Patent ID: 6212292
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
An optical microscope for use in creating an image of an object, the optical microscope comprising:a photosensor having a semiconductor surface responsive to light and at least one pair of contacts on said semiconductor surface spaced from each other to produce an output signal indicating a light-induced signal produced by said semiconductor surface in response to said light, an area between said pair of contacts forming a sample-holing surface to hold an object to be imaged;a light source operable to produce a beam of light;an actuator coupled to the light source to scan the beam of light relative to the sample-holding surface to cause a photo response in the sample-holding area as a function of scanning positions; andprocessing circuitry coupled to the contacts to receive the output signal and configured to:receive a background scan signal from the contacts when the beam of light strikes the sample-holding area during a background scan conducted without the object placed on the surface;create a background scan dataset indicating a value of the background scan signal at each of scanning positions on the sample-holding area;receive an object scan signal from the contacts when the beam of light strikes the sample-holding area during an object scan conducted with the object placed on the sample-holding area;create an object scan dataset indicating a value of the object scan signal at each of the scanning positions on the sample-holding area; andderive image data from the background scan dataset and the object scan dataset to create an image of the object.