Spectrometry system with visible aiming beam

Abstract

A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT / IL2016 / 050130, filed Feb. 4, 2016, entitled “SPECTROMETRY SYSTEM WITH VISIBLE AIMING BEAM” (attorney docket no. 45151-706.601), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 112,553, filed on Feb. 5, 2015, entitled “Spectrometry System with Visible Aiming Beam” (attorney docket no. 45151-706.101), U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 154,585, filed on Apr. 29, 2015, entitled “Spectrometry System with Visible Aiming Beam” (attorney docket no. 45151-706.102), U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 161,728, filed on May 14, 2015, entitled “Spectrometry System with Visible Aiming Beam” (attorney docket no. 45151-706.103), U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 190,524, filed on Jul. 9, 2015, entitled “Spectrometry System with Visible Aiming Beam” (attorney docket no. 45151-706.104), U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 258,341, filed on Nov. 20, 2...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present disclosure provides improved spectrometer methods and apparatus. A spectrometer may be used to determine one or more spectra of an object, and the one or more spectra may be associated with one or more attributes of the object that are relevant to the user. While the spectrometer can take many forms, in many instances the spectrometer comprises a hand held spectrometer with wavelength multiplexing in which a plurality of wavelengths are used to illuminate the object and measure the one or more spectra. The handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. The visible aiming beam may comprise the spectrometer measurement beam, or a separate beam. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to

Problems solved by technology

However, these instruments have typically been too large and too costly for the consumer market.

Although prior spectrometers with decreased size have been proposed, the prior spectrometers having decreased size and optical path length can have less than ideal resolution, sensitivity and less accuracy than would be ideal.

Also, the cost of prior spectrometers can be greater than would be ideal.

The prior spectrometers can be somewhat bulky, difficult to transport and the optics can require more alignment than

Images