Patent ID: 6324020
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A compact apparatus for forming a high contrast, low distortion image of a patterned object including:a light refractor for reflecting and refracting light, the light refractor including:an imaging surface against which a patterned object to be imaged is to be placed to form an apparent image of the patterned object in the light refractor;a viewing surface adjacent to the imaging surface and through which an image of the object to be imaged is projected, the viewing surface forming an angle .gamma. with the imaging surface; anda further surface adjacent to the imaging surfaceat least one lens adjacent to the viewing surface and for receiving and focusing an image of a patterned object projected through the viewing surface, the lens having a lens plane which is perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, the lens plane forming an angle .delta. with the viewing surface;wherein the angles .gamma. and .delta. are formed to substantially equalize a path length of a first light ray traveling from one part of the apparent image of the patterned object to the lens plane with a path length of any other light ray substantially parallel to the first light ray and traveling from another part of the apparent image of the patterned object to the lens plane.