Multiplexed Camera Arrays With Circumferential LED Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical systems face challenges in achieving high resolution, high throughput, and compact design while providing uniform illumination for fast and accurate reading of registration fiducial marks on manufacturing substrates like printed circuit boards and semiconductor wafers.

Innovation Solution

A multiplexed image acquisition device with a staggered array of cameras and circumferentially arranged photon emitters, including concentric rings of LEDs with different wavelengths, is used to provide spatially and angularly uniform illumination, utilizing collimators and deflectors for efficient light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple photon emitters are arranged to illuminate each camera's field of view, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each photon emitter is designed to illuminate multiple fields of view simultaneously. The circumferential arrangement allows each emitter to serve multiple cameras, making the illumination system multi-functional and reducing the total number of emitters needed while maintaining uniform illumination across all fields of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple illumination functions into a single circumferential arrangement of photon emitters. By positioning emitters around each camera and designing their optical paths to overlap, the system merges multiple illumination roles into one integrated structure, simplifying the overall device while achieving uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If a compact arrangement of cameras and photon emitters is used, then system size is reduced, but illumination coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidillumination coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a linear or planar arrangement to a three-dimensional circumferential configuration. By positioning photon emitters in rings around each camera and utilizing vertical stacking of cameras at different heights, the system expands into the third dimension, achieving comprehensive illumination coverage within a compact volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs nested circumferential arrangements where inner rings of photon emitters illuminate closer fields of view while outer rings illuminate more distant fields. This nested structure allows multiple illumination zones to be packed efficiently within a compact form factor, maximizing coverage while minimizing system size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If photon emitters are arranged in concentric rings with different wavelengths, then spectral diversity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral diversityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential arrangement is segmented into multiple concentric rings, with each ring containing photon emitters of specific wavelengths. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where each ring can be assembled and tested independently, then combined into the complete multi-wavelength system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the circumferential arrangement (inner vs. outer rings) are assigned different wavelengths based on local illumination requirements. This local quality approach allows optimization of each ring's spectral characteristics for its specific function while maintaining a standardized overall structure that simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables high-resolution, high-throughput imaging with compact form factor, allowing single-pass scanning and uniform illumination, reducing system size and improving scanning speed and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The invention also includes a multiplicity of collimators, each collimator associated with a corresponding photon emitter of the second plurality of photon emitters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimation:

Implementation Method 2

The invention also includes at least one deflecting element for deflecting the collimated light output by the at least one collimator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS12464213B2Multiplexed photon emitter and camera configuration for an image acquisition device

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 ORBOTECH LTD

AI summary

An image acquisition device including a first plurality of cameras arranged in a mutually spaced configuration, each having a field of view, each field of view lying in a plane and a second plurality of photon emitters arranged in a multiplicity of generally circumferential arrangements about each camera of the first plurality of cameras, at least one photon emitter within the generally circumferential arrangement directing light to a field of view of one of the first plurality of cameras that is not the closest field of view thereto.