<h3 style='margin:5px 0 20px'>Text from the patent</h3> The spectrometer as disclosed in the present invention is generally used for determining the<br /> optical characteristics of an object. The optical characteristics to be determined include, for example,<br /> reflection, transmission, or absorption spectra. Knowing the optical characteristics of an object is<br /> advantageous for any number of practical applications. For example, a user may desire to know the<br /> color of items such as paint, fabric, glass, hair coloring, etc. For color matching applications, the<br /> object may be a painted wall, a piece of furniture, a rug, a set of drapes, an article of clothing, a glass<br /> window, a painted automobile fender, hair, etc. Because the reflection spectra of a plant leaf is<br /> indicative of the health of the plant, the object also may be a plant leaf. The spectrometer may be used<br /> in a factory for quality control of inventory.For example, spectrometer may be used to compare the<br /> “whiteness” of newspaper. Reflection spectra also may be used to characterize solar reflecting glass,<br /> transmission of sunglasses, specialized mirrors and many other materials.

<h3 style='margin:5px 0 20px'>Text from the patent</h3> Referring to Figure 1, a layout of a spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The spectrometer 100 is positioned at a sufficient distance (such that the light reaches the slit) from an object whose spectral characteristics are to be measured. In order to form an object generated input signal, object is illuminated by a light external source 102. Light source 102 may be any source comprised of a single like laser, or plurality of wavelengths of energy, including, for example, a white light source, ambient light, flame, starlight, single or combination of LEDs or a combination of all of the previously stated sources etc. Each wavelength of energy will be in whole or in part reflected, transmitted or absorbed or emitted (in case of fluorescent objects) by object. Light reflected and/or transmitted by object passes onto a slit 104. After passing through the slit 104, the input signal diverges onto a lens system 106. The lens system 106 typically includes but not necessarily a plurality of different lenses that may be made up of different materials which act as one single system. The lens system 106 forms an aberration-corrected lens system. In an embodiment, individual lens need not be aberration corrected, the whole system of lenses as a whole is made aberration corrected. Aberration for which corrections are done in the lens include, but not limited to, defocus, Astigmatism, Tilt, Spherical aberrations, coma, distortion, petzval field curvature, chromatic aberrations, etc., or a combination of these. The lenses are aligned in the lens system 106 such that the different wavelengths contained in the input signal are focused at one plane. Also, the lenses in the lens system 106 are such that the image formed by them is free of any aberration. The present optical system 106 removes chromatic aberration that is caused when a normal lens is used. Moreover, the present lens system 106 is cost effective in comparison to a lens used for covering the wide angle of rays emerging through the slit 104.<br /> <br /> The lens system 106 directs the input signal onto a dispersion element 108. The dispersion element 108 is typically a diffraction grating. Diffraction grating may be any conventional diffraction grating, such as an etched grating or a holographic diffraction grating. Compact disks (CDs and DVDs) which are also a type of replicated holographic diffraction grating can also work. As the skilled artisan will appreciate, dispersion element 108 groove (line) spacing will determine the angular dispersion of the resulting spectrum.

<h3 style='margin:5px 0 20px'>Text from the patent</h3> Referring to Figure 3, a block diagram of the apparatus for measuring the spectral<br /> characteristics of an object is provided. The apparatus 300 includes a light source 302 for illuminating<br /> said object whose spectral characteristics are to be measured. The optical characteristics to be<br /> determined include, for example, but not limited to, reflectivity, transmissivity, or absorptivity or<br /> emissivity. Knowing the optical characteristics of an object is advantageous for any number of<br /> practical applications. For example, a user may desire to know the color of items such as paint, fabric,<br /> glass, hair coloring, etc. The light for illuminating the object light may come from any suitable source,<br /> for example a lamp such as a mercury vapor lamp, a light emitting diode or the like, an incandescent<br /> sample, and may be provided to optical aperture in any suitable manner, including directly, via light<br /> pipe, lens, mirror, or other suitable light conduit. However, an optical fiber is preferred.<br /> <br /> The apparatus 300 further includes a slit 304 positioned for receiving the light reflected<br /> and/or transmitted or emitted by said object and for diverging said light. An aberration-corrected<br /> optical system 306 is provided for receiving said diverging light signals from said slit, said aberrationcorrected<br /> optical system including a plurality of optical elements 308, wherein said optical elements<br /> are aligned in said aberration-corrected lens system such that the different wavelengths contained in<br /> the input signal are focused at one plane. Aberration for which corrections are done in the optical<br /> element include, but not limited to, defocus, Astigmatism, Tilt, Spherical aberrations, coma,<br /> distortion, petzval field curvature, chromatic aberrations, etc., or a combination of these. For purposes<br /> of this disclosure, an optical element 308 is a component that performs at least one optical function.<br />