3-Dimensional vision system utilizing coherent optical detection
US5114226A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2290/70
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A three-dimensional optical scanning vision system capable of producing high-resolution images in real-time includes an optical source for producing a source light beam. The source light beam is directed to a beam splitter which splits it into a local oscillator beam and a signal beam. The local oscillator beam is directed toward a photodetector, while the signal light beam is directed toward a target. Light reflected from the target is received by the beam splitter and directed toward a retroreflector which returns the beam to the beam splitter interface. Quarter wave plates and the retroreflector insure that the return light beam and the local oscillator beam are collimated and have the same polarization state. Mixing of the local oscillator beam and the return light beam occurs at the beam splitter interface, thus providing coherent optical detection by the photodetector. The photodetector thus provides an output signal providing a high degree of information about the target. The system also includes scanner optics to scan the signal light beam across the target. A processor is also included for outputting a three-dimensional image of the target, and for controlling the scanner …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.