The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 14, 1995
Richard J Wangler, Maitland, FL (US);
Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US);
Abstract
A laser range camera provides both imaging and range information using laser radar techniques. A laser transmitter having a fan shaped beam that creates a column shaped beam in a far field is scanned along a single axis within a defined field of view using an acoustical optical device. A staring focal array of multiple line receivers having a long narrow field of view by using a linear array of fiber optics receives reflected energy from the scanned scene and transfers the received information to an avalanche photo diode by bundling the linear array into a circular array for interfacing with the diode. The range and intensity of each pixel within a scene is measured using a CCD measurement system which communicates with the receiver through the electrical signals. Range is determined for each pixel of the scene using the exposure characteristics of a CCD with analog type time of flight measurements. Range and intensity data are stored on odd and even CCD elements and used to display a three dimensional range image.