Abstract: A dimming tester station for testing an optical object, the optical object disposed along an axis represented by a central axis of the optical object, the dimming tester station including a motion stage for supporting the optical object, wherein the optical object is disposed between at least one camera with an entrance pupil of the at least one camera disposed in a first plane and a light emitting panel configured to emit light through a front surface disposed in a second plane, the central axis is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane, the entrance pupil of the at least one camera is disposed in an orientation facing at least a portion of the front surface, the motion stage is configured to be adjustable such that the location of the optical object from each of the first plane and the second plane is alterable.

Abstract: A camera-testing box for testing optical properties of an image-capturing device includes a box body, a light source, a photographic film, a mask, and a base. The light source is disposed inside the light-free box body. The photographic film is disposed on a side of the light source inside the box body. The mask is disposed on a side of the photographic film away from or facing the light source, and the mask includes a transparent area and a shielding area to reduce flare-causing light reflected by screws and other extraneous objects in the camera-testing box. The base is disposed inside the box body, and on a side of the mask away from the light source. The base supports the to-be-tested image-capturing device.

Abstract: A test pattern (170) comprising a set of dots (174) which define a first ellipse (176) of best fit in which the major and minor axes R1, R2 are equal (i.e. a circle) is displayed on a plane surface and a digital image of the (usually distorted) test pattern seen through a lens is captured. A second ellipse of best fit joining the dots in the set is derived from the distorted test pattern in the image. Characteristics of the first and second ellipses are compared to determine the degree and nature of distortion to the test pattern, from which the power of the lens is calculated. The major and minor axes of the first and second ellipses may be compared. The test pattern can include a number of said sets of dots distributed over an area of the surface with each set being analysed to determine the optical parameters of the lens at multiple locations.

Abstract: A gas analyzer includes an optical emitter that irradiates measurement light into a measurement region including a measured-gas, a first optical receiver that receives the measurement light passing through the measurement region, a splitting unit between the optical emitter and the measurement region that splits off a portion of the measurement light irradiated from the optical emitter to yield reference light, a reference unit, and an optical component. The reference unit holds a gas containing a measurement target component identical with the measured-gas but at a known concentration and a second optical receiver that receives the reference light passing through the region including the gas. The optical component is disposed between the splitting unit and the region and expands the beam diameter of the reference light to be larger at the second optical receiver than the receiving diameter of the second optical receiver.

Abstract: A transmitted light refractometer allows high measurement accuracy across a broad measurement range, even under difficult measuring conditions. The transmitted light refractometer can be connected to a process simply via a single access. In accordance with advantageous features, the transmitted light refractometer covers a measurement range for all practically relevant media and includes integrated temperature compensation. A reversing optics unit is arranged relative to an illumination optics unit such that the reversing optics unit deflects a parallel beam through the process liquid and a measurement prism into the transmitted light refractometer back to the side from which it was radiated. The illumination optics unit, an imaging optics unit, and a detector plane are arranged on the light radiation side such that only one process access is needed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for evaluating the degree of phenolic ripeness of a fruit, advantageously but not exclusively grapes, that includes the measurement of the intensity of an electromagnetic wave that has passed through a portion of a skin of the fruit and an operation for correlating the intensity with a specific classification of percentages of polyphenolic substances present in the fruit.

Abstract: An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium. Each of a plurality of detectors detects light within an associated one of a plurality of wavelength ranges transmitted through the fluid delivery medium. The output of each detector is further associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. A controller may further combine detector outputs, such as by multiplication, summation, or other mathematical operation, to produce additional measures of product presence or absence. Each combination output is also associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. The controller compares the output of each detector with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) and compares each combination output with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) to determine presence or absence of product within the fluid delivery medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for detection of the accuracy of format of a web of corrugated cardboard moved in a conveying direction comprises a light source which emits a light band to the surface of the web of corrugated cardboard in a direction crosswise of the conveying direction and at an angle to the web of corrugated cardboard. A measuring camera detects the different light intensities of the light reflected by the plane portions and the profiled patterns of the web of corrugated cardboard. This electronic image in the camera is evaluated by an evaluation device for determining the distance of the profiled patterns from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for analyzing biological samples. The apparatus, systems, and methods can involve using a vacuum source to pull microfluidic volumes through analytical equipment, such as flow cells and the like. Additionally, the invention involves using optical equipment in conjunction with the analytical equipment to analyze samples and control the operation thereof.

