Abstract: A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.

Abstract: A machine for inspecting the bottom of a glass container having an opening at the top thereof comprising deliverance of a glass container to an inspection station, the inspection station including a two dimensional camera having an imaging surface, viewing the bottom of the glass container through the opening thereof and focusing the viewed bottom on the imaging surface, computer for evaluating the viewed bottom imaged on the imaging surface and for illuminating the bottom of the glass container including a source of light for collimating light from the light source, diffusing the collimated light including two glass sheets each having a ground surface, the sheet being selectively locatable to define at least two spacings between the ground surface.

Abstract: A two-dimensional colorimeter focuses light through a beam splitter onto a rotary filter so that a first light receiving element can receive light from multiple points on a sample. A rotating filter can provide multiple measurements based upon different wavelengths of light. A portion of the light from the beam splitter also contacts a spectral sensor which separates the light from a particular point into primary wavelength elements which are converted into electrical signals. Based upon these primary wavelength elements, the first signals from the light receiving element are corrected. As a result, the measurement of chromaticity of multiple points on a sample can be performed accurately using a device of simple construction.

Abstract: A spectroradiometer images a scene as a repeating sequence of spectral images, each of which spectral images depicts the scene at a preselected wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, the image is of size 256 by 192 pixels, and the sequence repetition rate is about 20-30 cycles per second. Full spectral analysis on the resulting sequences is performed substantially in real time. The spectroradiometer includes a light collector with a lens, a circularly variable spectral filter, and an optical gate which gates the output of the filter to a detector array which outputs the sequence of electronic spectral images. These images are corrected for systematic errors and calibrated, and correlated with a preselected spectral response function. The image may be further post-processed and displayed in video format or used otherwise.

Abstract: An infrared-rejecting device is positioned in a light path and tilted thereto to reflect infrared radiation and to prevent infrared radiation from being applied to a photodetector or a line sensor for preventing the photodetector or the line sensor from operating in error or from suffering a reduction in its resolution. The infrared-rejecting device may be positioned out of the light path to allow light applied to the photodetector or the line sensor to remain unattenuated, i.e., to prevent the light applied to the photodetector or the line sensor from being reduced in intensity.

Abstract: A postacquired spectrophotometer, for use with a sample and reference. The spectrophotometer has a filter unit, defining an axis of movement, and pluralities of designated sites and dark sites disposed in uniform relation to the axis. The designated and dark sites are disposed in alternation. Alternating designated sites have apertures and filters covering the apertures. Further, a main member, coaxial with the filter unit, has sample and reference beam paths, which are intersected by the sites. The main member has disposed, in operative relation to the actuators, an actuator sensor, which generates an integration actuator signal upon alignment with each integration actuator and a clamping actuator signal upon alignment with each clamping actuator. Moreover, a drive continuously moves the filter unit relative to the axis and beam paths.

Abstract: Contamination of a fluid medium is measured using a thin-wafer sensor having a front surface and a back surface. The thin-wafer sensor is made of relatively pure p-type silicon and has a thickness less than the bulk diffusion length of the material. The back surface is placed in physical contact with the fluid being monitored either by building the sensor into a fluid testing chamber in line with the system using the fluid, or by immersing an encapsulated version of the sensor into the fluid medium. A photovoltaic generating and sensing system generates and measures e.g., the surface photovoltage (SPV), at the front surface. A series of SPVs are measured and used to derive the minority carrier diffusion length L of the sensor. The carrier diffusion length value is used to calculate the surface recombination velocity at the back surface.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer is described, comprising a single light source, a single detector, optics for dually and alternatively reading a sample and a reference, and only one moving part. That moving part is a chopper containing multiple pass-through apertures, each filled with a unique bandpass filter to select wavelengths to specifically illuminate the sample or reference. To inform the spectrophotometer whether and when it is reading the sample or the reference, trigger means are provided in at least twice the number of the pass-through apertures.

Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content of an absorbent material, for example the paper insulation in an electrical transformer, uses a back scattered radiation technique to determine the absorption of light at specific wavelengths. A ratio of the back scattered radiation at different wavelengths can be compared against known values corresponding to a specific moisture content. An optical waveguide such as a bifurcated optical fibre is provided with a probe end optically coupled to a source end and a detection end, for transmitting light to the absorbent material and transmitting back scattered radiation to a detector.

Abstract: A multichannel optical measuring system for measuring optical responses of samples illuminated by light of differing wavelengths has a plurality of measurement sample cuvettes each contain a sample to be measured. A first single light source provides a first illumination light. A plurality of sets of optical fibers direct the first illumination light from the first single light source to illuminate, along an optical axis, the samples contained in respective sample cuvettes. A second light source is provided for illuminating each respective sample cuvette with a second illumination light for measuring an intensity of transmitted light through the sample. The optical axis of the second illumination light is perpendicular to the optical axis of the first illumination light. A common photosensor disposed on the optical axis of the second light source measures the intensity of the first illumination light and the intensity of the transmitted light from each sample.

Abstract: An automated immunoassay analyzer includes a computer controlled instrument (10) and display (16). The display (16) provides a real-time presentation of all operations being performed within the instrument (10). A large number of samples can be loaded into the instrument (10), and the order of testing the samples can be rearranged according to a priority determined by the operator at any time. A wide variety of immunoassays can be performed on each sample and several different immunoassays can be performed on any one sample. Information related to the type of immunoassays being performed on particular samples is collected by a bar code reader (44) and this information is conveyed to the computer (12) for presentation on the display (16). The computer (12) tracks the progress of each immunoassay through the reaction circuit to the detection station (46).

Abstract: In analysis of a sample of unground grain, infrared light is directed towards the sample and is detected after reflection on the sample. For analysis of wheat, light wavelengths within the interval 1050-1400 nm are used with a light detector of PbS-type. A suitable infrared analyzer has a rotatable filter device (5) with a plurality of filters (4) within the stated wavelength interval and is disposed to be able to carry out in a short time period a large number of measurements.

Abstract: An emission microscope system includes in various embodiments a catadioptric optical microscope and/or a computer automated optical dispensing system and/or a cryogenically cooled back thinned CCD camera. The system also includes a computer controlled data acquisition system with specially tailored software.

Abstract: A light radiation absorption gas detector for detecting the presence of a specified gas, comprising a light source, a region containing a gas to be detected through which light from the source is passed, an interference filter having a substantially flat face and a light radiation absorption peak at a wavelength which facilitates detection of the specified gas, a shaft to which the filter is by means of arms secured for rotation so that a perpendicular to the flat face of the filter is at an angle to the axis of the rotation and light detector means responsive to light from the source which has passed through the region and the filter, for detecting predetermined light amplitude variations, wherein light from the source is arranged to be projected towards the filter at an angle offset from the axis of shaft rotation whereby a filter pass band which includes the said wavelength is scanned consequent upon rotation of the filter, thereby to produce amplitude variations of light in the presence within the region

Abstract: A compact, high-speed, high resolution, low-cost color filter driver for use in a color optical reader. The image of a document is reflected through a cylindrical color filter assembly rotated by a motor, causing a charge coupled device to be exposed to the light three times (red, blue, green) as the motor was rotated through a half run, and the document scanning portion moves ahead for one step. The color image of the document is reproduced by repeating the aforesaid procedure again and again through the operation of the single color charge coupled device and the cylindrical color filter assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection apparatus for a printed circuit board or the like for inspecting the shape of the soldered portion of a part mounted on the printed circuit board, and for judging whether the soldered portion is acceptable or not. In order to illuminate a printed circuit board undergoing inspection, there are provided three types of ring shaped light-emitting elements, which respectively generate red light, green light and blue light, arranged at positions to project this light, at angles of incidence that differ from one another, toward the surface of a body to be inspected. Light rays of the three primary colors emitted by these light-emitting elements have light-emission energy distributions with respect to wavelength that provide white light when these light rays are mixed, and the quantities of light emitted are adjusted in such a manner that white light is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of an object placed in a plasma by utilizing radiation includes measuring means for measuring the intensity of radiation from the object and the intensity of plasma light in different directions at the same time. The measuring means includes a first lens for receiving the radiation from the object and the plasma light, a second lens for converting the output beam of the first lens into parallel light rays, a third lens for focusing the parallel light rays, and an interference filter disposed rotatably between the second lens and the third lens.

