Abstract: An imaging system incorporating an illumination device, for illuminating an object to be observed with a continuous diffuse wide angle light source which is supplied along an observation axis of the imaging system, and an observation device is position along the observation axis for observing a reflection of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera or the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied along the observation axis of the machine vision camera. The diffuser is mounted parallel to the observation axis but separated from the beam splitter by a microlouver filter so that the microlouver filter prevents diffused light from the diffuser from directly illuminating any point of interest on the surface of the object to be observed. The microlouver filter only allows indirect illumination of the object to be observed by the diffuser and provides improved uniform illumination of the object to be observed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing a continuous, uniformed, diffused light environment for use in conjunction with an electronic machine vision or manual microscope inspection system, particularly for inspection of specular surfaces such as ball bearings, reflective packaging and other shiny surfaces. The illumination device includes a source of light which is associated with at least the secondary diffusers to provide secondary diffused illumination, of an object to be observed, substantially along the observation axis of the object. The same light source may also illuminate a rear surface of the primary diffuser. The height of the illumination device is approximately three and one-half times the clear aperture dimension of the illumination device or less. The illumination devices is arranged to provide uniformed illumination of the object with light which is equal in intensity and character to facilitate accurately viewing of the entire area of the object to be viewed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing an elongate linear continuous, uniformed, diffused lighting environment for use in conjunction with an electronic line scanner, a photo-copier or a machine vision system, particularly for inspection and reproduction of specular surfaces such as documents or art work containing highly reflective areas on the surface thereof and other shiny surfaces. The linear illumination device includes at least one elongate source of light, illuminating a primary diffuser, to provide a primary diffused light source and a secondary elongate source of light illuminating a secondary diffuser to provide a secondary diffused light source supplied substantially along an observation plane of the illumination device. The two sources provide uniformly diffused lighting of an elongate strip of an object located at the object observing location to facilitate accurate viewing of a desired elongate portion of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera or the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied along the observation axis of the machine vision camera. The diffuser is mounted parallel to the observation axis but recessed within the housing, i.e. either completely shielded by the beam splitter or spaced from an adjacent edge of a viewing aperture a sufficient distance so as to prevent any ray of light from the diffuser from directly illuminating any point of interest on the surface of the object to be observed. The recessing of the diffuser prevents direct illumination by the diffuser and provides improved uniform illumination of the object to be observed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a continuous, uniform, diffuse lighting environment for use in conjunction with electronic machine vision, or manual microscope inspection systems to inspect specular surfaces such as soldered circuits, ball bearings, reflective packaging, relective packaging, etc. The disclosed invention effectively eliminates apparent variations in surface brightness caused by the reflection of discontinuities in traditional machine vision lighting systems that typically require windows or viewing openings or orifices to allow visual access to the object being observed, thus allowing for a true observation signal from which the effect of surface geometry has been substantially removed.

Abstract: A light source suitable for illuminating work pieces imaged by machine vision cameras. A beam splitter mirror is located within the camera optical axis, a uniform intensity light source provides light to a diffuser and the diffused light is reflected from the beam splitter to uniformly illuminate the object being observed by the camera with a minimum of stray reflections or glare. Stray and incidental light is absorbed by a light trap located in opposed relation to the diffuser.