SWIR Laser Illuminator for Vision Enhancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional illuminators for vision enhancement, such as those using LEDs, are inefficient, bulky, and suffer from limited illumination range due to foreground backscatter, failing to provide consistent brightness over distance.

Innovation Solution

A SWIR laser-based illuminator system utilizing a 1550 nm edge-emitting laser, a defocused fast-axis collimator, and bandpass filter to create a Gaussian distribution illumination field, compensating for inverse square distance reflectance and reducing foreground backscatter, with an imager equipped with a SWIR sensor to form images over an extended range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional LED illuminators are used for vision enhancement, then they can provide illumination in low light conditions, but they are inefficient, bulky, and have limited illumination range due to foreground backscatter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination efficiencyVSAvoidilluminator size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter from visible spectrum (LED) to short-wave infrared (SWIR) laser at 1550 nm, which fundamentally alters the interaction with atmospheric particles and eliminates foreground backscatter, achieving superior efficiency and range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical LED bulb structure with a laser-based optical system including SWIR laser source, collimator, and beam shaping optics, achieving compact integration while eliminating the need for large LED banks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of stationary object

If traditional LED illuminators are used, then they can illuminate objects, but the illumination range is limited due to foreground backscatter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination rangeVSAvoidforeground backscatter

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically harmful effect of atmospheric scattering into a beneficial selective scattering effect where only desired wavelengths are scattered, while the laser wavelength penetrates through fog and haze that normally block visible light

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Illumination intensity

If SWIR laser with beam shaping optics is used, then consistent brightness over distance is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness consistencyVSAvoidoptical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different optical treatments to different regions of the beam path: collimator for beam parallelization, first beam shaping element for Gaussian distribution, second beam shaping element for final profile control, and bandpass filter for wavelength selection, with each element performing a specific localized function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single compact housing: SWIR laser source, collimator, beam shaping optics, and bandpass filter are all integrated into one illuminator unit, making the system universally applicable for vision enhancement applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides improved efficiency, compact size, and consistent brightness over an increased range, reducing foreground backscatter and enhancing vision enhancement capabilities in low-light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminator including a short wave infrared (SWIR) laser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a lens collimator optically coupled to the SWIR laser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimation: Lens

Implementation Method 3

a bandpass filter optically connected to the second beam shaping diffuser configured to transmit the laser wavelength and filter out other wavelength emissions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBandpass filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 4

an imager having a SWIR sensor configured to form an image of objects illuminated by the illuminator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3156837B1Vision enhancement illuminators

Publication Date: 2022.11.16 SENSORS UNLIMITED INC

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AI summary

An illuminator (100) includes a short wave infrared (SWIR) laser (102), a lens collimator (104), a first beam shaping diffuser (106), a second beam shaping diffuser (108), and a bandpass filter (110). The lens collimator is optically coupled to the laser for diverging a beam emitted by the laser. The first beam shaping diffuser is optically coupled to the lens collimator to diffuse a diverged beam produced by the lens collimator. The second beam shaping diffuser is optically coupled to the first beam shaping diffuser to further diffuse a diffused beam produced by the first beam shaping diffuser. The bandpass filter is optically connected to the second beam shaping diffuser configured to filter the emissions of a further diffused beam produced by the second beam shaping diffuser.