Optical module for observing event or object

• US 8,186,839 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SatByul Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Industry Collaboration Foundation of EWHA University
• Inventors: Park, Jae Hyoung, Park, Il Hung
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US11/753,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 359/200.8, 359/201.2, 359/212, 359/2, 359/223.1, 359/225.1, 359/226.1, 359/846, 359/212.1, 359/850, 359/865, 250/203.1, 250/216, 250/334, 250/234
• US Class Current: 359/846
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1021 Earth observation satellites
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/16 Measuring atmospheric potential differences, e.g. due to electrical charges in clouds measuring potentiels in general G01R
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/06 having a focussing action, e.g. parabolic mirror
• 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

Abstract

An optical module that effectively observes a rapidly moving event or object is provided. The optical module includes first and second mirrors, and an optical signals detector, which are installed in a body thereof. The first mirror has a wide field of view and detects the event or object over a wide observing region. The second mirror observes the event or object detected by the first mirror at a high resolution. The focal length of the second mirror is greater than that of the first mirror. The optical signal detector detects an optical signal in light transmitted from the first mirror or the second mirror. The body forms apertures which correspond to the first and second mirrors, respectively and provides an optical path from the first and second mirrors to the optical signal detector. Therefore, the optical module can observe the event or object detected by the first mirror at a high resolution.

Claims

1. An optical module observing at least one of an event and an object comprising:

a first mirror having a wide field of view, for detecting at least one of the event and the object over a wide observing region;

at least one second mirror, whose focal length is greater than that of the first mirror, for observing the at least one of the event and the object detected by the first mirror at a high resolution;

an optical signal detector for detecting an optical signal in light transmitted from at least one of the first mirror and the at least one second mirror; and

a body including the first mirror, the at least one second mirror, and the optical signal detector therein, and forming apertures which correspond to the first mirror and the at least one second mirror, respectively, the body providing an optical path from the first mirror and the at least one second mirror to the optical signal detector,

wherein the first mirror comprises a digital mirror that is switched off after detecting the at least one of the event and the object, and

wherein the at least one second mirror comprises an analog mirror that rapidly changes its tilting angle.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for determining whether the at least one of the detected event and object is an observation target, for reading a location of the at least one of the detected event and object when determining that the at least one of the detected event and object is an observation target, and for controlling the first mirror and the at least one or more second mirror.

3. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the first mirror and the at least one second mirror change the optical path of an image to a certain path.

4. The optical module according to claim 3, wherein the first mirror and the at least one second mirror are operated through a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS).

5. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second mirror adjusts the resolution to a certain value.