Diffuse infrared light imaging system

An illumination system for generating and emitting diffuse light, comprising:

• a light source for generating light;
• and
• means for diffusing the light, including:
• an elongate outer enclosure having a reflective inner surface, a first outer enclosure end, a second outer enclosure end, an input aperture disposed at the first outer enclosure end for receiving the light from the light source, and an output aperture disposed at the second outer enclosure end for emitting the diffuse light;
• and
• an elongate inner reflector disposed within the outer enclosure and between the first and second outer enclosure ends, the inner reflector having a reflective outer surface which tapers from a large end to an apex, and which reflective outer surface faces the reflective inner surface of the outer enclosure,
• the light source disposed in the input aperture of the outer enclosure for illuminating the reflective inner surface of the outer enclosure and the reflective outer surface of the inner reflector,
• the inner surface of the outer enclosure and the outer surface of the inner reflector positioned to reflect the light from the light source multiple times and in multiple directions, thereby producing diffuse light and emitting the diffuse light from the output aperture of the outer enclosure.

An illumination system for enhancing visual contrast between bright and dark areas of an object as sensed by a direct observer of the object, the system comprising:

• an infrared light source for generating infrared light;
• means for diffusing the infrared light having a plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflecting the infrared light multiple times and in multiple directions, thereby producing diffuse infrared light, the means for diffusing the infrared light comprising:
• an elongate outer enclosure having reflective inner surfaces, and having a first outer enclosure end and a second outer enclosure end;
• an input aperture disposed at the first outer enclosure end for receiving the infrared light from the infrared light source;
• an output aperture disposed at the second outer enclosure end for receiving the diffuse infrared light reflected from the plurality of reflecting surfaces and for emitting the diffuse infrared light toward the object;
• and
• an elongate inner enclosure disposed within the outer enclosure and between the first and second outer enclosure ends, the inner enclosure having reflective outer surfaces facing the inner surfaces of the outer enclosure;
• video imaging means for measuring diffuse infrared light reflected from the object in the form of an image, and for creating a video output signal representative of the image;
• a video projector for receiving the video output signal from the video imaging means and for projecting visible video projector light onto the object, thereby forming a visual image which is representative of the visual image received by the video imaging means, such that the visual image projected by the video projector illuminates the object from a perspective that is the substantially the same as a perspective from which the video imaging means views the object, whereby features of the projected visual image overlay corresponding features of the object;
• and
• filter means for distinguishing between the diffuses infrared light and the visible video projector light, and for preventing the visible video projector light from reaching the video imaging means while allowing the diffuse infrared light reflected from the object to reach the video imaging means, thus eliminating positive feedback which would degrade the desired visual effect.