Stereoscopic infrared imager having a time-shared detector array
First Claim
1. A device for producing a stereoscopic visible image of an invisible radiation scene, said device comprising:
- means for producing a first invisible image of the scene viewed from a first viewing position;
means for producing a second invisible radiation image of the scene viewed from a second viewing position spaced from the first viewing position;
a radiation detector for detecting the invisible radiation images;
means for alternately scanning the first and second invisible radiation images across the detector, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate;
a light source;
means for driving the light source to produce visible light having an intensity proportional to the intensity of the invisible radiation incident on the detector;
means for producing a first visible image of the light source in a first field of view at a third viewing position;
means for producing a second visible image of the light source in a second field of view at a fourth viewing position spaced from the third viewing position;
means for alternately scanning the first visible image across the first field of view and the second visible image across the second field of view, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; and
means for synchronizing the starting time and scan rate of the visible scanning means with the starting time and scan rate of the invisible radiation scanning means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stereoscopic infrared imager includes optics for producing infrared images of two different views of an infrared scene. A scanning mirror alternately scans the two infrared images across a single infrared detector array. The detector array modulates a light source array to produce a visible image of the scanned part of the infrared scene. Optics are provided for producing visible images of the light source array at the positions of the eyes of the observer. A second scanning mirror alternately scans the image of the light source array across the two eyes of the observer in order to construct full visible images of the scene.
37 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for producing a stereoscopic visible image of an invisible radiation scene, said device comprising:
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means for producing a first invisible image of the scene viewed from a first viewing position; means for producing a second invisible radiation image of the scene viewed from a second viewing position spaced from the first viewing position; a radiation detector for detecting the invisible radiation images; means for alternately scanning the first and second invisible radiation images across the detector, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; a light source; means for driving the light source to produce visible light having an intensity proportional to the intensity of the invisible radiation incident on the detector; means for producing a first visible image of the light source in a first field of view at a third viewing position; means for producing a second visible image of the light source in a second field of view at a fourth viewing position spaced from the third viewing position; means for alternately scanning the first visible image across the first field of view and the second visible image across the second field of view, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; and means for synchronizing the starting time and scan rate of the visible scanning means with the starting time and scan rate of the invisible radiation scanning means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for producing a stereoscopic visible image of an infrared radiation scene, said device comprising:
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means for producing a first infrared image of the scene viewed from a first viewing position; means for producing a second infrared radiation image of the scene viewed from a second viewing position spaced from the first viewing position; a radiation detector for detecting the infrared radiation images; means for alternately scanning the first and second infrared radiation images across the detector, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; a light source; means for driving the light source to produce visible light having an intensity proportional to the intensity of the infrared radiation incident on the detector; means for producing a first visible image of the light source in a first field of view at a third viewing position; means for producing a second visible image of the light source in a second field of view at a fourth viewing position spaced from the third viewing position; means for alternately scanning the first visible image across the first field of view and the second visible image across the second field of view, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; and means for synchronizing the starting time and scan rate of the visible scanning means with the starting time and scan rate of the infrared radiation scanning means; characterized in that the means for producing the first and second infrared radiation images of the scene comprise; a first stationary input mirror arranged to receive infrared radiation from the scene and to reflect said infrared radiation; a second stationary input mirror arranged to receive infrared radiation from the scene and to reflect said infrared radiation, said second stationary input mirror being spaced from the first stationary input mirror; and a single input lens arranged to receive scene radiation reflected from the first and second stationary input mirrors, said input lens producing an infrared image of the scene in a focal plane; and characterized in that the infrared scanning means comprises a rotating mirror prism with their reflective sides arranged to receive infrared radiation from the scene after reflection from the first and second stationary input mirrors, and further arranged to alternately reflect radiation from the first and second stationary input mirrors to the input lens. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for producing a stereoscopic visible image of an invisible radiation scene, said device comprising:
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means for producing a first invisible image of the scene viewed from a first viewing position; means for producing a second invisible radiation image of the scene viewed from a second viewing position spaced from the first viewing position; a radiation detector for detecting the invisible radiation images; means for alternately scanning the first and second invisible radiation images across the detector, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; a light source; means for driving the light source to produce visible light having an intensity proportional to the intensity of the invisible radiation incident on the detector; means for producing a first visible image of the light source in a first field of view at a third viewing position; means for producing a second visible image of the light source in a second field of view at a fourth viewing position spaced from the third viewing position; means for alternately scanning the first visible image across the first field of view and the second visible image across the second field of view, each scan having a starting time and a scan rate; and means for synchronizing the starting time and scan rate of the visible scanning means with the starting time and scan rate of the invisible radiation scanning means; characterized in that; the invisible radiation scanning means comprises a rotating input mirror; the visible scanning means comprises a rotating display mirror; and the synchronization means comprises a gear train forming a mechanical linkage between the rotating input mirror and the rotating display mirror.
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Specification