Abstract: A printed circuit board inspection device includes a lighting system for use with the series of cameras associated with the printed circuit board inspection device which is essentially domed in configuration, and which incorporates a plurality of selectively controllable light emitting diodes for developing desired lighting patterns. The light emitting diodes are arranged within the domed fixture to form an array of defined latitudes and longitudes, and are capable of selective activation to develop the particular lighting patterns which are desired. This permits an acquisition of images useful in developing a "topographical display" of the acquired image, which is useful in enhancing the subsequent inspections which are to be performed.

Abstract: A compensating system for insepcting potentially warped printed circuit boards provides the insepction head of a printed circuit board inspection apparatus with a compensating device which is capable of detecting deviations in the printed circuit board which depart from a reference standard, for use in accurately compensating for such deviations during the board inspection procedure. An appropriate source (including ultrasonic, laser and directed light sources) is used to direct emissions toward the surface of a printed circuit board to be inspected. Detected reflections are then used to provide information useful in determining deviations of the surface of the printed circuit board from the reference standard, to adjust the anticipated locations for any component features, connecting leads or pins which are to be inspected within the subject viewing field.

Abstract: A Multi-Level Architecture for developing intelligent computer systems composes computational modules uniformly across diverse developmental framework. The modules interact via message passing and are assembled to form application-specific systems. A first level of the Multi-Level Architecture includes a cooperative operating system which provides support for message passing and resource allocation and is preferably based on a module-oriented programming (MOP) model. The first level, for example, defines a virtual machine which is mapped onto an underlying hardware and operating system environment. A second level of the Multi-Level Architecture supports a plurality of application-independent problem-solving frameworks (PSF's) or programming environments for building modules and combining modules of different frameworks into complex systems.