An optical inspection method for containers. A container is at least partly illuminated or transilluminated with light of an illuminating device and captured from different viewing directions (R4-R6) as a camera image in each case by at least one camera. In a first image analysis step, first image information of a first inspection zone (A) of the container, for example a stain on a container front face, is ascertained from at least two of the camera images by stereoscopically pairing image points. In a second image analysis step, an individual camera image of the two camera images is analyzed, wherein the first image information is first excluded and second image information of a second inspection zone (B) of the container, for example a crack of a container rear face, is then ascertained.

An inspection system for detecting a particle in a transparent cylinder having a longitudinal axis and a diameter includes a light source able to illuminate a transparent cylinder, a mask able to block at least part of the light coming from the light source, the light source and the mask being arranged such that, when the transparent cylinder is positioned in the system for inspection, the light source, the mask and the transparent cylinder are substantially aligned along an inspection axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said transparent cylinder and the mask is interposed between the light source and the transparent cylinder so as to prevent illumination of a first portion of the transparent cylinder having a width smaller than the diameter of the transparent cylinder while allowing illumination of a second portion of the transparent cylinder, the mask being configured to provide a contrast with a particle present in the first portion of the transparent cylinder and illuminated by light refracted by the second portion of the transparent cylinder.

A model-based method of inspecting a specimen for presence of one or more artifacts (e.g., a clot, bubble, and/or foam). The method includes capturing multiple images of the specimen at multiple different exposures and at multiple spectra having different nominal wavelengths, selection of optimally-exposed pixels from the captured images to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra, computing statistics of the optimally-exposed pixels to generate statistical data, identifying a serum or plasma portion of the specimen, and classifying, based on the statistical data, whether an artifact is present or absent within the serum or plasma portion. Testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Described herein are various technologies pertaining to automated container inspection. A region in an image of a container is labeled as being subject to depicting reflections. When determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the image of the container, values of pixels of the image are compared to corresponding statistics of such pixels, where the statistics can identify an acceptable distribution of values for a pixel. For pixels in the above-mentioned region, more variance in the values of the pixels is allowed (compared to allowed variance when analyzing values of pixels outside of the region) when determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the values of the pixels.

An apparatus for optical inspection of objects, in particular cans. The apparatus includes an inspection station, a lighting system, and a camera directed towards the inspection system to capture an image of the lateral surface of the object to be inspected. A Fresnel lens is associated with the lighting system to direct a beam of light rays collimated towards the object to be inspected, located in the inspection station. A further Fresnel lens is positioned to face the object to be inspected, located in the inspection station and directed in such a way as to make the collimated light rays converge on the object.

The invention relates to an installation for observing or illuminating a container (2) section (t) travelling in translation and each having an axis of revolution (S), the installation including optical systems (6.sub.1) translationally guided along a parallel direction an adjustment portion of their respective optical paths, and which have, for containers having a section with a first diameter, their respective work volumes each coincident with a part of said container section having the first diameter, the installation including at least one driving device (15) providing, when the containers have a section with a second diameter different to the first diameter, the movement in synchronous translation of the optical systems along a direction parallel to the adjustment portion of their respective optical paths and as a function of the difference between the first and the second diameter.

Methods and apparatus of inspection tools for inspecting impurities in vials are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials includes: a motor; a plurality of carts configured to move via the motor to selectively place each of the plurality of carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the plurality of carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes; and a camera configured to take an image of at least one of the plurality of vials of a corresponding cart of the plurality of carts when the corresponding cart is disposed in the inspection position.

Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection. The container inspection system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.

A device and method for inspecting glass containers and particularly the finish of glass containers is provided. The glass container inspection device includes a rotator rotates a glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees. A first laser source produces a first laser beam which is directed towards the inspection location to form an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first laser beam within the selected glass container. A camera is directed at the inspection location to detect light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container.

An inspection system having a light source, a mirror sensor, and an image sensor. The mirror assembly is aligned with the camera; the light is reflected from the container to the camera, and the camera creates multiple images of the container at a viewing angle. The multiple images are analyzed to detect defects.