Digital micro-mirror based image simulation system
First Claim
1. An image simulation system for providing a non-visible image for use by an image detection system, the image simulation system comprising:
- a scene generator providing an electronic representation of a scene;
a source of non-visible radiant energy providing a beam of radiant energy traveling along a first path; and
an array of flexure beam micromirror elements receiving the electronic representation from the scene generator and reflecting the beam of radiant energy along a second path, wherein each element of the array is deflected according to the electronic representation, each deflected element phase-modulating a portion of the beam of radiant energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image simulation system 20 for testing sensor systems 26 and for training image sensor personnel wherein synthetic image data is generated by a scene generator 21 and projected by an image projector 23. The image projector 23 uses a digital micromirror device array 27 to modulate the incident energy and create an image. Four modulation schemes are discussed including digital pulse-width modulation, phase contrast modulation, full complex modulation, and analog modulation. The digital pulse width modulation technique will typically require synchronizing the image sensor and the image projector. Phase contrast modulation, full complex modulation, and analog modulation do not require synchronizing the image projector 23 and the sensor system 26. Phase contrast modulation and full complex modulation have the capability to produce phase information within the image. The image simulation system 20 can produce high contrast images and is more flexible than prior art system.
640 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An image simulation system for providing a non-visible image for use by an image detection system, the image simulation system comprising:
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a scene generator providing an electronic representation of a scene; a source of non-visible radiant energy providing a beam of radiant energy traveling along a first path; and an array of flexure beam micromirror elements receiving the electronic representation from the scene generator and reflecting the beam of radiant energy along a second path, wherein each element of the array is deflected according to the electronic representation, each deflected element phase-modulating a portion of the beam of radiant energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of creating a non-visible image for detection by an image sensor, the method comprising:
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generating an electronic representation of a scene; deflecting an array of flexure beam micromirror elements in response to the electronic representation of a scene; reflecting a beam of radiant energy from the array of deflected micromirror elements; forming an image with the reflected beam of radiant energy; and extracting information from the image with an image sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An image simulation system for providing a non-visible image for use by an image detection system, the image simulation system comprising:
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a scene generator providing an electronic representation of a scene; a source of non-visible radiant energy providing a beam of radiant energy traveling along a first path; an array of micromirror elements receiving the electronic representation from the scene generator and reflecting the beam of radiant energy along a second path, wherein each element of the array is deflected according to the electronic representation; a projection lens focusing the reflected radiant energy reflected into an image such that the radiant energy reflected by each micromirror element forms an image pixel; and wherein each micromirror element is continuously variable between a first position wherein all radiant energy reflected by the element enters the projection lens and forms a bright pixel, and a second position wherein none of the radiant energy reflected by the element enters the projection lens thereby forming a dim pixel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of creating a non-visible image for detection by an image sensor, the method comprising:
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generating an electronic representation of a scene; deflecting an array of micromirror elements in response to the electronic representation of a scene; reflecting a beam of radiant energy from the array of deflected micromirror elements; focusing the reflected beam of radiant energy to form an image comprised of an array of image pixels, wherein the amount of radiant energy reflected from a micromirror element and focused onto an image pixel is determined by the amount the micromirror element is deflected; and extracting information from the image with an image sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification