Abstract: A retroreflectivity measurement system comprises a light source arranged to project light across a traffic lane during a measurement run, the light being limited to a particular portion of the visible light spectrum. A camera is selectively sensitive to this light to provide first filtered images and separately selectively sensitive to light at a portion of the spectrum not including the particular portion to provide second filtered images. A controller obtains sequences of first and second filtered images during the measurement run, and identifies within the sequences of images an illuminated road marking; determines a first intensity of the marking from a first filtered image, and a further intensity of the marking from the second filtered images; estimates an ambient intensity of the marking, by applying a scaling factor to the further intensity; and determines a retroreflectivity of the marking as a function of the first and estimated ambient intensities.

Abstract: A retroreflectivity measurement system comprises a light source arranged to project light across a traffic lane during a measurement run, the light being limited to a particular portion of the visible light spectrum. A camera is selectively sensitive to this light to provide first filtered images and separately selectively sensitive to light at a portion of the spectrum not including the particular portion to provide second filtered images. A controller obtains sequences of first and second filtered images during the measurement run, and identifies within the sequences of images an illuminated road marking; determines a first intensity of the marking from a first filtered image, and a further intensity of the marking from the second filtered images; estimates an ambient intensity of the marking, by applying a scaling factor to the further intensity; and determines a retroreflectivity of the marking as a function of the first and estimated ambient intensities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater method and system for gathering range and dimensional information of subsea objects, the system comprising a camera module suitable for capturing images of sub-sea scenes; and a reference projection light source that, in use, projects a structured light beam onto a target. The structured light beam is preferably generated by a laser and may comprise spots, lines, grids and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater method and system for gathering range and dimensional information of subsea objects, the system comprising a camera module suitable for capturing images of sub-sea scenes; and a reference projection light source that, in use, projects a structured light beam onto a target. The structured light beam is preferably generated by a laser and may comprise spots, lines, grids and the like.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for presenting, on a statement associated with a financial transaction instrument, an amount of interest avoided during a statement period. A first interest amount is computed for the statement period according to a first interest calculation method, the first interest amount being an interest amount actually billed to the transaction instrument account holder. A second interest amount is computed for the statement period according to a second interest calculation method. An amount of interest avoided for the statement period is computed by taking a difference of the first interest amount and the second interest amount. The amount of interest avoided for the statement period is displayed on the statement, whereby the holder of the transaction instrument is informed as to the amount of interest avoided by use of the first interest calculation method, rather than the second interest calculation method.

Abstract: Current testing/measuring apparatus 10 comprises a flexible member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. In use, the flexible member 12 is arranged to locate around a conductor 11 carrying a current to be measured. In particular, the current measuring apparatus 10 comprises a Rogowski coil. The ends of the flexible member 12 are coupled together in use but a gap is created between the ends. This distance can generate errors in the current measurement and the present invention provides compensation means 28 in the form of a compensation windings. The compensation windings comprise a planar spiral conductor provided on a printed circuit board to compensate for the separation distance between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A classification system or classifying images of solder joints has a two-sided classifier to which query cases are presented. It can operate in an environment without task-specific counter-concept cases (“bad examples”) because it filters a library of general counter-concept cases to provide a refined set of counter-concept cases. The filtering is performed by a one-sided classifier, which uses a base of task-specific concept cases to perform the filtration.

Abstract: A solder paste inspection machine carries out the steps of automatically generating inspection data for solder paste deposits, automatically determining a squeegee direction of travel for said paste deposits. It associates the squeegee direction with the inspection data, and feeds the inspection data back to a solder paste printer with an indication of squeegee direction. The direction is determined from three-dimensional range maps, the direction of squeegee travel being in the direction of upward slope.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for presenting, on a statement associated with a financial transaction instrument, an amount of interest avoided during a statement period. A first interest amount is computed for the statement period according to a first interest calculation method, the first interest amount being an interest amount actually billed to the transaction instrument account holder. A second interest amount is computed for the statement period according to a second interest calculation method. An amount of interest avoided for the statement period is computed by taking a difference of the first interest amount and the second interest amount. The amount of interest avoided for the statement period is displayed on the statement, whereby the holder of the transaction instrument is informed as to the amount of interest avoided by use of the first interest calculation method, rather than the second interest calculation method.

