Abstract: In some examples herein relate to a system for testing an axial fan, the system comprising a V-shaped seat to allocate the axial fan, the V-shaped seat comprises a first surface established on a top side of the V-shaped set, a second surface established on the top side of the V-shaped set. An intersection between the first surface and the second surface forms a V-shaped surface of 90 degrees to allocate the axial fan on the V-shaped seat and the V-shaped surface has sticky and resilient properties to fix the axial fan on the V-shaped surface.

Abstract: A lens characteristic evaluation device includes: a scanning optical system configured to scan a surface of a test lens with a linear luminous flux; a Hartmann plate provided on a side opposite to the scanning optical system with respect to the test lens and having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pinholes, the Hartmann plate being configured to transmit the linear luminous flux which has passed through the test lens and radiated on the pinholes by the scanning performed by the scanning optical system; a screen on which the linear luminous flux having passed through the Hartmann plate is projected; and a photographing optical system provided on a side opposite to the Hartmann plate with respect to the screen and configured to photograph the screen while the scanning with the linear luminous flux is being performed by the scanning optical system.

Abstract: An intermediate signal is separated into a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal according to a separation coefficient having a known real value. The first sub-signal is delivered to a first photonic circuit containing at least one photonic device to be characterized and a first photonic part. The second sub-signal is delivered to a second photonic circuit containing a second photonic part having a same transfer function as the first photonic part but lacking the at least one photonic device. Optical output signals from the first and second photonic circuits are converted into first and second electrical signals. Losses of the at least one photonic device are determined from processing the electrical signals and from the known real value of the separation coefficient.

Abstract: A self-aware machine platform is implemented through analyzing operational data of machining tools to achieve machine tool damage assessment, prediction and planning in manufacturing shop floor. Machining processes are first identified by matching similar processes through an ICP algorithm. Machining processes are further clustered by Hotelling's T-squared statistics. Degradation of the machining tool is detected through a trend of the operational data within a cluster of machining processes by a monotonicity test, and the remaining useful life of the machining tool is predicted through a particle filter by extrapolating the trend under a first-order Markov process. In addition, process anomalies across machines are detected through a combination of outlier detection methods including SOMs, multivariate regression, and robust Mahalanobis distance. Warnings and recommendations are flexibly provided to manufacturing shop floor based on policy choice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe adapter for ultrasonic testing of toothed test specimens, an ultrasonic testing method and an ultrasonic testing system for detecting flaws in toothed test specimens.

Abstract: Exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust port is taken into an exhaust gas sampling unit together with the surrounding outside air. A leak detection mechanism, which detects the leakage of exhaust gas from a sampling port, includes a temperature sensor including an outside and an inside temperature sensors, and a temperature measuring instrument for measuring a temperature difference between inside and outside temperatures detected by the temperature sensor. A plurality of inside/outside paired temperature sensors is disposed in the circumferential direction of the sampling port. When a leak occurs, the temperature of the inside temperature sensors rises and the temperature difference between the inside and the outer and outside temperature sensors increases, and the temperature measuring instrument detects the leak. When a leak occurs in a portion of the circumferential direction, only the temperature difference of the portion where the leak occurs is increased, and the location of the leak is identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods may include sending, to a downhole tool emulator, at least one input signal that represents one or more conditions in a simulated well system. The downhole tool emulator may include one or more electronic components to be placed in a downhole tool. The at least one input signal may be generated based at least partially on a reservoir model of the simulated well system. The method may include receiving at least one output signal that represents a response of the downhole tool emulator to the one or more conditions. The method may also include sending, to the downhole tool emulator, at least one command that represents an operation of the downhole tool emulator. The at least one command may represent a change in the operation of the downhole tool emulator based at least partially on the one or more conditions and the response.

