Abstract: A lighting arrangement for use in vision systems and imaging applications. The arrangement illuminates the object to be imaged with a supplied light of a specified illumination. The intensity, hue, and directionality of the supplied light can be varied. The desired illumination is specified either by manually operable controls or via a programming interface. The arrangement has a light source which includes light-emitting diodes mounted in a housing. The source provides a constant light output over a long lifetime. A light sensor senses the total illumination on the object being imaged resulting from ambient light in addition to the supplied light, and a negative feedback circuit in the arrangement can adjust the level of the supplied light in response so as to maintain a constant total illumination on the object despite variations in the ambient lighting.

Abstract: A system for connecting NPN sensors to current sinking inputs of a controller, and connecting PNP sensors to current sourcing inputs of a controller. A sensor output inverter uses back-to-back optoisolators and a voltage divider to generate an output signal at ground voltage when a ten to thirty volt reference voltage is applied to the input, and an output signal at the reference voltage when a ground voltage is applied to the input. The inverter circuit is preferably overmolded or potted in an in-line package using industry-standard three-pin male and female DIN-style connectors as output and input connectors respectively. The reference voltage and ground voltage are supplied to the inverter via these connectors. The sensor output inverter can be connected to a mating termination block, either directly or via cordsets, to form a water-resistant, submersible, sensor termination system.