MXPA00009228A

MXPA00009228A - Target illumination device.

Info

Publication number: MXPA00009228A
Application number: MXPA00009228A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Pat L Spatafore
Original assignee: Auto Image Id Inc
Priority date: 1998-03-20
Filing date: 1999-03-17
Publication date: 2004-12-03
Also published as: NO20004706D0; EP1064580A4; WO1999049347A1; EP1064580A1; AU3090199A; NO20004706L; JP2002507779A; CA2324626A1

Abstract

A device for illuminating a target is provided. The target illumination device has a radiation source (20), a lens (140) and a deflector (120). The lens and the deflector are disposed in spaced apart relationship defining a transmission space (106) therebetween and a reflection space (136) proximate the transmission space. The lens is adapted to receive incident radiation from the radiation source and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation in a first direction through the transmission space in a manner such that the transmitted radiation is substantially uniform through the transmission space and such that the reflection space is substantially devoid of transmitted radiation. The deflector is adapted to be placed proximate a target (50) for deflecting at least a portion of the transmitted radiation onto the target at an angle such that the target reflects at least a portion of the deflected radiation in a second direction through the reflection space.

Description

BLANK ILLUMINATION DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to image readers, More particularly, the present invention relates to a target lighting device for use with an image reader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For the identification of certain objects, such as electronic components, many industries, such as automotive and electronics, often use distinctive markings such as bar codes or structure data codes, engraved on the surface of the object. Typically, these distinguishing marks represent data identifying objects, and particularly in the case of electronic components, to precisely place the components during assembly. Generally, distinctive marks or whites are read by image readers, like a camera placed on the object. To provide the camera with a clear image of the distinctive mark to be read, adequate lighting over the distinctive mark is essential. Frequently, the surfaces on which the distinctive marks are engraved are bright, or mirror-like. Proper illumination of many different bright and irregular surfaces is critical, especially in an application where a robotic assembly is required. However, bright and irregular surfaces are difficult to illuminate to obtain an accurate image. Irregular reflections of these surfaces frequently produce erroneous images and signals within the camera, which results in an erroneous identification or placement of the object. The identification of objects is fast becoming a critical issue in the manufacture and sale of miniature components, particularly within the electronics industry. Identification is used to track damaged components during automated manufacturing processes. For example, it is very expensive to apply subsequent steps in the manufacturing process of a component that has been identified as damaged in a previous step. When reading the identity of the component before the application of each step, an automated manufacturing process can determine if the component is damaged and consequently it is decided if the next step should be applied. In this way, if a component is identified as damaged during a step of the manufacturing process, it can be ignored during all subsequent steps. Similarly, the identification of objects is also convenient in order to track the components once embarked in their field. If a problem occurs with a component within the field, the identification of the component provides a key to enter the historical information retained by the component in the factory. This historical information is invaluable for solving problems within the field. A technique for the identification of objects that has been used with great success is the engraving of bar codes on the surfaces of objects. However, as the components are smaller, it is necessary to adjust more data within less surface area. In response, the engraving of structure data codes on the surfaces of objects has begun to gain confidence as a preferred identification technique. Due to the large amount of data stored in such small areas, it is important that the image provided to the camera be as accurate as possible. In this way, to take the subtle contrasts in a structure data code, recorded on a highly reflective, irregular surface, adequate white lighting is an increasingly important factor. Thus, there is a need within the art for a target illumination device that provides the necessary illumination of targets on the highly reflective and irregular surfaces of the miniature components, so that an image reader can precisely process the image of white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention satisfies the need of the art by providing a target lighting device comprising a radiation source, a lens and a baffle. The present invention also provides a radiation targeting device comprising a baffle and a lens or a deflector and a waveguide. The radiation source comprises, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes. The lens and baffle are located in a separate relationship that defines a transmission space between them and a reflection space close to the transmission space. In a first embodiment, the reflection space and the transmission space are both symmetrical about a central axis. In another embodiment, the reflection space is symmetrical on a central plane, to which the transmission space is essentially parallel.

The lens is adapted to receive the incident radiation from the radiation source and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation in a first direction through the transmission space in a manner in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform through of the transmission space and so that the reflection space is essentially empty of the transmitted radiation. The baffle is adapted to be placed close to the target and to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted to the target at an angle such that the target reflects at least a portion of the radiation diverted in a second direction through space of reflection. The baffle can have an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall forms an angle with the inner wall. The external wall is adapted to deflect the radiation transmitted to the target at a predetermined angle.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission space is contained within the inner and outer walls of a waveguide. The waveguide is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation and to guide the radiation transmitted to the baffle. The baffle has a first end adapted to receive at least a portion of the transmitted radiation and a second end adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation from passing therethrough. The lens and baffle are integrally formed with the waveguide. Also, a trap can be placed around a portion of the deflector space, on the inner walls of the waveguide and baffle. The trap is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation from entering the reflection space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood and its different objectives and advantages will be apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention. white illumination device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a target lighting device in accordance with the present invention, in use with an image reader; Figure 3 shows a target lighting device in accordance with the present invention, in use with an image reader that can be held with one hand; and Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the target lighting device according to the present invention, which is particularly suitable for reading distinctive linear markings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An apparatus that meets the aforementioned objectives and that provides other charitable features in accordance with the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 1 through 4. The persons experienced in the art will readily appreciate that the description provided here with respect to the figures, has only an explanatory purpose and does not intend in any way, to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all doubts regarding the scope of the invention should be resolved by referring to the appended claims. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the target lighting device according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, a target lighting device 100 comprises a radiation source 20 and a device 101 for directing the incident radiation 10 from the radiation source 20 to a target 50. Preferably, the incident radiation 10 is light.

The radiation source 20 comprises a plurality of radiation emitters 224, preferably LED. By way of example, blank 50 may be any of the distinguishing marks, such as a bar code or a structure data code engraved on the surface of an object, such as an electronic component. The radiation targeting device 101 comprises a lens 140 and a baffle 120. The lens 140 and the baffle 120 are located in a separate relationship defining a transmission space 106 therebetween and a reflex space 136 close to the transmission space 106. The lens 140 is adapted to receive the incident radiation 10 and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation 10 in a first direction through the transmission space 106 towards the deflector 120 in a manner in which the radiation 12 transmitted is essentially uniform through the transmission space 106 and so that the reflecting space 136 is substantially empty of the transmitted radiation 12. The baffle 120 is adapted to be positioned close to the target 50 and to deflect at least a portion of the radiation 12 transmitted on the target 50 at an angle 160 so that the target 50 reflects at least a portion of the deviated radiation 138. in a second direction through the reflecting space 136. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation source 20 and the lens 140 are constructed so that the irradiation (i.e., power per unit area) striking the baffle 120 is almost constant across any cross section of the transmission space 106. . This is achieved by using a plurality of separate LEDs as close together as possible in an anamorphic lens. The LEDs that are used do not have optical components incorporated within the structure of the LED itself. In this way, they function individually as sources of near point of highly divergent radiation. The divergence angle of the radiation from the LED source differs in the meridional or tangential plane against the sagittal plane. This angle of divergence plays a role in determining its lens collection effectiveness as described below. In a preferred embodiment, the lens 140 is toroid means. It works as an anamorphic optical element. An anamorphic optical element is one in which the optical power or "light deviating capacity" is different in the sagittal plane against the tangential plane. In the tangential plane, the lens 140 collects and almost brings the incident radiation 10 into line within the transmission space 106. In the sagittal plane, which can be observed as an infinitesimal segment of arc of a circle bisecting the toroid