Optics: measuring and testing – Range or remote distance finding – With photodetection
Reexamination Certificate
2007-03-26
2008-11-18
Tarcza, Thomas H. (Department: 3662)
Optics: measuring and testing
Range or remote distance finding
With photodetection
Reexamination Certificate
active
07453553
ABSTRACT:
A system and method of imaging an object. An array of detectors is mounted in an image plane. Each detector in the array of detectors is connected to a timing circuit having an interpolator, wherein the interpolator includes a first circuit which charges a first capacitor at a different rate than it discharges. An optical pulse is transmitted toward an object so that a portion of the optical pulse is reflected from the object as a reflected pulse and a first value representative of when the optical pulse was transmitted toward the object is recorded. The reflected pulse is detected at one or more detectors and a pulse characteristic of the pulse and a second value representative of when the reflected pulse arrived at the detector are recorded. Range to the object is then calculated as a function of the first and second values and the reflected pulse characteristic.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3983481 (1976-09-01), Nutt et al.
patent: 4620788 (1986-11-01), Giger
patent: 5446529 (1995-08-01), Stettner et al.
patent: 5453840 (1995-09-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5892575 (1999-04-01), Marino
patent: 5988862 (1999-11-01), Kacyra et al.
patent: 6094215 (2000-07-01), Sundahl et al.
patent: 6133989 (2000-10-01), Stettner et al.
patent: 6176837 (2001-01-01), Foxlin
patent: 6195122 (2001-02-01), Vincent
patent: 6246468 (2001-06-01), Dimsdale
patent: 6323942 (2001-11-01), Bamji
patent: 6330523 (2001-12-01), Kacyra et al.
patent: 6359681 (2002-03-01), Housand et al.
patent: 6373557 (2002-04-01), Mengel et al.
patent: 6414746 (2002-07-01), Stettner et al.
patent: 6420698 (2002-07-01), Dimsdale et al.
patent: 6426468 (2002-07-01), Utsunomiya et al.
patent: 6448572 (2002-09-01), Tennant et al.
patent: 6473079 (2002-10-01), Kacyra et al.
patent: 6512518 (2003-01-01), Dimsdale
patent: 6512993 (2003-01-01), Kacyra et al.
patent: 6522395 (2003-02-01), Bamji et al.
patent: 6535275 (2003-03-01), McCaffrey et al.
patent: 6583863 (2003-06-01), Smith
patent: 6619406 (2003-09-01), Kacyra et al.
patent: 6664529 (2003-12-01), Pack et al.
patent: 6734849 (2004-05-01), Dimsdale et al.
patent: 7236235 (2007-06-01), Dimsdale
patent: 2003/0202089 (2003-10-01), Alhadef et al.
patent: 2004/0085526 (2004-05-01), Gogolla et al.
patent: 2006/0006309 (2006-01-01), Dimsdale et al.
patent: 2006/0007422 (2006-01-01), Dimsdale
patent: 4109844 (1992-06-01), None
patent: 1291673 (2003-03-01), None
patent: 2292605 (1996-02-01), None
patent: WO-9740342 (1997-10-01), None
patent: WO-03062849 (2003-07-01), None
patent: WO-2006014445 (2006-02-01), None
patent: WO-2006014470 (2006-02-01), None
patent: WO-2006014470 (2006-02-01), None
“Invitation to Pay Additional Fees, for Application No. PCT/US2005/023922, date mailed Nov. 7, 2005”, 8 Pages.
Kalisz, Josef , et al., “Error Analysis and Design of the Nutt Time-interval Digitiser with Picosecond Resolution”,J. Phys. E.: Sci. Instrum., 20, (Nov. 1987), 1330-1341.
Kalisz, Josef , “Review of methods for time interval measurements with picosecond resolution”,Metrologia, 41, (2004), 17-32.
Leskovar, B , et al., “Optical timing receiver for the NASA spaceborne ranging system”,Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report, LBL8129, (1978), 1-62.
Marino, R M., “3D imaging laser radar with photonic sensitivity”,Proc. IRIS Systems, (May 1996),2-9.
Porat, D , “Review of Sub-Nanosecond Time-Interval Measurements”,IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, vol. NS-20, No. 5, (Oct. 1973), 36-42.
Turko, B , “A Picosecond Resolution Time Digitizer for Laser Ranging”,IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, vol. NS-25, No. 1, (Feb. 1978),75-80.
“U.S. Appl. No. 10/886,079, Non-Final Office Action mailed Dec. 27, 2007”, OARN,25 pgs.
Dimsdale Engineering, LLC
Ratcliffe Luke D
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Tarcza Thomas H.
LandOfFree
System and method for determining range in 3D imaging systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for determining range in 3D imaging systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for determining range in 3D imaging systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4024981