Abstract: Reflective or embossed regions are supposed to be illuminated as uniformly as possible over the greatest possible angle range for optical inspection using in one aspect an apparatus for inspection having a passive lighting body spotlighted by a spotlight light source, which body illuminates a test region, as well as at least one optical sensor directed at the test region. The lighting body is configured to be partially transmissible, and the optical sensor is disposed, with reference to the test region, optically beyond the lighting body, detecting the test region through the lighting body, and/or the spotlight light source is directed at the lighting body and the lighting body extends continuously over at least 120° in a section plane that stands perpendicular to the surface of the flat items to be tested or inspected.

Abstract: To avoid occlusion of subordinate errors, so that the precise error is no longer identifiable, an apparatus for comparing two files containing graphics elements and text elements is proposed that contains a memory for the two files, means for splitting the two files into graphics elements and text elements, means for text recognition, raster graphics means for producing a rastered image from the graphics elements, means for comparing the extracted texts and means for comparing the rastered images and also means for, preferably jointly, outputting the two comparison results.

Abstract: Reflective or embossed regions are supposed to be illuminated as uniformly as possible over the greatest possible angle range for optical inspection using in one aspect an apparatus for inspection having a passive lighting body spotlighted by a spotlight light source, which body illuminates a test region, as well as at least one optical sensor directed at the test region. The lighting body is configured to be partially transmissible, and the optical sensor is disposed, with reference to the test region, optically beyond the lighting body, detecting the test region through the lighting body, and/or the spotlight light source is directed at the lighting body and the lighting body extends continuously over at least 120° in a section plane that stands perpendicular to the surface of the flat items to be tested or inspected.

Abstract: To avoid occlusion of subordinate errors, so that the precise error is no longer identifiable, an apparatus for comparing two files containing graphics elements and text elements is proposed that contains a memory for the two files, means for splitting the two files into graphics elements and text elements, means for text recognition, raster graphics means for producing a rastered image from the graphics elements, means for comparing the extracted texts and means for comparing the rastered images and also means for, preferably jointly, outputting the two comparison results.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for examining a series of objects that are symmetrical in reference to a rotational axis, e.g., circular disks, during or after the manufacturing process of the disks. In particular, the invention pertains to the optical examination of circular data carriers, e.g., CD, DVDs, CD-Rs or the like. The invention proposes that each object contains at least one marking or is provided with at least one marking. The marking makes it possible to unequivocally determine the angular position of each object about the rotational axis in reference to the marking for objects manufactured in the same manufacturing process. At least one section of the objects is scanned by at least one scanning element, and the marking is detected during the examination process.

Abstract: A method for the inspection of an article which has a relatively large surface-area and which has at least two opposing, partially transparent, outer layers and at least one intermediate layer located between the outer layers. In particular, the method is utilized to optically inspect optical data media, for instance, DVDs, having the above referenced multilayer structure. The opposing sides of the article are sensed with at least two optical receivers, and the data of the recorded image points of the one optical receiver is allocated to the data of the recorded image points of the other optical receiver in such a manner that the data of the opposing points of the article are allocated to each other and can be evaluated. An identification of a potential error in the intermediate layer is possible when the data of the opposing image points indicate an error in the case of both optical receivers.