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Continuous diffuse illumination method and apparatus

  • US 5,684,530 A
  • Filed: 09/20/1995
  • Issued: 11/04/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An elongate diffuse illumination device for uniformly illuminating a desired elongate linear portion of an object when observed along an observing plane extending transversely of an object observing location, said diffuse lighting device comprising:

  • at least one elongate surface, for supplying diffused light, being located adjacent an elongate opening through which the observing plane passes, said surface being arranged to supply primary diffused light to provide said uniform illumination of the desired linear portion of the object when placed at the observing location and viewed along said observing plane, except for portion of the object effected by the elongate opening;

    a source for producing secondary diffused light to illuminate the desired portion of the object effected by the elongate opening; and

    an elongate partially reflective mirror for supplying said secondary diffused light along the observing plane to uniformly illuminate the elongate portion of the object effected by the opening to produce, when primary diffused light simultaneously illuminates said elongate surface, said uniform illumination of the desired portion of the object when viewed along the observing plane.

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