Patent ID: 6582090
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
An illumination apparatus for providing illumination of a component having features comprising:a camera having within its field of view the component or selected portions or features thereof; a first illumination assembly positioned on a first side of the component, the first illumination assembly further comprising a first plurality of sources of beams of light, wherein the first plurality of sources are oriented at a range of angles relative to a horizontal plane of the component such that the first plurality of beams of light criss-cross one another; a second illumination assembly positioned on a second side of the component, the second illumination assembly further comprising a second plurality of sources of beams of light, wherein the second plurality of sources are oriented at a range of angles relative to a horizontal plane of the component such that the second plurality beams of light criss-cross one another, wherein substantially uniform illumination of the field of view of the camera is obtained; wherein sources for the first and second plurality of beams of light comprise light emitting diodes and wherein the range of angles of the plurality of beams of light is provided by a series of refractor prisms positioned over the light emitting diodes; and wherein each refracting prism has a first surface that refracts the light from an individual light emitting diode approximately +45Â° relative to the plane of the refracting prism and a second surface that refracts the light from an individual light emitting diode approximately âˆ’45Â° relative to the plane of the refractor prism.