Abstract: The invention relates to, as an assembled elongate string, a sample collector and sample collector driver to drive at least the sample collector through an item to be sampled. The sample collector comprises a punch having a bore aligned to the elongate direction. One end of the punch and bore presents a cutter to cut and hold a sample from the item at the bore as the punch passes through the sample. The sample collector further comprises a plunger slideably supported to said punch to be able to move in said bore between a retracted position and an advanced position relative said punch. The movement of the plunger from the retracted position to the advanced position causes, in use, the cutter held sample to be displaced from the cutter. The sample collector driver comprises a body interfaced with said sample collector in a telescopic manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening chip for cell sorting, said screening chip comprising a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein at least a portion of said first surface is coated with a Raman-inactive coating material which can be vaporised by laser irradiation at a wavelength and wherein said substrate is transparent to laser radiation at wavelength In further aspects of the invention, a cell sorting method employing the screening chip and a cell sorting apparatus employing the screening chip are provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preparing and delivering biological assay samples are provided herein. Components of such devices include a sample receiving module within which a biological assay sample can be prepared and a cap, which when operatively coupled with the sample receiving module, pressurizes the module. These devices can be employed for subsequently delivering a biological assay sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of fixing and staining rare cells. Further, disclosed herein are methods of identifying circulating tumor cells (CTC). In some embodiments, the method includes: imaging a cell sample to identify a cell of interest; determining a first pixel intensity of a stained nuclear area; determining a second pixel intensity of a background area; calculating a ploidy status of the cell of interest by subtracting the second pixel intensity from the first pixel intensity; and determining whether the cell of interest is a CTC based on the ploidy status. The method may be computer implemented, such that the method uses a machine learning algorithm to identify a feature; process the feature to extract a parameter of interest; analyze the parameter of interest; and when the parameter of interest is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold, classify the cell of interest as a CTC.

Abstract: A real time assay monitoring system and method can be used to monitor reagent volume in assays for fluid replenishment control, monitor assays in real-time to obtain quality control information, monitor assays in real-time during development to detect saturation levels that can be used to shorten assay time, and provide assay results before the assay is complete, enabling reflex testing to begin automatically. The monitoring system can include a real time imaging system with a camera and lights to capture images of the assay. The captured images can then be used to monitor and control the quality of the staining process in an assay, provide early assay results, and/or to measure the on-site reagent volume within the assay.

Abstract: A slide cover plate for slide specimen processing and an application method thereof. The slide cover plate includes a capillary plane, a depth locating surface, a width locating block, a bottom locating block, a reservoir side surface, a reservoir opening surface and a guiding opening. There's a capillary gap at the middle of a slide assembly formed by fitting the slide cover plate with the slide. During loading, a reagent fills the gap via the capillary siphoning effect, and no matter in which way the slide assembly is placed (placed upright or inclined), the reagent in the gap will not be drained off. When a new reagent is added, the new reagent enters the gap from a reagent loading reservoir, the former reagent existing in the gap flows out from the guiding opening at the bottom of the slide assembly and is replaced by the new reagent automatically. It doesn't require steps of removing and draining the former reagent of the previous step before adding the new reagent.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a sample inlet for a fluid sample, a degassing chamber having a gas-permeable membrane and defining first and second portions separated by the gas permeable membrane, and a detection chamber. The sample inlet and the detection chamber are fluidly coupled to the first and second portions, respectively of the degassing chamber. The detection chamber is operably coupled to a light source and a detector. Assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in an aqueous sample includes providing an aqueous sample to a microfluidic device, separating gas from the aqueous sample in the microfluidic device, providing the gas to a detector, assessing the absorbance of the gas sample at a known absorption wavelength of chlorine, and based on the assessed absorbance of the gas sample at the known absorption wavelength of chlorine, assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in the aqueous sample.

Abstract: A system for measuring rheological characteristics for drilling muds without the use of a delicate, expensive, or labor-intensive viscometer is disclosed. The system includes a fluid diverter circuit which retrieves a sample of the drilling mud and stores it in a reservoir where the pressure and level of the drilling mud are measured. The reservoir drains through a measurement pipe which enables a calculation of a flow rate. With the dimensions of the measurement pipe, the pressure, and the flow rate, a rheological chart can be assembled. The system can iteratively measure pressure and from the iterative data achieve a non-Newtonian factor, n?, confirm entrance length of the measurement pipe, and confirm that the flow in the measurement pipe is laminar.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a rock wettability alteration include circulating a first brine fluid into a test cell that includes a rock sample and a hydrocarbon fluid disposed on a surface of the rock sample, the first brine fluid having a property at a first value; contacting the rock sample and the hydrocarbon fluid with the first brine fluid; measuring a first contact angle between the rock sample and the hydrocarbon fluid in contact with the first brine fluid; at least partially displacing the first brine fluid with a second brine fluid in the test cell, the second brine fluid having the property at a second value; contacting the rock sample and the hydrocarbon fluid with the second brine fluid; measuring a second contact angle between the rock sample and the hydrocarbon fluid in contact with the second brine fluid; and determining a wettability alteration of the rock sample based on at least one of the measured first or second contact angles.

