Scanner using lens array producing inverted images
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorKarl W. Beeson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optically-based and image processing-based scanner including a lens array, an imager, and an array of baffles to define paths of light between the lenses and the imager. Each of the lenses produces an inverted image of a portion of the object to be imaged. Components in the imager transpose and filter the individual images, or vice-versa, and assemble a composite image of the entire object. An array of plano-convex lenses is preferred.
Claims14
An imaging apparatus comprising:
- a lens array including a plurality of lenses, each lens in said lens array forming an inverted optical image of a portion of an object;
- an imager to convert the plurality of inverted optical images into image data, said imager including an optical-energy to electrical-energy converter, said converter producing a set of inverted image data for each lens in said array thereof;
- and
- a baffle array including a plurality of parallel light absorbing baffles, each baffle in said baffle array forming a light absorbing border between adjacent optical paths, said paths lying between said lens array and said imager;
- wherein each of said sets of inverted image data have a beginning part, a middle part and an end part, the apparatus further comprising
- a controller to filter said sets of inverted data so as to discard said beginning and end parts and retain said middle parts.
An imaging apparatus comprising:
- a lens array including a plurality of lenses, each lens in said lens array forming an inverted optical image of a portion of an object;
- an imager to convert the plurality of inverted optical images into image data, said imager including an optical-energy to electrical-energy converter, said converter producing a set of inverted image data for each lens in said array thereof;
- and
- a baffle array including a plurality of parallel light absorbing baffles, each baffle in said baffle array forming a light absorbing border between adjacent optical paths, said paths lying between said lens array and said imager;
- a memory and a controller to control said memory to store a transposition of each of said sets of inverted image data from said converter in said memory so as to produce a set of non-inverted image data corresponding to each set of inverted image data
- each of said sets of non-inverted image data in said memory having a beginning part, a middle part and an end part;
- said controller being operable to filter said sets so as to discard said beginning and end parts and retain said middle parts;
- and
- said controller being further operable to assemble said middle parts into a composite image of said object.
An imaging apparatus comprising:
- a lens array including a plurality of lenses, each lens in said lens array forming an inverted optical image of a portion of an object;
- an imager to convert the plurality of inverted optical images into image data;
- and
- a baffle array including a plurality of parallel light absorbing baffles, each baffle in said baffle array forming a light absorbing border between adjacent optical paths, said paths lying between said lens array and said imager;
- wherein each lens in said array thereof is a plano-convex lens, the planar surface of said plano-convex lens being oriented closer to said imager than said convex surface and the convex surface of said plano-convex lens being oriented closer to said object than said planar surface.
An imaging apparatus comprising:
- a lens array including a plurality of lenses, each lens in said lens array forming an inverted optical image of a portion of an object;
- a first imager to convert the plurality of inverted optical images into image data;
- a baffle array including a plurality of parallel light absorbing baffles, each baffle in said baffle array forming a light absorbing border between adjacent optical paths, said paths lying between said lens array and said imager;
- a top light absorbing baffle, arranged to cover the top of said baffle array, to form a light absorbing border above said optical paths between said lenses of said lens array and said imager;
- and
- a bottom light absorbing baffle, arranged to cover the bottom of said baffle array, to form a light absorbing border below said optical paths between said lenses of said lens array and said imager.
A method of calibrating an imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus including a lens array, each lens in said lens array forming an inverted optical image of a portion of an object, an imager including an optical-energy to electrical-energy converter to convert the plurality of inverted optical images into a plurality of inverted image data sets corresponding thereto, respectively, each of said inverted data sets being a sequence of data having a beginning part, a middle part and an end part, and a controller to filter said sequence so as to discard said beginning and end parts and retain said middle part, and a baffle array, each baffle in said baffle array forming a light absorbing border between adjacent optical paths, said paths lying between said lens array and said imager,
- the method comprising:
- providing a calibration pattern of bars alternating between a first color and a contrasting second color, wherein widths of said bars of said calibration pattern are fixed such there is a first transition and a second transition in said calibration pattern from said first color to said second color approximately aligned with a first and second edge, respectively, of each lens in said array thereof;
- determining, at least indirectly based upon each of said inverted data sets, a first and second indicator of where said first transition and said second transition occur in each of said inverted data sets, respectively;
- and
- storing said first and second indicators for each of said inverted data sets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.