Patent ID: 6034365
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A device for detecting the timing of multiple events that generate sources of light, comprising:a plurality of detectors for detecting a portion of the generated light and for producing outputs from each detector;lens means connected to the plurality of detectors and positioned between the sources of light and the plurality of detectors for focusing the generated light onto the plurality of detectors;filter means connected to the plurality of detectors and positioned between the sources of light and the plurality of detectors for filtering the generated light before it impinges onto the plurality of detectors, wherein the filter means comprises a pass-band filter for extracting a wavelength component of interest from the sources of light and passing the wavelength component of interest to the plurality of detectors;threshold detecting means connected to each of the detectors, the threshold detecting means connected to each of the detectors for receiving the outputs from each of the detectors and for producing a trigger signal when the output from a detector exceeds a predetermined threshold value;storage means connected to the threshold detecting means for receiving the trigger signal from the threshold detecting means and for storing the outputs from the detectors for a predetermined time period when the trigger signal is received; andtimer means connected to the threshold detector means and the storage means for receiving the trigger signal, producing clock pulses, counting a predetermined number of the clock pulses, and controlling the storage means to store the outputs from the detectors for the predetermined time period in accordance with the predetermined number of clock pulses.