Patent Description:
Prior art is described in <CIT>, <NPL>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to the invention, an instrument as defined in claim <NUM> is provided.

At least one of the assembly mounts can include a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly and a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly. The first integral seat and the second integral seat can be separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway that extends along the at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts.

A first of the assembly mounts can be aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument, a second of the plurality of assembly mounts can be aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument, and a third of the plurality of assembly mounts can be aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway in the instrument. The plurality of optical components can be aligned and secured in the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts, and an assembly mount cover can be secured over the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts.

A forth of the assembly mounts can also be aligned at one end of the first optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly of the instrument. A fifth of the assembly mounts can be positioned about an intersection of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway to secure the diffraction grating. A sixth of the plurality of assembly mounts can be positioned about an intersection of the second optical pathway and the third optical pathway to secure the DMD; and the sixth of the plurality of assembly mounts includes a number of baffles integral to the base platform.

The instrument can also include a motor and a reference paddle mechanically coupled to a shaft of the motor. The reference paddle can include a reference material for calibration of the instrument, and the motor can be configured to rotate the reference paddle to cover a sample window of the instrument for calibration of the instrument. The motor can also include a shaft that extends through a sample platform of the instrument and a sample tray mechanically coupled to the shaft of the motor. The instrument can also include a motor having a shaft configured to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement.

In another example, a method of assembly for an instrument according to claim <NUM> is provided.

The first of the integral assembly mounts can be aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument. The second of the integral assembly mounts can be aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument.

Aspects of the embodiments described herein can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positionings can be exaggerated to help visually convey certain principles. In the drawings, similar reference numerals between figures designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily the same, elements.

According to aspects of the embodiments described herein, Digital Light Processing (DLP) Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) (DLP-DMD) technology is incorporated into a low-cost, commercial production spectrophotometer using an integral, singular-unit base platform or chassis assembly. The base platform or chassis assembly includes a number of optical assembly mounts. The base platform assembly facilitates the assembly of optics in a predetermined, pre-aligned spectrophotometer configuration for taking spectral measurements of various samples, including natural and synthetic food and agricultural products, among others. Features of the embodiments include a simple-to-use, pre-aligned optical and electronic base platform assembly, an automatic reference reflector, and a rotating sample tray. The embodiments can also rely upon spectral region measurement stitching, spectral and calibration transfer between instruments, and the alignment of spectra with specialized wavelength standards, photometric standards, and lineshape correction methods.

In one example described below, an instrument includes a diffraction grating to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector, and a base platform having a number of integrally formed assembly mounts. The assembly mounts are formed to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and other optical components of the instrument in a predetermined arrangement. The instrument can also include a reference paddle having a reference material for calibration of the instrument, and a rotatable sample tray to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement.

Turning to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates an example spectrophotometer <NUM> according to an embodiment described herein. Before continuing with a description of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, it is noted that <FIG> is provided as a representative example for discussion. The example shown in <FIG> is not necessarily drawn to scale, does not exhaustively illustrate every part, piece, or component of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. Other arrangements of similar, additional, or fewer components can be used to achieve any number of the advantages described herein.

Among other components, the spectrophotometer <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM>, a sample platform <NUM> positioned at a top side of the enclosure <NUM>, a power supply module <NUM>, a computer control module <NUM>, a support chassis <NUM>, and a DLP-DMD measurement unit <NUM> ("measurement unit <NUM>"). The measurement unit <NUM> is secured by the support chassis <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM>.

The enclosure <NUM> can be embodied as any suitable case or enclosure, formed from plastic, metal, rubber, other materials, and/or combinations thereof, for enclosing and securing the components of the spectrophotometer <NUM>. Similarly, the support chassis <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM> can be formed from plastic, metal, rubber, and other materials suitable for supporting and securing the measurement unit <NUM>, the sample platform <NUM>, and other components of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. Both the enclosure <NUM> and the support chassis <NUM> can be embodied as a number of parts and/or pieces secured together using any suitable means, such as mechanical interferences or joints, mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, pins, interlocks), adhesives, etc..

At the top of the enclosure <NUM>, the sample platform <NUM> includes a sample window <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As discussed in further detail below, samples for measurement by the spectrophotometer <NUM> can be placed in a sample cup, for example, and placed over the sample window <NUM> for measurement by the measurement unit <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> and analysis by the computer control module <NUM>.

The power supply module <NUM> can be embodied as any suitable power supply (e.g., switch-mode, regulated, or other power supply) to provide power to the computer control module <NUM>, the measurement unit <NUM>, and other components of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, such as stepper and/or servo motors, solenoids, relays, and fans, among other components. In that context, the power supply module <NUM> can convert power from line voltage to lower voltage direct current power suitable for components in the spectrophotometer <NUM>.

The computer control module <NUM> can be embodied as one or more circuits, processors, processing circuits, memory devices, or any combination thereof configured to control components in the spectrophotometer <NUM>. For example, the computer control module <NUM> can be configured to capture, store, and analyze data captured by a detector in the measurement unit <NUM>, as described in further detail below. The computer control module <NUM> can also be configured to forward and/or display data to other computing or display device(s), receive control instructions or feedback through I/O interfaces (e.g., keyboards, keypads, touchpads, pointing devices) of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, and store and process various types of data.

<FIG> illustrates a representative block diagram of the example spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG> according to an embodiment described herein. In <FIG>, a number of components of the measurement unit <NUM> are shown. Additionally, a representative sample tray <NUM>, sample tray drive motor <NUM>, reference paddle <NUM>, and reference paddle actuator <NUM> are shown. In the example shown in <FIG>, the reference paddle <NUM> is positioned within the enclosure <NUM>, and the sample tray <NUM> is positioned outside the enclosure <NUM>. The representative sample tray <NUM>, sample tray drive motor <NUM>, reference paddle <NUM>, and reference paddle actuator <NUM> are described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Among other components, the measurement unit <NUM> includes a light source assembly <NUM>, an optical focusing assembly <NUM>, a diffraction grating <NUM>, another optical focusing assembly <NUM>, a digital micromirror device (DMD) <NUM>, an optical collimating assembly <NUM>, and a detector <NUM>. The light source assembly <NUM> includes a light source <NUM> and an entrance optics assembly <NUM>.

The entrance optics assembly <NUM> is aligned with an entrance opening <NUM> in a cover of the measurement unit <NUM>. During operation of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, light from the light source <NUM> can travel along an optical pathway <NUM> in the light source assembly <NUM>, through the sample window <NUM>, and illuminate a sample placed on, in, or over the sample tray <NUM>. Light reflected (and not absorbed) off the sample can travel along an optical pathway <NUM>, through the entrance optics assembly <NUM>, and through the entrance opening <NUM> in the cover of the measurement unit <NUM>. The cover of the measurement unit <NUM> is described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the light source <NUM> can include a halogen lamp or light bulb, although any source of broadband light suitable for the application can be relied upon among embodiments. The entrance optics assembly <NUM> can include optical elements that collimate light reflected off the sample, such as one or more spaced-apart expander and/or plano-convex lenses or other elements, without limitation. The entrance opening <NUM> can include a slit or other opening though which at least a portion of the light reflected off the sample can be passed through the cover of the measurement unit <NUM>. In some cases, entrance opening <NUM> can be selectively covered and/or uncovered by a mechanical or electrical shutter (e.g., a liquid crystal, LCD, or similar device). The shutter can be actuated and controlled by the computer control module <NUM>, for example, during various operations of the spectrophotometer <NUM>, such as during dark scans, calibration or reference scans, and live scan operations, for example.

After passing through the entrance opening <NUM> along the optical pathway <NUM>, light reflected off the sample can pass through the optical focusing assembly <NUM> to reach the diffraction grating <NUM>. The optical focusing assembly <NUM> can include one or more spaced-apart lenses, such as the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> and the optical filter <NUM> (e.g., optical bandwidth filter) shown in <FIG>. As described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>, the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> and optical bandpass filter <NUM> can be secured in an optical assembly mount of a base platform of the measurement unit <NUM>.

The diffraction grating <NUM> can be embodied as a grating selected to disperse the light reflected off the sample into a range of wavelengths of light. For example, the diffraction grating <NUM> can disperse light over the ultra-violet (UV) to visible (VIS) range of wavelengths. In another case, the diffraction grating <NUM> can disperse light over the near-infrared (NIR) to infrared (IR) range of wavelengths. In various embodiments, the diffraction grating <NUM> can be selected to disperse light over any desired range of wavelengths.

The diffraction grating <NUM> can be embodied as substrates of various sizes with parallel grooves replicated on their surfaces, as would be appreciated in the art. The diffraction grating <NUM> disperses the light reflected off the sample by spatially separating it according to wavelength. Various methods of manufacture of diffraction gratings are known in the field, and the diffraction grating <NUM> can be manufactured using any known method, such as by replication from master gratings, interferometric control, holographic generation, ion etching, or lithography, for example. The diffraction grating <NUM> can also include a coating of reflective material over the grooves, to reflect light. The diffraction grating <NUM> can be sourced from any manufacturer of diffraction gratings, such as Optometrics Corporation of Littleton, MA, Grating Works of Acton, MA, or Richardson Gratings™ of Rochester, NY, for example, among others.

After being dispersed by the diffraction grating <NUM>, the light reflected off the sample can travel through the optical focusing assembly <NUM> along the optical pathway <NUM> to reach the DMD <NUM>. The optical focusing assembly <NUM> can include one or more spaced-apart lenses, such as the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As described in further detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> can be secured in an optical assembly mount of the base platform of the measurement unit <NUM>.

The DMD <NUM> can be embodied as an array of hundreds of thousands to millions of micromirrors. The micromirrors of the DMD <NUM> can be controlled, respectively, by the computer control module <NUM> (and/or additional electronic components) to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the dispersed wavelengths of light from the diffraction grating <NUM> along the optical pathway <NUM> toward the detector <NUM>. Using the DMD <NUM>, one or more wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths can be reflected toward the detector <NUM> for measurement over time. Individual wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths can be selected over time (e.g., scanned) by the computer control module <NUM> by selectively turning columns of micromirrors in the DMD <NUM> on or off, to reflect desired wavelengths to the detector <NUM>. The DMD <NUM> allows for the use of a high-performance detector <NUM>, while providing wavelength selection agility and speed in the spectrophotometer <NUM>. Further, the DMD <NUM> allows for mechanical stability in the spectrophotometer <NUM> because it is not necessary to pivot or rotate the diffraction grating <NUM> as compared to conventional techniques.

After being reflected by the DMD <NUM>, the light reflected off the sample can travel through the optical collimating assembly <NUM> along the optical pathway <NUM> to reach the detector <NUM>. The optical collimating assembly <NUM> can include one or more spaced-apart lenses, such as the lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As described in further detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> can be secured in an optical assembly mount of the base platform of the measurement unit <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> is configured to measure the intensity of the light reflected off the sample (or the fraction of the light absorbed by the sample at specific wavelengths, i.e., the absorbance of the sample). The detector <NUM> further converts the light to one or more electrical signals for analysis by the computer control module <NUM>. In the computer control module <NUM>, the electrical signals can be converted (e.g., using one or more analog to digital converters) to data values from which a quantitative analysis of a variety of characteristics of the sample, including constituent analysis, moisture content, protein content, fat content, fiber content, amino acid content, taste, texture, viscosity, etc., can be determined. The detector <NUM> can include one or more charge-coupled device (CCD), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), or other ultraviolet through infrared image or light sensors that observe the reflection of light from the sample at one or more points of illumination. The field of view of the detector <NUM> can be restricted based on the relative geometry and/or placement of the lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to maximize the collection of energy while minimizing the light inclusion of stray light.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down view and <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the base platform <NUM> of the measurement unit <NUM> in the example spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The embodiment of the base platform <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is provided as a representative example. In other cases, the base platform <NUM> can include other arrangements (and numbers) of assembly mounts and seats within the assembly mounts.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base platform <NUM> includes a number of assembly mounts which are described in further detail below. A number of the assembly mounts are aligned along (and/or interfere with) one or more of the optical pathways <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Some of the assembly mounts can be used to secure one or more lenses, optical filters, and/or other components in a predetermined, pre-aligned arrangement. Other assembly mounts can be used to secure one or more gratings, such as the diffraction grating <NUM>, and electrical or optical-electrical components, such as the DMD <NUM> and the detector <NUM>.

