Optical projection camera alignment system and method

Abstract

An optical projection camera alignment system and method particularly adapted for a solid state image sensor array type cameras such that a high intensity light source is directed onto the image sensor array to effectively project the image of the image sensor array out of the camera, through its lens systems, onto an object plane. The focus and angular orientation of the camera is then adjusted to accurately focus and align the image of the camera's image sensor array with respect to the object plane. In multiple camera installations the overlap and relative alignment of neighboring camera's fields-of-view can be set at desired levels. In a preferred apparatus embodiment of the invention, a pair of fiber optic bundles each having a right angle prism affixed to one end is inserted into the camera body and the cavity between the lens system and the image sensor array. A light source is coupled to the opposite ends of the pair of fiber optic bundles for generating light which is passed through the fiber optics and dispersed onto the surface of the image sensor array by the right angle prisms.