US4967270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lidar system incorporating multiple cameras for obtaining a plurality of subimages
Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corp
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Filing: 1989-06-12
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2009-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved imaging light detection and ranging (lidar) system is presented which provides variable time delay range gating across a selected image. Variable time delay range gating across an image is accomplished using a plurality of imaging cameras which are individually triggered after preselected delays to obtain multiple subimages. These multiple subimages are then put together in a mosaic in a computer to provide a complete image of a target plane using only one light pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby L. Ulich
- 👤 R. Norris Keeler
- 👤 Kent Phlibsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/89; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08; G01S17/10; G01S17/18; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/002; H04N7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light comprising: generating means for selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting means for projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting means for detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; and converting means for converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said detecting means further comprises; a plurality of cameras directed laterally across a target image, each of said cameras obtaining a subimage of said target image; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across said target image viewed by said cameras.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light comprising: generating means for selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting means for projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting means for detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; and converting means for converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said detecting means further comprises; a plurality of cameras directed laterally across a target image, each of said cameras obtaining a subimage of said target image; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across said target image viewed by said cameras.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including: means for combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said cameras are gated after one pulse from said generating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said target image is a planar image.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light including the steps of: selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said step of detecting said reflected pulses of light further includes using a detecting means comprising; a plurality of cameras being directed laterally across a target image, each of said cameras obtaining a subimage of said target image; and time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across said target image viewed by said cameras.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light including the steps of: selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said step of detecting said reflected pulses of light further includes using a detecting means comprising; a plurality of cameras being directed laterally across a target image, each of said cameras obtaining a subimage of said target image; and time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across said target image viewed by said cameras.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 including: combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 including: gating said cameras after one pulse from said generating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein: said target image is a planar image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light comprising: generating means for selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting means for projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting means for detecting said pulse of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulse to and from said object; and converting means for converting said detected pulses of light to a vide image of said object; wherein said detecting means further comprises; a plurality of cameras; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across an image viewed by said cameras; wherein each of said cameras obtains a subimage; and including means for combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light comprising: generating means for selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting means for projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting means for detecting said pulse of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulse to and from said object; and converting means for converting said detected pulses of light to a vide image of said object; wherein said detecting means further comprises; a plurality of cameras; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across an image viewed by said cameras; wherein each of said cameras obtains a subimage; and including means for combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: said target image is a planar image.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light including the steps of: selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said step of detecting said reflected pulses of light further includes using a detecting means comprising: a plurality of cameras; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across an image viewed by said cameras; wherein each of said cameras obtains a subimage; and including combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light including the steps of: selectively generating short pulses of light; projecting said short pulses of light toward the backscattering medium and at an object enveloped by the medium; detecting said pulses of light reflected back from said object after a time delay corresponding to the round-trip propagation time of said light pulses to and from said object; converting said detected pulses of light to a video image of said object; wherein said step of detecting said reflected pulses of light further includes using a detecting means comprising: a plurality of cameras; time delay generator means for selectively gating each of said cameras after a predetermined time delay to produce variable time delay gating across an image viewed by said cameras; wherein each of said cameras obtains a subimage; and including combining all of the subimages from said cameras into a composite image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein: said target image is a planar image.
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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) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |