Lens focusing device, system and method for use with multiple light wavelengths
First Claim
1. A method of focusing separate wavelengths of light from a scene, the method comprising:
- focusing a first set of wavelengths of light onto a detector, wherein focusing the first set of wavelengths comprises positioning at least one lens a first distance from at least one detector; and
focusing a second set of wavelengths of light onto the at least one detector, the second set of wavelengths being different from the first set of wavelengths, and wherein focusing the second set of wavelengths comprises positioning the at least one lens a second distance from the at least one detector.
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Abstract
A lens focusing system provides a lens in an optical path between a scene and a photosensitive detector to properly focus a first set of wavelengths of light. At least one representation of the scene is captured. The focal point is adjusted for a second different set of wavelengths of light. This focal adjustment may be made by moving the lens and/or the detector, offsetting the position of the lens from the first position by a predetermined amount. An alternative method would impose at least a second lens in the optical path, thereby providing focus for a different wavelength. This alternative system may include various combinations of fixed and movable lenses. At least one representation of the image is captured using this different set of wavelengths of light. The different sets of wavelengths of light can include infrared light, visible light, and subsets and combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, one of the recorded representations is an infrared defect map that can be combined with visible light representations to form an improved image.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of focusing separate wavelengths of light from a scene, the method comprising:
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focusing a first set of wavelengths of light onto a detector, wherein focusing the first set of wavelengths comprises positioning at least one lens a first distance from at least one detector; and
focusing a second set of wavelengths of light onto the at least one detector, the second set of wavelengths being different from the first set of wavelengths, and wherein focusing the second set of wavelengths comprises positioning the at least one lens a second distance from the at least one detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. A lens focusing system comprising at least one lens capable of focusing at least two different sets of wavelengths of light from a scene onto a detector by altering the distance from said at least one lens to said detector.
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14. An image capturing system comprising:
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at least one illumination source capable of providing illumination in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum;
at least one illumination source capable of providing illumination in the visible portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum;
a detector capable of generating electrical signals in response to light; and
a lens focusing system comprising at least one lens capable of focusing at least two different sets of wavelengths of light from a scene onto said detector by altering the distance from said at least one lens to said detector.
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22. A method of focusing separate wavelengths of light from a scene, the method comprising:
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focusing a first set of wavelengths of light onto a detector, the first set of wavelengths of light comprising predominantly visible light;
focusing a second set of wavelengths of light onto the detector, the second set of wavelengths of light comprising predominantly infrared light;
wherein the step of focusing the first set of wavelengths of light comprises interposing a first lens combination in an optical path between the physical medium and the detector; and
wherein the step of focusing the second set of wavelengths of light comprises interposing a second lens combination in the optical path between the physical medium and the detector, the second lens combination being different from the first lens combination. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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36. An image capturing system comprising:
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at least one illumination source capable of providing illumination in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum;
at least one illumination source capable of providing illumination in the visible portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum;
a detector capable of generate electrical signals in response to light; and
a lens focusing system comprising a plurality of lenses capable of being interposed in an optical path between a scene and the detector, said plurality of lenses capable of focusing at least two different sets of wavelengths of light from the scene onto the detector by moving at least one of said plurality of lenses into and out of said optical path.
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- 41. A lens focusing system comprising a plurality of lenses capable of being interposed in an optical path between a scene and a detector, said plurality of lenses capable of focusing at least two different sets of wavelengths of light from the scene onto the detector by moving at least one of said plurality of lenses into and out of said optical path.
Specification