Patent ID: 8063367
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An infrared camera with a lens position sensor, comprising: a housing; a focal plane array (FPA) package mounted within the housing and containing an FPA; a lens assembly coupled to the housing and including a rotatable lens, the lens being positioned such that thermal scene data collected by the lens along a central optical axis of the lens is directed onto the FPA, rotation of the lens causing axial shift of the lens relative to the FPA, the central optical axis of the lens defining a lens plane normal thereto; a magnet coupled to the lens such that the magnet rotates and shifts axially with the lens, the cross-section of the magnet in the circumferential direction being uniform, the magnet extending within a magnet plane, the magnet plane forming an angle greater than zero with the lens plane; and a magnetic sensor mounted within the housing, the magnetic sensor sensing the magnetic flux from the magnet to determine the lens position.