Infrared laser illuminated imaging systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A system for observing an object at an extended distance, the system comprising:
- a range receiever for determining a distance to the object, wherein said range receiver comprises a mid-wave infrared detector configured to (a) measure a time-of-flight of one or more pulses occurring prior to collecting imaging data and provide updates to the measurement of distance during the collection of imaging data to dynamically adjust to changes in the distance to the object being imaged, (b) independently measure the distance to the object while imaging it and provide updates to the measurement of distance during the collection of imaging data dynamically adjust to changes in the distance to the object being imaged;
a laser for illuminating the object with a signal (a) from within a mid-wave infrared spectral region in a 3 to 5 micron wavelength range, (b) having wavelength outputs that match peaks of mid-infrared atmospheric transmission windows of 3 to 5 microns, (c) with high pulse energies that permit imaging at an extended distance; and
(d) that operates in Q-switched regime to provide high energy illumination pulses of short duration for gated imaging;
a mid-wave imaging camera, capable of operating in a dual-imaging mode, for collecting imaging data of the object in the mid-wave infrared spectral region in both a mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode and a mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode, wherein said mid-wave imaging camera is configured for;
in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode, capturing imaging data during a time interval when signals emitted by said laser and reflected by the object are incident upon said camera based on the distance as determined by range receiver, andin the mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode, capturing mid-wave infrared thermal imaging data and detecting a thermal contrast of a target scene caused by differences in emissivity and temperature of objects of the target scene, anda controller for coordinating operations associated with the laser, a sequencing of the laser output with the range receiver, the mid-wave imaging camera, an image processing module, and a display device, wherein the controller coordinates the operations of the mid-wave imaging camera to capture both (a) imaging data that is responsive to illumination of the object by the signals provided by laser in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode of operation and (b) imaging data associated with the object in the mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode of operation that is independent of illumination of the object by the signals provided by the laser in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode of operation.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for long range recognition and identification of objects and targets, and, more particularly, to long range imaging systems that include the use of mid-wave infrared laser illumination technology are provided. In particular, mid-wave infrared laser illuminated imaging systems and methods are disclosed for addressing, among other things, the problems associated with long range, day or night observations of targets through various obscurants (e.g., fog, haze, rain, smoke). Such systems may be configured to operate in either a single, active illumination mode or in a dual, active/passive mode.
42 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A system for observing an object at an extended distance, the system comprising:
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a range receiever for determining a distance to the object, wherein said range receiver comprises a mid-wave infrared detector configured to (a) measure a time-of-flight of one or more pulses occurring prior to collecting imaging data and provide updates to the measurement of distance during the collection of imaging data to dynamically adjust to changes in the distance to the object being imaged, (b) independently measure the distance to the object while imaging it and provide updates to the measurement of distance during the collection of imaging data dynamically adjust to changes in the distance to the object being imaged; a laser for illuminating the object with a signal (a) from within a mid-wave infrared spectral region in a 3 to 5 micron wavelength range, (b) having wavelength outputs that match peaks of mid-infrared atmospheric transmission windows of 3 to 5 microns, (c) with high pulse energies that permit imaging at an extended distance; and
(d) that operates in Q-switched regime to provide high energy illumination pulses of short duration for gated imaging;a mid-wave imaging camera, capable of operating in a dual-imaging mode, for collecting imaging data of the object in the mid-wave infrared spectral region in both a mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode and a mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode, wherein said mid-wave imaging camera is configured for; in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode, capturing imaging data during a time interval when signals emitted by said laser and reflected by the object are incident upon said camera based on the distance as determined by range receiver, and in the mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode, capturing mid-wave infrared thermal imaging data and detecting a thermal contrast of a target scene caused by differences in emissivity and temperature of objects of the target scene, and a controller for coordinating operations associated with the laser, a sequencing of the laser output with the range receiver, the mid-wave imaging camera, an image processing module, and a display device, wherein the controller coordinates the operations of the mid-wave imaging camera to capture both (a) imaging data that is responsive to illumination of the object by the signals provided by laser in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode of operation and (b) imaging data associated with the object in the mid-wave infrared thermal imaging mode of operation that is independent of illumination of the object by the signals provided by the laser in the mid-wave infrared laser-illuminated imaging mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification