Abstract: A method and apparatus (2) for inspecting the surface quality of automotive parts (38) having smooth surfaces (44) utilizes a light source (4) and diffusing surface (6) contained in an opaque enclosure (8). The diffusing surface has a convex shape and is arranged relative to the light source to direct a gradient of light through the aperture (10) in the form of a beam. An object to be inspected is placed in the beam at a low angle relative to the inspection apparatus. All extraneous light is controlled and the beam is reflected off the object to an observer. The gradient in the reflective beam exposes any defects on the surface that are located on the beam and the location of the defects is noted. The inspection system and method can be used to inspect objects having surfaces that range from being highly reflective to lowly reflective. The curvature and location of the diffusing surface within the enclousre is adjustable. The size and location of the aperture is also adjustable.

Abstract: A trinary bar code and a device for reading and decoding said bar code are described. A predetermined number of bar code elements on a substrate makes up each character of data. Each bar code element is selected from a group comprising a first element in the form of a bar having a first length, a different sensibility than the substrate, and a given width; a second element in the form of a bar having a different length than said first element, a different sensibility than said substrate, and a width substantially the same as said given width; and a third element in the form of a space having a width substantially the same as said given width and having the sensible characteristic of said background.