Multiple detector scanner with detectors spaced across scan direction

Claim 2

A multiple detector scanner, said multiple detector scanner comprising: first and second detectors for detecting radiance; means for projecting a field of view of each of said detectors; means connected to said first and second detectors for causing the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors to scan in a scan direction; means for causing the distance between the edges of the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction to be substantially half the width of one of the projected fields of view.

Claim 3

The multiple detector scanner of claim 1 wherein said first and second detectors are positioned within said scanner so that the distance between the edges of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half a detector width.

Claim 4

The multiple detector scanner of claim 2 wherein said first and second detectors have optical elements optically positioned between said detectors and the projected fields of view which form the projected fields of view.

Claim 5

The multiple detector scanner of claim 3 wherein the same optical elements form the projected fields of view for both said first and second detectors.

Claim 6

The multiple detector scanner of claim 2 wherein said detectors are substantially square.

Claim 7

The multiple detector scanner of claim 5 wherein said detectors are spaced from each other so that there is a space therebetween in a direction normal to the scan direction substantially equal to half of the width of one of said detectors.

Claim 8

The multiple detector scanner of claim 5 wherein said means For causing is such that the path of travel of the projected field of view of one of the edges of said second detector when moving in the scan direction is substantially halfway between the paths of the edges of the field of view of said first detector in a direction normal to the scan direction and said first and second detectors having different fields of view.

Claim 9

The multiple detector scanner of claim 7 wherein said first and second detectors lie in first and second rows of contiguous detectors.

Claim 10

A multiple detector scanner, said multiple detector scanner comprising: first and second detectors sensitive to infrared radiation for detecting radiance, said first and second detectors being positioned within said scanner so that the distance between the edges of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half a detector width; means connected to said first and second detectors to cause a projected field of view of said first and second detectors to scan in a scan direction; optical elements optically positioned between said detectors and the projected fields of view, said optics permitting the transmission of infrared radiation, the same optical elements forming the projected fields of view; said first and second detectors being positioned and said optical elements being arranged so that the distance between the edges of the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half the width of one of the projected fields of view.

Claim 11

A multiple detector scanner, said multiple detector scanner comprising: first and second detectors sensitive to infrared radiation for detecting radiance, said first and second detectors being positioned within said scanner so that the distance between the edges of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half a detector width; means connected to said first and second detectors to cause a projected field of view of said first and second detectors to scan in a scan direction; optical elements optically positioned between said detectors and the projected fields of view, said optics permitting the transmission of infrared radiation, the same optical elements forming the projected fields of view; said first and second detectors being positioned and said optical elements being arranged so that the distance between the edges of the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half the width of one of the projected fields of view.

Claim 12

The multiple detector scanner of claim 9 wherein said optics include at least one lens and at least one mirror.

Claim 13

A multiple detector scanner, said multiple detector scanner comprising: first and second detectors for detecting radiance; means connected to said first and second detectors for utilizing radiance detected thereby, said utilization means including means for rendering visible the radiance of said first and second detectors; means connected to said first and second detectors to cause a projected field of view of said first and second detectors to scan in a scan direction; said first and second detectors being positioned within said scanners so that the distance between the edges of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half a detector width and so that the distance between the edges of the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half the width of one of the projected fields of view.

Claim 14

A multiple detector scanner, said multiple detector scanner comprising: first and second detectors for detecting radiance; means connected to said first and second detectors for utilizing radiance detected thereby, said utilization means including means for rendering visible the radiance of said first and second detectors; means connected to said first and second detectors to cause a projected field of view of said first and second detectors to scan in a scan direction; said first and second detectors being positioned within said scanners so that the distance between the edges of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half a detector width and so that the distance between the edges of the projected fields of view of said first and second detectors in a direction normal to the scan direction is substantially half the width of one of the projected fields of view.

Claim 15

The multiple detector scanner of claim 11 wherein said detectors are substantially square.

Claim 16

The multiple detector scanner of claim 12 wherein said detectors are spaced from each other so that there is a space therebetween in a direction normal to the scan direction substantially equal to half of the width of one of said detectors.

Claim 17

The multiple detector scanner of claim 12 wherein the path of travel of the projected field of view of one of the edges of said second detector when moving in the scan direction is substantially halfway between the edges of said first detector in a direction normal to the scan direction and said first and second detectors are non-overlapping in the scan direction.

Claim 18

The multiple detector scanner of claim 14 wherein said first and second detectors lie in first and second rows of contiguous detectors.

Claim 19

The multiple detector scanner of claim 11 wherein said first and second detectors have optical elements optically positioned between said detectors and the projected fields of view which form the projected fields of view.

Claim 20

The multiple detector scanner of claim 16 wherein the same optical elements form the projected fields of view for both said first and second detectors.

Claim 21

The multiple detector scanner of claim 17 wherein said detectors are sensitive to infrared radiation and said optics permit the transmissioN of infrared radiation.

Claim 22

The multiple detector scanner of claim 18 wherein said optics include at least one lens and at least one mirror.