Abstract: Equipment for detecting impurities in transparent material comprising a light source to illuminate the material, a camera to detect light transmitted through the material and signal-processing apparatus for processing and analysing signals from the camera representing the light transmission through the material. This type of equipment is calibrated by dark areas being displayed on a film of transparent material (22, 24, 26) and the actual sizes (30) of the areas being determined. The sizes of the dark areas are then determined using the detecting equipment (34) and in this way determined sizes are compared with actual sizes (36) for calibration of the detecting equipment (38).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: The quality of distribution of pigments in a matrix is estimated by measuring the reflectivity of a sample of the pigmented matrix at a shorter and a longer wavelength, and calculating a function of the two measurements. A ratio of the normalized reflectivity for broad short and long wavelength bands is the preferred function.

Abstract: Flow separation detectors and, more particularly feedback sensor arrangements consisting of optical fiber tufts adapted to provide for the measurement of surface aerodynamic flow phenomena through the effects birefringence or transmitted light, and especially with regard to aerodynamic flow separation which is encountered over a surface. Also facilitated is the detection of aerodynamic flow separation with a concurrent detection of encountered mechanical strain and stresses on the surface structure being monitored.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting pattern defects, a UV laser is focused on a pupil of an objective lens and scanned; the focused and scanned UV lens illuminates a specimen on which patterns are formed; the specimen illuminated by the UV laser is imaged: and the resulting image of the specimen is compared with a previously stored reference image. The specimen illuminated by UV light is imaged using an anti-blooming time delay integration image sensor or a back-illumination time delay integration image sensor; and the resulting specimen image is compared with a previously stored reference image.

Abstract: An automated optical inspection (AOI) system includes component learning integrated with the inspection of a circuit board. The AOI system includes a component learning area that can be viewed by an imaging system used to inspect the circuit board in an inspection area. The component learning area can correspond to a region proximate the inspection area. The automated optical inspection system receives board inspection and component learn requests and determines opportune times to learn new component characteristics during the board inspection process so as to minimize the impact of the learning process on the overall inspection efficiency.

Abstract: Light is transmitted through a compressing clamp which clamps the liquid crystal display panel 10, and the spectrum of light is obtained by a spectrometer 141. A cell thickness is detected based on a wavelength or a frequency at which the spectrum has the minimum or maximum value. The obtained cell thickness is compared with a desired value, and a pressure control unit 132 supplies the compressing clamp with a fluid in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are TV Camera based and other electro-optical sensors and systems, providing affordable methods and apparatus for high speed determination of dimensions and other features of objects. Particular embodiments capable of fast and reliable acquisition of features of moving objects such as boards and wood products are disclosed. Preferred embodiments utilize laser triangulation range detection with at least two cameras viewing the same laser spot or line projected on the object.

Abstract: An inspection system using laser light directed at an off-axis parabolic mirror which focuses the beam on the surface being inspected and also serves as the collector for scattered and specular light returned from the surface is described. Specular and scattered light returned from the surface onto the parabolic mirror is divided into appropriate fields and directed onto detectors. In the preferred embodiment a polarized laser is used in conjunction with a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter-wave plate to route the reflected beam to a detector while allowing the original beam to be directed through the same optics. The parabolic mirror and selected additional components may be commonly mounted on a translatable stage which is moved along a radius of the disk when the optical inspection is being performed. Other components of the system such as the laser can remain in a fixed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting blood characteristics including hemoglobin in a fluid medium using both transmission and reflection of a light beam which forms a quotient.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of solar cell coverglass assemblies to degrade wherein the solar cell assembly contains coated or uncoated coverglass, the method comprises exposing the solar cell coverglass assembly with a pulsing laser having an energy per unit area per pulse which distinguishes by laser damage between coverglass assemblies that have an anomalously high propensity to darken under solar exposure and those that only have a normal, nominal propensity to darken; and, characterizing the propensity of the coverglass assemblies to darken. The process results in an improvement of the long-term power output of solar cells by maintaining optical transparency and reducing temperature increases arising from increased solar absorption in darkened coverglass assemblies.

Abstract: The elaborately calculated method of the present invention using photoelastic analysis for finding contact relation between ball and track is characterized in that a photoelastic plate having a semi-circular section is used in measurement by observing contrast of stripes appeared thereon in stead of observing track profile from the plucked image of the object in conventional technique therefore being released from shortcoming of inaccurate measurement result due to vagueness of profile of plucked image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rough surface scattering method and solver for efficiently computing electromagnetic scattered fields resulting from an incident wave (12) being reflected from a surface slowly varying on the scale of the wavelength (10). The wavelength claimed approach to high-frequency scattering is based on the use of expansions of high order in parameter &lgr;, wavelength of the incident radiation. The resulting high-order expansion approach expands substantially on the range of applicability over low order methods, and can be used in some of the most challenging cases arising in applications. The surface current (14) induced by the incident wave (12) is represented as a high-order high-frequency expansion (20). The surface current ansatz is substituted into the surface current integral equation (22), wherein a surface current series expansion is formed (24) having, a high frequency order.

Abstract: A portable or wearable cytometer that can be used at remote locations, such as in the field or at home. The flow cytometer of the present invention may help improve the healthcare of many weak, sick or elderly people by providing early detection of infection. By detecting the infection early, the infection may be more readily treatable. In military applications, the portable cytometer of the present invention may help save lives by providing early detection of infection due to biological agents.

Abstract: A system and method of inspecting a foreign particle or a defect on a sample are provided. Such a method comprises irradiating light to an object to be inspected; detecting reflected light or scattered light from the object to be inspected irradiated with the light; detecting a signal of the foreign particle or the defect from the detected signal; providing information related to a size of the foreign particle or the defect from the signal of the detected foreign particle or the defect; and outputting information on a display screen a distribution of the size of the foreign particle or defect with information indicating a cause of the distribution of the foreign particle or defect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of spectroscopically determining the concentration of a volatile organic compound in a gas given off by a mammal. According to the invention, the spectroscopic technique applied is photoacoustic spectroscopy and the strength of the acoustic effect is determined by means of a microphone, as being the measure of the concentration of the organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for moving a measuring sensor (2) into and out of a pressurized or flow-through conduit (1) or a pressurized or flow-through vessel. The device according to the invention comprises, in this case, a holding element (3) for holding the measuring sensor (2), a guiding element (4) for guiding the holding element (3) and a volume element (5). The holding element (3) can be moved in such a way that the measuring sensor (2) held by the holding element comes to rest in a position completely in the volume element (5). In this position, the measuring sensor (2) can be removed from the holding element (3). With the aid of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention, it is possible, in particular, to measure the cleanliness of a conduit system blown out with a fluid, without the blow-out operation being interrupted.

Abstract: An object sensor and object sensing method that sense the status of the sensing surface by detecting a dynamic impact of a rain drop, not by comparing the signal with a reference value. An object sensor sensing the status of a sensing surface by detecting a light with a photo detector, which light has been emitted by a photo emission element and reflected on the sensing surface, comprises: a means for generating a time lag signal from the output signal of the photo detector; a means for calculating a differential signal between the output signal of the photo detector and the time lag signal; and a means for judging the status of the sensing surface by detecting the generation of the differential signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for designing an optical spectrum of an illumination light beam within an optical inspection system. A set of conditions for inspecting a film on a sample by directing an illumination light beam at the sample is determined. At least a portion of the illumination light beam is reflected off the sample and used to generate an image of at least a portion of the film on the sample. A plurality of peak wavelength values are determined for the optical spectrum of the illumination light beam so as to control color variation in the image of the film portion. The determination of the peak wavelengths is based on the determined set of conditions and a selected thickness range of the film. In one specific embodiment, the color variation is reduced, while in another embodiment the color variation is increased to enhance pattern contrast. An apparatus which implements the designed optical spectrum is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the optical quality of and detecting faults in flat glass (2) and other transparent materials, especially in float glass, wherein a video camera (1) is arranged to monitor an illuminating device (3) either through the glass (2) or by observing the reflection thereof, the focus being on the glass (2) and the sheet, respectively, and the video camera (1) generates signals in dependence on the quality of the glass (2) and these signals are evaluated, wherein use is made of at least one illuminating device (3), comprising a pattern (4) of adjacent partial portions (5a,5b) alternately different at least in color and/or in intensity, an observation spot of the video camera (1) picks up the pattern (4), two video signals U1,U2 are assigned to the signal of the pattern (4), and a change of the intensity of the video signals U1,U2 is used for evaluating the quality of the glass (2) and the sheet, respectively.