Abstract: An embodiment of a method and system for inspecting clear and printed contact lenses is provided. A contact lens is inspected by illuminating the contact lens using bright-field illumination and low-angle dark-field illumination simultaneously, when the contact lens is disposed in a cavity between a male mold and a female mold. Further, the light emerging from the contact lens is received by an imaging optical system, and a camera uses the light received by the imaging optical system to capture an image of the contact lens. Further, a data processing system is configured to identify dark defects in the image that are in a first portion of a dynamic range of brightness, and to identify bright defects in the image that are in a second portion of the dynamic range of brightness.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus initially involves an illuminator for directing an illuminating light beam towards a hole having two extremities and an internal surface extending between the two extremities. The inspection apparatus also involves a lens assembly for imaging the internal surface of the hole into the flat image. The lens assembly has a cylindrical field of view as well as a cylindrical depth of view. The cylindrical depth of field extends at least between the two extremities of the hole. The inspection apparatus further involves an image capturing device for capturing the flat image, and an image processing unit for performing inspection of the flat image to thereby inspect the internal surface of the hole. More specifically, the internal surface of the hole between the two extremities thereof is substantially in-focus along the flat image.

Abstract: Early techniques for object inspection relied on human inspectors to visually examine objects for defects. However, automated object inspection techniques were subsequently developed due to the labor intensive and subjective nature of human operated inspections. Additionally, object characteristics such as object power and object thickness need to be determined after the objects have been examined for defects. Conventionally, corresponding inspection stations are along the manufacturing lines for determining each of the object characteristics. However, the need for human intervention and time spent to move the objects from one inspection station to another adversely affect the efficiency of the object manufacturing process. An embodiment of the invention disclosed describes a high-resolution object inspection system for performing object inspection.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and a method for inspecting a contact lens is provided. The illumination system illuminates the center zone and the peripheral zone of the contact lens when it is inside a cavity between a male mold and a female mold. The imaging optical system has two channels to capture two images or a composite single image to inspect the entire contact lens. The imaging optical system of the first channel has its entrance pupil far away from the mold tool. The camera of the first channel is used to capture the image of the center zone of the contact lens. The image optical system of the second channel is located outside the mold tool but its entrance pupil is located inside the mold tool or outside but substantially close to it. This enables the camera of the second channel to capture the image of the peripheral zone of the contact lens.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method and system for inspecting clear and printed contact lenses is provided. A contact lens is inspected by illuminating the contact lens using bright-field illumination and low-angle dark-field illumination simultaneously, when the contact lens is disposed in a cavity between a male mold and a female mold. Further, the light emerging from the contact lens is received by an imaging optical system, and a camera uses the light received by the imaging optical system to capture an image of the contact lens. Further, a data processing system is configured to identify dark defects in the image that are in a first portion of a dynamic range of brightness, and to identify bright defects in the image that are in a second portion of the dynamic range of brightness.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus initially involves an illuminator for directing an illuminating light beam towards a hole having two extremities and an internal surface extending between the two extremities. The inspection apparatus also involves a lens assembly for imaging the internal surface of the hole into the flat image. The lens assembly has a cylindrical field of view as well as a cylindrical depth of view. The cylindrical depth of field extends at least between the two extremities of the hole. The inspection apparatus further involves an image capturing device for capturing the flat image, and an image processing unit for performing inspection of the flat image to thereby inspect the internal surface of the hole. More specifically, the internal surface of the hole between the two extremities thereof is substantially in-focus along the flat image.

Abstract: Early techniques for object inspection relied on human inspectors to visually examine objects for defects. However, automated object inspection techniques were subsequently developed due to the labour intensive and subjective nature of human operated inspections. Additionally, object characteristics such as object power and object thickness need to be determined after the objects have been examined for defects. Conventionally, corresponding inspection stations are along the manufacturing lines for determining each of the object characteristics. However, the need for human intervention and time spent to move the objects from one inspection station to another adversely affect the efficiency of the object manufacturing process. An embodiment of the invention disclosed describes a high-resolution object inspection system for performing object inspection.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The system includes a rotating prism having a first end and a second end. The first end receives a first image area, such as a circular view, and rotates about a center point so as to cover a field of view area that is larger than the first image area, such as a larger circle that is defined by the smaller circle of view as it rotates around the center point. The second end remains centered on the center point and provides a viewing area that does not change in dimension. An image data system at the second end of the rotating prism generates image data as the prism rotates so as to generate two or more sets of image data that are contained within the field of view area.

Abstract: A method of optically inspecting a fastener to determine whether it meets two or more dimensional parameters is provided. The method includes using centrifugal force to place the fastener in a predetermined location. Two or more sets of image data of the fastener are generated from two or more corresponding different angles. Fastener pass/fail data is generated using a dimensional requirement associated with each set of image data.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The system includes a rotating prism having a first end and a second end. The first end receives a first image area, such as a circular view, and rotates about a center point so as to cover a field of view area that is larger than the first image area, such as a larger circle that is defined by the smaller circle of view as it rotates around the center point. The second end remains centered on the center point and provides a viewing area that does not change in dimension. An image data system at the second end of the rotating prism generates image data as the prism rotates so as to generate two or more sets of image data that are contained within the field of view area.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The system includes a rotating prism having a first end and a second end. The first end receives a first image area, such as a circular view, and rotates about a center point so as to cover a field of view area that is larger than the first image area, such as a larger circle that is defined by the smaller circle of view as it rotates around the center point. The second end remains centered on the center point and provides a viewing area that does not change in dimension. An image data system at the second end of the rotating prism generates image data as the prism rotates so as to generate two or more sets of image data that are contained within the field of view area.