Abstract: A sealed and decontaminated fiber optic detection apparatus includes an optics portion with individual chambers. Each chamber housing optical and electro-optical components. A manifold accommodates fibers, with each of the fibers being in optical communication with the optical and electro-optical components of a corresponding chamber. The apparatus also includes a sample holder that holds a sample to be tested and a mounting device provided between the sample holder and the manifold. The mounting device and the manifold form a sealed fiber optic interface between the sample holder and the optics portion.

Abstract: Various optical apparatus, in particular embodiments, may provide a source of parallel light (7, 75). The parallel light (7, 75) may be generally achieved by directing an incident beam at the apex of a prism (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The prism may have varying configurations. One configuration has a forward conical face (24). Another configuration has a pyramidal forward end (22). Other configurations are also disclosed. Various optical methods and methods for flow cytometry are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a captured image acquiring unit configured to acquire a captured image that is acquired by shooting an inspection target, an acquiring unit configured to acquire from the captured image a first image region and a second image region whose intensity distributions of reflected light with respect to an incident angle of illumination light emitted to the inspection target are different, and an image processing unit configured to perform image processing for performing different surface inspections on the first image region and the second image region respectively.

Abstract: An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium and detectors detect transmitted light at a plurality of wavelengths. The output of each detector and combinations of outputs of multiple detectors are associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. In addition, a color ratio is established. A controller compares the detector outputs and combination outputs with the associated out-of-product threshold(s). If any of the thresholds are satisfied, the controller compares the color ratio with an associated out-of-product threshold to verify an out-of-product event has occurred and reduce errors due to batch-to-batch variation of the product. The sensor is able to determine presence or absence of a variety of products having different color, transparency or turbidity.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a stage allowing an inspection subject to be mounted thereonto, an illumination unit for emitting diffused light to the inspection subject, an imaging unit disposed to face the illumination unit with the inspection subject interposed therebetween, for taking the diffused light that is emitted from the illumination unit and is transmitted through the inspection subject, a first prism sheet disposed between the inspection subject and the illumination unit and having a first prism surface with a plurality of prisms aligned in a stripe pattern to face the illumination unit, a second prism sheet disposed between the illumination unit and the first prism sheet and having a second prism surface with a plurality of prisms aligned in a stripe pattern to face the first prism surface.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: A cup attaching apparatus for attaching a cup as a processing jig to an eyeglass lens including an illumination optical system including an illumination light source arranged to illuminate a side of the front surface of the lens by light from the light source; an imaging optical system including an imaging device and a retroreflection member placed on an opposite side from the light source with respect to the lens; an image processing device adapted to process an image signal from the imaging device to detect at least one of a mark point provided on a unifocal lens, a small lens portion of a bifocal lens, and a progressive mark provided on a progressive focal lens and obtain a position of the detected one; and an arithmetic control device adapted to determine an attaching position of the cup based on the position obtained by the image processing device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bidirectional reflectance distribution meter having a light source which illuminates a sample using pre-determinable elevation and a light receiver, which can be moved relative to the light source in order to receive light from the sample. To this end, it has been designed that the light receiver comprises several receiver elements to collect simultaneously a broad elevation angle range, and that at least one of the light receiver element and the light source is movable around an axis that extends generally vertical to the sample.

Abstract: A method of this invention involves: detecting a shape of an outer periphery of a semiconductor wafer with a first detecting device; determining a center position of the semiconductor wafer based on a detected result by the first detecting device; receiving a light beam reflected from a surface of the semiconductor wafer with a second detecting device; detecting an alignment part based on a detected result by the second detecting device to determine a position of the alignment part; and detecting a defect based on the detected result by the second detecting device to determine a position of the defect.

Abstract: An exemplary visual inspection apparatus for a flexible printed circuit board includes a frame, an inspection station, a control system, a roller system and a power system. The inspection station is disposed on the frame. The inspection station has an inspection surface for placing the flexible printed circuit board thereon for visual inspection. The roller system includes a first roller for unwinding a flexible printed circuit board therefrom and a second roller for winding up the flexible printed circuit board therearound. The power system includes a driving device and a braking device. The driving device includes a torque motor engaging with the second roller to drive the second roller to roll. The braking device includes a detent engaging with the first roller to stop rolling of the first roller. The control system electrically connects to the power system for controlling the power system.