Monolithic area array with shutter operable to only transmit light between the minimum and maximum ranges for laser rangefinding
US4727259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1986 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/4863
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Laser ranging in a volume of interest is accomplished using a laser transmitter, a planar matrix of photosensitive optical elements, a memory, a display, and a mechanical or electronic shutter. The laser transmitter directs a pulsed laser towards the volume of interest. The mechanical or electronic shutter shields all light from the planar matrix of photosensitive optical elements except during an interval occuring between times corresponding to the minimum range and maximum range of this laser rangefinder. The photosensitive optical elements each produce an output signal to the memory when receiving target echo return signals from objects in the volume of interest. When the memory is a plurality of charge coupled device storage registers integral to the optical elements, then the receiver array has its own internal memory, which may be accessed to indicate the range values of objects within the volume of interest.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.