LED chip/package

ApplicationsSensing & measurement

The development of sensor technology, including the enhancement of image sensor performance, has enabled sensing and measurement that were impossible with the human eye. Image processing combined with various lighting is first applied to the inspection of industrial products, and is also used for inspection of agricultural products and biometric authentication using veins and irises. Ushio is paying attention to the “lighting” that is indispensable to these applications, especially to the sophistication of measurement using characteristics of various wavelengths. One example is the region called SWIR (short wavelength infrared) at 1050-1750 nm, which is the absorption band for water and organic substances. Advanced inspection of crops and resins using this wavelength band has been achieved. Ushio's LEDs, which are lined up at intervals of approximately 10 nm from 365 to 1750 nm, will contribute to the realization of new innovative sensing technologies that have never been seen before.

  • Machine vision

    Machine vision achieves inspection of various products' appearance, shape, color, etc. by combining image sensors (cameras), lighting, and image processing.
    Illumination requires precise uniformity, irradiation angle, wavelength, etc.
    epitex LEDs are available in a variety of package types and emission angles, from ultraviolet to infrared. epitex LEDs offer a wide range of advanced lighting that supports machine vision.

    • Wafer inspection
    • Non-destructive inspection
    • Solar simulator
    • Solar cell defect inspection
    • Foreign material inspection
    • Color sorting
    • Motion capture
  • Sensing device

    3D scanners for measuring 3D shapes and photoelectric sensors for proximity detection are now indispensable in manufacturing. For these applications, the light wavelength and irradiation angle is optimally controlled for precise measurement. In addition, authenticity judgement of banknotes and passports is simplified with advanced sensing, by combining image processing with fluorescence, when exposed to ultraviolet light, and illumination with multiple wavelengths. Biometric authentication using veins and irises is an essential technology for the future security of society. Typically, infrared light is used because it has good bio-permeability and is invisible to humans. Ushio's versatile LED provides the best solution for any sensing-related task.

    • 3D scanner
    • Photoelectric sensor
    • Biometric authentication (Iris recognition ・Vein recognition)
    • Bill validator
    • Passport reader
  • IR illumination

    The use of security cameras is not limited to crime prevention applications, but owing to the technological progress made in image processing and 'big data' analysis, advanced applications are underway, making it possible to read car numbers (in parking lots, public roads, etc.) and analyze human movements (social infrastructure development and marketing tools). In fact, powerful infrared lighting supports all of this imaging technology. The optimal wavelength and irradiation angle are selected according to the camera installation environment (from indoors to direct sunlight), imaging distance, and target. From the broad lineup of Ushio LEDs, many high-power near-infrared (800-1000 nm) LEDs have been adopted by many manufacturers across the world.

    • Surveillance camera
    • Spy camera
    • Night vision
  • Inspection for agriculture

    Japanese crops are renowned for their high quality worldwide. You may have seen that the sweetness (sugar content) of the fruit is displayed at the supermarket as "measured with an optical sensor". In fact, the quality inspection (sorting) of crops and processed foods by light is used to various crops around the world. The content of the test has become very sophisticated and covers the sugar content, umami (such as protein content), water content, color, and shape. Ushio's wide wavelength range of LEDs supports this advanced measurement, including the area called SWIR (short wavelength infrared) at 1050-1750 nm, which is the absorption band for water and organic matter.

    • Food sorting / Foreign material inspection
    • Soil / Water testing