Optical fiber imaging system
DCFirst Claim
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1. An apparatus for viewing an object, comprising:
- an optical fiber bundle comprised of glass or polymeric optical fibers, the optical fiber bundle having a first end for pointing toward an object and a second end; and
a charge coupled device configured in relationship to the second end of the optical fiber bundle.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to polymeric fiber optic imaging bundles and their use for high resolution viewing of objects, including three-dimensional real time viewing of objects. The present invention also relates to an automated system for using these imaging bundles to view several objects with high resolution and to process this information rapidly to obtain and analyze characteristics of the exterior and interior surfaces of objects.
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21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for viewing an object, comprising:
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an optical fiber bundle comprised of glass or polymeric optical fibers, the optical fiber bundle having a first end for pointing toward an object and a second end; and a charge coupled device configured in relationship to the second end of the optical fiber bundle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for viewing a plurality of objects, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of optical fiber bundles, each of said plurality of optical fiber bundles comprising a plurality of tapered optical fibers, each of said plurality of optical fibers having a diameter in the range of from 4 micrometers to 100 micrometers and each of said optical fiber bundles comprising a first end for directing toward an object and extending to a second end; at least one lens configured in relationship to the first end or to the second end; and at least one charge coupled device configured in relationship to the second end.
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19. An apparatus for three-dimensional viewing of objects, comprising:
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a tapered, polymeric, optical fiber bundle with a first end and a second end, wherein the optical fibers are graded index optical fibers and transmit optical information; a charge coupled device configured in relationship to the second end of the optical fiber bundle; a graded index lens placed between the second end of the optical fiber bundle and the charge coupled device; an imaging board, wherein the imaging board is linked to the charge coupled device with a cable; and a computer containing software for processing the optical information. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification