Camera with improved illuminator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An illumination and imaging system for acquiring an image of an illuminated target of interest, system comprising:
- a detector for receiving light and providing an electrical representation of an image;
an optical system optically coupled to the detector;
a stop disposed within the optical system and having an aperture for passing a portion of the light therethrough, the stop having an asymmetrical feature about an optical axis of the stop; and
a light source mounted between the target and the stop, the light source shining light substantially normally onto a surface of the stop, wherein light reflected from the surface of the stop onto the target forms light received at the detector.
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Abstract
An illumination and imaging system is provided with a co-axial illuminator that does not include a beamsplitter. The co-axial illuminator achieves efficiencies substantially in excess of those achieved with a beamsplitter. In one aspect, an optical stop is used to reflect illumination upon a target. The optical stop includes an aperture allowing light reflected from the target to pass to a detector. The aperture of the stop has an asymmetrical feature that facilitates operation on specular targets.
42 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An illumination and imaging system for acquiring an image of an illuminated target of interest, system comprising:
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a detector for receiving light and providing an electrical representation of an image;
an optical system optically coupled to the detector;
a stop disposed within the optical system and having an aperture for passing a portion of the light therethrough, the stop having an asymmetrical feature about an optical axis of the stop; and
a light source mounted between the target and the stop, the light source shining light substantially normally onto a surface of the stop, wherein light reflected from the surface of the stop onto the target forms light received at the detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An illuminator comprising:
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a enclosure having an optical axis passing therethrough;
a stop disposed within the enclosure, the stop having a reflective surface and an aperture, wherein at least one tang extends into the aperture; and
at least one light source disposed within the enclosure and adapted to direct light toward the reflective surface substantially normally to the reflective surface.
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19. An optical stop for use with an illuminator, the stop having an aperture alignable with an optical axis of the illuminator, the aperture having a feature therein arranged asymmetrically within the aperture.
Specification