Abstract: A method of determining the position and the orientation of at least one interface comprises illuminating the interface that is determined with at least one non-polarized diffuse light source point, using an image-forming device to acquire an image enabling polarization information determined about the reflection(s) of the source point on the interface to be determined, and in the image, locating any reflection of the light source point as reflected by the interface. For each located reflection, the light ray reaching the image-forming device together with at least its degree of polarization as its polarization parameter is calculated. The light ray as reflected on the interface that to be determined is calculated. Using the light ray reflected on the interface, its polarization parameter, and the known position of the source point, the position and the orientation of the surface element is deduced.

Abstract: A method of inspecting containers (3) moving between a linear camera and a light source (7) presents continuous variation of light intensity with a periodic pattern (71) along at least one variation direction (D). According to the method, for each movement increment of the container, a sequence of N successive image lines of the container is acquired cyclically so that for each image line; the container (3) is illuminated by the light source (7); the image line of the container is acquired; and the periodic pattern (71) is shifted for the next line along the variation direction (D). For each increment of the container (3), at least one phase image line is calculated; and the phase image lines (LP(k)) are analyzed.

Abstract: An in-line method for optically inspecting transparent or translucent containers (3) comprises illuminating each container with a light source that presents light intensity variation in a periodic pattern along at least a first variation direction. A number N greater than or equal to three of images of the container traveling in front of the light source and occupying N different respective positions along the travel path is taken. Between taking successive images, a relative shift between the container and the periodic pattern is created. A geometrical transformation is determined and applied in order to put the pixels belonging to the container in the N successive images of the same container into coincidence. A phase image for each container is constructed using the N registered images of the container. The phase image is analyzed in order to deduce therefrom at least the presence of defects or the quality of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inspecting containers (3) moving between a linear camera and a light source (7) presenting continuous variation of light intensity with a periodic pattern (71) along at least one variation direction (D). According to the invention: for each movement increment of the container, a sequence of N successive image lines of the container is acquired cyclically so that for each image line: the container (3) is illuminated by the light source (7); the image line of the container is acquired; and the periodic pattern (71) is shifted for the next line along the variation direction (D); for each increment of the container (3), at least one phase image line is calculated; and the phase image lines (LP(k)) are analyzed.

Abstract: A method of determining the position and the orientation of at least one interface comprises illuminating the interface that is determined with at least one non-polarized diffuse light source point, using an image-forming device to acquire an image enabling polarization information determined about the reflection(s) of the source point on the interface to be determined, and in the image, locating any reflection of the light source point as reflected by the interface. For each located reflection, the light ray reaching the image-forming device together with at least its degree of polarization as its polarization parameter is calculated. The light ray as reflected on the interface that to be determined is calculated. Using the light ray reflected on the interface, its polarization parameter, and the known position of the source point, the position and the orientation of the surface element is deduced.

Abstract: An in-line method for optically inspecting transparent or translucent containers (3) comprises illuminating each container with a light source that presents light intensity variation in a periodic pattern along at least a first variation direction. A number N greater than or equal to three of images of the container traveling in front of the light source and occupying N different respective positions along the travel path is taken. Between taking successive images, a relative shift between the container and the periodic pattern is created. A geometrical transformation is determined and applied in order to put the pixels belonging to the container in the N successive images of the same container into coincidence. A phase image for each container is constructed using the N registered images of the container. The phase image is analyzed in order to deduce therefrom at least the presence of defects or the quality of the container.