Light array system and method for illumination of objects imaged by imaging systems

Claim 2

An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising: a dome frame having a cylindrical geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial cylinder about the image axis; a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area; and a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising: a pair of side panel frames coupled to the dome frame; and a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so as to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light sources illuminates an illumination area having an image depth about the image axis.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lamps in each side panel light array is arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, and wherein each lamp is positioned such that a lamp central ray from each lamp strikes approximately an image point within the image area.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, wherein each lamp within a single vertical row of lamps is positioned such that all central rays from each lamp in each vertical row of lamps strikes the same image point, and further wherein each lamp is positioned so that the distance each lamp central ray travels is approximately equal.

Claim 6

The system of claim 3, further comprising a cylindrical image optics positioned between the each lamp and the image area, and wherein the cylindrical image optics works in conjunction with each lamp so that the light cast by each lamp is a line of light through the entire image depth.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical lens image optic positioned between each light source and the image area to provide more focused illumination at the image area from each light source.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1, wherein each light source is a light emitting diode having an intensity ranging from 200 to 5000 millicandles and each lamp is a light emitting diode having an intensity ranging from 200 to 5000 millicandles.

Claim 9

The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources provides a cumulative light contribution that overfills the image area.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1, further comprising: a fan; and a vent cut out of a top cover of the dome light array, wherein the fan and vent coordinate to direct air away from a space between the aperture and the image area.

Claim 11

An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising: a dome light array, comprising: a cylindrical dome frame having a geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial circle as viewed along the image axis; a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source points towards the image axis within the image area to illuminate an illuminate area that has an image depth about the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame; and a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising: a pair of side panel frame coupled to the dome frame; and a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system.

Claim 12

An illumination system capable of providing wide angle illumination to an image area on an image plane within an interior of the illumination system, comprising: a dome light array, comprising: a cylindrical dome frame having a geometry defined by a radius beginning at an image axis on the image plane so as to form a partial circle as viewed along the image axis; a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source points towards the image axis within the image area to illuminate an illuminate area that has an image depth about the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame; and a side panel light array coupled to the dome light array, comprising: a pair of side panel frame coupled to the dome frame; and a plurality of lamps coupled to each side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system.

Claim 13

The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of lamps in each side panel light array is arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, and wherein each lamp is positioned such that a lamp central ray from each lamp strikes approximately an image point within the image area.

Claim 14

The system of claim 11, wherein each lamp within a single vertical row of lamps is positioned such that all central rays from each lamp in each vertical row of lamps strikes the same image point, and further wherein each lamp is positioned so that the distance each lamp central ray travels is approximately equal.

Claim 15

The system of claim 11, further comprising a cylindrical image optics positioned between the each lamp and the image area, and wherein the cylindrical image optics works in conjunction with each lamp so that the light cast by each lamp is a line of light through the entire image depth.

Claim 16

The system of claim 10, further comprising a cylindrical lens image optic positioned between each light source and the image area to provide more focused illumination at the image area from each light source.

Claim 17

The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of light sources provides a cumulative light contribution that overfills the image area.

Claim 18

The system of claim 10, wherein the dome light array is positioned above the image plane at a clearance distance sufficient to prevent interference with a component an object being inspected during inspection.

Claim 19

The system of claim 10, further comprising: a fan; and a vent cut out of a top cover of the dome light array, wherein the fan and vent coordinate to direct air away from a space between the aperture and the image area.

Claim 20

An illumination system for use in automated inspection of an image area on an image plane, comprising: a dome light array, comprising: a dome frame having a first side and a second side distal the first side, wherein the geometry of each side is a circle about an image axis defined by a radius beginning at the image axis on the image plane, the dome frame forming a partial cylinder about the image axis; a plurality of light source rows, each light source row comprising a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame on an interior of the dome frame, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each of light sources strikes approximately an image point on the image axis, and wherein each light within in a single row strikes the same imaging point on the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame through which the line scan camera can take an image of the PWB; and a first side panel light array, comprising: a first side panel frame coupled to the first side of the dome frame; and a plurality of first side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system; and a second side panel light array, comprising: a second side panel frame coupled to the second side of the dome frame; and a plurality of second side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within an interior of the illumination system.

