Abstract: An egg inspecting apparatus (1) of the present invention includes an optical path switching and projecting assembly (30) for automatically selecting one of a plurality of optical paths through which a white source light (11) emitted from a light source (2) is guided and also for sequentially projecting the white source light (11) from the associated optical paths onto eggs held at respective positions, a spectrum converting assembly for spectrally analyzing light which has been transmitted through each of the eggs and converting it into a spectrum, and a determining circuit (5) for determining whether the egg is a normal egg or a bloody egg by using the spectrum so converted. By way of example, a spectrum of an egg is measured and a secondary differential curve is formulated for classification of the eggs according to egg shell colors.

Abstract: In an automatic optical measurement method according to the invention, with a movable reflection plate 6 moved to place under an optical axis, light projected from a light projecting portion 3a is received by a light receiving portion 3b via the movable reflection plate 6, a stationary reflection plate 11 and the movable reflection plate 6, whereas with the movable reflection plate 6 moved away from the optical axis and a reference 8 set on a sample stage 10, light projected from the light projecting portion 3a is received by the light receiving portion 3b via the reference 8 whereby a ratio between the intensities of the received lights is determined.

Abstract: A light spectrum detecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photodetector (13) and a light transmitting plate (13b) covering a light receiving surface (13a) of the photodetector (13), and in the apparatus, a front surface S of the light transmitting plate 13b is inclined and, among incidents lights, any light once reflected by a back surface T of the light transmitting plate (13b) travels thereafter, with being totally reflected by the front surface S and the back surface T of the light transmitting plate (13b), to a side surface 13d of the light transmitting plate (13b). Any stray light can be prevented from entering the photodetector (13).

Abstract: An egg inspecting apparatus (1) of the present invention includes an optical path switching and projecting assembly (30) for automatically selecting one of a plurality of optical paths through which a white source light (11) emitted from a light source (2) is guided and also for sequentially projecting the white source light (11) from the associated optical paths onto eggs held at respective positions, a spectrum converting assembly for spectrally analyzing light which has been transmitted through each of the eggs and converting it into a spectrum, and a determining circuit (5) for determining whether the egg is a normal egg or a bloody egg by using the spectrum so converted. By way of example, a spectrum of an egg is measured and a secondary differential curve is formulated for classification of the eggs according to egg shell colors.

Abstract: In an automatic optical measurement method according to the invention, with a movable reflection plate 6 moved to place under an optical axis, light projected from a light projecting portion 3a is received by a light receiving portion 3b via the movable reflection plate 6, a stationary reflection plate 11 and the movable reflection plate 6, whereas with the movable reflection plate 6 moved away from the optical axis and a reference 8 set on a sample stage 10, light projected from the light projecting portion 3a is received by the light receiving portion 3b via the reference 8 whereby a ratio between the intensities of the received lights is determined.

Abstract: A light spectrum detecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photodetector (13) and a light transmitting plate (13b) covering a light receiving surface (13a) of the photodetector (13), and in the apparatus, a front surface S of the light transmitting plate 13b is inclined and, among incidents lights, any light once reflected by a back surface T of the light transmitting plate (13b) travels thereafter, with being totally reflected by the front surface S and the back surface T of the light transmitting plate (13b), to a side surface 13d of the light transmitting plate (13b). Any stray light can be prevented from entering the photodetector (13).

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the difference of light reception data generated based on the difference in length of substantial optical diffusion paths between a single light receiving point and a plurality of irradiation points, or between a plurality of light receiving points and a single irradiation point. According to the present invention, the inside information of substance based on the difference in length of the optical diffusion paths, may be measured. Even though measurements are made under different measuring conditions as to the part to be measured, the measuring time, etc., there may be obtained reliable measured data of the inside information with good reproducibility.