In one aspect of the invention the base platform <NUM> is formed as a single, integral unit. To that end, the base platform <NUM> is formed using an additive manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing processes include those processes by which three-dimensional (3D) objects can be formed by adding layer-upon-layer of the same material. Additive manufacturing processes include many technologies including 3D printing, rapid prototyping (RP), direct digital manufacturing (DDM), layered manufacturing, and additive fabrication. The process can be conducted using any suitable material, such as a plastic or polymer (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, plastic resin, etc.), poly-foam, Delrin®, metal, etc..

During the additive manufacturing process, the assembly mounts of the base platform <NUM> are formed to include a number of seats to secure one or more lenses, optical filters, and/or other components of the measurement unit <NUM> in a predetermined, pre-aligned arrangement. Starting with the base platform <NUM>, the measurement unit <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> can be assembled relatively quickly and easily in a repeatable fashion. Specifically, each of the lenses, optical filters, and/or other components of the measurement unit <NUM> can be inserted and secured into a corresponding seat in an assembly mount of the base platform <NUM>.

Each of the lenses, optical filters, and/or other components of the measurement unit <NUM> may take a different form, shape, and/or size. Thus, the seats for each of the components can, similarly, take a different form, shape, and/or size. In some cases, each of the components will fit into one and only one seat (and possibly in only one orientation) in the base platform <NUM>. In that case, the measurement unit <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> can be assembled in only one way.

Referring between <FIG> and <FIG>, the base platform <NUM> includes the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, for securing the light source assembly <NUM>, the optical focusing assembly <NUM>, the diffraction grating <NUM>, the optical focusing assembly <NUM>, the DMD <NUM>, and the optical collimating assembly <NUM> and detector <NUM>, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are spaced along the optical pathways <NUM> and <NUM>. The assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced along the optical pathway <NUM>. The assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are spaced along the optical pathway <NUM>.

To assemble the measurement unit <NUM>, the light source <NUM> and the entrance optics assembly <NUM> can be secured within the assembly mount <NUM> by sliding them into openings within the assembly mount <NUM> and securing them in place using mechanical interferences or joints, mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, pins, interlocks), adhesives, etc. Similarly, the diffraction grating <NUM> can be secured within the assembly mount <NUM> by sliding it into the assembly mount <NUM> and securing it in place with any suitable means. The DMD <NUM> can also be secured within or to the assembly mount <NUM> by sliding it into the assembly mount <NUM> and securing it in place with any suitable means. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the assembly mount <NUM> includes a number of baffles <NUM> and <NUM> to mitigate or block stray light within the measurement unit <NUM>.

The lenses <NUM> and <NUM> and the optical filter <NUM> of the optical focusing assembly <NUM> can be placed and secured into the seats <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the assembly mount <NUM>. Similarly, the lenses <NUM> and <NUM> of the optical focusing assembly <NUM> can be placed and secured into the seats <NUM> and <NUM> of the assembly mount <NUM>. The lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the optical collimating assembly <NUM> can also be placed and secured into the seats <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the assembly mount <NUM>. The detector <NUM> can be placed and secured into the seat <NUM> of the assembly mount <NUM>.

The components (e.g., lenses, filters, mirrors, gratings, detectors, etc.) of the measurement unit <NUM> can be secured into the seats of the base platform <NUM> by being placed within and, in some cases, held in place by mechanical contact, foam spacers, adhesives, or other means. Further, after various components have been seated into the seats <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be closed using one or more assembly mount covers, such as the assembly mount cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The assembly mount cover <NUM> can include seats corresponding in size and position with the seats <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

One or more of the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can include holes (e.g., see reference <NUM> in <FIG>), which can be threaded in some cases. The assembly mount cover <NUM> can also include holes, one of which is designated by reference <NUM> in <FIG>. After various components have been seated into the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the assembly mount cover <NUM> can be placed over the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Among other fasteners, a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, can be passed through the hole <NUM> of the assembly mount cover <NUM> and threaded into the hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the assembly mount <NUM> for securing the assembly mount cover <NUM> over the assembly mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In one example case, each of the seats <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is formed to have a predetermined size (e.g., length, width, height, radius of curvature, etc.) for a particular one of the components of the measurement unit <NUM>. Further, the placement of each of the components can be predetermined in a particular spaced-apart arrangement defined by the base platform <NUM> with respect to one or more of the optical pathways <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the seats <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced apart by the distance "A" along the optical pathway <NUM>, and the seats <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced apart by the distance "B" along the optical pathway <NUM>. In other embodiments, any of the seats shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be spaced-apart by other distances depending upon the types and arrangements of the components of the measurement unit <NUM>.

Again, once the base platform <NUM> is formed, the measurement unit <NUM> can be assembled relatively quickly and easily as each of the lenses, optical filters, and other components of the measurement unit <NUM> can be inserted and secured into a corresponding assembly mount and/or seat of the base platform <NUM>. In some cases, each of the components will fit into one and only one assembly mount and/or seat (and possibly in only one orientation) in the base platform <NUM>. In that case, the measurement unit <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> can be assembled in only one way. As compared to conventional techniques without the use of a base platform as described herein, it can be relatively time consuming and difficult to ensure that all the components of a spectrophotometer are aligned properly.

The base platform <NUM> also includes number of standoffs <NUM>-<NUM> and eyelets <NUM> and <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>, a cover can be mounted over the base platform <NUM>, seated into and against the channel <NUM> along a length of the bottom edge of the base platform <NUM>, and secured against the top ends of the standoffs <NUM>-<NUM> using screws or other mechanical fastening means. When the measurement unit <NUM> is fully assembled and the cover of the base platform <NUM> is secured, the measurement unit <NUM> can be secured to the support chassis <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The eyelets <NUM> and <NUM> can be used to pass wiring assemblies, harnesses, etc. between the components inside the measurement unit <NUM>, the power supply module <NUM>, and the computer control module <NUM>.

Before turning to <FIG>, it is again noted that the base platform <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> is provided as a representative example. Other base platforms for other instruments can include other numbers and arrangements of assembly mounts. In that sense, other base platforms can include assembly mounts aligned along optical pathways other than those shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, although the optical pathways <NUM> and <NUM> extend parallel to each other, and the optical pathway <NUM> extends at an angle φ with respect to the optical pathway <NUM>, assembly mounts can be formed at other positions in a base platform for alignment to other optical pathways at other angles with respect to each other in any suitable manner.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the base platform <NUM>, assembly mount cover <NUM> of the base platform <NUM>, and cover <NUM> of the measurement unit <NUM> in the example spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As described above, the base platform <NUM> includes a number of standoffs <NUM>-<NUM>. After the assembly mount cover <NUM> is secured to the base platform <NUM>, the cover <NUM> can be mounted over the base platform <NUM>, seated into and against the channel <NUM> along a length of the bottom edge of the base platform <NUM>, and secured against the top ends of the standoffs <NUM>-<NUM> using screws or other mechanical fastening means passed through holes <NUM>-<NUM> in the cover <NUM>. When the measurement unit <NUM> is fully assembled and the cover <NUM> of the base platform <NUM> is secured, the measurement unit <NUM> can be secured to the support chassis <NUM> within the enclosure <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM>.

<FIG>, respectively, illustrate top and bottom views of a sample platform <NUM> of the example spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the sample platform includes the sample window <NUM>. Light from the light source assembly <NUM> can pass through the sample window <NUM> and exit the enclosure <NUM> of the spectrophotometer <NUM> along optical pathway <NUM> (<FIG>). As also described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>, light that passes through the sample window <NUM> can illuminate a sample placed on, in, or over the sample tray <NUM> above the sample window <NUM>. Light reflected (and not absorbed) off the sample can travel back through the sample window <NUM> and into the measurement unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a motor <NUM> is secured to the bottom side of the sample platform <NUM>. A stepper or servo motor <NUM> is also secured to the bottom side of the sample platform <NUM>. As described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>, the computer control module <NUM> can also control the servo motor <NUM> to rotate a sample tray <NUM> placed over the sample window <NUM> in the sample platform <NUM>.

A reference paddle <NUM> is mechanically secured to a shaft of the motor <NUM>. When assembled with the motor <NUM> to the sample platform <NUM>, the reference paddle <NUM> occupies a recess <NUM> in the bottom of the sample platform <NUM>. The computer control module <NUM> can control the motor <NUM> to rotate the reference paddle <NUM> between a first position <NUM> in the recess <NUM> and a second position <NUM> in the recess <NUM>.

In the first position <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the reference paddle <NUM> covers the sample window <NUM>. As such, it interferes with the optical pathway <NUM> (<FIG>). In the first position <NUM>, light from the light source assembly <NUM> falls upon and is reflected off of the reference paddle <NUM> rather than passing through the sample window <NUM>. The reference paddle <NUM> includes a recessed area <NUM> for a reflective reference material. In one embodiment, the recessed area <NUM> can be covered in gold plating reflective reference material for calibration of the spectrophotometer <NUM>. In other embodiments, the recessed plating area <NUM> can be covered or plated using other reference materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), teflon, reflective metal(s), or a diffuse mirrored surface material, among others.

<FIG> illustrates the sample tray <NUM> of the example spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The sample tray <NUM> is mechanically coupled to a shaft of the stepper or servo motor <NUM> (<FIG>) through the sample platform <NUM>, and the computer control module <NUM> can also control the servo motor <NUM> to rotate the sample tray <NUM>. Thus, the sample tray <NUM> can be rotated at the direction of the computer control module <NUM>.

The sample tray <NUM> includes a sample cup adapter <NUM> mounted and secured thereto. As shown in <FIG>, the sample cup adapter <NUM> is mounted to the sample tray <NUM> above the sample window <NUM>. When a sample for measurement is placed in or on the sample cup adapter <NUM>, possibly in a sample cup or other fixture, it can be rotated. In other words, sample cup adapter <NUM> can be rotated along with the sample tray <NUM> using the stepper or servo motor <NUM>. The sample cup adapter <NUM> can be rotated at different (or variable) speeds, for example, from a few degrees per second to about <NUM> degrees per second based on control provided by the computer control module <NUM>.

By rotating the sample during measurements taken by the spectrophotometer <NUM>, measurements can be taken in a more representative and/or comprehensive manner because light can be reflected (or absorbed) off the sample at different times or over time from different positions or orientations of the sample.

In some embodiments, one or more aspects of spectral region measurement stitching, spectral and calibration transfer between instruments, and the alignment of spectra with specialized wavelength standards, photometric standards, and lineshape correction methods can be incorporated into the spectrophotometer <NUM>. For example, the aspects described in any of <CIT>, titled "SPECTROMETER SECONDARY REFERENCE CALIBRATION"; <CIT>, titled "SPECTROMETER REFERENCE CALIBRATION"; <CIT>, titled "TANDEM DISPERSIVE RANGE MONOCHROMATOR"; or <CIT>, titled "DATA BLENDING MULITPLE DISPERSIVE RANGE MONOCHROMATOR" can be incorporated into the spectrophotometer <NUM>. Further disclosures are <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>, titled "DATA BLENDING MULITPLE DISPERSIVE RANGE MONOCHROMATOR".

