Method and system for imaging an object or pattern
US6075883A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30152
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of images of an object or pattern from a plurality of different viewpoints is provided. Proper image contrast is obtained by replacing the light sources of earlier systems with equivalent light sensitive devices and replacing the cameras of earlier systems with equivalent light sources. Bright-field and dark-field images may be simultaneously obtained. In another aspect, a light source is positioned to illuminate at least some of an object. A plurality of light guides are positioned to simultaneously receive light reflected from the object and transmit it to a plurality of photodetectors. The light guides are arranged so their respective input ends are spaced substantially equally along at least a portion of a surface of an imaginary hemisphere surrounding the object. The signals from the photodetectors are processed and a plurality of images are formed. Another aspect provides generating composite images from simultaneously obtained images. Equivalent regions of each image geographically identical subpictures) are compared. The subpicture having the highest entropy is selected and stored. This process continues for all subpictures.…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.