Abstract: A classification system automatically generates an indication that a training feature vector case is a pollutant based on a mis-labelled reference image. It excludes the case from the set, builds a k-nearest neighbour confidence classifier, and then classifies the case using this classifier. The case may be marked as suspect if its classification does not match what is determined, or if they do match, if the confidence level is below a threshold. The system can automatically remove or re-label all suspect cases.

Abstract: A machine vision system (1) has two laser sources (2, 3) to illuminate a solder deposit from both sides for comprehensive coverage without occlusion. The camera (4) has an FGPA (32) programmed to define a subset of the sensor array (20) as a region of interest to be processed for each laser source (2, 3). This reduces the amount of data transfer and processing required. The image line (31) is dynamically maintained in the region of interest by adjustement of camara Z position according to warp of the substrate (S).

Abstract: A display for use in a printed circuit board inspection system for inspecting objects on a printed circuit board is capable of displaying a greater-than-two dimensional image of the shape of the surface of an object resident on the printed circuit board in at least two dimensions. The image of the object is generated based on optical imaging of the object under different illumination configurations.

Abstract: Solder fillets are inspected post-reflow by illuminating firstly from one side only along a dimension through a row of components. Only pixels arising from light received normal to the joints on that side are analysed. There is then illumination from the opposite side and corresponding image analysis normal to the right side fillets only. This avoids noise arising from reflections from a fillet across to the opposite fillet of an adjacent component.

Abstract: Images are captured of linear illumination with improved identification of lines and elimination of noise. A most probable line of multiple lines is identified as the one which is widest, and two parallel lines in proximity are regarded as one if their separation is two or one dark pixels. There is an upper line width limit, to eliminate blooming.

Abstract: Determining the quality of a solder paste deposit includes comparing the fluorescence from a solder paste deposit with that of a deposit having an ideal mixture of flux and metal spheres.

Abstract: A machine vision inspection system captures images of placed components and generates defect data. The defect data indicates defect components together with associated confidence scores. The confidence scores are generated according to factors such as the number of sides of a component lead at which paste has been detected (attribute factor), or measured component position (measurement factor). The confidence scores allow the placement machine to decide on how to act upon the defect data. They are also used by the inspection system to decide on which “visual watchpoint” series of component images to output for operator visual inspection.

Abstract: An illumination head (1) for machine vision has an annular support (2) with first, second, third, and fourth illumination sections (3, 4, 5, and 6). The third section (5) has three sets of LEDs (12, 13, 14) arranged in a pattern so that each set illuminates at approximately the same angle. Each set is driven in succession so that a series of three monochrome images at the same angle are captured. These are superimposed by an image processor to provide a color image, although the camera is monochrome. More information can be obtained in such a color image and the high resolution and robustness of monochrome cameras is availed of.

Abstract: A machine vision system comprising a structured light illuminator, a camera, an image processor, and a controller, wherein the controller dynamically adjusts parameters for structured illumination according to actual position of a subject being inspected.

Abstract: A machine vision system (1) has two laser sources (2, 3) to illuminate a solder deposit from both sides for comprehensive coverage without occlusion. The camera (4) has an FGPA (32) programmed to define a subset of the sensor array (20) as a region of interest to be processed for each laser source (2, 3). This reduces the amount of data transfer and processing required. The image line (31) is dynamically maintained in the region of interest by adjustement of camara Z position according to warp of the substrate (S).

Abstract: A display for use in a printed circuit board inspection system for inspecting objects on a printed circuit board is capable of displaying a greater-than-two dimensional image of the shape of the surface of an object resident on the printed circuit board in at least two dimensions. The image of the object is generated based on optical imaging of the object under different illumination configurations.