<FIG> illustrates an example schematic block diagram of processing circuitry which can be employed as the computer control module <NUM> in the spectrophotometer <NUM> shown in <FIG> according to an embodiment described herein. The processing circuitry <NUM> can be embodied, in part, using one or more elements of a general purpose or specialized embedded computer. The processing circuitry <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a Random Access Memory (RAM) <NUM>, a Read Only Memory (ROM) <NUM>, a memory device <NUM>, and an Input Output ("I/O") interface <NUM>. The elements of the processing circuitry <NUM> are communicatively coupled via a local interface <NUM>. The elements of the processing circuitry <NUM> described herein are not intended to be limiting in nature, and the processing circuitry <NUM> can include other elements.

In various embodiments, the processor <NUM> can comprise any well-known general purpose arithmetic processor, programmable logic device, state machine, or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), for example. The processor <NUM> can include one or more circuits, one or more microprocessors, ASICs, dedicated hardware, or any combination thereof. In certain aspects embodiments, the processor <NUM> is configured to execute one or more software modules. The processor <NUM> can further include memory configured to store instructions and/or code to various functions, as further described herein. In certain embodiments, the processor <NUM> can comprise a general purpose, state machine, or ASIC processor, and various processes can be implemented or executed by the general purpose, state machine, or ASIC processor according software execution, by firmware, or a combination of a software execution and firmware.

The RAM and ROM <NUM> and <NUM> can comprise any well-known random access and read only memory devices that store computer-readable instructions to be executed by the processor <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> stores computer-readable instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, direct the processor <NUM> to direct the spectrophotometer <NUM> to perform various aspects of the embodiments described herein.

As a non-limiting example group, the memory device <NUM> can comprise one or more non-transitory devices or mediums including an optical disc, a magnetic disc, a semiconductor memory (i.e., a semiconductor, floating gate, or similar flash based memory), MLC Negative-AND-based flash memory, a magnetic tape memory, a removable memory, combinations thereof, or any other known memory means for storing computer-readable instructions. The I/O interface <NUM> can comprise device input and output interfaces such as keyboard, pointing device, display, communication, and/or other interfaces, such as a network interface, for example. The local interface <NUM> electrically and communicatively couples the processor <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, the memory device <NUM>, and the I/O interface <NUM>, so that data and instructions can be communicated among them.

In certain aspects, the processor <NUM> is configured to retrieve computer-readable instructions and data stored on the memory device <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, and/or other storage means, and copy the computer-readable instructions to the RAM <NUM> or the ROM <NUM> for execution, for example. The processor <NUM> is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to implement various aspects and features of the embodiments described herein.

Claim 1:
An instrument (<NUM>), comprising:
a diffraction grating (<NUM>) to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths;
a detector (<NUM>);
a digital micromirror device (DMD) (<NUM>) configured to reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector; and
a plurality of assembly mounts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) integrally formed as a base platform (<NUM>) to align and secure the diffraction grating (<NUM>), the detector (<NUM>), the DMD (<NUM>), and a plurality of optical components (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the instrument (<NUM>) in a predetermined arrangement, wherein:
the base platform (<NUM>) is continuously formed from a single material using an additive manufacturing process; the plurality of the assembly mounts comprise a plurality of integral seats (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); each of the plurality of optical components (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the instrument (<NUM>) is seated into a respective one of the plurality of integral seats (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a unique predetermined arrangement relative to each other and the diffraction grating (<NUM>), the detector (<NUM>), and the DMD (<NUM>); and
the plurality of integral seats (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are individually separated by a predetermined spacing along at least one optical pathway (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in the instrument (<NUM>).