US4893223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illumination devices for inspection systems
Assignee: Nortel Networks Corp
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Filing: 1989-01-10
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2009-01-10
Abstract
Abstract Illumination devices for an inspection system which holds the article to be inspected in a particular location and having light emitting diodes disposed in a part spherical array to cause light to converge upon a restricted field of view in which the article is located. The device is of particular use for illuminating small articles which need to be inspected. The light emitting diodes are preferably operated selectively in groups to provide different light patterns upon the article under inspection.
Inventors
- 👤 Aaron L. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/8806; G01N21/95; G01N21/956; G01N2021/95638; H; H10; H10W; H10W90/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An illumination device for an inspection system comprising a mounting means for mounting a plurality of spaced apart light emitting diodes in mounting locations disposed in a part spherical array to cause light from the diodes to converge upon a particular restricted field of view, and a location means for locating an article to be illuminated in the restricted field of view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
An illumination device for an inspection system comprising a mounting means for mounting a plurality of spaced apart light emitting diodes in mounting locations disposed in a part spherical array to cause light from the diodes to converge upon a particular restricted field of view, and a location means for locating an article to be illuminated in the restricted field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a dish with a part spherical concave surface, the dish formed with mounting apertures for holding the diodes within the wall of the dish, the apertures opening at the concave surface of the dish to direct light from the diodes at said restricted field of view which is confronted by the concave surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An illumination device according to claim 2 wherein the mounting apertures are located on coaxial pitch circles with a center of the restricted field of view coincident with the axis of the pitch circles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An illumination device according to claim 2 wherein a hole for light passage is formed symmetrically through the center of the dish, the mounting apertures are located on pitch circles having centers coincident with the light passage hole, said restricted field of view being in axial alignment with the light passage hole, and there is provided a light sensitive recording means positioned to record light reflected from an article disposed in the restricted field of view and transmitted through the light passage hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An illumination device according to claim 4 including a prism aligned through the light passage hole with said specific position for redirecting light passing through the light passage hole to the light sensitive recording means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illumination device according to claim 4 wherein the light sensitive recording means comprises a camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 provided with an electrical circuit having terminals at the mounting locations for the diodes at each of the mounting apertures, the terminals being electrically connected into the circuit in groups of mounting locations with the circuit operable to operate selectively a certain group or groups of diodes corresponding to the groups of terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An illumination device according to claim 2 provided with an electrical circuit having terminals at the mounting locations for the diodes at each of the mounting apertures, the terminals electrically connected into the circuit in groups of mounting locations with the circuit operable to operate selectively a certain group or groups of diodes corresponding to the groups of terminals, and wherein the groups of mounting locations are arranged in adjacent sectors around the concave surface of the dish.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
An illumination device according to claim 3 provided with an electrical circuit having terminals at the mounting locations for the diodes at each of the mounting apertures, the terminals being electrically connected into the circuit in groups of mounting locations with the circuit operable to operate selectively a certain group or groups of diodes corresponding to the groups of terminals and with the mounting positions of each group disposed upon a common pitch circle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 having infrared light emitting diodes held by the mounting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 having red light emitting diodes held by the mounting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
An illumination device according to claim 10 wherein a light sensitive recording means is positioned to record light patterns reflected to the recording means from an article disposed in the restricted field of view and an electrical circuit is provided to operate the infrared light emitting diodes and the operation of the infrared light emitting diodes and the recording means are synchronized whereby a light burst upon an article disposed in the restricted field of view produces a reflected light which is recorded by the recording means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4688939A
Cited
US4814667A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |