Fixed Optical Plate Shifts Spectral Images for Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting firings of lightweight weapons face challenges in achieving simultaneous detection in multiple spectral bands with high spatial resolution and sensitivity, often requiring complex and costly optics, and suffer from issues like masking and distortion due to non-uniformity and optical aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A compact infrared imaging and detection system using a fixed optical plate with planar and parallel faces, positioned between the imaging optics and sensor, which shifts images between spectral bands by a few pixels, allowing quasi-identical areas of the sensor to be used, reducing deviations and optical aberrations, and maintaining optical resolution equal to the size of elementary sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two different types of elementary sensors are used for different spectral bands, then spectral detection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spectral band detections onto a single type of elementary sensor by using a dispersive optical element (prism or grating) to spatially separate wavelengths. This allows one sensor type to detect multiple spectral bands simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple sensor types and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining spectral detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to spectral separation by using dispersive elements that deflect different wavelengths at different angles. This transforms the spectral detection problem from requiring multiple sensor types into a spatially resolved detection problem that can be handled by a single sensor type with wavelength-dependent spatial mapping.
2Measurement precision
If optical resolution is optimized for small targets, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the optical spot size becomes smaller requiring more complex optics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the optical system by using dispersive elements that introduce wavelength-dependent spatial shifts. This allows the system to maintain a fixed optical spot size optimized for the sensor while achieving spectral resolution through the spatial separation of wavelengths caused by the dispersive element, rather than requiring continuously variable optics.
3Reliability
If spectral channels are made as similar as possible, then system stability is improved, but the ability to differentiate spectral bands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dispersive optical element (prism or grating) as an intermediary between the optical system and the detector. This intermediary component provides the necessary spectral differentiation by spatially separating wavelengths while allowing the detector and optical system to remain identical and stable, thus maintaining system reliability while achieving spectral band differentiation.
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
The system achieves efficient detection of lightweight weapon firings with improved spatial resolution and uniformity between spectral bands, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining optical resolution, suitable for real-time analysis of brief spectral signals.
Implementation Method 1
said imaging optics being adapted in order to form on the sensitive surface of the imaging sensor, a first image of the scene to be analyzed in a first band of wavelengths, and at least one second image of the scene to be analyzed in a second band of wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for detection and infrared imaging by spectral analysis in several wavelength bands comprising: —an imaging sensor comprising a plurality of elementary sensors together forming a matrix sensitive surface; —an imaging optic adapted for forming on the sensitive surface of the imaging sensor, a first image of the scene to be analyzed in a first wavelength band, and at least one second image of the scene to be analyzed in a second wavelength band, characterized in that said detection and imaging system furthermore comprises an optical device consisting of a fixed optical plate adapted for shifting the first image with respect to the second image in the plane of the sensitive surface, the shift between the images being along a direction defined by a row, a column or a diagonal of elementary sensors, the shift distance being equal to the spacing of the elementary sensors of the matrix sensitive surface along this direction or to a multiple of this spacing.