US6046808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radiation filter, spectrometer and imager using a micro-mirror array
Assignee: Three LC Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-09
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2019-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A spectrometer (10) includes a two-dimensional array of modulatable micro-mirrors (18), a detector (20), and an analyzer (22). The array of micro-mirrors is positioned for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of an input radiation source. The micro-mirrors are modulated at different modulation rates in order to reflect individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates. The micro-mirror array combines a number of the reflected individual radiation components and reflects the combined components to the detector. The detector is oriented to receive the combined radiation components reflected from the array and is operable to create an output signal representative thereof. The analyzer is operably coupled with the detector to receive the output signal and to analyze at least some of the individual radiation components making up the combined reflection. By using a micro-mirror that receives individual radiation components and then modulates the radiation components at different rates, all of the radiation components can be focused onto a single detector to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector. A variable band pass filter spectrometer, variable band reject filter spectrometer, variable multiple band pass filter spectrometer, and a variable multiple band reject filter spectrometer utilizing the same invention are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Fateley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0218; G01J3/0229; G01J3/027; G01J3/06; G01J3/12; G01J3/18; G01J3/28; G01J3/2823; G01J3/2889; G01J2003/2866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An analysis assembly for analyzing the absorption or attenuation by a sample of input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components, said assembly comprising: a two-dimensional array of modulatable micro-mirrors located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said micro-mirrors being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to reflect individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates and for combining a number of the reflected individual radiation components to generate a combined reflection; a detector oriented to receive said combined reflection from said array, and operable to create an output signal representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output signal, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined reflection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An analysis assembly for analyzing the absorption or attenuation by a sample of input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components, said assembly comprising: a two-dimensional array of modulatable micro-mirrors located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said micro-mirrors being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to reflect individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates and for combining a number of the reflected individual radiation components to generate a combined reflection; a detector oriented to receive said combined reflection from said array, and operable to create an output signal representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output signal, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined reflection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 1, said analyzer comprising a computer operably coupled with said detector and array for controlling the modulation of said micro-mirrors and for providing said individual analyses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 1, further including a reflector positioned between the detector and the array and operable to receive said combined reflection from said array and to focus the combined reflection on said detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1, said analyzer operable to perform a Fourier analysis upon said output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1, said individual analyses comprising the energy magnitude of said individual radiation components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assembly of claim 1, said input radiation being electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1, said individual radiation components comprising different, substantially constant wavelength radiation components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1, said individual radiation components comprising spatial resolution components derived from an image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus comprising: an assembly operable to generate input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components; a two-dimensional array of modulatable micro-mirrors located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said micro-mirrors being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to reflect individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates and with micro-mirror orientations for combining a number of the reflected individual radiation components to generate a combined reflection; a detector oriented to receive said combined reflection from said array, and operable to create an output signal representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output signal, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined reflection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus comprising: an assembly operable to generate input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components; a two-dimensional array of modulatable micro-mirrors located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said micro-mirrors being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to reflect individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates and with micro-mirror orientations for combining a number of the reflected individual radiation components to generate a combined reflection; a detector oriented to receive said combined reflection from said array, and operable to create an output signal representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output signal, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined reflection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 9, said analyzer comprising a computer operably coupled with said detector and array for controlling the modulation of said micro-mirrors and for providing said individual analyses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 9, further including a reflector positioned between the detector and the array and operable to receive said combined reflection from said array and to focus the combined reflection on said detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 9, said analyzer operable to perform a mathematical manipulation upon said output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 9, said individual analyses comprising the energy magnitude of said individual radiation components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assembly of claim 9, said input radiation being infrared radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 9, said individual radiation components comprising different, substantially constant wavelength radiation components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 9, said individual radiation components comprising spatial resolution components derived from an image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
An analysis assembly for analyzing the absorption or attenuation by a sample of input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components, said assembly comprising: a two-dimensional array of modulatable devices located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said devices being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to project individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates for combining a number of the projected individual radiation components to generate a combined projection; a detector oriented to receive said combined projection from said array, and operable to create an output representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined projection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
An analysis assembly for analyzing the absorption or attenuation by a sample of input radiation having a plurality of individual radiation components, said assembly comprising: a two-dimensional array of modulatable devices located for receiving individual radiation components forming a part of said input radiation, said devices being modulatable at different modulation rates in order to project individual radiation components therefrom at known and different modulation rates for combining a number of the projected individual radiation components to generate a combined projection; a detector oriented to receive said combined projection from said array, and operable to create an output representative of said combined number of individual radiation components; and an analyzer operably coupled with said detector to receive said output, and providing an individual analyses of at least some of said individual radiation components making up said combined projection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analysis assembly of claim 17, wherein said assembly is operable for use as a variable filter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |