Arrangement for shifting optical images between individual channels

• US 5,936,759 A
• Filed: 02/23/1998
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh
• Inventors: Buttner, Knut
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/027,910
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/298, 359/299, 359/300, 359/315, 359/247, 359/618, 359/619, 359/627, 359/630, 250/208.1, 250/208.2
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 14/00 Optical multiplex systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for shifting optical images between individual channels. A plurality of imaging optical systems adapted to image conjugately upon each other, in an associated shiftable optical channel, an associated plane and an intermediate image plane, comprise a micro-mechanical mirror system (mirror array) arranged in the intermediate image plane and having a grid of mirror elements adapted to be tilted and actuated. A further imaging optical system is adapted to image conjugately upon each other, in a common channel, the intermediate image plane and a plane associated with the common channel. The mirror elements of the micro-mechanical system are adapted to be actuated in such a manner, that they optically connect optionally one of the shiftable channels to the common channel.

Claims

1. An arrangement for shifting optical images between individual channels, comprising:

a plurality of imaging optical systems adapted to image conjugately upon each other, in an associated shiftable optical channel, an associated plane and an intermediate image plane;

a micro-mechanical mirror system (mirror array) arranged in said intermediate image plane and having a grid of mirror elements adapted to be tilted and actuated;

a further imaging optical system having an optical axis and adapted to image conjugately upon each other, in a common channel, said intermediate image plane and a plane associated with said common channel; and

actuating means for actuating said mirror elements of said micro-mechanical mirror system in such a manner, that said mirror elements optically connect optionally one of said shiftable channels to said common channel.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said imaging optical systems of said shiftable optical channels comprise:

a first imaging optical sub-system adapted to image conjugately upon each other said plane associated with said corresponding channel and a mirror plane;

a mirror arrangement arranged in said mirror plane; and

a second imaging optical sub-system adapted to image conjugately upon each other said mirror plane and said intermediate image plane.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein:

said mirror plane, said second imaging optical sub-system and said intermediate image plane are arranged relative to each other in a position, in which Scheimpflug'"'"'s condition is fulfilled; and

said mirror arrangement forms a mirror grating of narrow mirror strips inclined with respect to said mirror plane and adapted to deflect an imaging path of rays from said first imaging optical sub-system to said second imaging optical sub-system and to said micro-mechanical mirror system located in said intermediate image plane.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said imaging optical systems of said shiftable optical channels each have a decentered lens system adapted to image directly conjugately upon each other said plane associated with said optical channel and said intermediate image plane.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said plurality of imaging optical systems each forming an optical channel is arranged about an axis extending perpendicularly to said intermediate image plane and forming said optical axis of said further imaging optical system, each of said imaging optical systems imaging an associated plane in said intermediate image plane.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein each of said shiftable optical channels detects a sector of an extended field of view, said micro-mechanical mirror system shifting in fast sequence said individual shiftable channels to said common channel.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein an image-resolving sensor is arranged in said plane associated with said common optical channel.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein means generating test images are arranged in said planes associated with said shiftable channels, said micro-mechanical mirror system being adapted to shift in fast sequence said individual shiftable channels to said common channel.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein:

an infrared image-resolving sensor is arranged in said plane associated with said common optical channel; and

said means generating test images are adapted to generate heat images.