The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1998
Timothy P White, New Boston, NH (US);
Sheila Bergeron Dunn, Mason, NH (US);
Northeast Robotics LLC, Weare, NH (US);
Abstract
The method and apparatus for providing a continuous, uniformed, diffused light environment for use in conjunction with an electronic machine vision or manual microscope inspection system, particularly for inspection of specular surfaces such as ball bearings, reflective packaging and other shiny surfaces. The illumination device includes a source of light which is associated with at least the secondary diffusers to provide secondary diffused illumination, of an object to be observed, substantially along the observation axis of the object. The same light source may also illuminate a rear surface of the primary diffuser. The height of the illumination device is approximately three and one half times the clear aperture dimension of the illumination device or less. The illumination devices is arranged to provide uniformed illumination of the object with light which is equal in intensity and character to facilitate accurate viewing of the entire area of the object to be viewed.