Abstract: In order to quickly determine three-dimensional contours, for example, in real time for industrial processes, capturing and processing data, a method includes a step of initially determining a coarse position of a light line image by a position scan with reduced resolution and therefrom automatically defining windows on a sensor which include an entire line image so that the data only has to be read from the windows during the subsequent measuring scan which is performed with a higher resolution compared to the position scans.

Abstract: In order to be able to test completely transparent surfaces (22) as well as mirror surfaces (22) with optical testing methods in which light (3) is radiated onto the surface (22) to be tested and the light reflected by the surface (22) is checked by an optical test unit (6a, b) a precipitation of moisture is generated on the surface before optical testing, wherein the precipitation is generated in the form of plural small liquid droplets (8) on the surface (22) which causes a diffuse reflection of the irradiated light.

Abstract: In an optical probe head 1 which is configured to check a weld or a glue joint immediately after being produced there is a risk of contaminating the probe head through the production process of the joint. In order to prevent this protective devices are proposed according to the invention that are configured either as a rotor 33 rotating in front of the windows 8, 9 of the probe head 1 or as a transparent protective device arranged in front of the windows 8, 9 of the probe head 1, for example a transparent protective foil 16 that is being moved along.