3D imaging laser radar
First Claim
1. A device for imaging sections of a three dimensional objects 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 the time for light to transit from said pulsed light source, reflect from said objects and be collected by said optics;
a sensor means for detecting said collected light, said sensor means comprisingmeans for converting said collected light into electrical charge,a hybrid comprisingmultiplexing and output circuitry,a plurality of collection or detection means for collecting or detecting the electrical charge from said conversion means,a plurality of unit cell processing electronics comprising a plurality of analog memory units, each storing data related to a distinct transit time for a reflected laser pulse from an target pixel, and output amplifier electronics adapted to provide signals to output and multiplexing electronics,drive electronics for providing voltages and for providing timing for said output amplifier electronics and said output and multiplexing circuitry, andoutput electronics for conditioning the signals from said memory units for data processing;
a computer for processing data from said output electronics for real time display.
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Abstract
A three dimensional imaging device is presented which uses single pulse from a pulsed light source for detecting objects enveloped by a light-transmitting medium such as the earth'"'"'s atmosphere or free space. By means of switching off a ramping voltage, individually for each object pixel, the time of arrival of the reflected pulse is recorded. This time is related to the third object dimension. The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected light, a sensor for detecting the light, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and a computer for processing the sensor data and converting it to a three dimensional image. The sensor collects and processes the light data in a unique manner, using a hybrid. The hybrid is actually a two dimensional array of collectors or detectors combined in very close proximity with their own processing electronics. In general, the hybrid is composed of two integrated circuit chips mated together. The two dimensional array defines two dimensions of the image. The processing electronics individually and independently switch off, at high-speed, a time varying voltage when the light pulse, reflected from the object, arrives at the sensor. The final voltages are stored and can be mathematically transformed to the third object dimension. The sensor also records peak light pulse information which can be used to obtain higher resolution in the third dimension.
138 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A device for imaging sections of a three dimensional objects immersed in a light conducting medium comprising:
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a pulsed light source; means for transmitting light from said pulsed light source into said medium; optics for collecting light from said medium during the time for light to transit from said pulsed light source, reflect from said objects and be collected by said optics; a sensor means for detecting said collected light, said sensor means comprising means for converting said collected light into electrical charge, a hybrid comprising multiplexing and output circuitry, a plurality of collection or detection means for collecting or detecting the electrical charge from said conversion means, a plurality of unit cell processing electronics comprising a plurality of analog memory units, each storing data related to a distinct transit time for a reflected laser pulse from an target pixel, and output amplifier electronics adapted to provide signals to output and multiplexing electronics, drive electronics for providing voltages and for providing timing for said output amplifier electronics and said output and multiplexing circuitry, and output electronics for conditioning the signals from said memory units for data processing; a computer for processing data from said output electronics for real time display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 72, 74)
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15. A sensor for detecting the presence of light, comprising
means for converting said light into electrical charge, a hybrid comprising multiplexing and output circuitry, a plurality of collection or detection means for collecting or detecting the electrical charge from said conversion means, a plurality of unit cell processing electronics comprising a plurality of analog memory units, each storing data related to a distinct transit time for a reflected laser pulse from an target pixel, and output amplifier electronics adapted to provide signals to output and multiplexing electronics.
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49. A method for imaging sections of three dimensional objects immersed in a light conducting medium comprising the steps of:
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generating a series of pulses of light; transmitting said light into said medium; collecting light from said medium during the time of transmission and reflection of light from said objects; detecting said collected light providing electrical signals from a plurality of positions on the objects with a single light pulse, storing said electrical signals on a plurality of unit cells corresponding to the said plurality of positions on said objects, providing signals from said storage means, converting the signals stored on said storage means to a three-dimensional image of the objects.
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50. The method for imaging sections of three dimensional objects immersed in a light conducting medium of method 49 wherein the electrical signals correspond to the transit time of the light to the object positions and back to the transmitter.
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51. The method for imaging sections of three dimensional objects immersed in a light conducting medium of method 49 wherein the electrical signals include those corresponding to the peak of the reflected light pulse.
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52. The method for imaging sections of three dimensional objects immersed in a light conducting medium of method 50 wherein the electrical signals include those corresponding to the peak of the reflected light pulse.
Specification