Abstract: A microscope for imaging a sample by a transmitted light contrasting method includes an objective lens holder configured to place an objective lens of a number of objective lenses onto an optical axis of the microscope. The microscope further includes a lens system for forming an intermediate image of an exit pupil of any one of the number of objective lenses placed onto the optical axis. The intermediate image is formed at a respective conjugated plane conjugate to the exit pupil. The microscope further includes a control device configured for automatically positioning a modulation element onto the optical axis at a positon related to the respective conjugated plane.

Abstract: An optical imaging device for a microscope includes an objective and an optical system configured to interact with the objective for optically imaging an object selectively in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The optical system includes a first optical subsystem associated with the first operating mode, and a second optical subsystem associated with the second operating mode. The first optical subsystem is configured to form a first image of the object with a first magnification. The second optical subsystem is configured to form a second image of the object with a second magnification that is less than the first magnification. The second optical subsystem includes an optical module insertable into the optical path for selecting the second operating mode. The optical module includes a lens element with a positive refractive power.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using machine learning for image-based spoof detection. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes obtaining an input-data set that includes a plurality of images captured of a biometric-authentication subject by a plurality of cameras of a camera system. The method also includes inputting the input-data set into a trained machine-learning module, and processing the input-data set using the machine-learning module to obtain, from the machine-learning module, a spoof-detection result for the biometric-authentication subject. The method also includes outputting the spoof-detection result for the biometric-authentication subject.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a detection unit having a color beam splitter arrangement with three beam splitter prisms, each having first, second and third prism surfaces. The first prism surfaces face in the same direction and are oriented parallel to one another at a right angle to an optical axis. The first and second prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. The second and third prism surfaces are oriented in each case at right or obtuse angles to one another. The third and first prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. A prismatic compensation element having first and second prism surfaces is assigned to each prism. The second prism surface of each of the compensation elements is arranged in a common plane with or parallel to the second prism surface of the respectively assigned prism.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a detection unit having a color beam splitter arrangement with three beam splitter prisms, each having first, second and third prism surfaces. The first prism surfaces face in the same direction and are oriented parallel to one another at a right angle to an optical axis. The first and second prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. The second and third prism surfaces are oriented in each case at right or obtuse angles to one another. The third and first prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. A prismatic compensation element having first and second prism surfaces is assigned to each prism. The second prism surface of each of the compensation elements is arranged in a common plane with or parallel to the second prism surface of the respectively assigned prism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using machine learning for image-based spoof detection. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes obtaining an input-data set that includes a plurality of images captured of a biometric-authentication subject by a plurality of cameras of a camera system. The method also includes inputting the input-data set into a trained machine-learning module, and processing the input-data set using the machine-learning module to obtain, from the machine-learning module, a spoof-detection result for the biometric-authentication subject. The method also includes outputting the spoof-detection result for the biometric-authentication subject.

Abstract: A microscope for examining a sample in phase contrast transmitted light illumination and/or in fluorescence reflected light illumination includes a phase contrast transmitted light illumination device, a fluorescence reflected light illumination device and an objective with a phase ring. The phase contrast transmitted light illumination device comprises a transmitted light illumination source and a transmitted light illumination optical unit with a ring stop. The ring stop comprises a light-opaque inner stop region which is surrounded by an at least partly light-transmissive ring-shaped region. The fluorescence reflected light illumination device comprises a reflected light illumination source and a reflected light illumination optical unit. A fluorescence reflected light illumination beam path produced by the fluorescence reflected light illumination device will lie, in terms of its cross section, within the inner stop region of the ring stop o after passing through an object plane of the microscope.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting sensitive information stored on a mobile device capable of wireless communication is described. The protection is provided by permitting wireless transmission of the sensitive information only if data received from an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor satisfies a predetermined requirement.

Abstract: An illumination device for an optical device, a microscope or a macroscope includes a first illumination source configured to emit light which is directed via an illumination beam path onto an object to be illuminated that is arranged in an object plane. At least one second illumination source is positionable in the illumination beam path, and is transparent or semitransparent as well as self-luminous. The at least one second illumination source is configured to allow light emitted from the first illumination source to pass through at least in part. The object plane having the object to be illuminated is configured to be illuminated both by the first and by the at least one second illumination source.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting sensitive information stored on a mobile device capable of wireless communication is described. The protection is provided by permitting wireless transmission of the sensitive information only if data received from an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor satisfies a predetermined requirement.

Abstract: A microscope illumination system includes a first light source configured to provide light along an optical axis and an aperture device including an aperture wheel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The aperture wheel includes a plurality of apertures of varying size disposed circumferentially on the aperture wheel. The aperture wheel is rotatable so as to dispose each of the apertures in a position that is centered on the optical axis so as to generate an illumination beam path that extends in a centered relationship with respect to the optical axis, and so as to dispose each of the apertures in a position that is off-center from the optical axis and that is within a defined region around the optical axis so as to generate an illumination beam path that extends off-center from the optical axis for oblique incident illumination.

Abstract: An illumination device for an optical device, a microscope or a macroscope includes a first illumination source configured to emit light which is directed via an illumination beam path onto an object to be illuminated that is arranged in an object plane. At least one second illumination source is positionable in the illumination beam path, and is transparent or semitransparent as well as self-luminous. The at least one second illumination source is configured to allow light emitted from the first illumination source to pass through at least in part. The object plane having the object to be illuminated is configured to be illuminated both by the first and by the at least one second illumination source.

Abstract: Methods and devices of studying a predefined portion of an object having a feature of interest are disclosed. The feature of interest defines a class of objects that includes the object. Light sources directly illuminate the object from different illumination directions. The light sources are maintained in a stable configuration relative to the object. For each illumination direction, an image is generated from light scattered from the object with a camera maintained in a stable configuration relative to the light sources. A methodology derived from machine learning for the class of objects is applied to filter the generated images are filtered for a characteristic consistent with the feature of interest. Surface gradients are determined from the filtered images and integrated to generate a topography of a surface of the object.

Abstract: Methods and sensors are disclosed for executing a biometric function. Illumination light is generated and directed to a deformable layer when the deformable layer is in a state of deformation resulting from pressure applied to the deformable layer by a skin site. Light scattered from the deformable layer is received. A fingerprint pattern of the skin site is determined from the received light. The biometric function is performed with the determined fingerprint pattern.

Abstract: An optical system is described for merging a first and a second partial image beam emanating from a specimen into a resultant image beam allowing modification of the areal proportion of the respective first or second partial image beam in the resultant image beam. A stop arrangement comprises at least a first and a second movable stop element each comprising at least one stop region adapted to be brought into a working position with the first or second partial image beam. Movably arranged connecting means for connecting the two stop elements are provided to modify the respective areal proportions of the partial image beams in the resultant image beam by movement of the connecting means.

Abstract: Methods and devices of studying a predefined portion of an object having a feature of interest are disclosed. The feature of interest defines a class of objects that includes the object. Light sources directly illuminate the object from different illumination directions. The light sources are maintained in a stable configuration relative to the object. For each illumination direction, an image is generated from light scattered from the object with a camera maintained in a stable configuration relative to the light sources. A methodology derived from machine learning for the class of objects is applied to filter the generated images are filtered for a characteristic consistent with the fetaure of interest. Surface gradients are determined from the filtered images and integrated to generate a topography of a surface of the object.

Abstract: A microscope illumination system includes a first light source configured to provide light along an optical axis and an aperture device including an aperture wheel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The aperture wheel includes a plurality of apertures of varying size disposed circumferentially on the aperture wheel. The aperture wheel is rotatable so as to dispose each of the apertures in a position that is centered on the optical axis so as to generate an illumination beam path that extends in a centered relationship with respect to the optical axis, and so as to dispose each of the apertures in a position that is off-center from the optical axis and that is within a defined region around the optical axis so as to generate an illumination beam path that extends off-center from the optical axis for oblique incident illumination.

Abstract: A linear roller bearing element with an endless rolling element channel is composed of a carrier raceway for the load-bearing rolling elements on a carrier body, a return channel for rolling elements that are returning, and turnaround channels that connect the carrier raceway and the return channel at both ends with each other in an endless manner, the turnaround channels being bounded by end covers. The roller bearing element has two rolling element channels with two longitudinally extending carrier raceways located next to each other within a common plane and with clearance between them, on the carrier body for load-bearing rolling elements, and two assigned return channels for rolling elements that are returning, and respective turnaround channels. With a linear roller bearing guide, these roller bearing elements are located between a guide rail and a guide carriage—which is supported such that it is displaceable relative to the guide rail—in order to provide support.

Abstract: An actuating device for a transmission of a vehicle, particularly a commercial vehicle, a bus, or the like, moves a trip cam of the transmission forward or backward in the longitudinal direction, and in the transverse direction in one direction or the other transversely to the longitudinal direction. It has a spindle, which includes two axially adjacent thread sections with opposing thread directions, with a spindle nut on each thread section of the spindle, with a drive motor for each spindle nut to drive it in a rotary manner, and with a coupling member that engages with the trip cam and moves it in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and which is actuatable using the spindle.

Abstract: An optical system is described for merging a first and a second partial image beam emanating from a specimen into a resultant image beam allowing modification of the areal proportion of the respective first or second partial image beam in the resultant image beam. A stop arrangement comprises at least a first and a second movable stop element each comprising at least one stop region adapted to be brought into a working position with the first or second partial image beam. Movably arranged connecting means for connecting the two stop elements are provided to modify the respective areal proportions of the partial image beams in the resultant image beam by movement of the connecting means.