Patent · US Expired

Systems and methods for diffuse illumination

US6334699B1 · kind B1 · utility

101Cited by
13References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 1999
Grant dateJan 1, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21V7/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A light pattern controller provides a pattern of light to a collimator. The light pattern controller includes a beam deflector that sweeps a circular pattern with a radius that is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the beam deflector. Alternatively, the light pattern controller includes a two-dimensional scanning galvanometer that sweeps out the circular pattern or a liquid crystal shutter. The pattern of light is collimated and reflected such that it is substantially parallel to the optical axis of an imaging system. A focusing element redirects the collimated light pattern onto a sample part at an angle of incidence which is a function of the radius of the light column.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.