Light array system and method for illumination of objects imaged by imaging systems
First Claim
1. An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising:
- a dome frame having a cylindrical geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial cylinder about the image axis;
a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area; and
a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising;
a pair of side panel frames coupled to the dome frame; and
a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so as to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illumination system and method for providing wide angle illumination to objects to be inspected. The illumination system includes a dome light array having a plurality of rows where each row includes a plurality of lamps arranged in an arc about an imaging area (so that each lamp in the row is approximately the same distance from the imaging area) and all of the lamps in a row point to and illuminate the same point within the image area. The illumination system can include an aperture in the top of the dome light array through which a camera can image the object. Positioning each row of lamps in an arc about the image point provides various illumination angles to give a relatively uniform wide angle, yet intense, illumination to enhance automated PWB defect inspection. To further provide illumination, a pair of side panel light arrays having a plurality of lamps can be attached to the sides of the dome light array so that the side lamps provide further vertical illumination on the image area from a horizontal side plane.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising:
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a dome frame having a cylindrical geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial cylinder about the image axis; a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area; and a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising; a pair of side panel frames coupled to the dome frame; and a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so as to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising:
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a dome light array, comprising; a cylindrical dome frame having a geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial circle as viewed along the image axis; a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source points towards the image axis within the image area to illuminate an illuminate area that has an image depth about the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame; and a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising; a pair of side panel frame coupled to the dome frame; and a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An illumination system for use in automated inspection of an image area on an image plane, comprising:
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a dome light array, comprising; a dome frame having a first side and a second side distal the first side, wherein the geometry of each side is a circle about an image axis defined by a radius beginning at the image axis on the image plane, the dome frame forming a partial cylinder about the image axis; a plurality of light source rows, each light source row comprising a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame on an interior of the dome frame, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each of light sources strikes approximately an image point on the image axis, and wherein each light within in a single row strikes the same imaging point on the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame through which the line scan camera can take an image of the PWB; and a first side panel light array, comprising; a first side panel frame coupled to the first side of the dome frame; and a plurality of first side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system; and a second side panel light array, comprising; a second side panel frame coupled to the second side of the dome frame; and a plurality of second side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within an interior of the illumination system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for illumination of an image area defined by an image width and an image depth wherein an image axis runs through and divides the image depth in equal halves, the image area to be imaged by an imaging device, the method comprising:
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illuminating the image area from a plurality of light sources in a plurality of rows, each light source positioned at a radius about the image axis such that each light source is approximately an equal distance from the image axis, wherein each row of light sources is also positioned such that a central light source ray from each light source strikes approximately an image point on the image axis; and illuminating the image area along the image axis from a first plurality of lamps proximate a first end of the image area and from a second plurality of lamps proximate a second end of the image area and distal the first plurality of lamps, and wherein the first plurality of lamps generally faces the second plurality of lamps. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An illumination system for providing illumination to an image area on an image plane, comprising:
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a cylindrical frame comprising a series of semicircular sections, wherein each semicircular section is proximate to at least one other semicircular section to provide a partially cylindrical frame about the image axis; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the cylindrical frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification