US5009502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System of holographic optical elements for testing laser range finders
Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-04-20
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2009-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A focusing, collimating, and beamsplitting test system for testing laser rangefinders for their beam quality, ranging accuracy, and sight unit alignment. The system includes holographic optical elements in place of conventional mirrors, lenses and beamsplitters. The advantages of this system are that it not only reduces the size and weight of optical elements, but also reduces the number of required elements. Consequently, the resulting test equipment requires less labor to assemble and is more compact and much lighter than conventional test systems.
Inventors
- 👤 I-Fu Shih
- 👤 David B. Chang
- 👤 James A. Arns
- 👤 Gaylord E. Moss
- 👤 Ronald T. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/497; G01S7/4972
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A testing system, for testing an electro-optic rangefinder having a sight unit operating at visible light wavelengths, and a laser transmitter-receiver unit operating at infrared wavelengths, the testing system including a visual reticle, an optical delay line and a detector responsive to laser light, means for testing alignment of the sight unit with the laser transmitter-receiver unit and for testing rangefinding performance, said testing system further characterized in that holographic optical elements are employed to selectively distribute and focus (i) visible light emitted by the visual reticle to said sight unit, (ii) laser light emitted by said laser to said optical delay line and to said detector, and (iii) infra-red light re-emitted from said optical delay line back to said laser receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A testing system, for testing an electro-optic rangefinder having a sight unit operating at visible light wavelengths, and a laser transmitter-receiver unit operating at infrared wavelengths, the testing system including a visual reticle, an optical delay line and a detector responsive to laser light, means for testing alignment of the sight unit with the laser transmitter-receiver unit and for testing rangefinding performance, said testing system further characterized in that holographic optical elements are employed to selectively distribute and focus (i) visible light emitted by the visual reticle to said sight unit, (ii) laser light emitted by said laser to said optical delay line and to said detector, and (iii) infra-red light re-emitted from said optical delay line back to said laser receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for testing alignment of a first optical path with a second optical path, said apparatus comprising: a detector responsive to incident energy of a first wavelength or wavelength range; a test object for reflecting visible wavelength energy; and holographic optical means for: (a) receiving said visible wavelength energy from said test object, collimating said energy and directing said energy along a first optical path; and (b) receiving energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range from along a second optical path; said test object and said detector being cooperatively placed such that if said second optical path is properly aligned with said first optical path said holographic optical means will focus and direct said energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range onto said detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for testing alignment of a first optical path with a second optical path, said apparatus comprising: a detector responsive to incident energy of a first wavelength or wavelength range; a test object for reflecting visible wavelength energy; and holographic optical means for: (a) receiving said visible wavelength energy from said test object, collimating said energy and directing said energy along a first optical path; and (b) receiving energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range from along a second optical path; said test object and said detector being cooperatively placed such that if said second optical path is properly aligned with said first optical path said holographic optical means will focus and direct said energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range onto said detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range is infrared energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said test object is a reticle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said detector is an array of detector elements and said holographic optical means focuses said energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range onto a predetermined area of said array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said predetermined area is a central area of said array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: an optical delay line having a predetermined optical length; and said holographic optical means further comprising means for focusing and directing a portion of said energy of a first wavelength of wavelength range onto said optical delay line and for receiving and directing energy re-emitted by said optical delay line back along said second optical path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said holographic optical means comprises a first holographic optical element and a second holographic optical element; said first holographic optical element for; (a) receiving said visible wavelength energy from said test object, collimating said energy and directing said energy along a first optical path; and (b) receiving energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range from along a second optical path and directing said energy toward said second holographic optical element; said second holographic optical element for: (c) receiving energy of said first wavelength or wavelength range from said first holographic optical element; (d) focusing a first portion thereof onto said optical delay line; (e) directing energy re-emitted by said optical delay line back toward said first holographic optical element for direction back along said second optical path; and (f) directing a second portion thereof onto said detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first and second holographic optical elements form a telephoto system that provides a relatively long focal length in relation to the system length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first holographic optical element comprises two holograms adhered together, a first one of said holograms being selective to light of said first wavelength or wavelength range and a second hologram being selective to visible light energy.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-22 | 1994-10-22 | 1995-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-22 | 1998-10-22 | 1999-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-22 | 2002-10-22 | 2003-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |