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US 7,116,437 B2Granted
Inter-objective baffle system
AssigneeDMetrix, Inc.
InventorsRonald S. Weinstein, Michael R. Descour, Chen Liang, Peter H. Bartels, Roland V. Shack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-axis imaging system and method wherein a plurality of optical elements are arranged to produce in image space thereof respective images of respective regions in object space thereof, and a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to respective optical elements are disposed in image space of the image sensing elements to capture images of the respective regions. At least one baffle is positioned along an optical pathway of at least one of the optical elements to block light from outside the field of view of the one of the optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element.
Claims85
A multi-axis imaging system for imaging an object, comprising:
- a two-dimensions microscope array with a plurality of optical elements arranged in rows, said optical elements being configured to image respective sections of the object;
- a scanning mechanism for producing an imaging scan of the object as a result of a relative movement between the microscope array and the object;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said optical elements and disposed in respective image spaces thereof to capture respective images of said sections of the object;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said imaging scan is implemented along a linear direction of scan across the object and said rows of the microscope array are staggered with respect to said direction of scan, such that each of the optical elements images a respective continuous strip of the object along said direction of scan during the imaging scan of the scanning mechanism, said continuous strip being substantially free of overlap with continuous strips imaged by other optical elements.
3 more elements
A multi-axis imaging system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements arranged to produce in respective image spaces thereof respective images of respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said respective optical elements and disposed in said respective image spaces thereof to capture the respective images of the respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises:
- a plurality of masks having at least one aperture formed therein corresponding to said respective one of said optical elements and being disposed at different positions along an optical axis of at least one of said optical elements.
3 more elements
A multi-axis imaging system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements arranged to produce in respective image spaces thereof respective images of respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said respective optical elements and disposed in said respective image spaces thereof to capture the respective images of the respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises:
- a tubular member disposed substantially parallel to an optical axis of said respective one of said optical elements so as to block from reaching the corresponding image sensing element light whose angle of incidence is greater than a predetermined value.
3 more elements
A multi-axis imaging system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements arranged to produce in respective image spaces thereof respective images of respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said respective optical elements and disposed in said respective image spaces thereof to capture the respective images of the respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of panels arranged to form a passage corresponding to said respective one of said optical elements;
- the panels comprise an array of passages corresponding to and providing an arrayed baffle for a plurality of respective optical elements;
- the panels interlock to form the array of passages;
- and the panels interlock so as to move relative to one another to produce substantially parallelogram-shaped passages of a selected base to height ratio.
5 more elements
A multi-axis imaging system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements arranged to produce in respective image spaces thereof respective images of respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said respective optical elements and disposed in said respective image spaces thereof to capture the respective images of the respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said baffle comprises an opaque material having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having a plurality of constrictions therein.
2 more elements
A multi-axis imaging system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements arranged to produce in respective image spaces thereof respective images of respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said respective optical elements and disposed in said respective image spaces thereof to capture the respective images of the respective regions in respective object spaces thereof;
- and
- at least one baffle corresponding to a respective one of said optical elements and disposed along an optical pathway thereof to block light from outside the field of view of said respective one of said optical elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of baffles arranged in an array;
- the array comprises a plurality of apertures formed in a material;
- and the at least one baffle comprises a plurality of said arrays separated from one another along optical axes of the optical elements.
4 more elements
A device for reducing cross talk in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements, comprising:
- at least one baffle disposed between an image sensing element of a respective one of said imaging elements and an object to be imaged thereby, said baffle being positioned to block light outside the field of view of said respective one of said imaging elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of masks having apertures formed therein and corresponding to said respective one of said imaging elements and being disposed at different positions along an optical axis of said respective one of said imaging elements.
