Combined illuminator/light collectors for optical readers

• US 9,494,526 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2012
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lamotte Chemical Products Company
• Original Assignee: Step Ahead Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Clark, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAMLING, SEAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/713,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20140016344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 362235-237, 362/244, 362331-332
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/14 NH3-N
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/15 N03-N
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/18 PO4-P
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/758 using reversible reaction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7793 Sensor comprising plural indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/77 by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/127 Calibration; base line adjustment; drift compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 : using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 : Water
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 : specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 : Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 : Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 : Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 : Condition responsive control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173076 : Nitrite or nitrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173845 : Amine and quaternary ammonium
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/174614 : Tertiary amine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/175383 : Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 : In aqueous solution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/207497 : Molecular oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

Combined illuminator/light collectors (I/LCs) that provide measurement and/or reference light to a target and collect light from the target. One example of a use for a combined I/LC of the present disclosure is for an optic of an optical reader used to read one or more chemical indicators that undergo physical changes that can be optically detected. The combined I/LC includes a spot lensing designed and configured in conjunction with the target to provide spot illumination on the target from one or more light sources. A light collector collects light from the target resulting from the spot illumination. Some embodiments further include dispersive lensing to direct a portion of the light from each light source away from the spot illumination to keep that light from interfering with the spot illumination.

Claims

1. A combined illuminator/light collector for use in a system having a light source, a target spaced from the combined illuminator/light collector at an operating distance during operation, and a light detector, the combined illuminator/light collector designed and configured to 1) provide a spot of illumination, from the light source, at a location on the target and 2) to collect light from the location, the illuminator/light collector comprising a unitary body having:

spot lensing designed and configured to direct light from the light source onto the target so as to form the spot;

a light pipe located adjacent to said spot lensing, said light pipe having an input end and an output end spaced from said input end, said light pipe having an internal sidewall between said input end and said output end, said internal sidewall having an angle with respect to a centerline that transects said input end and said output end, said light pipe being designed and configured to, when the illuminator/light collector is functioning and said input end is located between said output end and the target, collect and conduct light from the spot and to said output end, said angle being an angle that maximizes a range of deviation in the operating distance such that the total intensity of light at said output end is substantially the same at each distance in the range of deviation; and

laterally dispersive lensing located so that said spot lensing is located between said laterally dispersive lensing and said light pipe, said dispersive lensing designed and configured to direct a portion of light from the light source in a direction away from the spot.

2. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said spot lensing and said light pipe are formed as a unitary monolithic body of a single translucent material.

3. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 2, wherein said unitary monolithic body includes a contoured feature designed and configured to inhibit internal reflection between said spot lensing and said light pipe.

4. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said spot lensing and said light pipe are separated by a total-internal-reflection barrier member.

5. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said spot lensing has 1) a light entrance end designed and configured to receive light from the light source and 2) a light exit end through which light passes to form the spot, said light entrance end being designed and configured to optically interface with air and said light exit end designed and configured to optically interface with water.

6. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 5, wherein said light-entrance end is designed and configured to receive light from a light source having a beam angle from about 10°

to about 30°

.

7. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein the location is a predetermined location, the spot on the target has an optimal size at said predetermined location, and said spot lensing has a principal point and an optical axis, said spot lensing being designed and configured to have a focal length along said optical axis from said principal point and to provide the optimal size when said predetermined location is spaced from said principal point less than said focal length along said optical axis.

8. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said spot lensing, said light pipe, and said laterally dispersive lensing are formed as a unitary monolithic body of a single translucent material.

9. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said illuminator/light collector is designed and configured to provide, on the target, a plurality of spots of illumination from a corresponding plurality of light sources, and said spot lensing is designed and configured to direct light from each of the plurality of light sources onto the target so as to form the plurality of spots.

10. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 9, wherein said spot lensing is designed and configured based on the target being spaced from said unitary body by a design distance such that, when the target is at the design distance, each of the plurality of spots is formed by a light beam and defined by a beam angle of the light beam and none of the plurality of spots overlap one another.

11. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 10, wherein said spot lensing is designed and configured so that when the plurality of light sources are arranged in a pattern relative to one another the plurality of spots on the target are arranged in the pattern.

12. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 9, wherein said light pipe has a light-conducting axis and said spot lensing is located circumferentially around said light pipe relative to said light-conducting axis.

13. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 12, wherein said spot lensing is annular in shape and extends around said light pipe so as to accommodate the plurality of light sources when arranged in a circle.

14. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 12, wherein said spot lensing comprises a plurality of discrete lens elements extending radially outward from said light pipe relative to said light-conducting axis.

15. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 12, wherein said light pipe includes a frusto-conically shaped portion that tapers in a direction from said input end to said output end.

16. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said spot lensing has a curvature and wherein said angle and said curvature are such that the range of deviation in operating distance is maximized, the total intensity of light at said output end being substantially the same at each distance in the maximized range of deviation.

17. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 1, wherein said angle being an angle that maximizes a range of deviation in the operating distance such that the total intensity of light at said output end at each distance in the range of deviation is within 5% relative intensity from the maximum intensity of total light at any distance in the range of deviation.

18. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 17, wherein said angle being an angle that maximizes a range of deviation in the operating distance such that the total intensity of light at said output end at each distance in the range of deviation is within 1% relative intensity from the maximum intensity of total light at any distance in the range of deviation.

19. A combined illuminator/light collector designed and configured to 1) provide a spot of illumination, from a light source, at a location on a target spaced from said illuminator/light collector and 2) to collect light from the location, the illuminator/light collector comprising a unitary body having:

spot lensing designed and configured to direct light from the light source onto the target so as to form the spot;

a light pipe located adjacent to said spot lensing, said light pipe having an input end and an output end spaced from said input end and being designed and configured to, when the illuminator/light collector is functioning and said input end is located between said output end and the target, collect and conduct light from the spot and to said output end; and

laterally dispersive lensing located so that said spot lensing is located between said laterally dispersive lensing and said light pipe, said dispersive lensing designed and configured to direct a portion of light from the light source in a direction away from the spot,

wherein said unitary body is designed and configured to inhibit internal reflection of light from said spot lensing into said light pipe.

20. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said spot lensing and said light pipe are formed as a unitary monolithic body of a single translucent material and wherein said unitary monolithic body includes a contoured feature designed and configured to inhibit internal reflection between said spot lensing and said light pipe.

21. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said spot lensing and said light pipe are separated by a total-internal-reflection barrier member.

22. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said spot lensing has 1) a light entrance end designed and configured to receive light from the light source and 2) a light exit end through which light passes to form the spot, said light entrance end being designed and configured to optically interface with air and said light exit end designed and configured to optically interface with water.

23. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 22, wherein said light-entrance end is designed and configured to receive light from a light source having a beam angle from about 10°

to about 30°

.

24. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein the location is a predetermined location, the spot on the target has an optimal size at said predetermined location, and said spot lensing has a principal point and an optical axis, said spot lensing being designed and configured to have a focal length along said optical axis from said principal point and to provide the optimal size when said predetermined location is spaced from said principal point less than said focal length along said optical axis.

25. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said spot lensing, said light pipe, and said laterally dispersive lensing are formed as a unitary monolithic body of a single translucent material.

26. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said illuminator/light collector is designed and configured to provide, on the target, a plurality of spots of illumination from a corresponding plurality of light sources, and said spot lensing is designed and configured to direct light from each of the plurality of light sources onto the target so as to form the plurality of spots.

27. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 26, wherein said spot lensing is designed and configured based on the target being spaced from said unitary body by a design distance such that, when the target is at the design distance, each of the plurality of spots is formed by a light beam and defined by a beam angle of the light beam and none of the plurality of spots overlap one another.

28. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 27, wherein said spot lensing is designed and configured so that when the plurality of light sources are arranged in a pattern relative to one another the plurality of spots on the target are arranged in the pattern.

29. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 26, wherein said light pipe has a light-conducting axis and said spot lensing is located circumferentially around said light pipe relative to said light-conducting axis.

30. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 29, wherein said spot lensing is annular in shape and extends around said light pipe so as to accommodate the plurality of light sources when arranged in a circle.

31. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 29, wherein said spot lensing comprises a plurality of discrete lens elements extending radially outward from said light pipe relative to said light-conducting axis.

32. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 29, wherein said light pipe includes a frusto-conically shaped portion that tapers in a direction from said input end to said output end.

33. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said spot lensing has a curvature and wherein said angle and said curvature are such that the range of deviation in operating distance is maximized, the total intensity of light at said output end being substantially the same at each distance in the maximized range of deviation.

34. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 19, wherein said light pipe having an internal sidewall between said input end and said output end, said internal sidewall having an angle with respect to a centerline that transects said input end and said output end, said angle being an angle that maximizes a range of deviation in the operating distance such that the total intensity of light at said output end at each distance in the range of deviation is within 5% relative intensity from the maximum intensity of total light at any distance in the range of deviation.

35. A combined illuminator/light collector according to claim 34, wherein said angle being an angle that maximizes a range of deviation in the operating distance such that the total intensity of light at said output end at each distance in the range of deviation is within 1% relative intensity from the maximum intensity of total light at any distance in the range of deviation.