Abstract: An inkjet printer for producing graphic or functional products, the inkjet printer having integrated optical monitoring of the correct function of each of the nozzles that shoot the ink onto the substrate. For this purpose, the drops ejected from the nozzles are illuminated from the direction of the ejecting nozzles, and the light reflected backwards from the drop flying away is conducted onto light-sensitive sensors during the flight of the drop.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for producing graphic or functional products, the inkjet printer having integrated optical monitoring of the correct function of each of the nozzles that shoot the ink onto the substrate. For this purpose, the drops ejected from the nozzles are illuminated from the direction of the ejecting nozzles, and the light reflected backwards from the drop flying away is conducted onto light-sensitive sensors during the flight of the drop.

Abstract: A Multisensor array optically inspects and sorts bulk materials into different fractions, in which the bulk material stream is detected from a short distance compared to the width of the bulk material stream with at least two identical camera and lighting modules arranged adjacent to each other. The width of the image of the cameras is smaller than the width of the bulk material stream. The image sensors and lighting devices are limited to the range of the wavelengths of 380 nm to 1,000 nm covered by CMOS and/or CCD image sensors. Each camera is connected by a mechanical bracket and is equipped with at least one and preferably with a set of linearly lighting semiconductor light sources, which emit in a narrow band and are pulsed synchronously with the line frequency of the camera. The linearly lighting light sources can be replaced by a changing mechanism of the bracket, which mechanism is connected to the camera, to other light sources, especially ones having different system parameters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that relates to maintaining or improving the end quality of the visual color imprint of multiple-colored patterned surfaces. These surfaces cannot be measured using the decorations that are manufactured by printing processes, the so-called primary decoration, because subsequent processes change the color imprint further resulting in the so-called secondary color imprint. According to the invention, prediction rules are determined based on samples from the primary and secondary decorations during a learning phase to establish from n-channel images of samples of the primary decoration color imprint characteristics and convert those to such characteristics for the secondary decoration; and/or to establish from n-channel images of samples of the primary decoration images of the secondary decoration and to calculate color imprint characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic system for repairing surfaces having natural patterns, particularly wood panels, wherein after the automatic detection and repair of the faulty regions by smoothing or doweling, the Visually apparent repair regions are decorated loudly by a numerically controlled decoration process, particularly an ink jet printing technology. To this end, the panel is captured optically by a scanner, which in particular can detect colors, in addition to an image generator suitable for detecting the faulty regions. From the global color and structure characteristics of the panel and the local color and structure characteristic of each individual faulty region, local decoration patterns to be applied automatically are derived, which allow the faulty region to not be apparent any longer and give the panel a desired aesthetic appearance both locally and globally.

Abstract: A method and arrangement that automatically verify a visually perceived color impression of multicolor color images in a printed product having text in addition to color images includes digitally storing a reference image in a database for each multicolor color image to be verified, scanning the printed product uses an imaging sensor, and converts the signal obtained into a digital image file. The digital image file is broken down into regions containing text or graphics and into regions of color images without text or graphics. A statistical descriptive feature of colors occurring and a measure of image sharpness are calculated for each region consisting of a multicolor color image, and are then compared with stored data for the reference image. Deviation rates for the statistical descriptive feature of the colors occurring and for the measure of the image sharpness are calculated and displayed.

Abstract: There is described a method and an apparatus for the optical 3D digitization of bodies and body parts which reveal non-visible regions which therefore cannot be detected by the 3D digitizer. A mechanical aid is fixed at these regions and protrudes into the measurement space visible for the 3D digitizer. On this visible part, it is provided with marks and is digitized together with the remaining, visible body parts. From the spatial position of the marks of these aids, important geometrical information of the non-visible parts, such as the spatial position, circumferential dimensions, etc., can be calculated, and the 3D model of the body or body part incomplete at these points can be completed therewith. Two applications from the field of orthopedics are described by way of example.

Abstract: A solar collector having an absorbent surface that only reflects a small fraction of the sunlight and, owing to selective reflection properties, simulates a two-dimensional surface or a three-dimensional spatial shape or creates a visual impression conveying contents.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for testing the quality of multicolor patterned surfaces with an n-channel imaging sensor such as a color camera or an imaging spectrometer. The method determines from the captured images the deviations of the color/spectral statistics and of the image sharpness with respect to references and, before an assessment, converts at least one of the deviations or threshold values using a transformation which emulates the genetically and/or culturally specific perception of the targeted customer groups. The method further allows a quality produced to be associated with a genetically and/or culturally specific group of customers who accept this quality in terms of their perception of multicolor patterned surfaces.

Abstract: A cost-effective method for detecting the three-dimensional shape of interior spaces such as footwear, prosthesis funnels, etc. is described. For this purpose the inner wall of the interior space is lined with a formfitting, elastic and photogrammetrically marked envelope (2), a series of overlapping recordings of said interior space marked in this way is produced with the aid of one or more imaging devices (4) and from this the 3D-shape of the interior space is determined using photogrammetrical methods. The invention describes various methods of lining the interior space, of guiding the imaging devices (9) into the different recording positions and of the type of the measurable interior spaces.

Abstract: There is described a method and an apparatus for the optical 3D digitization of bodies and body parts which reveal non-visible regions which therefore cannot be detected by the 3D digitizer. A mechanical aid is fixed at these regions and protrudes into the measurement space visible for the 3D digitizer. On this visible part, it is provided with marks and is digitized together with the remaining, visible body parts. From the spatial position of the marks of these aids, important geometrical information of the non-visible parts, such as the spatial position, circumferential dimensions, etc., can be calculated, and the 3D model of the body or body part incomplete at these points can be completed therewith. Two applications from the field of orthopaedics are described by way of example.

Abstract: A method of detecting the 3D shape of an object by photogrammetry, in which a plurality of photogrammetric point markers and a plurality of connecting markers are provided on the surface of the object, each connecting marker connecting a subset of the plurality of point markers with each other, with at least two different types of point markers existing that differ from each other in their optical configuration, and some of the point markers provided along a connecting marker are formed in such a way that the sequence of their optical configurations results in a predetermined code that characterizes the respective connecting marker, a plurality of photogrammetric images of the object are taken from different views, an image processing of the images is performed, in which first the connecting markers mutually corresponding to each other in the images are associated with one another using their respective code, and then the point markers connected with each other by the respective connecting marker are associat

Abstract: For an automatic detection of the 3D shape of objects by photogrammetry, the background of the photogrammetric point markers is characterized by area markers which comprise a plurality of point markers and have a characteristic optical configuration that is expressed, e.g., in the color, shape, texture, or gray level of the surface area of the area marker. During the image processing of the photogrammetric images taken of an object, first the area markers and then the point markers present in the respective area markers are referenced in relation to one another. Instead of using area markers, a further embodiment uses constellation-type point marker arrangements, which are first referenced before the individual point markers forming the constellations are referenced. The method is particularly useful for the 3D detection of body parts which have been clad with an envelope marked in accordance with the invention, prior to the photogrammetric evaluation.

Abstract: A method for the optical inspection of a transparent protective layer and a colored patterned surface which is at least partially covered by the transparent protective layer involves providing a source of illumination and an imaging sensor associated with the source of illumination and illuminating the protective layer with light emitted by the source of illumination in order to recognize defective places inside and beneath the transparent protective layer. The source of illumination emits light in the shortwaved range which is at least partially diffuse and the light striking the surface penetrates at least partially into the protective layer and is scattered at the defective places. Light scattered from the defective places is picked up by the imaging sensor and the defective places are recognized by the local increase in the intensity of the light picked up by the imaging sensor in the area of the defective places.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the 3D shape of objects, in which the object is pressed into a plastically deformable mass provided with markers adapted to be evaluated photogrammetrically. After removal of the object from the marked mass, a plurality of photogrammetric images are taken from different views, and the images are evaluated photogrammetrically, the 3D shape of the object being calculated using an association of the markers corresponding in the images. The invention further relates to a corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method and is particularly suited for the detection of the 3D shape of objects whose 3D shape changes under load. One example of this would be the measurement of human feet.

Abstract: In the automatic photogrammetric 3D digitization of a body or body part marked e.g. by an envelope provided with photogrammetric target markers, the camera employed for image recording has additional light pattern projectors added thereon which are fastened to the camera body and project geometrically simple structures such as points or lines onto the body. These structures, which are visible optically without the viewing image, facilitate the manual alignment of the camera and the positioning of the camera at the correct distance from the body in obtaining the numerous overlapping individual images required for photogrammetric evaluation. This manually predefined alignment facilitates the automatic association of the photogrammetric markers in the individual image pairs with the aid of image processing methods and allows it to be carried out more reliably on an automated basis. According to a preferred embodiment, the projectors are turned off in the actual image recording process.

Abstract: With a method for the optical inspection of a transparent protective layer (14) and of a colored patterned surface, whereby the transparent protective layer (14) at least partially covers the colored patterned surface, and a first source of illumination (40) and an imaging sensor (42) associated with the first source of illumination (40) are provided, the protective layer (14) is illuminated with the light emitted by the source of illumination (40) in order to recognize defective places (30) inside and beneath the transparent protective layer (14). The first source of illumination (40) emits light in the shortwaved visible range and the light striking the surface penetrates at least partially into the protective layer (14) and is scattered at the defective places (30).

Abstract: A cost-effective method for detecting the three-dimensional shape of interior spaces such as footwear, prosthesis funnels, etc. is described. For this purpose the inner wall of the interior space is lined with a formfitting, elastic and photogrammetrically marked envelope (2), a series of overlapping recordings of said interior space marked in this way is produced with the aid of one or more imaging devices (4) and from this the 3D-shape of the interior space is determined using photogrammetrical methods. The invention describes various methods of lining the interior space, of guiding the imaging devices (9) into the different recording positions and of the type of the measurable interior spaces.

Abstract: A document-examining apparatus is provided for automatically examining the authenticity elements of secured documents. It includes a compound slide which can be moved in the X and Y directions and on which the components required to evaluate the distinguishing authenticity features are mounted. The X slide of the compound slide is mounted on a Y slide. A first group of evaluating units for evaluating diffraction elements on a document is disposed on the X slide. A second group of evaluating components, for example, for evaluating text, an IR field and/or a photographic field, may be mounted on the Y slide. In addition, a source of UV radiation may be provided for examining distinguishing fluorescence features of a document, the fluorescence being evaluated by a stationary evaluating unit or by the evaluating unit on the X slide.

Abstract: A method of detecting the 3D shape of an object by photogrammetry, in which a plurality of photogrammetric point markers and a plurality of connecting markers are provided on the surface of the object, each connecting marker connecting a subset of the plurality of point markers with each other, with at least two different types of point markers existing that differ from each other in their optical configuration, and some of the point markers provided along a connecting marker are formed in such a way that the sequence of their optical configurations results in a predetermined code that characterizes the respective connecting marker, a plurality of photogrammetric images of the object are taken from different views, an image processing of the images is performed, in which first the connecting markers mutually corresponding to each other in the images are associated with one another using their respective code, and then the point markers connected with each other by the respective connecting marker are associat