Patent ID: 6362872
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: F41G,G01C,G01S

Abstract:
A thermal imaging and rangefinding device comprising:an optical system including a first aperture having a stop of predeterminable size, said system including a first optical path for transmitting polarized radiation toward a target, a second optical path for receiving polarized radiation reflected from the target and a third optical path for receiving thermal radiation which can be processed to form an image, the first, second and third optical paths each passing through the first aperture; a polarizer positioned to segregate the first and second optical paths, said polarizer capable of receiving polarized radiation reflected from the target and transmitted through all portions of the first aperture stop; a polarization modifier positioned along the first and second optical paths and between the first aperture and said polarizer; and a beam splitter, sensitive to spectral differences between the polarized radiation and the thermal radiation, positioned along the first optical path and between the first aperture and said polarizer.