US 7,432,498 B2 · Method and apparatus for optically detecting and identifying a threat

Abstract

An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A detection apparatus comprising:

a housing having an opening therein for receiving light rays;
a micro-mirror array comprising a plurality of individually directable mirrors arranged in rows;
a plurality of optics, directing all of the light rays to the micro-mirror array;
and
a controller coupled to the micro-mirror array programmed to instruct the micro-mirror array to successively project different sets of rows of mirrors in the micro-mirror array toward a detector to determine an event characteristic.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for optically detecting and identifying a threat

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for optically detecting and identifying a threat

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14