System for the detection and the depiction of objects in the path of marine vessels
First Claim
1. A system for detection and imaging of objects (16) in the course of speed boats and other marine vessels and for warning about objects that may constitute a risk to the navigational safety, said vessels preferably exhibiting a navigation and communication system (28), said system comprising a scanning unit (10) for laser illumination of objects (16) within the field of view of the system, including a control unit (11) and an operator panel (12), characterized in that the scanning unit (10) includes:
- a light source (30), preferably an eye-safe IR laser provided to emit a laser beam (33) within the field of view of the system,an optics/sensor- and pulse processing unit (21) including optical detectors (34, 38) for monitoring the output power of the laser beam (33) and generation of trigger pulses for measurement of distances to objects (16), for reception/detection of radiant energy reflected from objects (16), including measurement of distance to the reflecting object(s) (16) based on the time delay between emitted and reflected light, including energy and peak power of the pulses,a first (19) and second (20) scanning mechanism,said scanning unit (10) being arranged to generate a regular pattern of laser spots on a water surface, where partly overlapping laser spots (17) are generated along radial scan lines (18) from the vessel by means of the first scanning mechanism (19) and by rotating the scan lines about a vertical axis by means of the second scanning mechanism (20) so that the entire or parts of the water surface around the vessel is covered with overlapping laser spots.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System for detection and depiction of objects in the path of marine vessels and for warning about objects that may constitute a risk to the navigational safety. The system includes a sweeping unit for illumination of objects within the field of view of the system, including a light source which emits a beam within the field of view of the system, an optical sensor and pulse processing unit including optical detectors for monitoring of the beam output power and generation of a start pulse for measurement of distance, for detection/reception of radiant energy reflected from objects, including measurement of distance to the reflecting object(s) based on the time delay between emitted and reflected light, including energy and peak effect of the pulses. The sweeping unit sweeps the beam and the optical detector'"'"'s instantaneous field of view over the sweep area, by means of first and second sweeping mechanisms, to obtain directional information related to the instantaneous radiation direction relative to the vessel.
26 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system for detection and imaging of objects (16) in the course of speed boats and other marine vessels and for warning about objects that may constitute a risk to the navigational safety, said vessels preferably exhibiting a navigation and communication system (28), said system comprising a scanning unit (10) for laser illumination of objects (16) within the field of view of the system, including a control unit (11) and an operator panel (12), characterized in that the scanning unit (10) includes:
-
a light source (30), preferably an eye-safe IR laser provided to emit a laser beam (33) within the field of view of the system, an optics/sensor- and pulse processing unit (21) including optical detectors (34, 38) for monitoring the output power of the laser beam (33) and generation of trigger pulses for measurement of distances to objects (16), for reception/detection of radiant energy reflected from objects (16), including measurement of distance to the reflecting object(s) (16) based on the time delay between emitted and reflected light, including energy and peak power of the pulses, a first (19) and second (20) scanning mechanism, said scanning unit (10) being arranged to generate a regular pattern of laser spots on a water surface, where partly overlapping laser spots (17) are generated along radial scan lines (18) from the vessel by means of the first scanning mechanism (19) and by rotating the scan lines about a vertical axis by means of the second scanning mechanism (20) so that the entire or parts of the water surface around the vessel is covered with overlapping laser spots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification