Dual-Band Panoramic Camera Alignment Through Shared Optics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine vision systems face challenges in synchronizing images from different spectral bands in real-time, particularly when the target and sensor platform are moving, leading to misalignment and loss of important details due to mechanical scanning systems and fragile optical designs.

Innovation Solution

A dual-band imaging system that combines visible and thermal images using a unified reflective optical system along the same line of sight, ensuring precise synchronization of focal planes and electronics for simultaneous viewing of rapidly changing objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If mechanical scanning systems are used to collect images in different spectral bands, then object detection capability is improved, but continuous viewing of the region of interest is lost and synchronization between bands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidcontinuous viewing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the spectral information collection by using separate uncooled focal plane arrays for visible/NIR and thermal bands, each optimized for its specific band, while sharing a common optical path and sensor platform to maintain continuous viewing and temporal synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a universal uncooled focal plane array technology that can detect both visible/NIR and thermal radiation bands, allowing a single sensor platform to perform multiple spectral detection functions simultaneously without mechanical scanning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If dichroic beamsplitters are used to separate visible and thermal energy paths, then simultaneous collection of multiple bands is achieved, but energy loss occurs and mechanical structure becomes fragile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous multi-band collectionVSAvoidenergy loss at beamsplitter

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes the dichroic beamsplitter from the optical path, using direct detection by separate uncooled focal plane arrays tuned to different spectral bands, thereby eliminating the energy loss and mechanical fragility associated with beamsplitters while maintaining simultaneous multi-band collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses separate focal plane arrays that independently detect visible/NIR and thermal bands along the same optical path, creating parallel detection copies of the scene without requiring physical beam splitting, thus avoiding energy loss and mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Area of stationary object

If side-by-side panoramic sensors are used for visible and thermal bands, then panoramic viewing is achieved, but viewing aspects differ and important details of dynamic objects are missed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanoramic viewing coverageVSAvoidviewing aspect alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the optical paths for visible/NIR and thermal bands into a single shared uncooled focal plane array system, ensuring that both spectral bands view the scene from exactly the same aspect and location, thereby eliminating viewing aspect misalignment while maintaining panoramic coverage through the sensor platform's positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If reflective optical elements are used to separate visible and thermal information, then multiple-band imaging is achieved, but the mechanical structure becomes fragile and unsuitable for battlefield environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple-band imaging capabilityVSAvoidmechanical structure robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical reflective optical elements with uncooled focal plane arrays that directly detect both visible/NIR and thermal radiation through a shared optical path, eliminating fragile mechanical components and creating a robust system suitable for harsh battlefield environments while maintaining multiple-band imaging capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous 360-degree panoramic viewing with no signal loss, enhancing object recognition and situational awareness through multispectral spatiotemporal simultaneity, particularly effective for dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

combines visible and thermal images using a unified reflective optical system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12452502B2Dual-band panoramic camera system

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 PILGRIM BOB

AI summary

A dual passband imaging system and method of assembly, use, and construction is disclosed. The imaging system locates a visible spectrum camera inside a parabolic mirror so as to be looking through a center hole within a flat mirror, and also locates a thermal spectrum camera to view the parabolic reflector through the center hole. A parabolic reflector is arranged to direct the exact same image-data toward the thermal spectrum camera and the visible spectrum camera.