Abstract: Virtually all of the light reflected from an object to be inspected is made incident upon a focusing lens 7, a quantity of light in a regularly reflected light region on an plane P1 where an image is formed by a lens 7 is detected by a photodiode 8, while a quantity of light in a peripherally scattered light region is detected by a photodiode 9. If the quantity of light received (VDET1) in the regularly reflected light region is lower than a first reference value (VREF1) (S1=1), and the quantity of light received (VDET2) in the peripheral scattered light region is higher than a second reference value (VREF2) (S2=1), a determination is made that a defect is present.

Abstract: A garment inspecting and grading apparatus and methods of inspecting a garment are provided that preferably have a mounting member arranged to mount a garment thereon. A light emitter is positionally aligned closely adjacent the mounting member to emit light through a predetermined portion of a garment mounted thereon. A light detector is also positionally aligned with the light emitter to detect either the presence or absence of light traveling from the light emitter. A controller is positioned in electrical communication with the light detector and arranged to determine the presence and absence of defects in a predetermined portion of a garment responsive to electrical signals representative of the presence or absence of light received from the light detector. A grader and sorter are positioned downstream from the light emitter and the light detector for sorting an inspected garment into one of a plurality of predetermined quality groups.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting a formation or change in the consistency of a moving sheet material. The apparatus includes a radiation source, a radiation receiver, a support base for the sheet material, and a signal processor for producing a signal in response to the detection of a formation in the material. The apparatus may be modified to include moving or stationary support bases, and may be further modified to include structure for automatically positioning the source and receiver to optimize the detection of formations.

Abstract: A fiber optic diffuse light reflectance sensor is disclosed. The sensor employs illumination optical fibers to carry light emitted from a high-intensity, narrow bandwidth LED to a baffle in a readhead where the optical fibers reflect the light off of a reagent test strip. The illumination optical fibers are randomly oriented to create a more uniform light source. The light is reflected off of a pad on a reagent test strip to detect the presence of non-hemolyzed trace and hemolyzed occult blood. The reflected light must pass through another baffle to a bi-convex lens where it is focused onto a detection bundle of optical fibers. The detection bundle is optically coupled with a CCD, where the optical signal is converted to an electrical one for processing and analysis.

Abstract: To test a bottle for contamination, the bottom of the bottle is laterally illuminated with a measuring light beam from a source. This measuring light beam is deflected, as if in a waveguide, in the ring of residual liquids at the bottom of the bottle. Light reemerging from the residual liquid is imaged on a detector by an imaging lens. The detector measures the spectral composition of the deflected light and compares this with theoretical values which should be yielded by the liquid with which the bottle was last filled. If deviations from the theoretical values are excessive, the bottle is rejected. The process described provides a simple way of determining whether a multi-trip bottle has contained an extraneous liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring light penetrability of liquids, including: a water-tight, heat, compression and chemical resistant casing, a light source mounted inside the casing and controlled to alternately, emit light of different wavelengths, a controller mounted inside the casing for detecting light and converting detected light into electrical signals, and a light guide mounted inside the casing for guiding light from the light source to the controller through a liquid to be tested.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus detects faults in a material coated on a moving web. Multiple cameras are positioned in an array across the width of the web transverse to the direction of the moving web. Each camera comprises a electronic camera and digital signal processor. An illumination source is preferably positioned to illuminate one side of the web. The camera array is positioned on the opposite side of the web aligned with the illumination source. The cameras in the array image the moving web along colas and collect image data from the web. The image is digitized and processed in real-time by averaging each column of image data to produce a profile of light intensity transmitted across the web width from which faults occurring in the longitudinal direction are detected in a host computer.

Abstract: A measuring beam is incident upon a triangular cell storing a liquid sample, and transmitted light thereof is received by a linear sensor so that both transmitted light intensity and a position of the beam are detected. A refractive index calculating part calculates refractive indices from the position detected by the linear sensor, while an absorbance calculating part calculates absorbance values dependent on component concentration values correcting influence by transmittance change at the triangular cell through the transmitted light intensity values and the refractive indices of the sample calculated at the refractive index calculating part. A component concentration calculating part performs a multivariate analytical operation on the basis of the absorbance values dependent on the component concentration values at a plurality of measuring wavelengths calculated at the absorbance calculating part.

Abstract: A method and device for the calibration of microscope slides for use in accurate and repeatable position location and relocation of specific areas of a specimen on the slide, particularly with use of computer correlated location of specimen events. Deviation from orthogonality of a specimen holder positioned on a stage (relative to movement of the microscope slide stage) is determined and compensated for by means of a rectangular calibration slide having a predetermined fixed length diagonal, and visual fixation sites at the ends of the diagonal, i.e., opposite corners of the slide, for the position marking of the corners and determination of the diagonal and its position. The calibration slide is placed on the microscope stage, against a fixed position portion of the slide holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring partial pressures of gaseous components within a mixture. The apparatus comprises generally at least one tunable laser source, a beam splitter, mirrors, optical filter, an optical spectrometer, and a data recorder. Measured in the forward direction along the path of the laser, the intensity of the emission spectra of the gaseous component, at wavelengths characteristic of the gas component being measured, are suppressed. Measured in the backward direction, the peak intensities characteristic of a given gaseous component will be wavelength shifted. These effects on peak intensity wavelengths are linearly dependent on the partial pressure of the compound being measured, but independent of the partial pressures of other gases which are present within the sample. The method and apparatus allow for efficient measurement of gaseous components.

Abstract: A particle counter including a modulator to allow electronically determining calibration. The modulator is connected to a driving circuit of a source of light to cause the light to emit a beam of a constant amplitude, representing at least one particle of predefined size. Light transmitted along an optical axis changes in intensity in response to a signal produced by the modulator. A detector is positioned to sense the change in intensity to produce signals proportional to the light sensed. A displaying device, such as a pulse height analyzer, is in electrical communication to receive the signals produced by the detector to quantitatively display the change in intensity of the light.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for determining the degradation of oil after use of the same in an engine or the like. A test sample material is placed in a transparent container and various intensities of light are passed therethrough. A photovoltaic sensor senses the light polarized by the transparent container and the test sample and generates a first set of signals responsive thereto. The methodology is repeated with a sample of used automotive engine oil. The first and second set of signals are compared, and oil degradation is determined therefrom. Where the sensor detects and generates a signal only when the light intensity is equal to or less than the saturation intensity of the sensor, that is from the instant the light is first detected up until saturation of the sensor.

Abstract: A displacement detection apparatus includes a light source (1), a first diffraction grating (G1) which is arranged on the same substrate as a second diffraction grating (G2) so as to diffract and split light emitted from the light source and to irradiate .+-.1st-order diffracted light beams onto the second diffraction grating (G2), a third diffraction grating (G3) for synthesizing a +1st-order reflectively diffracted light beam generated by reflectively diffracting the +1st-order diffracted light beam by the second diffraction grating, and a -1st-order reflectively diffracted light beam generated by reflectively diffracting the +1st-order diffracted light beam by the second diffraction grating to form interference light, and a light-receiving element (3) for converting the interference light into a signal representing a displacement of the substrate.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the invention includes a light source (1) lighting two parallel optical branches (b1, b2) controlled respectively by two optical shutters (4, 6), one comprising a transparent cell (3) containing a substance to be studied, and the other being used to divert the light from the source. The light coming successively from one and from the other branch is applied selectively to three color filters (F1-F3) filtering three wavelengths selected according to the substance to be studied. The successive luminous intensities which have crossed each of the filters are measured through three detectors (D1 to D3) and the measurings are combined by means of a control (0). Analogous measuring sequences may be achieved with an embodiment comprising three light sources and a single detector. The device can be used for determination of the pH value of a substance.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for seeking-control for disk drives, in which (i) the step current waveform at the start of speedup or at the switching from speedup to slowdown is transformed into a current waveform by which the mechanical resonance of the disk drive is difficult to be excited; (ii) the lowering of tracking accuracy is prevented; and (iii) the effective seek time being measured from the seek start up to the time at which the writing or reading of the disk becomes possible can be shortened.

Abstract: A sorting system (10) propels a stream of randomly arranged PET and PVC articles (12, 14) through an inspection zone (20) including a first light polarizer/analyzer combination (24, 26), an article-detecting gap (G), and a second light polarizer/analyzer combination (28, 30). The first and second polarizer/analyzer combinations are oriented to extinguish normally incident light in the absence of articles in the inspection zone and are offset 45 degrees relative to each other such that at least one polarizer/analyzer combination detects a principal axis of birefringence of PET articles. The gap is employed to detect the presence of an article in the inspection zone. A video camera (22) includes first, second, and third CCD arrays (58, 60, 62) positioned to receive respective light rays (48, 64, 50) from the first light polarizer/analyzer combination, the gap, and the second light polarizer/analyzer combination and to generate first, second, and third video signals representative of the light each receives.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically detecting information relating to the relative displacement of an object on which a diffraction grating, arranged in two axial directions with a predetermined pitch. The apparatus includes a light-emitting device configured to emit a light beam, and a first optical element configured to divide the light beam from the light-emitting device into a plurality of light beams directed in each of the two axial directions to the diffraction grating on the object which produces a plurality of diffracted light beams for each of the two axial directions.

Abstract: In a photomask inspecting method, a photomask is inspected on the basis of the difference between the polarized state of elliptical light produced upon superposition of two linearly polarized light beams having orthogonal polarization directions and passing through two different optical paths and the polarized state of elliptical light produced when two linearly polarized light beams are superposed on each other after a target portion of a photomask is set in the optical path of one of the linearly polarized light beams. A photomask inspecting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles on the front surface of a patterned semiconductor wafer having repetitive patterns includes a laser for illuminating an area on the front surface at grazing angle of incidence with a beam of polarized light. A lens collects light scattered from the area and forms a Fourier diffraction pattern of the area illuminated. A Fourier mask blocks out light collected by the lens at locations in the Fourier diffraction pattern where the intensity is above a predetermined level indicative of background information and leaves in light at locations where the intensity is below the threshold level indicative of possible particle information. The Fourier mask includes an optically addressable spatial light modulator and a crossed polarizer with the Fourier diffraction pattern being used as both a read beam and a write beam for the spatial light modulator. A camera detects scattered light collected from the area by the lens and not blocked out by the Fourier mask.

Abstract: A portable device for measuring total reflectance from the surface of an object by means of electromagnetic radiation has a housing defining an ellipsoidal chamber having a reflective interior surface, a first focus, an opposite second focus. The chamber defines a first aperture at the first focus, the first aperture being adapted for placement against the surface of the object so that a portion of the surface is in optical communication with the chamber. A light source illuminates the portion of the surface of the object through the first aperture with the electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined waveband, such as infrared. A means for measuring the radiation is disposed adjacent the second focus, so that when the first aperture is placed against the object, the electromagnetic radiation illuminates the object in an area adjacent the first focus. The reflected radiation, both specular and scattered, is directed by the interior reflective surface to the radiation measuring means.