Patent ID: 7782513
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A fast variable angle of incidence illumination configuration for use in a machine vision inspection system comprising at least a first objective lens having an optical axis, the fast variable angle of incidence illumination configuration comprising: (a) a first light source configured to direct a light beam along a first optical path portion; (b) a beam steering arrangement configured to receive the light beam along the first optical path portion and steer the light beam along a second optical path portion; and (c) a beam deflecting arrangement comprising a plurality of respective surface portions arranged at respective nominal angles of incidence relative to the optical axis, the beam deflecting arrangement configured to receive the light beam along the second optical path portion and deflect the light beam along a third optical path portion to illuminate a field of view of the objective lens, wherein: the beam steering arrangement of (b) comprises: the first nominal divergence amount corresponds to the light beam illuminating approximately a single respective surface portion of the beam deflecting arrangement such that the fast variable angle of incidence illumination configuration illuminates the field of view from a narrow range of angles corresponding to the respective nominal angle of incidence of that single respective surface portion, the second nominal divergence amount corresponds to the light beam illuminating at least two respective surface portions of the beam deflecting arrangement such that the fast variable angle of incidence illumination configuration illuminates the field of view from a broader range of angles that is broader than the narrow range of angles and that includes the respective nominal angles of incidence of the at least two respective surface portions, and the beam steering arrangement is configured to provide the light beam along the second optical path portion with the first nominal divergence amount to different respective surface portions of the beam deflecting arrangement to illuminate the field of view from the narrow range of angles at a first time, and is configured to provide the light beam along the second optical path portion with the second nominal divergence amount to the at least two respective surface portions of the beam deflecting arrangement to illuminate the field of view from the broader range of angles at a second time.