Wide field-of-view imaging system using a reflective spatial light modulator

• US 6,473,241 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Force Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Martinez, Ty, Wick, David V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANIG, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US09/683,147
• Time in Patent Office: 336 Days
• Field of Search: 359/637, 359/629, 359/630, 359/633, 359/724, 359/291, 359/290
• US Class Current: 359/637
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0025 for optical correction, e.g. distorsion, aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking

Abstract

PRS0847A foveated imaging system using a relatively simple optical imaging system with a reflective spatial light modulator at or near a pupil plane to correct off-axis aberrations. Maximum resolution is obtained for a single fixation point (foveal region) within the field of view at a time. The fixation point can be changed manually, by a predetermined scan pattern, or automatically varied for surveillance or tracking applications. A pre-calibrated look up table is used to vary the reflective spatial light modulator for each fixation point.

Claims

1. A foveated imaging system comprised of:

an optical imaging system having a field of view, off-axis aberrations, and a pupil plane;

a reflective spatial light modulator positioned at or near the pupil plane of the optical imaging system to correct the aberrations at a fixation point within the field of view;

means for varying the fixation point over time; and

means for controlling the reflective spatial light modulator whereby maximum resolution is obtained at any particular fixation point as the fixation point is varied over time.

2. The foveated imaging system of claim 1, wherein the means for varying the fixation point over time is an eye movement tracking system.

3. The foveated imaging system of claim 1, wherein the means for varying the fixation point over time is a computer track ball.

4. The foveated imaging system of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the reflective spatial light modulator is a look up table containing predetermined settings for each fixation point.

5. The foveated imaging system of claim 1, wherein the foveated imaging system is further comprised of a means for automatically acquiring and tracking a moving object within the field of view.