IP Library Granted Patent US 7,601,958
Granted Patent B2
US 7,601,958 · App. 11/835,930 · Granted Oct 13, 2009

Broadband energy illuminator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,601,958
App. No.
11/835,930
Granted
Oct 13, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is a broadband energy illuminator for creating contrast between the broadband energy emanating from a scene and an individual within the scene. A millimeter wave camera is focused toward the individual to detect millimeter wave frequencies reflected from the scene. As an individual passes through scene the millimeter wave camera detects concealed objects by identifying differences in the millimeter wave energy reflected by the individual's body and a concealed object. The broadband energy illuminator focuses a cold source of broadband energy on the scene thereby enhancing the ability of the millimeter wave camera to distinguish the individual's body from concealed objects. A composite image is generated by a central processing unit and displayed on a monitor showing the concealed object on the individual through optical contrast.

Claims (36)

1. A broadband energy illuminator apparatus for use with a millimeter wave camera, comprising:

a cold source of broadband energy, wherein said cold source of broadband energy is water having a temperature less than the temperature of a scene;

means for illuminating an individual to be scanned with said millimeter wave camera; and

said means including a reflective surface orientated so as to reflect said cold source of broadband energy which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from the scene.

2. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1 further comprising a lens interposed between said reflective surface and said individual so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy.

3. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1 , wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

4. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 1 , wherein said reflective surface for illuminating the individual with cold energy is a receiving antenna.

5. A broadband energy illuminator apparatus for use with a millimeter wave camera imaging system, comprising:

an imaging zone, wherein a millimeter wave camera is focused on said imaging zone;

a video camera focused on said imaging zone at a substantially identical angle and perspective of said imaging zone as said millimeter wave camera;

a means for illuminating said imaging zone with broadband cold energy, wherein said means includes a reflective surface orientated so as to reflect broadband cold energy from a cold source which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from a scene;

a lens interposed between said reflective surface and an individual to focus said broadband cold energy so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy;

a means for electrically communicating between said video camera, millimeter wave camera and a central processing unit so that scanning of the individual within said imaging zone that is illuminated with broadband cold energy is simultaneous with said millimeter wave camera and said video camera;

a millimeter wave receiver for receiving input signals received by said millimeter wave camera to generate millimeter wave images;

a video receiver for receiving input signals received by said video camera to generate video images;

a means for synchronizing said millimeter wave images with said video images so that real-time composite images of said millimeter wave images and said video images are generated;

a means to detect a concealed object on said individual by identifying differences in said millimeter wave energy reflected by said individual and said concealed object received by said millimeter wave camera; and

a means for displaying said composite images on a video monitor showing said concealed object on said individual.

6. The broadband energy illuminator of claim 5 , wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

7. A method of illuminating a background scene with cold energy comprising:

providing a means to reflect a cold source of broadband energy to a background scene which is detectibly different from said broadband energy emanating from an individual, wherein said cold source of broadband energy is water having a temperature less than a temperature of the background scene.

8. The method of claim 7 further providing a lens interposed between said reflective surface and said individual so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said cold source of broadband energy having a frequency of a range of 80-100 GHz.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said means for reflecting said cold energy of broadband energy is a receiving antenna.

11. A method of illuminating a background scene with cold energy comprising:

providing a means to reflect a cold source of broadband energy to a background scene which is detectibly different from said broadband energy emanating from an individual;

focusing a millimeter wave camera on an imaging zone;

focusing a video camera on said imaging zone at a substantially identical angle and perspective of said imaging zone as said millimeter wave camera;

illuminating said imaging zone with broadband cold energy, wherein a reflective surface is orientated so as to reflect broadband cold energy from a cold source which is detectibly different from broadband energy emanating from the background scene;

interposing a lens between said reflective surface and said individual to focus said broadband cold energy so that said individual is illuminated with said cold source of broadband energy;

electrically communicating between said video camera, millimeter wave camera and a central processing unit so that scanning of the individual within said imaging zone that is illuminated with broadband cold energy is simultaneous with said millimeter wave camera and said video camera;

receiving input signals received by said millimeter wave camera to generate millimeter wave images;

receiving input signals received by said video camera to generate video images;

synchronizing said millimeter wave images with said video images so that real-time composite images of said millimeter wave images and said video images are generated;

detecting a concealed object on said individual by identifying differences in said millimeter wave energy reflected by said individual and said concealed object received by said millimeter wave camera; and

displaying said composite images on a video monitor showing said concealed object on said individual.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2018
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.), INC.; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION; MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; MICROSEMI SOC CORP.; MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP; MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
Reel/Frame 046251/0391 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC. (F/K/A LEGERITY, INC., ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (V.N.) INC., CENTELLAX, INC., AND ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC.); MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION (F/K/A SYMMETRICON, INC.); MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (F/K/A VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION); MICROSEMI SOC CORP. (F/K/A ACTEL CORPORATION); MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP (F/K/A ADVANCED POWER TECHNOLOGY INC.); MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS (F/K/A AML COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037691/0697 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP.-ANALOG MIXED SIGNAL GROUP, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SOC CORP., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (F/K/A VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION), A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP.-MEMORY AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS (F/K/A WHITE ELECTRONIC DESIGNS CORPORATION), AN INDIANA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037558/0711 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY Recorded Apr 9, 2015
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (AS SUCCESSOR TO MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC)
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 035657/0223 →
SUPPLEMENTAL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2011
From: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP. - ANALOG MIXED SIGNAL GROUP; MICROSEMI CORP. - MASSACHUSETTS; ACTEL CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
Reel/Frame 027213/0611 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2011
From: BRIJOT IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026691/0129 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2009
From: DALY, ROBERT
To: BRIJOT IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022650/0229 →