means, the lens 140 has no power and the incident radiation 10 continues to diverge in this plane. Some radiation remains in the transmission space overlaying the radiation from the contiguous LED sagittal planes and contributes to the uniformity of irradiation in this direction in the transmission space 106. (Note: it is contemplated that the lens 140 may be designed so that the radio is constructed along the sagittal direction to control the divergence and superimpose along this direction in the transmission space 106. This would effectively break the medium. toroid). The lens combining effect works to effectively collect the radiation and provide a source of irradiation, which is constant across any differential cross-section of the transmission space 106. As a second purpose for collecting and redirecting the radiation, the lens 140 also prevents radiation from a highly divergent source entering the reflection space 136. This effect is increased by the addition of the trap 142, described in more detail below. The interference or noise would be defined as radiation reflections from the blank 50 whose initial source was from a different direction to that coming from the deflector 120. By keeping the reflection space 136 empty of any radiation 12 transmitted, this interference is minimized, which increases the "signal-to-noise" performance of the device 101. As shown in Figure 1, the device of the present invention also comprises a waveguide 110. The waveguide 110 is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation 12 and to guide the radiation 12 transmitted to the baffle 120. The waveguide 110 has an internal wall 116 and an external wall 119. The transmitted radiation 12 is directed through the waveguide 110 between the inner wall 116 and the outer wall 119. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the transmission space 106 is essentially contained between the inner wall 116 and the outer wall 119 of the waveguide 110 and the inner wall 116 and the waveguide 110 form a border for space 136 of reflection. By directing the radiation 12 transmitted between the inner wall 116 and the outer wall 119, the lens 140 prevents at least a portion of the transmitted radiation 12 from entering the reflecting space 136. Similarly, the baffle 120 has an internal wall 126 and an external wall 129. The internal wall 126 of the deflector 120 also forms a boundary for the reflecting space 136. The outer wall 129 of the baffle 120 forms an angle 131 with the inner wall 126 of the baffle 120 and an angle 130 with the outer wall of the waveguide 110. The baffle 120 may be fixedly connected to the waveguide 110, or the baffle 120 may be integrally formed with the waveguide 110. The outer wall of the deflector 120 is adapted to deflect the radiation 12 transmitted at an angle 132 to the target 50. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the reflecting space 136 is symmetrical about a central axis 200. Similarly, the transmission space 106 is symmetrical about a central axis 200. The axis of symmetry of the radiation 138 diverted into the target 50 provides some advantages. Because the angle of incidence is controlled from the normal surface of the target with respect to the radiation, the component reflected cleanly of the radiation is known and directed away from the imaging device in all directions. In this way, the reflection from the clean or highly reflective surfaces if it reaches the imaging device, which would produce a signal that exceeds the dynamic limit of the imaging device. This will prevent the imaging device from producing the desired result of successfully detecting the marked code, whose diffuse reflex components are usually at much lower radiation intensity (watts per solid angle). The axial symmetry of the incident radiation in the target also increases the consistency and uniformity of the diffuse reflected component of the radiation of irregular surfaces. When uneven surfaces are illuminated from a particular direction at a predetermined angle, shadows and other reflection irregularities are caused. Sometimes, it may be desirable to improve the contrast of a surface irregularity as in the case of a defective detection. In the case of code reading, the marked surface as well as the backing surface may be irregular / non-uniform. The reflection irregularities caused by the combination of surface irregularities and the construction of the white illumination will cause a noise component to be induced at the nominal contrast value of the backrest and / or the marked portion of the code. This can reduce the overall performance of the imaging / reading system. By using directed lighting, which is symmetrical on the normal surface of the target, the reflection irregularities caused by surface irregularities (non-uniformity) are minimized. The shadows caused by a lighting direction are filled by other directions uniformly. This serves to reduce the contrast noise described above, while at the same time the clean reflection in the image is eliminated, which increases the total signal to noise performance of the system. As shown in Figure 1, the waveguide 110 is essentially a hollow cylinder and the baffle 120 is essentially a hollow truncated pyramid, each of which has an annular cross section. Preferably, the internal diameter 127 of the baffle 120 is equal to the internal diameter 117 of the waveguide 110. The internal wall 116 of the wave guide 110 and the internal wall 126 of the deflector 120 are arranged symmetrically on a central axis 200. In this way, the inner wall 116 of the wave guide 110 and the internal wall 126 of the deflector 120 form a boundary for the reflection space 136. The baffle 120 has a variant external diameter 128 and, consequently, a varying thickness w. Preferably, at the end 124 of the baffle 120, the thickness w is almost zero. Similarly, the lens 140 is arranged symmetrically on a central axis 200. Preferably, the lens 140 is essentially a ring or toroid means with an annular cross section and the radiation source 20 is a ring of radiation emitters, such as LEDs. It is contemplated that waveguide 110 and baffle 120 may be symmetrical hollow truncated pyramids on a central axis 200 (i.e., radiation targeting device 101 would be essentially conical in shape). In this embodiment, the lens 140 may be a ring as described above, as would the radiation source 20. Again, waveguide 110, baffle 120 and lens 140 each will have an annular cross section. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the directions of the path for the transmitted radiation 12 and the reflected radiation 150 are essentially opposite one another. Similarly, the directions are essentially parallel. However, this is mainly a result of the complete cylindrical shape of the radiation direction device 101. The benefit is to minimize the total size of the device 101 in the radial directions perpendicular to the central axis 200. In a mode wherein the radiation routing device 101 is, for example, conical (as described above), the path directions of the transmitted radiation 12 and the reflected radiation 150 will not be parallel. As shown in Figure 1, baffle 120 and lens 140 are integrally formed with waveguide 110. The outer diameter 128 of the baffle 120 varies so that the external wall 129 of the baffle 120 forms an angle 130 with the outer wall 119 of the waveguide 110. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the baffle 120 is an essentially tapered or beveled end of the radiation targeting device 101. Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that the embodiment of Figure 1 can be formed from a tube with a suitable external diameter 118, internal diameter 117 and thickness t. Preferably, the tube is made of transparent acrylic and is turned at one end to form the baffle 120, and ground at the other end to form the lens 140. The length of the internal wall 126 of the baffle 120 is improved for each application ( that is, it is adjusted to ensure that the transmitted radiation 12 is deflected uniformly towards the target 50). The optical characteristics of the transmission medium must be appropriate for the radiation characteristics. In the case of an acrylic tube, the material provides almost lossless transmission medium for the wavelength of the radiation used (e.g., 660 nm nominally). In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the radius of the lens is related to the thickness of the waveguide. The radius of the lens, which determines its focal length and therefore the optical power, determines the placement of the radiation source with respect to the device in order to provide the desired collection and redirection of the incident radiation. The efficiency in the collection of the lens is related to the angle of divergence of the radiation named above. For greater efficiency, the number F of the lens, which is related to the ratio of the focal length of the lens to its diameter, should be low enough to collect as much of the radiation as possible while providing the desired redirection characteristics. Because the radius of the lens, which determines its focal length, is related to the thickness of the waveguide in this mode, the desired thickness of the waveguide is determined by this ratio. The length of the waveguide is arbitrary. It may depend, however, on the optical characteristics of the image lens. The lighting device must have a suitable length so that it illuminates the target at the appropriate angle and distance, where the target is in focus of the imaging device. A trap 142 is located around at least a portion of the reflex space 106. The trap 142 is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation 12 from entering the reflecting space 136. For example, the trap 142 may be opaque or reflective. Preferably, the trap 142 is disposed around the entire internal wall 116 of the waveguide 110 and extends beyond the top of the radiation targeting device 101 as shown in Figure 1. It has been noted that, especially when a transparent acrylic tube is used to form the radiation directing device 110, a portion of the incident radiation 10 is not deflected, but passes through the external wall 129 of the deflector 120. In this way, to decrease the efficiency of the radiation targeting device, an opaque or reflective surface may be placed around the outer wall 129 of the baffle 120. Similarly, in a mode in which the end 124 of the baffle 120 has a width that is not zero, it has been observed that a portion of the radiation 12 transmitted passes through the end 124 of the baffle 120. The end 124 of the baffle acts like a lens, focusing any Transition 12 passing through it, over white 50 points, rather than evenly distributing the radiation. These points are commonly referred to as "hot spots" and cause interference when the target image is viewed by an image reader, for example. In this way, the end 124 of the baffle 120 is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation 12 from passing through it. For example, to increase the amount of radiation 12 transmitted passing through the end 124 of the baffle, the end 124 of the baffle 120 may be opaque or reflective. Figure 2 shows a target lighting device 100 in accordance with the present invention, in use with an image reader, an application for which the invention is particularly appropriate. In the application shown, a plurality of objects 210 as electronic components are located on a moving surface 202, such as a conveyor