Patent ID: 6207946
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An adaptive lighting system for a machine vision apparatus comprising:an array of plural optical fiber light emitting elements supported for projecting light from one end thereof, respectively, on an article to be viewed, said optical fiber elements being disposed in proximity to plural flash lamps of said system for generating a source of light to be projected through said optical fiber element and on said article;a camera for recording an image of said article when illuminated by said array;a light intensity control circuit operably coupled to said array for varying the intensity of light emitted by selected segments of said array to adjust the illumination of said article viewed by said camera;a processor operably connected to said camera and to said intensity control circuit for adjusting the light intensity emitted by said array to provide an image of said article recorded by said camera; anda flash lamp driver and trigger circuit operably connected between respective ones of said flash lamps and said light intensity control circuit for operating said flash lamps in response to a signal generated by said light intensity control circuit.