Method and system for imaging an object or pattern
US6603874B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30152
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of images of an object or pattern from a plurality of different viewpoints is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, 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. With such a system, bright-field images and dark-field images may be simultaneously obtained. In one aspect of the invention, a light source is positioned to illuminate at least a portion of an object. A plurality of light guides having input ends are positioned to simultaneously receive light reflected from the object and transmit the received light to a plurality of photodetectors. The light guides are arranged such that 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 generated by the photodetectors (as a result of light detection) are processed and a plurality of images of the object are formed. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for generating composite images from simultaneously o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.