Patent ID: 6694094
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G01C,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
A dual band framing aerial reconnaissance camera for installation in an airborne vehicle, comprising;(a) a camera housing; (b) an optical system incorporated into said camera housing, comprising: (1) an objective optical subassembly for receiving incident radiation from a scene external of said vehicle; (2) a spectrum dividing element receiving radiation from said objective optical subassembly, said element directing radiation in a first band of the electromagnetic spectrum into a first optical path and directing radiation in a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum into a second optical path different from said first optical path; (3) a first two-dimensional image recording medium in said first optical path for generating frames of imagery in said first band of the electromagnetic spectrum; and (4) a second two-dimensional image recording medium in said second optical path for generating frames of imagery in said second band of the electromagnetic spectrum; (c) a first motor system coupled to said camera housing capable of rotating said camera about a first axis, wherein said first and second image recording media are exposed to said scene to generate frames of imagery in said first and second bands of said electromagnetic spectrum as said first motor system steps said camera in a series of steps about said first axis.