Patent ID: 6249341
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: G01J,G01N,G02B,G06K

Abstract:
An imaging system adapted to determine one or more characteristics of an object from an image of the object in which at least one component of the object is detected while there is relative movement between the object and the imaging system, comprising:(a) a collection lens disposed so that light traveling from the object passes through the collection lens and travels along a collection path, said collection lens substantially collimating light from the object;(b) a light dispersing element disposed in the collection path so as to disperse the light that has passed through the collection lens, producing dispersed light;(c) an imaging lens disposed to receive the dispersed light, producing an image from the dispersed light; and(d) a time delay integration (TDI) detector disposed to receive the image produced by the imaging lens, said image clearly separately distinguishing components included in the object, producing an output signal that is indicative of at least one characteristic of the object, 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.