Abstract: An optical control unit comprises a base and at least one optical assembly having optical emitting means and conjugate optical receiving means with preset and fixed focal distances, the optical emitting means and conjugate optical receiving means being associated with the base so as to have fixed orientations with respect to the base and be capable of movement in directions parallel and transverse to the face of the base. The optical control unit is positioned with respect to the object to be inspected, and the optical emitting means and conjugate optical receiving means are sighted on a selected region of the wall of the object, the adjustment of sighting being accomplished through simple translations of the optical emitting means and receiving means while maintaining their orientations on the optical control unit unchanged.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the automatic examination of eggs for cracks or fractured surface areas in their shells. The process includes the steps of directing light from at least one light source onto the egg, and detecting and measuring the intensity of the light emanating from the egg. Cracks or fractured surface areas in the egg shell will allow a greater intensity of light to emanate from the egg. Such relatively higher intensity is measured to determine if a crack or fracture exists. The apparatus consists of at least one light source, a device for rotating the egg, apparatus for moving the light beam over the surface of the egg shell, and a device for detecting the intensity level of the light emanating from the egg.

Abstract: A common-optics laser transceiver has a common aperture for transmitting receiving a laser beam, and uses the resonator polarizer to separate the resonator beam from the receiver beam, resulting in a polarization sensitive, lightweight laser transmitter/receiver.