Distinguishing objects
US7817276B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/391
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
While objects travel through an optical cavity, the cavity provides output light that is affected by the objects, causing the output light to have a varying intensity function. The output light is photosensed to obtain sensing results that depend on the varying intensity function. The sensing results are used to distinguish at least one object, such as from its environment or from objects of other types. The objects can, for example, be particles or biological cells, and their optical characteristics, such as refractive index or absorption, can affect the output light, so that information about them is included in the output light. The output light can, for example, have a laterally varying intensity function with peaks whose features change due to the objects. The sensing results can also be used to track objects, together with other information, such as about the speed of a fluid that carries the objects through the cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.