Systems and methods for illuminating and/or inspecting one or more features of a unit under test (UUT) are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a machine, one or more diffuser elements, and/or one or more light sources. The system can create and adjust brightfield illumination profiles on portions of the UUT by, for example, using the one or more light sources and/or the one or more diffuser elements to adjust diffuse and/or specular illumination projected onto the curved features of the UUT. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more darkfield light sources configured to project illumination onto second portions of the UUT to create a darkfield illumination profile. The system can capture data of the brightfield and/or darkfield illumination profiles and can thereby inspect portions of the UUT.

A device and method for observing an object, in particular a biological object includes a light source able to illuminate a sample. Under the effect of the illumination, the object emits back-scattered radiation that propagates to a screen, the area of which is larger than 100 cm.sup.2. The projection of the back-scattered radiation onto the screen forms an image representative of the back-scattered radiation, called a scattergram. An image sensor allows an image representative of the scattergram formed on the screen to be acquired.

Systems and methods for illuminating and/or inspecting one or more features of a unit under test (UUT) are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a machine, one or more diffuser elements, and/or one or more light sources. The system can create and adjust brightfield illumination profiles (e.g., uniform, brightfield illumination profiles) on portions (e.g., on curved features) of the UUT by, for example, using the one or more light sources and/or the one or more diffuser elements to adjust diffuse and/or specular illumination projected onto the curved features of the UUT. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more darkfield light sources configured to project illumination onto second portions of the UUT to create a darkfield illumination profile. The system can capture data of the brightfield and/or darkfield illumination profiles and can thereby inspect portions of the UUT.

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.

An object detection method includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector on a first side of an inspection zone, a reflective background on a second side of the inspection zone and a controller operably connected to the emitter and the detector to measure/determine a first time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter, to the reflective background, and return to the detector, and to measure/determine a second time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter of electromagnetic radiation to objects of interest passing through the inspection zone along an unsupported path of travel and to be reflected to the electromagnetic radiation detector, and any determined time of travel which varies from the first time of travel is evidence there is an object within the inspection zone and between the emitter and the reflective background.

An object detection method includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector on a first side of an inspection zone, a reflective background on a second side of the inspection zone and a controller operably connected to the emitter and the detector to measure/determine a first time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter, to the reflective background, and return to the detector, and to measure/determine a second time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter of electromagnetic radiation to objects of interest passing through the inspection zone along an unsupported path of travel and to be reflected to the electromagnetic radiation detector, and any determined time of travel which varies from the first time of travel is evidence there is an object within the inspection zone and between the emitter and the reflective background.

This invention relates to an article inspection system having one or more endless article conveyors configured to convey articles along one or more conveying paths. One or more light sources and one or more light diffusers are provided, wherein each light diffuser is positioned substantially at or below the level of the articles when conveyed along the conveying paths so as to illuminate, using light from the one or more light sources, at least side portions of the articles with substantially diffuse light when the articles are conveyed along the conveying path(s). At least one camera is positioned to image articles which are conveyed along the conveying paths.

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.

This invention relates to an article inspection system having one or more endless article conveyors configured to convey articles along one or more conveying paths. One or more light sources and one or more light diffusers are provided, wherein each light diffuser is positioned substantially at or below the level of the articles when conveyed along the conveying paths so as to illuminate, using light from the one or more light sources, at least side portions of the articles with substantially diffuse light when the articles are conveyed along the conveying path(s). At least one camera is positioned to image articles which are conveyed along the conveying paths.

An optical monitoring apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises an imaging device for monitoring material continuously moving through a defined imaging area. The apparatus further comprises a lighting unit comprising a source of light and a concave freeform reflector configured for reflection of light from the source of light in three dimensions to provide uniform illumination across the defined imaging area.