Patent ID: 7808617

Claim:
A multi-resolution, multi-sensor detection apparatus in an optical imaging system that detects a returning radiation beam from a radiation-reflecting surface for measuring distances to the surface, the detection apparatus comprising: an illuminator that selectively emits at least one initial illumination beam toward an optical system that converges the at least one initial illumination beam onto the radiation-reflecting surface, the at least one converging initial illumination beam reflecting off the radiation-reflecting surface as at least one returning radiation beam traveling to and passing through a front objective lens; a beam redirecting structure being arrangeable for redirecting at least a portion of each returning radiation beam into each at least two respective detection systems; at least two detection systems arranged to detect the respective at least a portion of each returning radiation beam; a first of the at least two detection systems comprising a lower resolution detection system operating in a first range of distances to the radiation-reflecting surface; a second of the at least two detection systems comprising a higher resolution detection system operating in a portion of the first range of distances to the radiation-reflecting surface; and an electronic circuit system which receives the measured signal from each of the detection systems and derives at least one distance signal.