US3765775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical internal quality analyzer
Assignee: NEOTEC Corp A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for measuring the optical density of an object in which the object is illuminated with light of different wavelengths in a continuous sequence. The level of light transmitted through or, alternatively, reflected by the object during each illumination is measured by means of a photodetector. The photodetector output for each wavelength is converted in an analyzer unit to a measurement of transmissive or reflective optical density. The analyzer unit is controlled by selected synchronization signals which are generated during illumination and correspond to the illumination sequence. The analyzer unit samples and stores values of optical density at a pair of wavelengths corresponding to the synchronization signals and produces a digital output representing either absolute optical density at one of the wavelengths or the difference between the optical densities at the pair of wavelengths.
Inventors
- 👤 E Ganssle
- 👤 D Webster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/51; G01J3/501
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
Optical measuring apparatus, comprising a light source, a plurality of optical filters, filter wheel means mounted for rotation between said light source and an object to be optically analyzed and carrying said filters for sequential registration thereof in the optical path between said light source and said object, light sensitive means operatively positioned to produce an output indicative of the light received from said light source via said object, a logarithmic amplier operatively receiving the output of said light sensitive means, drive means for causing regular rotation of said wheel means, first indexing means formed on said filter wheel means for indicating each complete revolution of said wheel means, second indexing means formed on said wheel means for indicating registration of each said filter in said optical path, means responsive to said first and second indexing means for providing corresponding first and second sinc signals, counter means operatively receiving said second sinc signal as a load input thereto and said first sinc signal as a reset input for producing parallel outputs corresponding respectively to said filters, said counter means providing gate signals at each one of said parallel outputs when the corresponding filter is in the optical path, a pair of sample and hold circuit means each operatively receiving the output of said logarithmic amplifier and each controlled by a different one of said gate signals to sample the output of said logarithmic amplifier at times corresponding to the illumination of the object by light of one respective wavelength, and differential amplifier means operatively receiving the output of each of said circuit means for producing an output indicative of the difference in optical density for the two respective wavelengths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
Optical measuring apparatus, comprising a light source, a plurality of optical filters, filter wheel means mounted for rotation between said light source and an object to be optically analyzed and carrying said filters for sequential registration thereof in the optical path between said light source and said object, light sensitive means operatively positioned to produce an output indicative of the light received from said light source via said object, a logarithmic amplier operatively receiving the output of said light sensitive means, drive means for causing regular rotation of said wheel means, first indexing means formed on said filter wheel means for indicating each complete revolution of said wheel means, second indexing means formed on said wheel means for indicating registration of each said filter in said optical path, means responsive to said first and second indexing means for providing corresponding first and second sinc signals, counter means operatively receiving said second sinc signal as a load input thereto and said first sinc signal as a reset input for producing parallel outputs corresponding respectively to said filters, said counter means providing gate signals at each one of said parallel outputs when the corresponding filter is in the optical path, a pair of sample and hold circuit means each operatively receiving the output of said logarithmic amplifier and each controlled by a different one of said gate signals to sample the output of said logarithmic amplifier at times corresponding to the illumination of the object by light of one respective wavelength, and differential amplifier means operatively receiving the output of each of said circuit means for producing an output indicative of the difference in optical density for the two respective wavelengths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein further including means for selectively inactivating one of said sample and hold circuit means so that the output of said differential amplifier is indicative of optical density for one of said filters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising digital display means, and analog to digital converter means operatively receiving said differential amplifier output for producing a digital output to said display means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising support means for operatively positioning said object between said illuminating means and said light sensitive means so that said light sensitive means produces an output indicative of the level of light transmitted through said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising linkage means for moving said support means to and from a predetermined position relative to said illuminating means, and means cooperating with said linkage means for maintaining said position despite variations in the size of said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said maintaining means includes resilient means and fixed stop means positioned between said support means and said illuminating means, said resilient means being operatively connected to said linkage means for providing a stable position for said support means in which said object is loaded onto said support means anD for urging said support means toward said stop means when said support means is moved from said stable position such that said object is forced against said stop means and is retained thereby in said predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising support means for operatively positioning said object in a manner such that said object reflects the light from said illuminating means towards said light sensitive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising linkage means for moving said support means to and from a predetermined position relative to said illuminating means, and means cooperating with said linkage means for maintaining said predetermined position despite variations in the size of said object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said maintaining means includes resilient means and stop means positioned between said support means and said illuminating means, said resilient means being operatively connected to said linkage means for providing a stable position for said support means in which said object is loaded onto said support means and for urging said support means toward said stop means when said support means is moved from said stable position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said maintaining means includes spacer means interposed between said support means and said stop means for determining said predetermined position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said light sensitive means is operatively mounted on said spacer means to receive light reflected from said object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of switch means are respectively connected between the parallel outputs of said counter means and a corresponding one of said circuit means for selectively interrupting or passing each gate signal to the corresponding one of said circuit means, and mode selector means for closing selective pairs of said switch means to pass the corresponding gate signals to the corresponding circuit means, said mode selector means including means for selectively inactivating one of said circuit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
Optical measuring apparatus comprising support means for supporting an object to be optically analyzed, means for illuminating the object supported by said support means, a linkage means for moving said support means toward and away from said illuminating means, stop means to limit the motion of said support means towards said illuminating means to establish a predetermined position for said object relative to said illuminating means, a wall surrounding said object when said support means has been moved by said linkage to place said object in said predetermined position, said wall spacing said support from said stop means to establish said predetermined position and blocking external light from said object when said object is in said predetermined position, and light sensitive means mounted on said wall to receive light reflected from said object when said object is in said predetermined position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
Optical measuring apparatus comprising support means for supporting an object to be optically analyzed, means for illuminating the object supported by said support means, a linkage means for moving said support means toward and away from said illuminating means, stop means to limit the motion of said support means towards said illuminating means to establish a predetermined position for said object relative to said illuminating means, a wall surrounding said object when said support means has been moved by said linkage to place said object in said predetermined position, said wall spacing said support from said stop means to establish said predetermined position and blocking external light from said object when said object is in said predetermined position, and light sensitive means mounted on said wall to receive light reflected from said object when said object is in said predetermined position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |