Abstract: A laser beam is projected through the optical system of an endoscope and scanned in raster fashion by means of a scanning head at a proximal end of the endoscope tube. The beam is projected from a distal end of the endoscope tube so as to be scanned over an object. Light reflected from the object is detected and used to form a television image. The range of the object is measurable in a ranging mode of the apparatus in which the depth of focus of the projected laser beam is reduced using a zoom lens at the distal end of the endoscope and the focus distance of the projected beam varied until an in-focus position is detected by analysis of the reflected position is detected by analysis of the reflected light. Detection of the in-focus position relies on characteristics of laser speckle, a selected portion of the object being scanned in ranging mode to detect maximum modulation in the speckle pattern which occurs when the focus distance corresponds to the range of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the distance from the apparatus to a surface comprising means for passing a beam of light to the surface at an angle other than normal, means for receiving light reflected from the area of the surface illuminated by the beam and means for measuring the movement of the received beam whereby to measure the position of the surface area, means being provided to scan the surface.

Abstract: An optical inspection system for determining various features of, for example, painted surfaces, by analyzing light reflected from the surface in a plurality of ways. In one case the cross sectional diameter of a beam of radiation, which gives information regarding the surface, is measured by passing the beam through a filter means (104) having transmissive and absorptive portions (107,108), the arcuate width at each radial distance from the optical axis (100) being such that there is a predetermined relationship between the diameter of the beam and the amount of radiation passed by the filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring surface defects or the distance from the apparatus to a surface comprising means (37,38,43,44) for passing a beam (48) of light to the surface (11) at an angle other than normal, means (51) for viewing the area (47) of the surface (12) illuminated by the beam (48) and means (53-50) for measuring the movement of the illuminated area (47) whereby the measure the position of the illuminated area (47), means (17) being provided to rotate the apparatus and means (53) being provided to derotate the image of the illuminated area so as to enable, for example, the interior of cylinders (10) to be inspected.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting discontinuities in a radiation diffusing surface (10) such as paper. Radiation is passed to the surface and a radiation collector (19) receives the diffused radiation (18) from a limited area of the surface (10). The radiation collector receives the diffuse radiation from a limited area only and from within predetermined angular limits other than normal to the surface. The radiation collector (19) defines said predetermined angular limits through total internal reflection.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting, for example, sheet material, in which a beam of radiation 12 is scanned across a sheet 13 by means of a first facet 41 of a rotating mirror drum 22. Scattered radiation from the sheet is received by a second facet 46 and 2 is passed to a photodetector 49 for analysis.

Abstract: A beam of radiation is scanned across a sheet 13 and is either reflected therefrom or transmitted therethrough. Faults in the sheet 13 deflect, scatter or alternate the beam which is then passed to a retroreflector screen 24 where it forms an image 15. Analysis of the image 15 is carried out via the scanning means 22 to determine the faults in the sheet 13.

Abstract: Test apparatus and method for testing for faults in, for example, transparent sheet material in which two parallel beams of light separated by a distance "w" are passed through a grating having, for example, light transmitting and absorbing areas separated by a distance "w", so that as the two beams are scanned across the object and the grating the light output through the grating is generally constant. If, however, there are faults which displace one beam with respect to the other, then the spacing between the beams will change so the light output will vary from the norm. Furthermore, if there is a fault which would cause attenuation of the two beams, then the light output will again vary from the norm.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting holes in sheet material such as tin plate where a beam from a laser is scanned across the sheet by a mirror drum, successive scans being arranged to strike the sheet material from upstream and downstream, and the light passing through a hole in the sheet material is received by a perspex light guide and passed to a photodetector.