Multi channel radiation analyzer

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 above, further including the steps of: g. repeating steps (c) and (d) in the absence of impinging sources; h. storing the resultant value for each spectral component in the absence of impinging sources, representing system errors; i. differencing the values stored in step (e) with the values stored in step (h) and storing the value resulting therefrom; and j. displaying the values obtained from step (i) above, corresponding to system error-free resultant values of magnitude for each spectral component.

Claim 4

In combination with means for dispersing a radiant source into its spectral components, apparatus for determining the magnitude of the spectral components which compose the radiant source, comprising: a. image detection means adapted to receive a first spectrally dispersed image of the radiant source and a second, background image lacking a radiant source, similarly dispersed spectrally; b. scanning means connected to said image detection means for alternating between the radiant source and background images to provide signals corresponding to and representative of the magnitude of image intensity of each spectral component; and c. data processing means coupled to said image detection means for deriving a resultant signal corresponding to and representative of the difference in image magnitude between first and second images at each spectral component, including storage means for storing each of the resultant signals corresponding to the spectral components.

Claim 5

In combination with means for dispersing a radiant source into its spectral components, apparatus for determining the magnitude of the spectral components which compose the radiant source, comprising: a. image detection means adapted to receive a first spectrally dispersed image of the radiant source and a second, background image lacking a radiant source, similarly dispersed spectrally; b. scanning means connected to said image detection means for alternating between the radiant source and background images to provide signals corresponding to and representative of the magnitude of image intensity of each spectral component; and c. data processing means coupled to said image detection means for deriving a resultant signal corresponding to and representative of the difference in image magnitude between first and second images at each spectral component, including storage means for storing each of the resultant signals corresponding to the spectral components.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, above, further including display means coupled to said storage means for providing a visual display of the magnitudes of the spectral components composing the radiant source.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3, above, wherein the radiant source is a light source and said scanning means include a photo sensitive image detector.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said data processing means include digitizing means for quantizing said resultant signals into digital form and said storage means include means for storing magnitude representing digits in separate locations, each correspoNding to a spectral component.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said storage means include a separate store for holding magnitude representing digits and further including switching means for alternatively storing magnitude representing digits in said storage means and said separate store whereby in a first mode said apparatus stores magnitude representing digits resulting from scanning applied images and in a second mode said apparatus stores separately, magnitude representing digits resulting from scanning in the complete absence of impinging images.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 3, further including timing and synchronizing means coupled to said scanning means and said data processing means for temporally identifying each spectral component scanned with a corresponding location in said storage means.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said data processing means include switching means and differencing means coupled to said timing and synchronizing means for differencing the magnitude representing signals corresponding to the first and second source images to provide said resultant signal.

Claim 12

Apparatus for detecting and measuring the magnitude of a radiant source comprising: a. radiation sensitive detecting means responsive to impinging radiation for producing a signal corresponding to and representative of the intensity of impinging radiation; b. imaging means for causing the radiation emanating from a radiant source to impinge upon said detecting means as a first image, together with radiation source from an area adjacent the radiant as a second image source; c. spectrum spreading means interposed between the source and said detecting means for decomposing impinging radiant energy into the frequency components thereof; d. data acquisition and storage means coupled to said detecting means and said imaging means for storing the signals representing radiation intensity for each frequency component of radiant source radiation and adjacent area radiation; and e. data processing means for determining the difference in magnitude between the signals corresponding to the frequency components of the radiant source and the signals corresponding to the frequency components of the area adjacent the radiant source, the differences representing the magnitude of the source at each of the frequency components.

Claim 13

Apparatus for detecting and measuring the magnitude of a radiant source comprising: a. radiation sensitive detecting means responsive to impinging radiation for producing a signal corresponding to and representative of the intensity of impinging radiation; b. imaging means for causing the radiation emanating from a radiant source to impinge upon said detecting means as a first image, together with radiation source from an area adjacent the radiant as a second image source; c. spectrum spreading means interposed between the source and said detecting means for decomposing impinging radiant energy into the frequency components thereof; d. data acquisition and storage means coupled to said detecting means and said imaging means for storing the signals representing radiation intensity for each frequency component of radiant source radiation and adjacent area radiation; and e. data processing means for determining the difference in magnitude between the signals corresponding to the frequency components of the radiant source and the signals corresponding to the frequency components of the area adjacent the radiant source, the differences representing the magnitude of the source at each of the frequency components.