The single-camera angled conveyance inspection method and apparatus includes upwardly and downwardly angled conveyance mechanisms positioned within an instantaneous field of view of a digital line scan camera. As a rotating object is moved over the conveyances by a helical guide, the camera obtains images of the object and communicates the images to a processor. The processor assembles a reflectance and fluorescence image of the object including detected defects and/or contamination on the outer surface of the object.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting, as they pass, eggs placed in containers. According to the invention, during the movement of these containers (1) along a conveyor line, the following steps are carried out: triggering a data acquisition cycle on each passage of a downstream end of a container (1) through a first position, which is determined by a first position sensor (6) placed along said conveyor line, upstream and downstream positions being considered with reference to the direction of movement of the containers; then for a data acquisition cycle of a container (1), detecting the passage of said downstream end of said container (1) through at least a second position determined by a second position sensor (7-8) placed along said conveyor line, a signal triggering thermal image acquisition being sent to a thermal camera (5) each time said downstream end of said container (1) is detected at at least a second position in order to trigger capture of one or more thermal images by said thermal camera (5) of the portion of the container (1) then placed in its field of view, said second position sensors (7-8) being arranged with respect to one other to ensure an inspection of all of the eggs of the container (1) considered by said thermal camera (5) when a plurality of second sensors are employed. Furthermore, the data acquisition cycle of said container comprises performing, in a third position separate from said first and second positions, a step of candling the eggs placed in said container, in which step a light flux is emitted in the direction of at least one egg to be candled and the light flux passed through each corresponding egg is then analysed depending on the level of light flux absorbed by the egg, and said data thus acquired on the eggs of a container (1) are associated with a unique identifier of this container (1).

The present teachings include computer program products, systems, methods, and platforms for scanning a golf ball (or similar) by a user (e.g., using a smartphone while on a golf course, driving range, practice area, pro shop, or similar) to identify and assess attributes and features thereof, such as manufacturer/brand, model, condition, playability, and so on. The present teachings may also or instead provide advantages and/or disadvantages related to playing with a certain type and/or condition of golf ball or the like, and make recommendations for golf balls for a user, where such information may be customized to the particular usere.g., via a user inputting, or the system otherwise retrieving, information related to play and/or preferences of the user, such as the user's handicap or skill level, playing style, desired distance and/or trajectory, age, weight, gender, physical fitness level and/or strength, handedness, value preference, expected durability, and so on.

Systems and methods for sorting and imaging insects, including egg and larval life stages, useful for automated high throughput bioassays.

Systems and methods for capturing images of pearls and determining characteristic grades of the pearls are provided. A top digital camera can capture a first digital image of the pearl. A stage can support the pearl and can move in any of an X/Y/Z direction. A concave diffuser can direct diffused light on one side of the pearl, and a side LED arrangement can illuminate the concave diffuser, the stage, and a second side of the pearl. A side digital camera can capture a second digital image of the pearl. A computer can obtain the digital images of the pearl and perform analysis to determine one or more characteristic grades for the pearl.

Disclosed is a defect inspecting apparatus including a memory that stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor that executes the instructions by accessing the memory. The at least one processor obtains a first feature point and a second feature point, which serve as a basis for rotation of a solid shape, from an input image associated with the solid shape targeted for defect inspection, obtains a target image, in which the first feature point and the second feature point are included in a predetermined area, by rotating the solid shape based on the first feature point and the second feature point, and obtains information about whether the solid shape has a defect, by applying the target image to a defect inspection model.