A device for reducing cross talk in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements, comprising:
- at least one baffle disposed between an image sensing element of a respective one of said imaging elements and an object to be imaged thereby, said baffle being positioned to block light outside the field of view of said respective one of said imaging elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a tubular member disposed substantially parallel to an optical axis of said respective one of said imaging elements so as to block from reaching said corresponding image sensing element thereof light whose angle of incidence is greater than a predetermined value.
A device for reducing cross talk in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements, comprising:
- at least one baffle disposed between an image sensing element of a respective one of said imaging elements and an object to be imaged thereby, said baffle being positioned to block light outside the field of view of said respective one of said imaging elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of panels arranged to form a passage corresponding to said at least one imaging element;
- the panels form an array of passages corresponding to and providing an arrayed baffle for said plurality of imaging elements;
- the panels interlock to form the array of passages;
- and the panels interlock so as to move relative to one another to produce substantially parallelogram-shaped passages of a selected base to height ratio.
2 more elements
A device for reducing cross talk in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements, comprising:
- at least one baffle disposed between an image sensing element of a respective one of said imaging elements and an object to be imaged thereby, said baffle being positioned to block light outside the field of view of said respective one of said imaging elements from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of baffles arranged in an array and corresponding to respective imaging elements;
- the array comprises a plurality of apertures formed ma material;
- and the array comprises a plurality of arrays separated from one another along optical axes of the imaging elements.
1 more element
A multi-axis imaging system for imaging an object, comprising:
- a two-dimensional microscope array with a plurality of optical elements arranged in rows, said optical elements being configured to image respective sections of the object;
- a scanning mechanism for producing an imaging scan of the object as a result of a relative movement between the microscope array and the object;
- a plurality of image sensing elements corresponding to said optical elements and disposed in respective image spaces thereof to capture respective images of said sections of the object;
- and
- means for blocking light from outside the field of view of at least one of said optical elements and thereby preventing said light from reaching a corresponding image sensing element thereof;
- wherein said imaging scan is implemented along a linear direction of scan across the object and said rows of the microscope array are staggered with respect to said direction of scan, such that each of the optical elements images a respective continuous strip of the object along said direction of scan during the imaging scan of the scanning mechanism, said continuous strip being substantially free of overlap with continuous strips imaged by other optical elements.
3 more elements
A method for imaging an object with an imaging system, comprising:
- providing a two-dimensional imaging array having a plurality of imaging elements arranged in rows, said imaging elements being disposed with respect to an image plane of the imaging array and configured to image respective sections of the object;
- positioning at least one baffle along an optical axis of a respective imaging element to block light outside the field of view of said respective imaging element from reaching a respective image sensing element;
- producing an imaging scan of the object as a result of a relative movement between the imaging array and the object;
- and
- capturing image data representative of said respective sections of the object from a plurality of image sensing elements;
- wherein said image in scan is implemented along a linear direction of scan and said rows of the imaging array are staggered with respect to said direction of scan, such that each of the imaging elements images a respective continuous strip of the object along the direction of scan during said imaging scan, said continuous strip being substantially free of overlap with continuous strips imaged by other imaging elements.
3 more elements
A method for detecting light by an imaging element in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements and image sensing elements, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of baffles along optical axes of the imaging elements to block light outside the field of view of said respective imaging elements from reaching respective image sensing elements thereof;
- arranging said plurality of baffles in an array;
- preparing said plurality of baffles by interconnecting a plurality of panels arranged to form passages for a plurality of corresponding imaging elements;
- preparing the panels so as to interlock and form an array of passages;
- and
- moving the panels relative to one another to produce a skewed pattern of substantially parallelogram shaped passages of a selected base to height ratio so as to substantially match a skewed pattern of imaging elements.
3 more elements
A method for detecting light by an imaging element in an imaging system having a plurality of imaging elements and image sensing elements, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of baffles along optical axes of the imaging elements to block light outside the field of view of said respective imaging elements from reaching respective image sensing elements thereof;
- arranging said plurality of baffles in an array;
- and
- positioning a plurality of arrays of said baffles along the optical axes of the imaging elements.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.