Abstract: A combination of mutually exclusive cell-based analytical techniques can be applied to the same group of cells for analysis. The same group of cells can be prepared for analysis by each technique resulting with candidate cells targeted for mass cytometry analysis. This configuration allows for the correlation of the information between each technique to produce a matrix of multi dimension of cellular information with the same group of cells.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating particle attributes in a sample fluid subjected to flow cytometry investigation in a flow cytometer instrument, methods of processing time series signal data traces output by a flow cytometer instrument, and a flow cytometer system are provided. In the methods and systems, data points comprising time series signal data traces corresponding with detection during the flow cytometry investigation of light from the sample fluid in one or more wavelength ranges indicative of the presence of one or more particle attributes in the sample fluid are batch-processed using a batch-specific signal peak threshold determined as a function of a batch-specific noise characteristic to identify signal peaks in the batch of data points indicative of the presence of the one or more particle attributes in the sample fluid.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and systems for aligning a laser with a flow stream, such as in a flow cytometer. Methods according to certain embodiments include irradiating a flow stream with a laser through a wedged window, detecting light signals from the laser irradiated flow stream and aligning the laser with the flow stream by spatially adjusting the wedged window in response to the detected signal. Systems having a wedged window for aligning a laser with a flow stream are also described. Kits having a wedged window and a mount for spatially adjusting the wedged window to align a laser with a flow stream are also provided.

Abstract: A method for identifying corrosion under insulation (CUI) in a structure comprises receiving thermographs from the structure using an infrared camera, applying filters to the thermograph using a first machine learning system, initially determining a CUI classification based on output from the filters, and validating the initial CUI classification by an inspection of the structure. The first machine learning system is trained using results of the validation. Outputs of the first machine learning system and additional structural and environmental data are fed into a second machine learning system that incorporates information from earlier states into current states. The second machine learning system is trained to identify CUI according to changes in the outputs of the first machine learning system and the additional data over time until a second threshold for CUI classification accuracy is reached. CUI is thereafter identified using the first and second machine learning systems in coordination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating lube oil varnish samples and testing them under flow conditions is set forth herein. The method and apparatus are also used for the evaluation of the efficiency of varnish cleaners.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a coefficient of friction of an article is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a ramp, and an actuator. The ramp includes a first rail and a second rail that are spaced apart by a first distance. The first and second rails cooperate to define a first travel path for the article. The actuator is coupled with the base and is operably coupled with the ramp to facilitate selective pivoting of the ramp between a first angular position and a second angular position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a layer-to-layer transition of a lifting steel wire rope on a reel are described. The system includes a reel assembly for winding a steel wire rope on a reel and a tensioning assembly for tensioning a segment of said steel wire rope. The system further includes a loading assembly and a lead screw sliding assembly. The loading assembly provides a vertical loading to the tensioning assembly so as to generate a loading force between the tensioned steel wire rope and the steel wire rope wound around the reel. The lead screw sliding assembly drives the tensioning assembly so as to move on a horizontal guide rail to generate a relative displacement between the tensioned steel wire rope and the steel wire rope wound around the reel. The tensioning assembly is connected to the loading assembly via a first threaded rod and a static torque sensor.

Abstract: A method for adjusting and controlling a boundary of graphene, comprising: providing an insulating substrate and placing the insulating substrate in a growth chamber; and feeding first reaction gas into the growth chamber, the first reaction gas at least comprising carbon source gas, and controlling a flow rate of the first reaction gas to forming a graphene structure having a first boundary shape on a surface of the insulating substrate through controlling a flow rate of the first reaction gas. The present invention realizes the controllability of the boundary of the graphene by adjusting the ratio of the carbon source gas to catalytic gas in the growth process of graphene on the surface of the substrate; the present invention can enable graphene to sequentially continuously grow by changing growth conditions on the basis of already formed graphene, so as to change the original boundary shape of the graphene.

Abstract: A method for automatically altering an imaging area in microscopic imaging of a biological sample. In the method, a sample outline is differentiated from surrounding tissues by means of endogenous or exogenous markers; an initial sample imaging area is set; optical microscopic imaging is performed on a sample surface layer, wherein the imaging area is larger than an area to be imaged of the sample; an actual sample area is calculated by an outline identification algorithm using an imaging result of the sample surface layer and is set as an imaging area of next layer; optical microscopic imaging is performed on a sample to be imaged of the next layer according to the set imaging area, wherein the imaging area covers the area to be imaged of the sample and no redundant imaging is performed; and the above steps are repeated until a data acquisition task is completed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a specimen while actively stabilizing an optical measurement beam subject to changes in polarization by a rotating polarizer element are described herein. Movement of a focused measurement beam spot induced by a rotating polarizer element is compensated by actively controlling the position of an optical element in the beam path based on measurements of the focused measurement beam spot. Both feedback and feedforward control schemes may be employed to reduce beam position error. In one aspect, a measurement system includes a rotating optical polarizer, a beam position sensor, and an active beam compensating element in the illumination beam path, the collection beam path, or both. Beam position errors are detected by the beam position sensor, and control commands are communicated to the active beam compensating element to reduce the measured beam position errors.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a substance includes optically interacting at least one birefringent integrated computational element with at least the substance and a polarizer, thereby generating optically interacted light. The polarizer is being configured to generate at least x polarized light and y polarized light. The method includes receiving the optically interacted light with at least one detector. The method includes generating with the at least one detector output signals corresponding to at least two characteristics of the substance.

Abstract: An optical measurement probe is a probe for guiding light generated from a measurement target to an appliance, and includes an optical window and an optical fiber. The optical window is formed in a columnar shape, one of end surfaces of which forms a reflection surface (tapered surface), the optical window transmitting light entering from an incident surface (flat surface) formed on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the optical window, causing the light to be reflected by the reflection surface, and emitting the light from the other end surface. The optical fiber guides the light emitted from the other end surface of the optical window to the appliance.

Abstract: An observation apparatus in this embodiment includes a light source configured to irradiate an observation target with light, and a processing unit configured to generate an image based on Rayleigh scattered light derived from ?(3) included in light obtained from the observation target.

Abstract: Provided is a method for sensing gases using a compact optical gas sensor, a method for manufacturing same and a method for performing measurement of gas concentration using the optical absorption signal. The sensor design features a two-mirror geometry with long optical path. The sensor utilizes both spectral and optical reference channels. The reference channels ensure long-term stability of the sensor, which makes the design especially suitable for demanding environments requiring high reliability over extended period of time. The sensor operation is based on absorption of infrared light by a gas volume. In order to accurately determine the gas concentration, the absorption of the light that passed through the gas volume is compared with the absorption of the light of a different wavelength and absorption of light that traveled a short light path. A dual-color LED is used as a two-wavelength compact radiation source. The LED changes the emission wavelength as the excitation current is changing direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a value quantifying the effect of an optical filter on a parameter linked to an eye, this optical filter blocking at least partially the transmission of light over a predetermined wavelength range, comprising the following steps: a) at least one spectral feature of the optical filter related to the transmittance of this optical filter at at least one wavelength in said predetermined wavelength range is provided, b) the value quantifying the effect of the optical filter on said parameter is calculated as a function of said at least one spectral feature of the optical filter provided in step a).

Abstract: A fog detecting system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle, and a non-imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having a field of sensing forward of the vehicle. The camera captures image data and the non-imaging sensor captures sensor data. A control includes at least one data processor operable to process image data captured by the camera and sensor data captured by the non-imaging sensor. The control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera and processing of sensor data captured by the non-imaging sensor, determines presence of fog ahead of the vehicle and in the field of view of the camera and in the field of sensing of the non-imaging sensor.

Abstract: A system of spectroscopic devices deployed amongst the fluid infrastructure of hydrocarbon fluids are described herein. The devices provide early visibility into the characteristics of those fluids which inform and educate downstream parties of the potential value of the fluid, or the opportunity to reblend or redirect the fluid to optimize the formulization. By allowing downstream parties to determine the quality and quantity of refined products at an early stage, they are better able to determine the true value of the fluid. The data from the distributed network of spectroscopic analyzers provides valuation information that can be used to make more informed purchasing decisions or allow processors to create blends that optimize the efficiency of refining operations.

Abstract: Provided are an attachment for liquid sample measurement which is capable of effectively reducing a consumption amount of a liquid sample, a refractive index measuring device and a refractive index measuring method. An attachment (100) is disposed on a V-block prism (1) formed on a V-shaped groove (11) for keeping a sample so as to enter the groove (11). A body (110) of the attachment (100) forms an enclosing space (107) for enclosing the liquid sample between the body and a surface of the groove (11) formed on the V-block prism (1), and makes the liquid sample enclosed in the enclosing space (107) contact directly with the surface of the groove (11).