Abstract: A high speed fluorescent emission imaging digital microscope has an Argon-Ion UV laser illumination source and a high speed optical filtering wheel in the illumination path to alternately select between two UV illumination wavelengths to produce fluorescent emission images at each UV wavelength. A dichroic reflector directs emission images along an image path and an galvanometer rotatable mirror exposes each image on a predetermined area of a CCD. A computer controls the rotatable mirror in response to exposure timing information from the filtering wheel. An objective lens is focused on the specimen for producing an image from a particular focal plane of the specimen. The objective lens is mounted on a counterweighted piezoelectric objective translator for changing the focal plane of the specimen image in response to control signals from the electronic processor.

Abstract: A color filter assembly driver using a microprocessor to control a motor drive in driving a color filter assembly through a step motor and to compare feedback signal of the color filter assembly with a synchronizing signal permitting compared result to be calculated, so as to change the exciting cycle and time of the step motor according to calculation result. The microprocessor also controls the motor drive to change the single phase or two-phase exciting mode of the step motor so that the step motor is controlled to rotate at high or low revolving speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for grading the surface of generally apherical fruit according to surface characteristics such as color and blemish. The fruit are moved in single file past a scanning camera while being rotated about a transverse horizontal axis. Reflectivity data in three separate wavelength bands is collected for a series of scans of each article of fruit, and this data is processed to eliminate all duplicative data arising from the fruit's rotation. Color ratio signals based on the remaining reflectivity data are then utilized to grade the fruit according to their surface color and degree of blemish.

Abstract: Defects in a measurement device are detected in a biochemical analysis apparatus wherein a droplet of liquid sample is applied to an analysis medium containing a reagent, which chemically reacts with a specific constituent in the liquid sample, the analysis medium is then incubated, the optical densities of the analysis medium are determined, and concentration of the specific constituent in the liquid sample is determined from the optical densities of the analysis media thus determined. The method for detecting defects comprises the steps of irradiating light, which has passed through a plurality of interference filters by turns, to a reference density plate, and measuring the amount of light reflected by the reference density plate. Measured values representing the amounts of reflected light, which have thus been measured for the interference filters, are compared with one another. Defects in the measurement device are detected from the results of the comparison.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose analytical chemistry processing center and laboratory work station having a movable table for supporting microtiter plates and other fluid receptacles, a movable arm, and a modular mobile pod affixed for reciprocal movement along the arm. The workstation combines into a single programmable system the capabilities for automation of a wide range of bioanalytical procedures including, not only sample pipetting, serial dilution, reagent additions, mixing, reaction timing and similar known manual procedures, but also programmable spectrophotometric measurements and other physical parameters, further processing based on these measurements and automatic data recording. The work station is adapted to transfer, dispense, and aspirate liquid from one location to another automatically in accordance with user programmed instructions.

Abstract: In a device for measuring the cut-off wavelength of an interference filter for a projection television display tube, the interference filter and a bandpass filter are arranged one behind the other. The bandpass filter has a transmission characteristic with a cut-off wavelength which approximately coincides with the desired cut-off wavelength of the interference filter, but with a slope varying in the opposite direction. A white light beam generated in a light source is incident through the two filters. The intensity, which is measured by a detector on the other side of the filters, is a measure of the cut-off wavelength of the interference filter. The device may have a second measuring system for measuring the absorption of the interference filter.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical spectral analysis system and method which includes transmitting light through a specimen to be analyzed. The light that is passed through the specimen is filtered. The filtering of the light is obtained by utilizing a revolving filter disk which filters the light from the specimen through a predetermined range of light wavelengths at least once per revolution. The disk is rotated by a motor. A photomultiplier tube, with associated circuitry, receives the filtered light and provides a signal representative of the intensity of the received filtered light. A computer converts the signal from the photomultiplier circuit to a spectral output.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detector for detecting light intensities of light from a light source, and a discrimination unit for obtaining the relative ratio of chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths at the light intensities of the light source detected by the detector, to thereby discriminate life expiration of the light source. Data of the relative ratio of chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths at a time of life expiration of the light source is obtained in advance. Thereafter, the light intensity of the light source is detected to obtain the actual relative ratio of the chroma signals of light with two or more wavelengths. Based on these data, the life expiration of the light source is discriminated.

Abstract: A low cost optical system which incorporates a low ultraviolet output tungsten halogen light source and solid state photodetectors and circuitry in such a way as to provide reliable fluorometric test results. The attainment of reliable results using such components is made possible by incorporating highly ultraviolet transmissive optics to maximize ultraviolet light throughput and by using solid state circuitry together with a filter wheel having both light blocking and light passing regions in a manner which fully accounts for noise and dark signals associated with solid state photodetectors.

Abstract: A color slide transparency scanner projects an intense stripe of light through a color slide. Red, green, and blue filters successively filter the stripe of image from the slide. In some applications, a neutral density filter adds still more information from dark areas of the slide image. A carriage carrying the slide moves across the light. A CCD array detects the filtered images and converts them to analog electrical signals. Circuitry converts the analog signals to digital.

Abstract: A densitometer for photography comprising a disk on which are disposed filters of three colors at predetermined circumferential spacing for measuring the transmission and reflection densities of negative and color reversal film and color print, and a visual sensitivity filter for measuring the reflection and transmission densities of monochromatic and monochromatic reversal film. Lamps and a light-receiving element are provided to enable measurment of the densities. The disks are rotatingly driven by a motor to bring seven filters into alignment with the light-receiving element. Density from the output of the light-receiving element is measured and compared to a reference density, and an exposure time correction factor is computed from the density differences and resulting color and density correction values. The correction values and factor are displayed and the data is externally output via an interface.

Abstract: A microscope is modified to allow for precise imaging of samples using different filters at different focal planes under computer control. A filter accessory includes a filter disc having bandpass filters. The filter disc may be rotated to move a selected filter into the optical path between a light source and the microscope sample. Adjustment of the image plane of the microscope is controlled by the computer using feedback from a lens position sensor.

Abstract: A chemical assay system comprises at least one incubator having a plurality of slide receiving chambers each for receiving a chemical assay slide. The chambers are arranged in a row so that the chemical assay slides received in the chambers are arranged in a row in one plane and each chamber is provided with an opening for exposing the chemical assay slide received therein. A probe for projecting light onto the chemical assay slide and measuring the intensity of the light reflected from the chemical assay slide is provided to be movable along the row of the chemical assay slides to positions in front of one of the openings of the slide receiving chambers.

Abstract: A computer aided design system includes a means for varying the color of a part of a design created on a visual display screen. A selected color for part of the design is then measured to provide a set of color describing values useful in later reproducing the selected color in an actual garment or other article.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the composition of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine in which a light source provides a light beam absorbable by the exhaust gas, and a plurality of measurement cells are traversed by radiation of the light beam while the exhaust gas flows through the cells. A corresponding number of radiation detectors are arranged after the measurement cells to receive the absorption attenuated light radiation and to produce an electrical measurement signal. At least one light interrupter periodically interrupts the light radiation.

Abstract: In spectrographic measurements, the selectivity (that is to say, the ratio of the signal from the analytical sample to the signal from the impurity) is of vital importance. If a narrow spectral band is filtered from the region of the spectrum to be examined by means of a filter arrangement or the like and supplied to a detector whose output signal is displayed, there is a substantial improvement in selectivity in that the filter apparatus is periodically displaced relative to the region of the spectrum to be examined, that the spectral band extending through the filter apparatus is periodically displaced over the range of the spectrum to be examined and that the output signal for the detector is transmitted to the display through a lock-in-amplifier whose phase-reference signal is proportional to the displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the water content of an object to be measured comprises in combination a pair of optical filters for obtaining from the same source light a reference light having a wavelength not easily absorbed therein and a measuring light having a wavelength easily absorbable therein, an optical system for irradiating the object with the reference and measuring lights, an photoelectric converter for converting the reference and measuring lights to electrical signals, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the optical filters, a humidity detector for detecting the humidity of optical paths for the reference and measuring lights, extending from the optical system to the object, and a water content-measuring circuit for finding the quantity of water contained in the object on the basis of output signals produced from the photoelectric converter, temperature detector and humidity detector.

Abstract: An optical-fiber-based spectrometer utilizes a compact, P-C-board-mountable optical multiplexer which permits multiple channels of reference and measurement data from remote and hostile environments to be analyzed in rapid sequence utilizing synchronized computer data-storage and comparison to give rapid-fire answers to the question of the presence or absence of species of interest in a sample or process being analyzed, the relative light level in the reference and data channels being balanced by an optical attenuator having only an air path, attenuation being effected by controlled misalignment of optical fiber ends.

Abstract: An accessory is provided to convert a conventional microscope to a microspectrofluorimeter. The accessory includes a filter disc having bandpass filters separated by opaque segments. The filter disc is rapidly and continuously rotated to move the filter sequentially into the optical path between a wideband light source and a microscope sample. Photon counting of radiation from the sample is synchronized to the position of the filters during rotation by means of synchronization marks on the filter disc. The same accessory may be positioned between the sample and a detector to detect emitted light of different frequencies.

Abstract: In an optical instrument, fiber optics are employed to receive light from a linear filament. The fiber optics are arranged into a plurality of light receiving bundle ends distributed around the linear filament and shaped into narrow rectangular slits aligned with the filament. The fibers from each of the receiving ends are equally distributed between two transmitting ends which direct the light through cylindrical lenses to opposite sides of a rotating filter wheel in a paddle wheel configuration. Light beams from the transmitting ends of the fiber optic bundles pass through filters on the filter wheel to additional fiber optic bundles which carry the received light to a probe.

Abstract: A vertical beam spectrophotometer for measuring the light absorption of an assay prepared using standard wet chemistry procedures and conventional solid phase coated bead technology is disclosed. The spectrophotometer measures the absorption of the assay in a conventional reaction cuvette with the bead remaining in the cuvette. The light source of the spectrophotometer illuminates the bead, which diffuses the light into the surrounding assay solution. A lense projects the diffused light onto a photocell which converts it into an electrical signal having magnitude related to the light absorption of the assay. The signal is processed in a known manner by conventional processing circuitry to obtain an absorption value.

Abstract: An optical analysis system employs a rectangular beam of light passing through interference filters to analyze the constituents of a test sample moving through the beam. A plurality of interference filters are moved successively through the beam between the source of the beam and the sample and are tilted about an axis as they are moved, thereby transmitting a range of wavelengths to the sample. Skew rays of light in the beam strike the filters at different angles from the angles at which rays parallel to the axis of the beam strike the filters and so transmit wavelengths different from those of rays parallel to the axis of the beam. The angle deviation is greatest for the skew light rays which are skewed from the axis of the beam in a plane perpendicular to the tilt axis of the filters. Thus, the shorter dimension of the rectangular beam is arranged to be perpendicular to the tilt axis of the filters.

Abstract: A scanner and scanning method for scanning a sheet such as a chart. The scanner includes scanning means and detection means. The scanning means includes means for supporting and mounting the sheet, and illumination means for directing light onto an illuminated area of the sheet, the illuminated area being elongated along a scan direction. The scanning means also includes means for causing the illuminated area to move across the sheet in a movement direction normal the scan direction. The detection means comprises a photodetector array and a coherent fiber optic bundle. The coherent fiber optic is tapered, such that it has a comparatively wide aperture adjacent the illuminated area, and a comparatively small aperture adjacent the photodetector array. In a related aspect, the illuminated area is caused to move in a first direction across the sheet such that the illumination means sequentially directs light onto a series of pixel areas of the sheet.

