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US4791490A
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Detector for three-dimensional optical imaging
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1988-12-13
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Expires: 2007-07-02
Abstract
Abstract The detector includes a focusing lens for focusing pulsed laser light reflected from an object onto a fiber optic array. The fiber optic array is configured to receive a two-dimensional image from the focusing lens and to convert the two-dimensional image into a line image. A streak camera responsive to light from the fiber optic array provides time resolution for the light from each of the fibers in the array. A two-dimensional detector records the light output from the streak camera and electronics store data and process information to construct three-dimensional images.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick K. Knight
- 👤 Kenneth Kalata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/207; H04N13/254; H04N13/10; H04N13/189; H04N13/236; H04N2013/0074; H04N2013/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
Detector for three-dimensional optical imaging comprising: a focusing lens; a fiber optic array configured to receive a two-dimensional image from the lens and to convert the two-dimensional image into a line image; a streak camera responsive to light from the fiber optic array adapted to provide time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; a two-dimensional detector to record the light output from the streak camera; and electronic apparatus to store and process information from the two-dimensional detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
Detector for three-dimensional optical imaging comprising: a focusing lens; a fiber optic array configured to receive a two-dimensional image from the lens and to convert the two-dimensional image into a line image; a streak camera responsive to light from the fiber optic array adapted to provide time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; a two-dimensional detector to record the light output from the streak camera; and electronic apparatus to store and process information from the two-dimensional detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the streak camera includes a micro-channel plate for amplification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detector of claim 1 further including optics adapted to couple the output of the fiber optic array to the streak camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detector of claim 3 wherein the optics include a coupling lens whose aperture matches the aperture of the fiber optic array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the focusing lens is a set of lenses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the focusing lens has a focal length in the range of 0.4-4 cm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the fiber optic array has a square configuration at an end for receiving the two-dimensional image and a linear configuration at the other end for coupling light into the streak camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 7 wherein the square configuration comprises a 25×25 array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the streak camera includes circuitry for generating a ramp voltage to provide the time resolution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the streak camera has a resolution of approximately 10 line pairs per millimeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The detector of claim 2 wherein the micro-channel plate has a 40 mm diameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional detector is a silicon intensified target (SIT) vidicon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional detector is a charge coupled device (CCD).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the elctronic apparatus includes a general purpose digital computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1 having a resolution of 25×25 angular elements and 400 time elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The detector of claim 1 having a framing rate of 4 hertz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the streak camera has a relative time resolution of 50 picoseconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 1 having an angular resolution of approximately 4% of the field of view of the focusing lens.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 1 further including a laser for illuminating an object with pulses in the range of 30-100 picoseconds.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector of claim 1 adapted to detect light received over a period of 25 to 400 nanoseconds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector of claim 19 wherein the laser generates light in the range of 0.8 μm to 0.25 μm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 1 having a depth resolution of approximately 0.5 cm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method for three-dimensional optical imaging comprising focusing light reflected from an object onto a fiber optic array which converts a two-dimensional image into a line image; determining time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; and processing the time resolution information to produce three-dimensional images of objects.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method for three-dimensional optical imaging comprising focusing light reflected from an object onto a fiber optic array which converts a two-dimensional image into a line image; determining time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; and processing the time resolution information to produce three-dimensional images of objects.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
Three-dimensional optical imaging system comprising a laser adapted to generate light pulses to illuminate an object; a focusing lens to focus light reflected from the object; a fiber optic array configured to receive a two-dimensional image from the lens and to convert the two-dimensional image into a line image; a streak camera responsive to light from the fiber optic array adapted to provide time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; a two-dimensional detector to record the light output from the streak camera; and electronic apparatus to store and process information from the two-dimensional detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
99 words
Three-dimensional optical imaging system comprising a laser adapted to generate light pulses to illuminate an object; a focusing lens to focus light reflected from the object; a fiber optic array configured to receive a two-dimensional image from the lens and to convert the two-dimensional image into a line image; a streak camera responsive to light from the fiber optic array adapted to provide time resolution for light from each fiber of the fiber optic array; a two-dimensional detector to record the light output from the streak camera; and electronic apparatus to store and process information from the two-dimensional detector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector of claim 1 further including a microchannel plate to amplify light from the streak camera.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 25 further including fiber optic coupler to couple light from the microchannel plate to the two-dimensional detector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 7 wherein the square configuration comprises a 16×16 array.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-13 | 1992-06-13 | 1992-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-13 | 1996-06-13 | 1996-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-13 | 2000-06-13 | 2000-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |