Optical reader for reading encoded microparticles
First Claim
1. An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles, each microparticle having an elongated body with an optically detectable code extending along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body, the reader comprising:
- a plate having a plurality of channels extending lengthwise along a surface of the plate, each of the channels configured to receive and align a plurality of the microparticles so that the codes of the microparticles are in a common fixed orientation relative to each other and extend longitudinally along a length of the respective channel;
an illumination source for illuminating the microparticles in the channels, the codes in the microparticles reflecting a portion of incident light and permitting a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code; and
a detection device configured to capture the output signals provided by the microparticles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles. Each microparticle has an elongated body with an optically detectable code that extends along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body. The reader includes a plate that has a plurality of channels. The channels are configured to receive and align the microparticles so that the codes of the microparticles are in a common fixed orientation relative to each other. The reader also includes an illumination source for illuminating the microparticles on the plate. The codes in the microparticles reflect a portion of incident light and permit a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code. The reader also includes a detection device that is configured to capture the output signal provided by the microparticles.
457 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles, each microparticle having an elongated body with an optically detectable code extending along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body, the reader comprising:
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a plate having a plurality of channels extending lengthwise along a surface of the plate, each of the channels configured to receive and align a plurality of the microparticles so that the codes of the microparticles are in a common fixed orientation relative to each other and extend longitudinally along a length of the respective channel; an illumination source for illuminating the microparticles in the channels, the codes in the microparticles reflecting a portion of incident light and permitting a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code; and a detection device configured to capture the output signals provided by the microparticles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles, each microparticle having an elongated body with an optically detectable code extending along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body, the reader comprising:
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a plate having a plurality of channels extending lengthwise along a surface of the plate, each of the channels configured to receive and align a plurality of the microparticles; an illumination source for illuminating the codes of the microparticles in the channels, the codes in the microparticles reflecting a portion of incident light and permitting a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code; and a detection device configured to capture the output signals provided by the microparticles, wherein the plate, the illumination source, and the detection device are configured to be positioned so that the microparticles have a common orientation relative to the detection device when the detection device captures the corresponding output signals, the microparticles being in fixed positions with respect to the plate. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification