3D imaging underwater laser radar
First Claim
1. A device for imaging sections of a three dimensional object immersed in a light conducting medium comprisinga pulsed light source,means for transmitting light from said pulsed light source into said medium,optics for collecting light from said medium during a sequence of time intervals between the transmission of successive pulses from said light source,sensor means for detecting said collected light, said sensor means comprisingmeans for amplification of said collected light and for providing an electrical signal corresponding to said amplified light,an analog-processing readout chip comprisinga plurality of unit cell means each comprising a plurality of storage means for receiving electrical signals from said amplification means during said time intervals, andreadout electronics adapted to provide signals to output electronics from said storage means,drive electronics for providing voltages and for providing timing for said readout electronics, andoutput electronics for converting the signals stored on said storage means from analogue to digital signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three dimensional imaging device and method is presented which uses a pulsed light source for detecting objects enveloped by a light-transmitting and light-reflecting and scattering medium such as water or biological tissues. By means of high-speed switching between many storage capacitors the third dimension is recorded by the device with a single pulse from the light-source. The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected and scattered light, one or more sensors for detecting the light, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and processing electronics and software for converting the sensor data to a three dimensional image. The sensors use known technologies for light amplification but collect and process the light-amplified data in a unique manner, using an analog-processing readout chip. The readout chip is a two dimensional array of collectors or detectors combined in very close proximity with associated storage and switching electronics. The two dimensional array defines two dimensions of the image. The third dimension is associated with the time of return of the light pulse.
119 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A device for imaging sections of a three dimensional object immersed in a light conducting medium comprising
a pulsed light source, means for transmitting light from said pulsed light source into said medium, optics for collecting light from said medium during a sequence of time intervals between the transmission of successive pulses from said light source, sensor means for detecting said collected light, said sensor means comprising means for amplification of said collected light and for providing an electrical signal corresponding to said amplified light, an analog-processing readout chip comprising a plurality of unit cell means each comprising a plurality of storage means for receiving electrical signals from said amplification means during said time intervals, and readout electronics adapted to provide signals to output electronics from said storage means, drive electronics for providing voltages and for providing timing for said readout electronics, and output electronics for converting the signals stored on said storage means from analogue to digital signals.
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16. A sensor for detecting the presence of light comprising
a means for amplification of light, an analog-processing readout chip comprising a two dimensional array of unit cells, each unit cell comprising a plurality of means for collecting or detecting signal data from said amplification means and readout electronics comprising a plurality of storage means, each associated with a distinct reflected light return time interval, and means for sequentially switching said collecting or detecting means to said storage means.
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37. A method for for imaging sections of a three dimensional object immersed in a light conducting medium comprising the steps of
generating a series of pulses of light, transmitting said pulses of light into said medium, collecting light from said medium during a sequence of time intervals between the transmission of successive pulses from said light source, detecting said collected light, providing an electrical signal corresponding to said amplified light, sequentially storing said electrical signal on a separate plurality of unit cells during each of said time intervals, providing signals from said storage means, converting the signals stored on said storage means from analogue to digital signals.
Specification