Patent ID: 6671044
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: G01J,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An imaging system adapted to determine one or more characteristics of an object in a broad, flat flow, from an image of the object while there is relative movement between the object and the imaging system comprising:(a) a collection lens having a field angle in an object space that is sufficiently large to collect light traveling from the object that is in the broad, flat flow so that the light passes through the collection lens and travels along a collection path; (b) a dispersing component disposed in the collection path so as to receive the light from the object that has passed through the collection lens, dispersing the light into a plurality of separate light beams, each light beam being directed away from the dispersing component in a different predetermined direction; (c) an imaging lens disposed to receive the light beams from the dispersing component, producing a plurality of images corresponding to each of the light beams, each image being projected by the imaging lens toward a different predetermined location; and (d) a time delay integration (TDI) detector disposed to receive the plurality of images produced by the imaging lens, producing an output signal that is indicative of at least one characteristic of the object in the broad, flat flow, said TDI detector producing the output signal by integrating light from at least a portion of the object over time, while the relative movement between the object and the imaging system occurs.