Patent ID: 6608682
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: B01J,C07K,C12Q,G01J,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An imaging system adapted to determine one or more characteristics of an object from an image of the object while there is relative movement between the object and the imaging system, comprising:(a) a collection lens disposed so that light from the object passes through the collection lens and travels along a collection path; (b) at least one image lens disposed to receive light that has passed through the collection lens, thereby producing an image that is directed toward a predetermined location; (c) a plurality of light reflecting elements disposed to receive light that has passed through the collection lens, each light reflecting element reflecting light of a predefined characteristic along a different reflected light path, and passing light that does not have that characteristic, such that light from the object passes through each light reflecting only once; and (d) a plurality of time delay integration (TDI) detectors, disposed such that for each light reflecting element, a TDI detector is positioned to receive an image of the object from one of reflected and transmitted light from that light reflecting element, each TDI detector producing an output signal that is indicative of at least one characteristic of the object, each 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.