US 6,909,539 B2 · System and method for combining multiple energy bands to improve scene viewing

Abstract

A single sensor that can operate in multiple bands and display either one radiation band alone or multiple overlaid bands, using an appropriate color choice to distinguish the bands. The multiple-band sensor allows the user to look through at least one eyepiece and with the use of a switch, see scenes formed via the human eye under visible light, an II sensor, an MWIR sensor, or an LWIR sensor, either individually or superimposed. The device is equipped with multiple switching mechanisms. The first, for allowing the user to select between radiation bands and overlays, and the second, as with most thermal imaging sensors, for allowing the user to switch between “white-hot/black-hot” i.e., a polarity switch.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Multiple-band radiation imaging system for imaging at least two bands of radiation comprising:

an objective lens for imaging a first and a second band of radiation;
a first optical element for receiving the first band of radiation from the objective lens and directing the first band of radiation onto a first receiving device;
a sensor for receiving the second band of radiation, wherein the sensor images the second band of radiation onto a first and a second display device, wherein the second band of radiation is imaged from the first display device onto a second optical element and is subsequently directed to a second receiving device;
and
further wherein the second band of radiation is directed from the second display device through the first optical element and onto the first receiving device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/461,376Filed 16 Jun 2003 · continuation

Priority

30 Aug 2000

Published

US 2003/0218801 A127 Nov 2003

Granted

21 Jun 2005

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

G01J 3/02
Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours: details
G01J 3/0208
Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows: using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or…
G01J 3/32
Measuring the intensity of spectral lines directly on the spectrum itself: investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector
G02B 13/146
For use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation: with corrections for use in multiple wavelength bands, such as infrared and visible light, e.g.…

System and method for combining multiple energy bands to improve scene viewing

Life of this patent

System and method for combining multiple energy bands to improve scene viewing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13