Device and method for controlling the surface of an object
US6532065B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/88
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a device (1) suitable for controlling a surface (8) of an object (7), notably with respect to raised areas on said surface (8). The device (1) comprises a light source (2, 3) for generating a light beam (5, 6) directed towards the surface as well as a light sensor (4) for detecting light scattered by a raised area on the surface (8). The light beam (5, 6) generated by the light source (2, 3) is configured so as to scan the surface (8) in such a way that the raised area on the surface scatters the light beam (5, 6). If there is no raised area the light beam (5, 6) undergoes ideally no, or else only slight, changes. The light sensor (4) is arranged in such a way that at least part of the scattered light can be detected. In this manner it is possible to detect, for example, impurities on uneven or structured surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.