Integrating light mixer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A document validation subsystem, comprising:
- a light mixer for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot, the light mixer comprising a light mixing chamber, at least one input port associated with the mixing chamber to accommodate at least one light source, at least one output associated with the mixing chamber, and at least one collimator including at least one reflecting surface, the collimator connected to the output; and
at least one light receiver.
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Abstract
A document validation subassembly is described. The subassembly includes a light mixer for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot. The light mixer includes a light mixing chamber, at least one input port for accommodating at least one light source, at least one output, and at least one collimator connected to the output. In an implementation, the light mixing chamber is substantially spherical, but other shapes, such as cylindrical chambers, are also contemplated. Also described are solid core light mixer implementations.
148 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A document validation subsystem, comprising:
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a light mixer for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot, the light mixer comprising a light mixing chamber, at least one input port associated with the mixing chamber to accommodate at least one light source, at least one output associated with the mixing chamber, and at least one collimator including at least one reflecting surface, the collimator connected to the output; and
at least one light receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for constructing a document validation subsystem, comprising:
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constructing a light mixer for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot;
connecting a light source to the light mixer;
connecting the light mixer and source to a wall of a document passageway; and
connecting a light receiver to a wall of the document passageway to receive a light signal resulting from the substantially homogenous spot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
molding a chamber having at least one input port and at least one output aperture;
applying a diffuse reflecting coating to an interior surface of the chamber; and
connecting at least one collimator to at least one output aperture.
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14. The method of claim 13, wherein the chamber is cast in two hemispheres.
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15. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching a mirror to at least one collimator for directing light.
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16. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching a lens to at least one collimator.
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17. The method of claim 12, wherein the light mixer is constructed by:
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molding a light mixing chamber using an optical plastics material, wherein the chamber includes at least one input port and at least one output aperture; and
connecting at least one collimator to at least one output aperture.
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18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching a lens to the collimator.
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19. A modular light mixer assembly for use with a document validator, comprising:
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a plurality of light mixers, each having at least one input port, at least one output aperture and at least one collimator connected to an aperture, the light mixers arranged to provide light spot output coverage across the width of a document passageway;
a plurality of light sources, wherein at least one light source is connected to each input port; and
at least one light receiver for sensing the light generated by the light spots and for generating document validation signals.
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20. A light mixer assembly for use with a document validator, comprising:
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a plurality of light mixers, each having at least one input port, at least one output aperture and at least one collimator connected to an aperture, the light mixers arranged to provide light spot output coverage across the width of a document passageway;
a plurality of light sources, wherein at least one light source is connected to each input port; and
at least one light receiver for sensing the light spots and for generating document validation signals.
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21. A document validator subassembly, comprising:
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a cylinder having a cavity and at least one input port and a slit output, wherein a reflective and diffusive coating is applied to the cavity and at least one collimator having a reflection surface is aligned with the slit output;
at least one light source connected to the input port; and
at least one light receiver.
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22. A document validator subassembly, comprising:
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a cylinder having a cavity and at least one input port and a plurality of output apertures for generating a plurality of substantially homogenous light spots, wherein a reflective and diffusive coating is applied to the cavity, and a plurality of collimators is attached to the output apertures;
at least one light source connected to the input port; and
at least one light receiver. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A document validator subassembly, comprising:
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a block of optical material having a cavity that includes an internally reflecting and diffuse surface, at least one input port and at least one output aperture;
at least one collimator having at least one reflecting surface, the collimator attached to the output aperture for generating at least one substantially homogenous output spot;
at least one light source connected to the input port; and
at least one receiver.
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25. A method for constructing a document validator subassembly, comprising:
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connecting a light mixer to a wall of a document passageway, the light mixer capable of generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot, the light mixer formed by;
cutting a cavity into a block of optical material, the cavity having reflective and diffuse characteristics;
forming at least one input port and at least one output aperture that connect to the cavity;
connecting at least one light source to each input port; and
connecting at least one collimator to an output aperture; and
connecting at least one light receiver to a wall of the document passageway to receive light resulting from the substantially homogenous light spot.
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26. A document validator subassembly, comprising:
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a light mixer for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot, the light mixer including a solid core light mixing chamber having an outside coating with diffuse and reflective characteristics, wherein the coating includes at least one input area for accommodating at least one light source, and the coating includes at least one output area, and at least one light directing means including a reflection surface for feeding light energy back into the mixing chamber, the directing means connected to the output area; and
a light receiver. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for constructing a document validator subassembly for generating at least one substantially homogenous light spot, comprising:
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forming a solid core light mixer by forming a light mixing chamber of optical material, coating the chamber with a material having reflective and diffuse characteristics, forming at least one input area and at least one output area, and connecting a light directing means to each output area that directs light energy within a collecting angle to a document passageway, and reflects light energy outside the collecting angle back into the mixing chamber;
connecting the solid core light mixer to a wall of a document passageway; and
connecting a light receiver to a wall of the document passageway. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification