System, method, and apparatus for passive, multi-spectral, optical identification of remote objects
First Claim
1. A system for passively and remotely identifying objects, comprising:
- a series of signatures positioned on exterior surfaces of a plurality of objects, each of the signatures having an encoded, two-dimensional, reflective configuration that is spectrally tailored to define a unique signature for each of the objects; and
an optical imaging system for remotely and passively detecting and decoding the signatures and thereby identifying the objects based on the signatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system passively identifies objects at large distances with an integrated two-dimensional pattern, spectral tailoring, and an imaging system. Encoded information allows objects of various origin and configuration to be easily and rapidly identified by optical means, but is invisible to the naked eye. The devices used for detecting the objects may be ground-based, airborne, or even satellite-based, and can track engagements of such marked objects in real-time. A tailored reflective surface at a specific wavelength band is applied to the exteriors of the objects to form a unique signature. A scanning system passively records the light emanating from the signature in the specific band, and recognizes the signature to discern what the object is based on a database of information.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for passively and remotely identifying objects, comprising:
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a series of signatures positioned on exterior surfaces of a plurality of objects, each of the signatures having an encoded, two-dimensional, reflective configuration that is spectrally tailored to define a unique signature for each of the objects; and
an optical imaging system for remotely and passively detecting and decoding the signatures and thereby identifying the objects based on the signatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for reflecting light, comprising:
a signature having a substrate and a thin film mounted on a surface of the substrate, the thin film comprising a laminate including a plurality of layers having a high index of refraction that are interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low index of refraction, each of the layers having a thickness of approximately a fraction of a wavelength of the light to define a wavelength band for the signature.
- 13. The system of claim 13, wherein a value of a reflectance of the wavelength band is dependent upon the number of layers in the signature.
Specification