Patent Document ID: 6122045
Application ID: 09326957
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. An apparatus for generating a 360.degree. view of a surface area of a three-dimensional object and inspecting the surface area for flaws or imperfections, comprising: first means defining a first field of view for generating a first, two-dimensional image of the first field of view corresponding to a front surface section of the object, wherein the first means defines an optical axis extending through the object, and an origin located on the optical axis within the object and spaced a first predetermined distance from the first means; second means defining a second field of view for generating a second, two-dimensional image of the second field of view corresponding to a first rear surface section of the object, wherein the second means is spaced a second predetermined distance from the origin on another side of the object relative to the first means, and the second image is defined in part by a first central ray defining a first angle of incidence with respect to the second means; third means defining a third field of view for generating a third, two-dimensional image of the third field of view corresponding to a second rear surface section of the object, wherein the third means is spaced a third predetermined distance from the origin on another side of the object relative to the first means, and on another side of the optical axis relative to the second means, and the third image is defined in part by a second central ray defining a second angle of incidence with respect the third means; and wherein the second and third predetermined distances and the first and second angles of incidence of the second and third means are each selected to simultaneously generate the first two-dimensional image of the front surface section, and the second and third two-dimensional images of the first and second rear surface sections in an image pattern forming a 360.degree. view of the surface area.