Patent ID: 6917695
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming a high contrast image of a patterned object comprising: a first lens including; an imaging surface against which a patterned object to be imaged is to be placed; at least one light receiving surface adjacent to the imaging surface and through which light enters the first lens; and a viewing surface opposite to the light entrance surface and through which an image of the patterned object to be imaged is projected; a second lens adjacent to the viewing surface and for receiving and focusing an image of the patterned object projected through the viewing surface; and at least one light source for projecting incident light into the first lens and located adjacent to the light entrance surface to project incident light between the viewing surface and the imaging surface wherein at least a portion of the incident light undergoes total internal reflection between and off of both the imaging surface and the viewing surface without passing through the viewing surface such that the image of the patterned object is generated by substantially all scattered light from the imaging surface.