Patent ID: 6288381
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G01B,G01C,G02B

Abstract:
Optical apparatus for use in auto-aligning line-of-sight optical paths of at least one sensor and a laser, comprising:at least one reference source for outputting at least one reference beam that is optically aligned with the line-of-sight of the at least one sensor;a laser reference source for outputting a laser reference beam that is optically aligned with the line-of-sight of the laser;a laser alignment mirror for adjusting the alignment of the line of sight of the laser beam;a sensor alignment mirror for adjusting the line of sight of the optical paths of the at least one sensor and the laser;combining optics for coupling the plurality of reference beams along a common optical path;gimbal apparatus;a light detector disposed on the gimbal apparatus for detecting the plurality of reference beams; anda processor coupled to the detector, the laser alignment mirror, and the sensor alignment mirror, for processing signals detected by the detector and outputting control signals to the respective mirrors to align the line-of-sight optical paths of the at least one sensor and the laser.