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US 6,636,701 B1Granted
Ultraviolet imager system and method
AssigneeJobin Yvon, Inc.
InventorsNicolas Vezard, Gregoire Verrier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ultraviolet imager for forensic and other purpose, e.g. for detection of fingerprints and other forensic evidence at crime scenes permits live simultaneous viewing, with live focusing adjustments, of an ultraviolet image, converted to visible light, and capture of the ultraviolet image on light sensitive film. A modified SLR camera provides film image capture and is optically coupled with a light intensifier for viewing and focusing. A preferred viewing system employs optical symmetry between the camera and the intensfier. Both the camera and the viewing system are optimized for processing ultraviolet light by employing ultraviolet transmissive lens elements and ultraviolet-reflective mirrors throughout.
Claims27
An ultraviolet light imager comprising:
- a) a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to receive into the camera ultraviolet light images received from a target;
- ii) a film holder for film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror to reflect light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected image for use in focusing the camera lens, wherein the reflected image is focused to a focusing window;
- b) an electronic imaging device having an input to receive the reflected ultraviolet image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output;
- and
- c) a viewing system to transmit the reflected image from the camera mirror to the electronic imaging device, the viewing system comprising;
- i) an optical path from the focusing window to the viewing system input, the optical path having an optical axis;
- ii) at least one optical element disposed on the optical axis;
- wherein the viewing system is optically symmetrical on either side of a transverse plane through a mid-point of the optical axis.
8 more elements
An ultraviolet light imager comprising:
- a) a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to receive into the camera ultraviolet light images received from a target;
- ii) a film holder for film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror to reflect image light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected image for use in focusing the camera lens, wherein the reflected image is focused to a focusing window;
- b) an electronic imaging device having an input to receive the reflected ultraviolet image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output;
- and
- c) a viewing system to transmit the reflected image from the camera mirror to the electronic imaging device, the viewing system comprising;
- i) a viewing mirror disposed between the camera mirror and the electronic image device;
- ii) a first viewing lens disposed between the camera mirror and the viewing mirror to collect light from the camera mirror and transmit the collected light to the viewing mirror;
- and
- iii) a second viewing lens disposed between the viewing mirror and the electronic imaging device input to collect light from the camera mirror and transmit the collected light to the viewing mirror.
9 more elements
An ultraviolet light imager comprising:
- a) a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to input ultraviolet light images to the camera;
- ii) a film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an ultraviolet image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror having an ultraviolet-reflective surface to reflect a portion of the image light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected ultraviolet image for use in focusing the camera lens;
- and
- b) an image intensifier optically coupled to the camera to receive the reflected ultraviolet image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output;
- wherein the reflected ultraviolet image is focused to the viewable output of the intensifier wherein the camera lens is an ultraviolet-transmissive lens and wherein the camera includes an ultraviolet filter for the camera lens.
5 more elements
An invisible wavelength light imager comprising:
- a) a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to input invisible wavelength light images to the camera;
- ii) a film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an invisible wavelength image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror having an invisible wavelength-reflective surface to reflect a portion of the image light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected invisible wavelength image for use in focusing the camera lens;
- and
- b) an image intensifier optically coupled to the camera to receive the reflected invisible wavelength image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output;
- wherein the reflected invisible wavelength image is focused to the viewable output of the intensifier.
5 more elements
An ultraviolet light imager for use with a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to receive into the camera ultraviolet light images received from a target;
- ii) a film holder for film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror to reflect light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected image for use in focusing the camera lens, wherein the reflected image is focused to a focusing window;
- the light imager comprising:
- a) an electronic imaging device having an input to receive the reflected ultraviolet image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output;
- and
- b) a viewing system to transmit the reflected image from the camera mirror to the electronic imaging device, the viewing system comprising;
- i) an optical path from the focusing window to the viewing system input, the optical path having an optical axis;
- ii) at least one optical element disposed on the optical axis;
- wherein the viewing system is optically symmetrical on either side of a transverse plane through a mid-point of the optical axis.
8 more elements
An ultraviolet light imager for use with a camera having:
- i) a focusable camera lens to input ultraviolet light images to the camera;
- ii) a film to capture images received from the camera lens, the spacing of the camera lens from the film being adjustable to focus an ultraviolet image on the film;
- and
- iii) a camera mirror having an ultraviolet-reflective surface to reflect a portion of the image light received from the camera lens to provide a reflected ultraviolet image for use in focusing the camera lens;
- the ultraviolet light imager comprising an image intensifier optically couplable to the camera to receive the reflected ultraviolet image from the camera mirror and provide a viewable output wherein the reflected ultraviolet image is focused to the viewable output of the intensifier.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.