Broadband energy illuminator

• US 7,601,958 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsemi Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Daly, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gaworecki; Mark R
• Application Number:
  US11/835,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20090040092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330, 250/338.1, 250/339.03, 250/339.06, 342/22, 342/82
• US Class Current: 250/330
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/046 using an intermediate storage device, e.g. a recording/reproducing device

Abstract

The present invention is a broadband energy illuminator for creating contrast between the broadband energy emanating from a scene and an individual within the scene. A millimeter wave camera is focused toward the individual to detect millimeter wave frequencies reflected from the scene. As an individual passes through scene the millimeter wave camera detects concealed objects by identifying differences in the millimeter wave energy reflected by the individual'"'"'s body and a concealed object. The broadband energy illuminator focuses a cold source of broadband energy on the scene thereby enhancing the ability of the millimeter wave camera to distinguish the individual'"'"'s body from concealed objects. A composite image is generated by a central processing unit and displayed on a monitor showing the concealed object on the individual through optical contrast.

Claims

1. A broadband energy illuminator apparatus for use with a millimeter wave camera, comprising:

a cold source of broadband energy, wherein said cold source of broadband energy is water having a temperature less than the temperature of a scene;

means for illuminating an individual to be scanned with said millimeter wave camera; and

said means including a reflective surface orientated so as to reflect said cold source of broadband energy which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from the scene.

2. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1 further comprising a lens interposed between said reflective surface and said individual so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy.

3. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1, wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

4. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1, wherein said reflective surface for illuminating the individual with cold energy is a receiving antenna.

5. A broadband energy illuminator apparatus for use with a millimeter wave camera imaging system, comprising:

an imaging zone, wherein a millimeter wave camera is focused on said imaging zone;

a video camera focused on said imaging zone at a substantially identical angle and perspective of said imaging zone as said millimeter wave camera;

a means for illuminating said imaging zone with broadband cold energy, wherein said means includes a reflective surface orientated so as to reflect broadband cold energy from a cold source which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from a scene;

a lens interposed between said reflective surface and an individual to focus said broadband cold energy so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy;

a means for electrically communicating between said video camera, millimeter wave camera and a central processing unit so that scanning of the individual within said imaging zone that is illuminated with broadband cold energy is simultaneous with said millimeter wave camera and said video camera;

a millimeter wave receiver for receiving input signals received by said millimeter wave camera to generate millimeter wave images;

a video receiver for receiving input signals received by said video camera to generate video images;

a means for synchronizing said millimeter wave images with said video images so that real-time composite images of said millimeter wave images and said video images are generated;

a means to detect a concealed object on said individual by identifying differences in said millimeter wave energy reflected by said individual and said concealed object received by said millimeter wave camera; and

a means for displaying said composite images on a video monitor showing said concealed object on said individual.

6. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 5, wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

7. A method of illuminating a background scene with cold energy comprising:

providing a means to reflect a cold source of broadband energy to a background scene which is detectibly different from said broadband energy emanating from an individual, wherein said cold source of broadband energy is water having a temperature less than a temperature of the background scene.

8. The method of claim 7 further providing a lens interposed between said reflective surface and said individual so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said means for reflecting said cold energy of broadband energy is a receiving antenna.

11. A method of illuminating a background scene with cold energy comprising:

providing a means to reflect a cold source of broadband energy to a background scene which is detectibly different from said broadband energy emanating from an individual;

focusing a millimeter wave camera on an imaging zone;

focusing a video camera on said imaging zone at a substantially identical angle and perspective of said imaging zone as said millimeter wave camera;

illuminating said imaging zone with broadband cold energy, wherein a reflective surface is orientated so as to reflect broadband cold energy from a cold source which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from the background scene;

interposing a lens between said reflective surface and said individual to focus said broadband cold energy so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy;

electrically communicating between said video camera, millimeter wave camera and a central processing unit so that scanning of the individual within said imaging zone that is illuminated with broadband cold energy is simultaneous with said millimeter wave camera and said video camera;

receiving input signals received by said millimeter wave camera to generate millimeter wave images;

receiving input signals received by said video camera to generate video images;

synchronizing said millimeter wave images with said video images so that real-time composite images of said millimeter wave images and said video images are generated;

detecting a concealed object on said individual by identifying differences in said millimeter wave energy reflected by said individual and said concealed object received by said millimeter wave camera; and

displaying said composite images on a video monitor showing said concealed object on said individual.