Abstract: A water film surface is irradiated with light from a detecting unit's light source. Light reflected from the water film surface is converted into an electrical signal by a sensor (photoelectric converting means) in the unit. The converted electrical signal is supplied to a processing unit through a cable. The processing unit calculates the water film thickness based on the electrical signal. The calculated thickness is displayed on a display in the detecting unit.

Abstract: Simultaneous multiple photometer measurements are made by simultaneously passing light to be measured through multiple light paths to different locations of a circularly variable filter; passing the light through the circularly variable filter at said locations; collecting the light passed through the circularly variable filter at each location; transmitting the light passed through the circularly variable filter to separate detectors; and measuring the light transmitted along each light path by said detectors.

Abstract: Method for the measurement of the difference in the color contents of two samples (1, 2) or of two component areas of a sample, in which method one or several sources of light (3 to 6) as well as one light detector (7) are used. According to the invention, both samples (1, 2), or component areas of a sample, are illuminated simultaneously and, from both samples (1, 2) or component areas of a sample, the light is passed simultaneously to the light detector (7). The lights to be measured from the samples (1, 2) or component areas of a sample are of different colors, as compared with each other, so that the light to be measured from the first sample or component area is absorbed weakly in the coloring agent and the light to be measured from the second sample or component area is absorbed strongly in the coloring agent. The colors of the lights to be measured from the samples (1, 2) or component areas of a sample are alternated with each other at an appropriate frequency, such as, e.g.

Abstract: The concentration of multiple polyatomic gases are determined almost simultaneously by Raman scattering. The gas sample is placed in a sampling cell located in the resonance cavity of a laser and a polarized laser beam having sufficient intensity to produce detectable signals of Raman scattered light is passed through the cell. The scattered light is captured and redirected by means of a reflection mirror located parallel to the axis of the laser beam adjacent to and outside of the cell. Signals of both inelastic Raman scattered light and elastic laser scattered light are collected by a collection lens means opposite the reflection mirror and outside the gas cell. The collection lens is also parallel to the axis of the laser beam.

Abstract: For measurement of chlorine concentration in a process stream, an improved device is set forth measuring light transmission in a selected frequency range. The preferred embodiment uses a light source, a light filter and an optical fiber extending to a pipe or other vessel with flowing chlorine. The light is transmitted from a lens system to another lens system and into a second optical fiber. The second fiber extends to a measuring device.

Abstract: A software controlled automatic shutter is described which minimizes ultraviolet irradiation damage to optical components from a high intensity spectrophotometric light source. The shutter automatically opens when measurements are being made and closes when the photometer system is idle. The digital control system may be self contained so as to avoid complication of the main computer.

Abstract: A densitometer is described which is equipped with an extendable and retractable measuring head driven by an electric motor. In the retracted rest position, a measuring diaphragm is visible to the user and the instrument may be positioned. In the extended working position the measuring head covers the measuring diaphragm. By means of the electric drive of the measuring head, the risk of erroneous positioning is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of a substance capable of absorbing infrared, visible or ultraviolet radiation energy, the substance being in a mixture. The method and apparatus involve passing a beam of radiant energy having predetermined spectral response characteristics through the mixture, modulating the beam at a predetermined frequency .omega.

Abstract: An analyte in solution is made to react with a specific reactant coated on the wave-guide thus modifying the optical properties thereof. The index of refraction of the wave-guide material is higher than that of the reaction medium which ensures that a light signal injected into said guide be carried by multiple total reflection, the distance of penetration of the evanescent wave associated with the totally reflected signal being of the same order of magnitude or greater than the thickness of the analyte-reactant product layer.

Abstract: The concentration of multiple polyatomic gases are determined almost simultaneously by Raman scattering. The gas sample is placed in a sampling cell located in the resonance cavity of a laser and a polarized laser beam having sufficient intensity to produce detectable signals of Raman scattered light is passed through the cell. The scattered light is captured and redirected by means of a reflection mirror located parallel to the axis of the laser beam adjacent to and outside of the cell. Signals of both inelastic Raman scattered light and elastic laser scattered light are collected by a collection lens means opposite the reflection mirror and outside the gas cell. The collection lens is also parallel to the axis of the laser beam.