Abstract: Provided are a refractive index measuring device and a refractive index measuring method. A detector (2) detects an intensity of a measuring beam transmitted through the sample. A camera (200) images a color image of the measuring beam which is dispersed into multiple colors by transmitting through the sample. A scanning processing portion (101) carries out scanning by changing an angle of receiving the measuring beam transmitted through the sample or an angle of the measuring beam incident on the sample. A wavelength specifying processing portion (102) specifies, based on the detected intensity of the detector (2) varying with the scanning by the scanning processing portion (101) and color information corresponding to a position of the measuring beam incident on the detector (2) in a color image which is imaged by the camera (200), the wavelength corresponding to each peak of the detected intensity.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and an operation method thereof are disclosed. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display; a front window disposed at a front of the mobile terminal; an inner frame formed with a hole configured to allow light to pass through from the front window; and a dust sensor comprising a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, wherein the light emitting portion is disposed adjacent to the inner frame and configured to emit light through the hole, and wherein the light receiving portion is configured to generate a signal based on light sensed through the hole that is emitted by the light emitting portion and scattered by dust particles.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus generates a signal value for forming an image of an object as a recording layer on a recording medium. The apparatus inputs a characteristic of specular reflection light, a characteristic of internal diffuse reflection light, and a characteristic of surficial diffuse reflection light. Then, the apparatus derives, based on the characteristic of the internal diffuse reflection light, a first signal value for a first recording layer to be formed on the recording medium, and derives, based on the characteristic of the specular reflection light and the characteristic of the surficial diffuse reflection light, a second signal value for a second recording layer different from the first recording layer to be formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: Angle-resolved reflectometers and reflectometry methods are provided, which comprise a coherent light source, an optical system arranged to scan a test pattern using a spot of coherent light from the light source to yield realizations of the light distribution in the collected pupil, wherein the spot covers a part of the test pattern and the scanning is carried out optically or mechanically according to a scanning pattern, and a processing unit arranged to generate a composite image of the collected pupil distribution by combining the pupil images. Metrology systems and methods are provided, which reduce diffraction errors by estimating, quantitatively, a functional dependency of measurement parameters on aperture sizes and deriving, from identified diffraction components of the functional dependency which relate to the aperture sizes, correction terms for the measurement parameters with respect to the measurement conditions.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods, apparatuses and systems for detecting molecules using surface plasmon resonance techniques, and more particularly to surface plasmon resonance techniques that employ metal nanoparticles formed on substrates. In one aspect, method of making a layer of metallic nanoparticles includes providing a liquid composition comprising a binder polymer and a solvent and at least partially immersing, into the liquid composition, an article comprising a polymeric surface, wherein the polymeric surface comprises a polymeric material and does not comprise an inorganic glass or crystalline material. The method additionally includes applying a gas phase plasma to the liquid composition to facilitate chemical reactions between the binder polymer and the polymeric material of the polymeric surface to form a binder layer on the polymeric surface of the article.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens, particularly those associated with the presence of human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring chamber, a working method of the measuring chamber, a chemiluminescence measurement method of the measuring chamber and a chemiluminescence detector. The measuring chamber includes a dark chamber, a first substrate nozzle, a photomultiplier detection component, a waste liquor adsorption needle component, a reaction cup turntable and a plurality of reaction cup processing stations; the reaction cup turntable is provided in the measuring chamber rotationally; and the plurality of reaction cup processing stations are sealed in a mutually light-isolated manner. When the instrument works, reaction cups in the reaction cup turntable are moved in the dark chamber; and after the reaction cups are moved to corresponding processing stations for processing the reaction cups, the plurality of different processing stations for processing, the reaction cups may simultaneously process the reaction cups moved to the corresponding reaction cup processing stations.

Abstract: A micro-colorimetric sensor for sensing target chemicals that converts time sequence information into a spatial distribution of color. By tracking the spatial color distribution, chemical exposure over time is thus detected, which overcomes the limitation of traditional colorimetric sensors. A porous media is coated on a top surface of the substrate. Multiple sensing chemicals are fused in parallel linear channels into the porous media coating. A plate is affixed over the substrate top surface to cover the plurality of parallel linear channels. An air sample is diffused along the porous media to get a clear pattern of spatial color distribution and color images are captured. Optical parameters like gradient of spatial color distribution, intensity, and absorbance, etc., can be tracked to calculate analytes concentrations.

