Method and apparatus for refracting light to an optical detector
US5124546A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/01
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for refracting light into the field of view of an optical detector without the use of mirrors. The invention avoids an out-of-focus problem caused by the increase in the focal length with the use of mirrors which require the light to travel a greater distance than light directly impinging on the optical detector. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a pair of prisms which refract infrared light into the field of view of the optical detector. The prisms are mounted immediately adjacent and on either side of the optical detector so that they can refract light from outside the field of view of the optical detector and direct the light directly to the optical detector without increasing the distance traveled by the light. Each prism is preferably a thin array of prisms formed from angled grooves on a planr, transparent material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.