# US 2013/0155402 A1 · Inline spectroscopic reader and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155402 A1 - Document ID: US20130155402A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/819,397 - Filed: 2011-08-31 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-31 - Assignees: Cabot Security Materials Inc. - Inventors: Ian D. Walton; William E. Doering; Michael J. Natan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155402A1 ## CPC - G01J 3/28: Investigating the spectrum (using colour filters G01J3/51) - G01J 3/0208: {using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction} - G01J 3/0218: {using optical fibers} - G01J 3/0272: {Handheld} - G01J 3/0291: {Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements} - G01J 3/0294: {Multi-channel spectroscopy} - G01J 3/2803: {using photoelectric array detector} - G01J 3/44: Raman spectrometry; Scattering spectrometry {; Fluorescence spectrometry} - G01N 21/85: Investigating moving fluids or granular solids - G01N 21/8901: {Optical details; Scanning details (per se G02B)} - G07D 7/1205: Testing spectral properties - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G07D: HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING ## Abstract An inline spectroscopic reader having a light source, one or more optics heads, a spectrometer and a data processing system in digital communication with the spectrometer detector. The optics heads include transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target. Typically, the target is moving with respect to the optics head during spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic reader is thus an inline reader well suited to provide spectrum based production or analytical decision making in real time as the target moves along a production or analysis line. Also disclosed are methods including the steps of illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inline spectroscopic reader comprising: a light source; an optics head comprising transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source wherein the target is moving with respect to the transmission optics, and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target; a spectrometer in optical communication with the optics head having a detector providing for a digital spectrum output; and a data processing system in digital communication with the detector providing substantially contemporaneous spectroscopic analysis of the light collected from the target. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 further comprising multiple optics heads in optical communication with one light source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 further comprising multiple optics heads in optical communication with one spectrometer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 3 further comprising multiple optics heads in optical communication with one light source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 4 further comprising fiber optic coupling between the light source, multiple optics heads and the spectrometer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 5 wherein optical output from multiple optics heads is imaged onto the detector at distinct positions on the detector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 wherein illumination of the target is provided along a linear illumination zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 wherein the light source is a laser providing light emission having at least one discrete wavelength. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 wherein the data processing system provides for the extraction of information content from the digital spectrum output. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 9 wherein the information content extracted from the digital spectrum output is complex information content. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 10 wherein the data processing system provides for the autonomous implementation of a processing decision based upon the complex information content. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 11 wherein the complex information content comprises the determination of the presence of multiple spectral intensity peaks or the determination of multiple relative spectral intensities. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 12 wherein the complex information content comprises the determination of the presence of multiple spectral intensity peaks and the determination of multiple relative spectral intensities. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 further comprising a digital storage medium having instructions encoded thereon providing for spectroscopic signal acquisition and a separate digital storage medium having instructions encoded thereon providing for spectroscopic data analysis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 further comprising an integrated digital storage medium having instructions encoded thereon providing for spectroscopic signal acquisition and having instructions encoded thereon providing for spectroscopic data analysis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 1 wherein the spectroscopic analysis comprises the detection of a Raman spectrum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The inline spectroscopic reader of claim 16 wherein the spectroscopic analysis comprises the detection of a surface enhanced Raman spectrum. ### Claim 18 A method of inline spectroscopy comprising: illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer from the collected light; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content extracted from the digitized spectrum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of inline spectroscopy of claim 18 wherein the target is moving with respect to the spectrometer when light is collected from the target. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of inline spectroscopy of claim 19 further comprising: extracting complex information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing the process decision upon the complex information content. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of inline spectroscopy of claim 18 further comprising obtaining a digitized Raman spectrum from the collected light. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of inline spectroscopy of claim 18 further comprising obtaining a digitized surface enhanced Raman spectrum from the collected light.