Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical imaging apparatus includes a polarizer assembly, a polarization image sensor, and a lens assembly. The polarizer assembly is configured to acquire a first light ray of a first polarization component and a second light ray of a second polarization component which is different from the first polarization component, by using a light flux from an identical direction. The polarization image sensor is located in a position facing the polarizer assembly. The polarization image sensor is configured to acquire an image of the first polarization component and an image of the second polarization component at once or at the same time. The lens assembly includes a first lens configured to form the images on the polarization image sensor.

Abstract: A drive shaft includes a first annular wall and a second annular wall joined together via a friction-welded portion. The first annular wall and the second annular wall have outer diameters of 30 to 50 mm and wall thicknesses of 3 to 5 mm. A burr created at the friction-welded portion has a connection radius of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, a base radius of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, a burr base angle of less than or equal to 40°, and a burr slope length of 0.2 to 5 mm.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, an optical inspection method includes: acquiring an image by capturing the image, using light from a surface of an object, which passes through a wavelength selection portion configured to selectively pass light components of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths different from each other, the image sensor including color channels configured to discriminately receive the light components of the plurality of predetermined wavelengths, performing color count estimation processing configured to estimate the number of colors based on the intensity ratio of the color channels that have received the light in each pixel of the image, and performing scattered light distribution identification processing configured to identify a scattered light distribution as BRDF from the surface of the object based on the number of colors or surface state identification processing configured to identify a state of the surface of the object based on the number of colors.

Abstract: Operating electric power is preferably supplied to a battery assembly control circuit from both a power converting device and a battery module. An electricity storage device includes a battery module including battery cells and a battery assembly control circuit, and a power converting device configured to charge the battery module with a commercial power supply and to supply electric power to a load. The power converting device supplies electric power to the battery assembly control circuit while an output voltage of the power converting device is higher than a predetermined voltage. The battery module starts to supply operating electric power to the battery assembly control circuit upon detecting that the electric power from the power converting device starts to be supplied to the battery assembly control circuit. The battery module stops supplying the electric power to the battery assembly control circuit when the battery module stops being discharged.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, an optical inspection method for a surface state of a subject includes acquiring and discriminating. The acquiring includes acquiring a color vector of a color corresponding to a wavelength spectrum in a color coordinate system of n dimensions (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 1), which is equal to or smaller than a number of a plurality of color channels of pixels of an image sensor, with optical imaging using a wavelength spectrum selection portion that selectively allows a plurality of wavelength spectra different from one another from a surface of the subject to pass. The discriminating includes discriminating the surface state of the subject based on a direction of the color vector in the color coordinate system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processing device relating to an inspection of an inspection object by a photography unit is provided. A processor of the processing device calculates a plurality of photography points as positions photographing the inspection object based on shape data in which a shape of a surface of the inspection object is indicated by a point group, and information relating to a position and a normal vector on the surface of the inspection object is defined by the point group. The processor executes analysis regarding a path that passes through all of the calculated photography points and minimizes a sum of a movement cost from each of the photography points to a photography point of a next movement destination, and calculates a path corresponding to an analysis result as a path for moving the photography unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical inspection apparatus includes a first illuminator, an image-forming optical system, a scattering light selector, and an imaging element. The first illuminator is configured to emit a first light beam. The first light beam reflected by an object is incident on the image-forming optical system. The scattering light selector is configured to emit passing light beams of at least two mutually different wavelength regions, at the same time as the first light beam passes, a wavelength spectrum of at least one of the passing light beams being different from a wavelength spectrum of the reflected first light beam. The passing light beams simultaneously form an image on the imaging element.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting object surface according to an embodiment includes: an imaging device including an imaging area; an optical source; and a group of optical devices including a mirror and a lens, and causing a reflected light other than a regular reflection light from an object to be reflected by a mirror surface of the mirror, and to form an image in the imaging area of the imaging device through the lens, the regular reflection light being caused by a light incident to a surface of the object from the optical source, wherein the optical source, the mirror, the lens, and the imaging device are arranged in such a manner that the regular reflection light is not incident to the imaging area of the imaging device through the mirror and the lens.

Abstract: In a power storage system, each of a plurality of power storage modules includes at least one cell, and the plurality of power storage modules are connected in series. A management device manages the plurality of power storage modules. Each of the plurality of power storage modules contains a first insulation unit having a primary side and a secondary side that are insulated from each other. The first insulation unit outputs a signal containing information of at least one cell to a communication line. The signal is referenced to predetermined standard voltage between a voltage at one end and a voltage at the other end of the plurality of power storage modules. The management device contains a second insulation unit having a primary side and a secondary side that are insulated from each other, and a circuit unit insulated from the communication line by the second insulation unit.

Abstract: In a storage-battery control system, an insulating communication unit couples a controller to a battery module constituting a storage battery unit that outputs a predetermined high voltage value. A power supply line is further provided for supplying electric power output from a controller DC/DC, i.e., a controller-side voltage converter for the controller, to the battery module, so that electric power is collectively supplied via the power supply line to a module CPU and a module-side insulating circuit both consuming electric power in the battery module. A secondary battery in the battery module supplies electric power to only a cell-voltage detector.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical inspection apparatus includes a first illuminator, an image-forming optical system, a scattering light selector, and an imaging element. The first illuminator is configured to emit a first light beam. The first light beam reflected by an object is incident on the image-forming optical system. The scattering light selector is configured to emit passing light beams of at least two mutually different wavelength regions, at the same time as the first light beam passes, a wavelength spectrum of at least one of the passing light beams being different from a wavelength spectrum of the reflected first light beam. The passing light beams simultaneously form an image on the imaging element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical imaging apparatus includes a polarizer assembly, a polarization image sensor, and a lens assembly. The polarizer assembly is configured to acquire a first light ray of a first polarization component and a second light ray of a second polarization component which is different from the first polarization component, by using a light flux from an identical direction. The polarization image sensor is located in a position facing the polarizer assembly. The polarization image sensor is configured to acquire an image of the first polarization component and an image of the second polarization component at once or at the same time. The lens assembly includes a first lens configured to form the images on the polarization image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting object surface according to an embodiment includes: an imaging device including an imaging area; an optical source; and a group of optical devices including a mirror and a lens, and causing a reflected light other than a regular reflection light from an object to be reflected by a mirror surface of the mirror, and to form an image in the imaging area of the imaging device through the lens, the regular reflection light being caused by a light incident to a surface of the object from the optical source, wherein the optical source, the mirror, the lens, and the imaging device are arranged in such a manner that the regular reflection light is not incident to the imaging area of the imaging device through the mirror and the lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical inspection apparatus including: an imaging optical system; one or more light sources; a light guide which extends cylindrically along an optical axis of the imaging optical system and whose end face is opposed to the one or more light sources; a total reflecting surface formed on an inner surface of the light guide to totally internally reflect light struck into the light guide from the end face; a mirror surface formed on an outer surface of the light guide to reflect light struck into the light guide from the one or more light sources, toward the inspection target; and a transmission surface formed on the inner surface of the light guide to transmit the light reflected by the mirror surface, toward the inspection target.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting object surface according to an embodiment includes: an imaging device including an imaging area; an optical source; and a group of optical devices including a mirror and a lens, and causing a reflected light other than a regular reflection light from an object to be reflected by a mirror surface of the mirror, and to form an image in the imaging area of the imaging device through the lens, the regular reflection light being caused by a light incident to a surface of the object from the optical source, wherein the optical source, the mirror, the lens, and the imaging device are arranged in such a manner that the regular reflection light is not incident to the imaging area of the imaging device through the mirror and the lens.

Abstract: In each of battery modules (120) of a battery block (100) configuring a battery management system (10), a first insulating device having a first insulation distance is disposed between a first region (132) in which a battery side controller (146) is installed and a second region (134) in which a first communication unit (150) is installed. In a control device (200) coupled to the battery block (100) with a communication line, a second insulating device (234) having a second insulation distance is disposed between a relay region (222) and a third region (220) in which a second communication unit is installed, and a third insulating device (236) having a third insulation distance is disposed between the relay region (222) and a fourth region (224) in which a control controller unit (238) is installed.

Abstract: A battery management system includes a circuit board having a first region provided with a voltage measuring unit, a second region provided with a controller, a relay region that is disposed at a first insulation distance from the first region and at a second insulation distance from the second region, and a third region provided with an interface connecting unit. The third region is disposed at a third insulation distance from the second region. The third insulation distance is shorter than each of the first and the second insulation distances. The battery management system further includes a first insulating device connecting between the first region and the relay region, a second insulating device connecting between the relay region and the second region, and a third insulating device connecting between the second region and the third region.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus includes an imaging optical system facing an inspection target, a light guide, a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of mirror surfaces. The light guide has a plurality of corner portions and extending along an optical axis of the imaging optical system. The plurality of light sources face a first end face of the light guide at positions corresponding to the plurality of corner portions. The plurality of mirror surfaces are respectively provided on second end faces of the light guide. Each of the mirror surfaces is oblique relative to the optical axis. The mirror surfaces are configured to reflect light entered into the light guide from the light sources toward the inspection target.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical inspection apparatus including: an imaging optical system; one or more light sources; a light guide which extends cylindrically along an optical axis of the imaging optical system and whose end face is opposed to the one or more light sources; a total reflecting surface formed on an inner surface of the light guide to totally internally reflect light struck into the light guide from the end face; a mirror surface formed on an outer surface of the light guide to reflect light struck into the light guide from the one or more light sources, toward the inspection target; and a transmission surface formed on the inner surface of the light guide to transmit the light reflected by the mirror surface, toward the inspection target.

Abstract: In a storage-battery control system, an insulating communication unit couples a controller and a plurality of battery modules coupled together in series to configure a storage battery unit. A floating grounding pattern of the controller is divided into a first floating grounding pattern and a second floating grounding pattern. The plurality of battery modules in the storage battery unit is divided into a first zone battery module group and a second zone battery module group so that the battery modules belonging to the first zone battery module group correspond to the first floating grounding pattern, while the battery modules belonging to the second zone battery module group correspond to the second floating grounding pattern. An insulating communication unit couples the respective battery modules.