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US4439010A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for combining optical images

Assignee: Spectron Development Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1982-04-01
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Granted: 1984-03-27
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Expires: 2002-04-01
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for combining optical images which is particularly suited for use in integrated circuit lead wire gang bonding systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes an objective lens to gather and focus light rays reflected from an object, such as a microelectronic device. A beamsplitter provides first and second images of the object which are inverted with respect to one another. The images are directed onto mirrowed prism surfaces, such that only selected portions of the first and second images actually strike each prism face. That portion of each image which does strike the respective prism face is reflected upward and combined to form one resulting image. Viewing means are provided to view the resultant image.

Inventors

  • 👤 James L. Doty

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/1066; G02B27/14; G02B27/143; G02B27/144

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 211 words
An apparatus for viewing selected portions of an object, comprising: light gathering means for gathering and focusing light rays from said object; a first light reflecting surface; a second light reflecting surface oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to said first light reflecting surface; beamsplitting means for splitting said light rays into first and second object images, said first and second object images having different spatial orientations such that said second object image is inverted with respect to said first object image; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image; positioning means for selectively positioning said first and second surfaces along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto said reflecting surfaces; viewing means positioned above said first and second light reflecting surfaces for viewing said resultant image; whereby selected portions of said object image are combined to form a single resultant image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 211 words
An apparatus for viewing selected portions of an object, comprising: light gathering means for gathering and focusing light rays from said object; a first light reflecting surface; a second light reflecting surface oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to said first light reflecting surface; beamsplitting means for splitting said light rays into first and second object images, said first and second object images having different spatial orientations such that said second object image is inverted with respect to said first object image; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image; positioning means for selectively positioning said first and second surfaces along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto said reflecting surfaces; viewing means positioned above said first and second light reflecting surfaces for viewing said resultant image; whereby selected portions of said object image are combined to form a single resultant image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said first and second light reflecting surfaces comprise surfaces of a prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said object images are directed onto said respective light reflecting surfaces at generally a 45 degree angle relative to the normal of each surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 3, further including: beamsplitting means for splitting said first object image; additional viewing means for viewing said first object image.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 197 words
An apparatus for combining images of a first and second object, comprising: first light gathering means for providing an image of said first object; second light gathering means for providing an image of said second object; a first light reflecting surface; a second light reflecting surface; said first and second light reflecting surfaces being oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to one another; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first light reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second light reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image; positioning means for selectively positioning said first and second surfaces along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto reflecting said surfaces; viewing means positioned above said first and second light reflecting surfaces for viewing said resultant image; whereby selected portions of said first and second object images are combined to form a single resultant image.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 197 words
An apparatus for combining images of a first and second object, comprising: first light gathering means for providing an image of said first object; second light gathering means for providing an image of said second object; a first light reflecting surface; a second light reflecting surface; said first and second light reflecting surfaces being oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to one another; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first light reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second light reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image; positioning means for selectively positioning said first and second surfaces along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto reflecting said surfaces; viewing means positioned above said first and second light reflecting surfaces for viewing said resultant image; whereby selected portions of said first and second object images are combined to form a single resultant image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said first and second light reflecting surfaces comprise surfaces of a prism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6, wherein said first and second object images are directed onto said respective light reflecting surfaces at generally a 45 degree angle relative to the normal of each surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 261 words
An apparatus for viewing selected portions of an object, comprising: light gathering means for gathering and focusing light rays from said object; a prism including a first light reflecting surface, and a second light reflecting surface oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to said first light reflecting surface; first beamsplitting means for splitting said light rays into first and second object images, said first and second object images having different spatial orientations, such that said second object image is inverted with respect to said first object image; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image, said object images being directed onto said respective light reflecting surfaces at generally a 45 degree angle relative to the normal of each surface; positioning means for selectively positioning said prism along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said first and second surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto said surfaces; second beamsplitting means for splitting said first object image; first viewing means positioned above said prism for viewing said resultant image, and second viewing means in optical alignment with said second beamsplitter for viewing said first object image; whereby selected portions of said object image are combined to form a single resultant image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 261 words
An apparatus for viewing selected portions of an object, comprising: light gathering means for gathering and focusing light rays from said object; a prism including a first light reflecting surface, and a second light reflecting surface oriented substantially 90 degrees with respect to said first light reflecting surface; first beamsplitting means for splitting said light rays into first and second object images, said first and second object images having different spatial orientations, such that said second object image is inverted with respect to said first object image; light directing means for selectively directing at least some portion of said first object image onto said first reflecting surface, and for directing at least some portion of said second object image onto said second reflecting surface, such that said first and second object images reflected from said surfaces form a single resultant image, said object images being directed onto said respective light reflecting surfaces at generally a 45 degree angle relative to the normal of each surface; positioning means for selectively positioning said prism along an axis defined by the bisector of said 90 degree angle between said first and second surfaces, such that only a desired portion of said first and second object images is directed onto said surfaces; second beamsplitting means for splitting said first object image; first viewing means positioned above said prism for viewing said resultant image, and second viewing means in optical alignment with said second beamsplitter for viewing said first object image; whereby selected portions of said object image are combined to form a single resultant image.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1864895A Cited
US2040066A Cited
US3218908A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-03-27 1987-09-26 1988-03-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-03-27 1991-09-26 1992-03-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-03-27 1995-09-26 1996-03-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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