Patent ID: 7375803
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: G01S,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. For use in a sensor system having a first plurality of detectors responsive to a broad first range of wavelengths dividable into at least a first sub-range and a second sub-range, and having a second plurality of detectors responsive to a narrower second range of longer wavelengths, said first plurality of detectors and said second plurality of detectors sharing a common optical path, a method of filtering incoming optical energy falling upon said sensor system comprising: (a) inputting said incoming optical energy to an interference filter disposed in said common optical path, said interference filter having a broad first pass band passing at least said first range of wavelengths, and having a more sharply defined second pass band that defines said second narrower range of longer wavelengths; (b) subjecting optical energy exiting said interference filter as input to at least a first dye filter having a band pass defining said first sub-range, and as input to a second dye filter having a band pass defining said second sub-range, and as input to a third dye filter having a band pass encompassing said sharply defined second pass band;