Machine for inspecting the bottom of glass containers

A machine for inspecting the bottom of a glass container having an opening at the top thereof comprising

• means for delivering a glass container to an inspection station, said inspection station including
• a two dimensional camera having an imaging surface viewing the bottom of the glass container through the opening thereof,
• a light source for directing light through the bottom of the container towards said imaging surface,
• a computer for evaluating the viewed bottom imaged on said imaging surface, and
• means for reducing the dynamic brightness range for the viewed bottom image including
• a spatial modulator located between said imaging surface and said light directing means and
• said computer further comprising means for complimenting and transferring the image of the viewed bottom to said spatial light modulator so that the viewed bottom of a container to be inspected at the inspection station and the complimented image will be imaged concentrically and the same size on said imaging surface.