Abstract: Described are sensors and methods of detecting hydrogen gas. The sensor includes a polymer matrix and a dye molecule in an amount sufficient such that exposure of the polymer matrix to hydrogen gas causes a change in a spectroscopic property of the dye molecule wherein the spectroscopic property includes at least one of color, absorbance, or luminescence. The polymer matrix may further include a catalyst, such as a transition metal, sulfonated Wilkinson's catalyst, colloidal Pt, sulfonated iridium cyclooctadiene triphenylphosphine, sulfonated rhodium cyclooctadiene triphenylphosphine, sulfonated ruthenium triphenylphosphine, or combinations thereof. Embodiments of the sensor may further include a gas permeable, water impermeable membrane, an outer covering, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A gas concentration measuring device (1) including a light emitter (3) and a light receiver (4) which are disposed so as to be opposed to each other with a hollow tube-like measurement pipe (2) interposed therebetween. The device (1) is configured to measure concentration of target gas passing through the measurement pipe (2) using light applied from the light emitter (3) transmitted through the inside of the measurement pipe (2), and received by the light receiver (4). Purge gas guide pipes (11, 13) through which purge gas is introduced into optical systems of the light emitter (3) and the light receiver (4) are connected to a side wall of the measurement pipe (2). The measurement pipe (2) includes a gas entrance portion (21) having a tapered shape widening from a gas supply port toward a downstream side thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the distance to a target object and acquiring scale and point-to-point distance information for that target object in an environment using a remotely operated flying platform, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system uses on-board sensors and processing techniques to provide discrete or continuous measurements of the distances between points on a target object or the scale of the target object. The addition of on-board three-dimensional measurement capabilities to UAVs (or other flying platforms) allows the collection of distance data. Having this capability enables these systems to acquire distances between points on a single object, such as determining the true scale factors of items in images captured by the UAV, in the course of performing metrology-related tasks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for mending projection and recess defects existing on the surface of a metallic plate, wherein steps (1) to (2) are repeated until it is determined in step (1) that mending of the projection and recess defects on the surface of the metallic plate is no longer necessary. Step (1): A step for shining light onto the surface of the metallic plate, detecting the positions of projection and recess defects on the surface of the metallic plate according to the brightness distribution on the metallic plate, the brightness distribution being obtained from reflected light, quantifying the brightness intensities of the projection and recess defects, and determining whether it is necessary to mend the projection and recess defects. Step (2): A step for mending the projection and recess defects for which it is determined in step (1) that mending is necessary.

Abstract: A substrate inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a projection unit, an illumination unit, an image acquisition unit and a processing unit. The projection unit irradiates an inspection target with light for obtaining three-dimensional shape information of the inspection target. The illumination unit irradiates the inspection target with at least two lights having different colors. The image acquisition unit acquires a first image by receiving light irradiated by the projection unit and reflected from the inspection target, and a second image by receiving the lights irradiated by the illumination unit and reflected from the inspection target. The processing unit acquires brightness information and color information from the first image and the second image, respectively, which are acquired by the image acquisition unit, and acquires at least a portion of a boundary by using the bright information and the color information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a necking machine is provided for containers with an open end. The necking machine may comprise a plurality of holding stations for containers and a plurality of tool stations contiguous and opposing the holding station. The tool stations being movable with respect to each other. The machine also includes an inspection device for containers that includes a light detector for detecting light in the interior of each container. The inspection device is attached to a tool station such that the inspection device shifts together with the tool station with respect to the container during the inspection of the container. Light communication of the light detector with the interior of the container being maintained during the inspection.

Abstract: A reference designation point setting unit sets a plurality of reference designation points. A reference calculation unit calculates one of a reference line and a reference plane used in a measurement mode indicated by measurement mode information, on the basis of the plurality of reference designation points. A measurement point setting unit sets a measurement point. A reference point calculation unit calculates a plurality of reference points leading to higher reliability of a measurement result instead of a plurality of reference designation points, on the basis of the image in which the measurement point is set, the plurality of reference designation points, the measurement mode, and the measurement point. The reference calculation unit calculates one of a new reference line and a new reference plane on the basis of the plurality of reference points.

Abstract: A wheel integrity monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of a railcar wheel in an automated manner while the railcar is in operation (i.e., traveling) and comprising a light source that projects light onto the wheel and a light detector that detects the light reflected by the wheel. The wheel integrity monitoring system is configured to analyze the reflected light to determine if the wheel is defective.