Patent · US Active

Multiple field-of-view (FOV) optical sensor using a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) micro- mirror array (MMA)

US12130384B2 · kind B2 · utility

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41References
20Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 2021
Grant dateOct 29, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B26/0833
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A multiple FOV optical sensor includes a primary mirror having first and second rings of differing curvature to collect light from an object within different FOV. A secondary mirror includes a MEMS MMA in which the mirrors tip and tilt in 2 DOF or add piston in 3 DOF to (I) reflect light from the first ring within the first FOV that is focused at an imaging plane coincident with an imaging detector to form a focused image of the object at the imaging detector or (II) reflect light from the second ring within the second FOV onto the imaging detector (either focused to form a focused image or defocused to form a blurred spot). The MEMS MMA may be configured to alternate between (I) and (II) or to perform both (I) and (II) at the same time with the different FOV either overlapped or spatially separated on the detector. The sensor may be configured as an all-passive sensor, a dual-mode sensor or a hybrid of the two.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.