. The faceplate abuts the component and light is reflected from the LED off the component and received by the sensor. A resulting output signal is analyzed to determine the color, presence and/or polarity of the component in the printed circuit board, thereby ensuring that the printed circuit board is correctly assembled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED includes a sensor having a plurality of filters and an output probe connected to the sensor, the output probe providing a color output and a brightness output in a single signal. The sensor may further include an input probe connected to the sensor providing power and a ground probe connected to the sensor providing a grounded connection to the sensor. The plurality of filters in the sensor are preferably configured in a matrix array of color receptors having different colors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a color and brightness of an LED includes a sensor having a plurality of filters arranged in a matrix and an output probe connected to the sensor, the output probe providing a color output and a brightness output in a single signal. The sensor may further include an input probe connected to the sensor providing power and a ground probe connected to the sensor providing a grounded connection to the sensor. The plurality of filters in the sensor are preferably configured in a matrix array of color receptors having different colors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying a color of an LED in a printed circuit board include a sensor that permits passage of light from a target wavelength of the color and generates a resulting output voltage based upon an intensity of light of the target wavelength. A test system analyzes the resulting output voltage and provides a pass/fail signal to indicate whether the LED is the correct color and/or in operation.