Claim 21

An illumination system for use in automated inspection of an image area on an image plane, comprising: a dome light array, comprising: a dome frame having a first side and a second side distal the first side, wherein the geometry of each side is a circle about an image axis defined by a radius beginning at the image axis on the image plane, the dome frame forming a partial cylinder about the image axis; a plurality of light source rows, each light source row comprising a plurality of light sources coupled to the dome frame on an interior of the dome frame, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each of light sources strikes approximately an image point on the image axis, and wherein each light within in a single row strikes the same imaging point on the image axis; and an aperture in the dome frame through which the line scan camera can take an image of the PWB; and a first side panel light array, comprising: a first side panel frame coupled to the first side of the dome frame; and a plurality of first side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within the interior of the illumination system; and a second side panel light array, comprising: a second side panel frame coupled to the second side of the dome frame; and a plurality of second side panel light array lamps coupled to the side panel frame and positioned so at to provide illumination within an interior of the illumination system.

Claim 22

The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second side panel frames are mounted to the dome frame at approximately a ninety degree angle to the image plane, and wherein the each of the lamps is positioned on its respective side panel frame such that a lamp central ray from each lamp shines at approximately a ninety degree angle to the side panel frame to which it is coupled.

Claim 23

The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of lamps in each side panel light array is arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, and wherein each lamp is positioned such that a lamp central ray from each lamp strikes approximately an image point within the image area.

Claim 24

The system of claim 20, wherein each lamp within a single vertical row of lamps is positioned such that all central rays from each lamp in each vertical row of lamps strikes the same image point, and further wherein each lamp is positioned so that the distance each lamp central ray travels is approximately equal.

Claim 25

The system of claim 20, further comprising a cylindrical image optics positioned between the each lamp and the image area, and wherein the cylindrical image optics works in conjunction with each lamp so that the light cast by each lamp is a line of light through the entire image depth.

Claim 26

The system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of lamps is positioned such that every image point along the entire image area receives illumination from at least one lamp.

Claim 27

The system of claim 18, further comprising an image optic positioned between each light source and the image area to provide more focused illumination at the image area from each light source.

Claim 28

The system of claim 24, wherein the image optic is a cylindrical lens.

Claim 29

The system of claim 18, wherein each light source is a light emitting diode having an intensity greater than 100 millicandles and each lamp is a light emitting diode having an intensity greater than 100 millicandles.

Claim 30

The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources provides a cumulative light contribution that overfills the image area.

Claim 31

The system of claim 20, wherein the plurality of light sources in each light source row exceeds 15 and plurality of lamps in each vertical row exceeds 5.

Claim 32

The system of claim 18, wherein an energy density at the image area exceeds 1000 mcd/in 2 .

Claim 33

The system of claim 18, wherein the dome light array is positioned above the image plane at a clearance distance sufficient to prevent interference with a component on the PWB during inspection.

Claim 34

The system of claim 18, wherein the light intensity at the image area can be closely approximated based on a current input to the dome light array.

Claim 35

The system of claim 18, further comprising: a fan; and a vent cut out of a top cover of the dome light array, wherein the fan and vent coordinate to direct air away from a space between the aperture and the image area.

Claim 38

The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of lamps in each side panel light array is arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, and wherein each lamp is positioned such that a lamp central ray from each lamp strikes approximately an image point within the image area.

Claim 39

The method of claim 34, wherein each lamp within a single vertical row of lamps is positioned such that all central rays from each lamp in each vertical row of lamps strikes the same image point, and further wherein each lamp is positioned so that the distance each lamp central ray travels is approximately equal.

Claim 40

The method of claim 34, further comprising positioning a cylindrical image optics between the each lamp and the image area so that so that a light cast by each lamp is a line of light through the entire image depth.

Claim 41

The method of claim 33, further comprising providing a cumulative illumination that overfills the image area.

Claim 42

The method claim 33, further comprising directing air within the interior of the illumination system away from a space near the image area.

Claim 43

An illumination system for providing illumination to an image area on an image plane, comprising: a cylindrical frame comprising a series of semicircular sections, wherein each semicircular section is proximate to at least one other semicircular section to provide a partially cylindrical frame about the image axis; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the cylindrical frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area.

Claim 44

An illumination system for providing illumination to an image area on an image plane, comprising: a cylindrical frame comprising a series of semicircular sections, wherein each semicircular section is proximate to at least one other semicircular section to provide a partially cylindrical frame about the image axis; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the cylindrical frame so that each light source is approximately the same distance from the image axis, the plurality of light sources positioned such that a central ray of light from each light source strikes approximately the image axis within the image area.

Claim 45

The illumination system of claim 39, wherein an illumination area illuminated by the plurality of light sources is a linear illumination area.