Scanner position sensor for an integrated laser/FLIR rangefiner
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorBarry N. Berdanier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an integrated laser/FLIR rangefinder a scanner position sensor comprising an LED of the array of LEDs of a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system, a reticle grating located at the image plane of LED optical path, and a silicon detector positioned to receive the light passing through the reticle grating for producing a plurality of signals in response to light passing through each grating slot. One of the signals is selected for the synchronization logic for controlling the charging and firing of the laser. If there is no range return a second signal is selected for adjusting the position of the timing pulse.
Claims8
In an integrated laser/FLIR rangefinder having a laser and a FLIR including a scanner, a scanner position sensor means for generating scan position sensor signals for charging and firing the laser, said scanner position sensor means comprising light generating means for producing a light beam corresponding to the position of the FLIR's scanner, a light passing reticle means selectively positioned with respect to the line-of-sight optical path for passing said light, and a light detector for detecting light passing through the reticle means and producing an electrical signal in response thereto, and control means operatively connected to the light detector for firing the laser, said control means including a logic gate having a first terminal connected to the light detector for selectively receiving a light indicating pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.