belt. A blank 50, as a structure data code, is arranged by etching on each object 210. An image reader 220 as a structure data code reader is located on the movable surface 202. The image reader 220 comprises a camera lens 226 and an image detector 228. The image detector 228 can be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD). A target lighting device 100 is coupled with an image reader 220. The radiation source 20, shown as an LED ring 224, is disposed between the image reader 220 and the radiation targeting device. As shown in Figure 2, the radiation routing device 101 is positioned such that the central axis 200 is essentially vertical with the end 124 of the baffle 120 closest to the mobile surface 202. In operation, as the mobile surface 202 moves the object 210 to pass through the image reader 220, the radiation source 20 emits an incident radiation. The lens 140 receives the incident radiation 10 and transmits at least a portion of the incident radiation 10 through the waveguide 110. The deflector 120 deflects at least a portion of the radiation 12 transmitted to the target 50. The deflected radiation 138 is reflected out of the target 50 through the reflecting space 136. The reflected radiation 150 is redirected via the camera lens 226 to the image detector 228. The image reader 220 interprets the information contained in the radiation 150 reflected by the processes already known in the art. Figure 3 shows a white illumination device according to the present invention in use with a manual image reader (which can be held with one hand). In the application shown, the blank 50, as a structure data code, is placed by engraving on an object 210. The manual image reader 420 comprises a camera lens 226 and an image detector 228. The manual image reader 420 can be, for example, a structure data code reader. The image detector 228 can be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD). As shown, a white illumination device 100 is coupled with an image reader 420. The radiation source 20, shown as an LED ring 224, is located between the image reader 420 and the radiation targeting device. The radiation directing device is positioned such that the central axis 200 is essentially perpendicular to the image reader 420 with the end of the deflector 120 further away from the manual image reader 420. During the operation, the user places the manual image reader on the target 50 in a manner that the target 50 is surrounded, at least in part, by the deflector 120. The end 124 of the deflector 120 is particularly suitable to assist the user to place the target within the viewing area. The user simply adjusts the altitude of the manual image reader 420 until the end 124 of the deflector 120 is leveled against the surface on which the blank 50 is positioned and moves the manual image reader 420 until the target 50 is located underneath of the space 136 of reflection. By doing so, the radiation routing device remains essentially vertical, ensuring that the deviated radiation 138 will illuminate the target 50 in a uniform and symmetrical manner.

To read the information represented by the distinguishing mark 50, the radiation source 20 emits incident radiation 10. The lens 140 receives the incident radiation 10 and transmits at least a portion of the incident radiation 10 to the waveguide 110. The deflector 120 deflects at least a portion of radiation 12 transmitted to the target 50. The deviated radiation 138 is reflected out of target 50 through reflecting space 136. The reflected radiation 150 is redirected via the camera lens 226 to the image detector 228. The image reader 420 interprets the information contained in the radiation 150 reflected by the processes known in the art. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the target lighting device according to the present invention, which is particularly suitable for reading distinctive linear markings, such as a bar code. As shown in Figure 4, the white illumination device 102 comprises a radiation source 20 and a pair of plates 300. The radiation source 20 comprises a plurality of radiation emitters 224, preferably LED. The plates 300 are essentially parallel to each other and are separated by a distance d. The plates 300 may be coupled to one another and remain parallel to each other with the use of spacers, for example. Each plate 300 comprises a baffle 320, a waveguide 310 and a lens 340. Each baffle 320 has an internal wall 326. The internal walls 326 of the deflectors 320 form a boundary for the reflecting space 336. Reflex space 336 is symmetrical about a central plane 360. The internal walls 326 of the deflectors 320 are essentially parallel to the central plane 360. Similarly, each waveguide 310 has an internal wall 316. Preferably, the inner wall 316 of the waveguide 310 is coplanar with the inner wall 326 of the baffle 320. The lenses 340 are disposed essentially parallel to the central plane 360. Each lens 340 is adapted to receive an incident radiation 10 from the radiation source 20 and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation 10 towards the deflector 320 so that the radiation 12 transmitted is essentially uniform and so that the space 336 of reflection is essentially empty of transmitted radiation. The waveguide is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation 12 and to guide the radiation 12 transmitted through the waveguide 310 to the baffle 320. Each baffle 320 is adapted to be placed close to the target 50 to divert at least one portion of the radiation 12 transmitted to the target 50 in a manner that at least a portion of the deviated radiation 138 is reflected out of the target 50 within the reflecting space 336. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the waveguide 310 has an external wall 319. The transmitted radiation 12 is directed through the waveguide 310 between the inner wall 316 and the outer wall 319. In this way, the transmission space 306 is contained between the external wall 319 and the internal wall 316 of the waveguide 310. Similarly, the deflector 320 has a complete wall 329. The external wall 329 of the deflector 320 forms an angle 330 with the external wall 319 of the waveguide 310. The waveguide 310 has a thickness t, and the baffle 320 has a varying thickness w. Preferably, the end 324 of the deflector 320 has a thickness that is not zero. In this way, the end of the baffle 320 is essentially tapered or bevelled in the plate 300. The length of the internal wall 326 of the baffle 320 is improved for each application (i.e., it is adjusted to ensure that the transmitted radiation 12 is deflected in uniform shape towards white 50). In a preferred embodiment, the trap 342 is disposed in at least a portion of the inner wall 316 of the waveguide 310. The trap 342 is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation 12 from entering the reflecting space 336. Thus, it is preferred that the trap 342 be disposed on the entire inner wall 316 of the waveguide 310. The trap 342 can be of opaque or reflective surface, for example.

As shown in Figure 4, the baffle 320 and the lens 340 are integrally formed with the waveguide 310. Thus, it is an advantage of the present invention that the plate 300 can be formed from a sheet with a thickness suitable for the waveguide 310. The sheet, which is preferably made of transparent acrylic, is turned at one end to form the baffle 320, and ground at the other end to form the lens 340. It has been observed that, specifically, when using a transparent acrylic sheet to form the plate 300, a portion of the radiation 12 transmitted does not deviate outside the deflector 320, but passes through the external wall 329 of the deflector 320. In this way, a reflecting surface, such as a mirror can be located in the external wall 329 of deflector 320 to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation 12 from passing through external wall 329. Similarly, it has been observed that, if the end 324 of the deflector 320 has a width that is not zero, a portion of the deflected radiation 138 passes through the end 324 of the deflector 320. Thus, the end 324 of the deflector can be opaque or reflector to decrease the amount of deviated radiation 138 that passes through the end 324 of the baffle. While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the principles of the invention as described below and set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for directing incident radiation from a radiation source to a target, the device comprising: a lens and a deflector arranged in a separate relationship defining a transmission space between them and a reflection space close to the space of transmission; the lens is adapted to receive the incident radiation and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation in a first direction through the transmission space, in a form in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform through the transmission space and so that the reflection space is essentially empty of the transmitted radiation; the deflector adapted to be positioned close to the target and to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted on the target at an angle such that the target reflects at least a portion of the radiation diverted in a second direction through the space of reflection. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the reflecting space is symmetrical about a central axis, and wherein the transmission space is symmetrical about the central axis. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the reflecting space is symmetrical on a central plane, and wherein the transmission space is essentially parallel to the central plane. 4. A device for directing incident radiation from a radiation source to a target, the device comprising: a baffle with an internal wall, the inner wall of the baffle forms a boundary of the reflection space, the baffle is adapted to be placed close to of the target, the deflector is adapted to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted to the target in a form in which at least a portion of the deflected radiation is reflected off the target through the reflecting space; and a lens adapted to receive the incident radiation and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation incident on the baffle in a manner in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform and so that the reflection space is essentially void of the radiation transmitted. 4. The device according to claim 4, further comprising: a trap arranged around a portion of the reflex space, the trap is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation from entering the reflection space. The device according to Claim 4, wherein the deflector has an external wall, the external wall of the deflector forms a first angle with the internal wall thereof, the external wall of the deflector adapted to deflect the transmitted radiation towards the target in a second angle. The device according to Claim 4, wherein the deflector has a first end and a second end, the first end of the deflector is adapted to receive at least a portion of the transmitted radiation, the second end of the deflector is adapted to prevent at least a portion of the transmitted radiation from passing through it. The device according to Claim 4, further comprising: a waveguide the waveguide is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation and to guide the radiation transmitted to the baffle. The device according to Claim 8, wherein the lens is formed integrally with the waveguide. The device according to Claim 8, wherein the baffle is formed integrally with the waveguide. 11. A device for directing incident radiation from a radiation source to a target, the device comprising: a baffle with an internal wall, the inner wall of the baffle forms a boundary with the reflection space, the reflection space has an axis central, the inner wall of the baffle is arranged symmetrically about the central axis, the baffle is adapted to be placed close to the target, the baffle is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation and to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted to the target in a form in which at least a portion of the deflected radiation is reflected out of the target through the reflecting space; and a lens arranged symmetrically about the central axis, the lens is adapted to receive the incident radiation and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation to the baffle in a manner in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform. The device according to Claim 11, wherein the lens is also adapted to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation to the baffle in a manner such that the reflection space is essentially void of transmitted radiation. The device according to Claim 11, further comprising: a waveguide with an inner wall, the inner wall of the waveguide is arranged symmetrically about the central axis, the waveguide is adapted to receive the radiation transmitted and to guide the radiation transmitted to the baffle. The device according to Claim 13, wherein the baffle has an essentially annular cross section, wherein the waveguide has an essentially annular cross section and wherein the lens has an essentially annular cross section. The device according to Claim 15, wherein the baffle is integrally formed with the waveguide, and wherein the lens is formed integrally with the waveguide. 16. A device for directing the incident radiation from a radiation source to the target, the device comprises: at least two deflectors, each of the deflectors has an internal wall, the internal wall of each deflector forms a border for the space of reflection, the reflection space has a central plane, the inner wall of each baffle is essentially parallel to the central plane, each baffle is adapted to be placed close to the target, each baffle is adapted to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted to the target in a form in which at least a portion of the deflected radiation is reflected out of the target through the reflected space; and a lens disposed essentially parallel to the center plane, the lens is adapted to receive the incident radiation and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation to the baffles in a manner in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform. The device according to Claim 16, wherein the lens is also adapted to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation to the baffles in a manner in which the reflection space is essentially void of the transmitted radiation. 18. The device according to claim 16, further comprising: a waveguide with an internal wall, the inner wall of the waveguide is essentially parallel to the central plane, the waveguide is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation and to guide the radiation transmitted at least to a baffle. 19. A device for directing radiation transmitted to a target, the device comprises: a waveguide and a deflector arranged in a separate relationship, the waveguide contains a transmission space, a reflection space defined by encircling the transmission space; the waveguide is adapted to receive the transmitted radiation and to guide at least a portion of the radiation transmitted to the baffle in a first direction through the transmission space; the deflector is adapted to be placed close to the target and to deflect at least a portion of the radiation transmitted on the target at an angle such that the target reflects at least a portion of the radiation diverted in a second direction through the space of reflection. The device according to Claim 19, wherein the reflex space is symmetrical about a central axis, and wherein the waveguide has an internal wall, the inner wall of the waveguide is arranged symmetrically on a central axis of the reflection space. The device according to Claim 19, wherein the reflex space is symmetrical on a central plane, and wherein the waveguide has an internal wall, the inner wall of the waveguide is essentially parallel to the central plane . 22. The device according to Claim 19, wherein the baffle is integrally formed with the waveguide. 23. A device for illuminating a target, the device comprises: a radiation source, a lens and a baffle; the lens and the deflector are arranged in a separate relationship defining a transmission space between them and a reflection space close to the transmission space; the lens is adapted to receive incident radiation from the radiation source and to transmit at least a portion of the incident radiation in a first direction through the transmission space in a manner in which the transmitted radiation is essentially uniform to through the transmission space and so that e! The reflection space is essentially empty of the transmitted radiation; the baffle is adapted to be placed close to the target and to deflect by at least a portion of the radiation transmitted on the target at an angle such that the angle reflects at least a portion of the radiation diverted in a second direction through the ! Reflection space. 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the radiation source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.