Imaging system with an optical mirror arrangement and self righting housing
First Claim
1. A multi-wavelength band imaging system comprising:
- an objective system which is arranged to collect radiation emanating from an object space;
a beam splitter which is arranged to collect radiation from the objective system, split the radiation into radiation in a first wavelength band and radiation in a second wavelength band, and to direct radiation in the first wavelength band to a first image plane and radiation in the second wavelength band to a second image plane;
first and second image sensors respectively arranged in the first and second image planes; and
a positively powered refractive optical component having a useful spectral bandpass in the first and second wavelength bands;
wherein, the objective system includes a convex reflective surface and a concave reflective surface mutually spaced along an optical axis through the beam splitter, the convex reflective surface being disposed to collect radiation from object space and to deliver the collected radiation to the concave reflective surface, and the concave reflective surface being disposed to transfer radiation collected from the convex reflective surface to the beam splitter past the convex reflective surface;
wherein the positively powered refractive optical component is optically between the concave reflective surface and the beam splitter;
wherein the first image sensor is adapted for imaging radiation in the first wavelength band, the second image sensor is adapted for imaging radiation in the second wavelength band, the first and second wavelength bands being either side of a wavelength of about 2.7 microns; and
wherein the first wavelength band is from visible to near infrared and the second wavelength band is intermediate infrared, far infrared or both.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-wavelength band imaging system including a beam splitter is provided, allowing image capturing means adapted to specific wavelength bands to be used such as from visible to near infrared, intermediate infrared and far infrared. The system may have a field of view of substantially (360) degrees about an optical axis of the system and may fit into a golf ball sized housing. The imaging system includes a first convex mirror and a second concave mirror. Some embodiments for imaging single or close wavelength bands and not requiring a beam splitter are equally provided. Also provided is a self-righting housing for an imaging system, for example as described above, which self-rights under the action of gravity, thereby disposing the imaging system in an appropriate orientation.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A multi-wavelength band imaging system comprising:
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an objective system which is arranged to collect radiation emanating from an object space; a beam splitter which is arranged to collect radiation from the objective system, split the radiation into radiation in a first wavelength band and radiation in a second wavelength band, and to direct radiation in the first wavelength band to a first image plane and radiation in the second wavelength band to a second image plane; first and second image sensors respectively arranged in the first and second image planes; and a positively powered refractive optical component having a useful spectral bandpass in the first and second wavelength bands; wherein, the objective system includes a convex reflective surface and a concave reflective surface mutually spaced along an optical axis through the beam splitter, the convex reflective surface being disposed to collect radiation from object space and to deliver the collected radiation to the concave reflective surface, and the concave reflective surface being disposed to transfer radiation collected from the convex reflective surface to the beam splitter past the convex reflective surface; wherein the positively powered refractive optical component is optically between the concave reflective surface and the beam splitter; wherein the first image sensor is adapted for imaging radiation in the first wavelength band, the second image sensor is adapted for imaging radiation in the second wavelength band, the first and second wavelength bands being either side of a wavelength of about 2.7 microns; and wherein the first wavelength band is from visible to near infrared and the second wavelength band is intermediate infrared, far infrared or both. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification