US 6,665,079 B1 · Method and apparatus for locating electromagnetic imaging and detection systems/devices · patentgrep

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Abstract

A method and apparatus utilizing a series of optical components and systems which effectively detect and locate electromagnetic imaging or detection systems or devices, such as cameras and passive infrared detectors. A light source is arranged in a specially-prescribed manner, and is used in conjunction with imaging optics to illuminate an area. Any electromagnetic imaging or detection system in the illuminated area is detected with either the user's eye directly, or with detection optics to determine the existence of such electromagnetic imaging or detection system.

Claims77

Dependent claims

An apparatus for locating an electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a preselected wavelength;
an optical receiving means located a preselected distance from said source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from said beam of electromagnetic radiation striking at least a partially reflective surface of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation defining a retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
said optical receiving means also being capable of receiving reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, resulting from scene reflection of naturally occurring light from sources external to the apparatus along with scene reflection of said beam of electromagnetic radiation, in addition-to said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation;
said preselected distance of said optical receiving means from said source of electromagnetic radiation being such that said optical receiving means is at least partially within said retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
and
at least one distinguishing-characteristic associated with at least one of said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation and said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation for differentiating said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation from said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation;
whereby reception of retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation by said optical receiving means indicates the location of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device.

4 more elements

An apparatus for locating an electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, comprising:

a first source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation of a preselected wavelength;
a second source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a second beam of electromagnetic radiation of a preselected wavelength;
an optical receiving means located a preselected distance from said first source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from said first beam of electromagnetic radiation striking at least a partially reflective surface of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation defining a retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
said optical receiving means also being capable of receiving reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, resulting from scene reflection of naturally occurring light from sources external to the apparatus along with scene reflection of said first and said second beams of electromagnetic radiation, in addition to said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation;
said preselected distance between said optical receiving means from said first source of electromagnetic radiation being such that said optical receiving means is at least partially within said retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
at least one distinguishing characteristic associated with at least one of said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation and said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation for differentiating said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation from said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation;
whereby reception of retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation by said optical receiving means indicates the location of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device.

4 more elements

An apparatus for locating an electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, comprising:

a housing;
and
said housing having incorporated therewith the following:
a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a first preselected color;
viewing means for receiving retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from said beam of electromagnetic radiation striking at least a partially reflective surface of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation defining a retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
said viewing means also being capable of receiving reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, resulting from scene reflection of naturally occurring light from sources external to the apparatus along with scene reflection of said beam of electromagnetic radiation, in addition said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation;
an aperture located within said housing;
beam directing means optically positioned between said source of electromagnetic radiation and said viewing means for directing a substantial portion of said electromagnetic radiation of said first preselected color out of said housing through said aperture;
a filter of a second preselected color positioned to partially overlap said aperture yet not obscure said beam directing means, said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation passing through said filter;
and
said viewing means capable of receiving said scene electromagnetic radiation in said second preselected color and said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation in said first preselected color;
whereby reception of said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation in said first preselected color by said viewing means indicates the location of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device.

9 more elements

An apparatus for locating an electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, comprising:

a housing;
and
said housing having incorporated therewith the following:
a first source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation at a first preselected wavelength;
a second source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a second beam of electromagnetic radiation at a second preselected wavelength;
viewing means for receiving retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from said first beam of electromagnetic radiation striking at least a partially reflective surface of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation defining a retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
said viewing means also being capable of receiving reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, resulting from scene reflection of naturally occurring light from sources external to the apparatus along with scene reflection of said first and said second beams of electromagnetic radiation, in addition to said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation;
at least one distinguishing characteristic associated with at least one of said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation and said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation for differentiating said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation from said reflected scene electromagnetic radiation;
an exit portion,-said exit portion defining an area for said first and said second beams of electromagnetic radiation to exit said housing;
beam directing means optically positioned between said source of electromagnetic radiation and said viewing means for directing a substantial portion of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation out of said housing through said exit portion of said housing;
and
said second beam of electromagnetic radiation exiting said housing through said exit portion spaced apart a preselected distance from said viewing means;
whereby reception of said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation by said viewing means indicates the location of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device.

10 more elements

An apparatus for locating an electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a preselected wavelength;
an on-axis optical receiving means located a preselected distance from said source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from said beam of electromagnetic radiation striking at least a partially reflective surface of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device, said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation defining a retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
said on-axis optical receiving means also being capable of receiving reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, resulting from scene reflection of naturally occurring light from sources external to the apparatus along with scene reflection of said beam of electromagnetic radiation, in addition to said retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation;
said preselected distance of said on-axis optical receiving means from said source of electromagnetic radiation being such that said on axis optical receiving means is at least partially within said retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation;
and
an off-axis optical receiving means for receiving only reflected scene electromagnetic radiation, said off-axis optical receiving means being located outside of said retro-reflected zone of electromagnetic radiation
whereby reception of retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation by said on-axis optical receiving means indicates the location of the electromagnetic imaging and detection system/device.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.