Composite visible/thermal-infrared imaging apparatus

Abstract

Multispectral imaging apparatus for producing a composite dual wavelength visible/infrared image includes a wavelength independent focus reflective optical system for receiving a visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for providing a focused beam of radiation, a beam splitter for splitting the beam into a beam of visible radiation and a beam of infrared radiation, a visible radiation detector for receiving the visible radiation and for producing a first signal, and infrared radiation detector for receiving the infrared radiation and for producing a second signal, and a signal processing and display system for converting the first and second signals into video signals corresponding to a visible black and white image of the scene and a step-tone or false color infrared image of the scene. The images are combined in exact spatial registration to produce a composite image comprising a black and white visible image with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.