Digital infrared holograms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9817368-B2
Application number	US-201615177855-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2016
Priority date	Jan 13, 2014
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to an apparatus for creating a scene comprising: a plurality of micro-mirrors configured to rotate between an off position and at least two on positions to generate a plurality of holograms, and a processor configured to select positions for the micro-mirrors based on an input specification of the scene.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving an input specification of a scene;
selecting a position for a plurality of micro-mirrors based on the input specification to generate a plurality of holograms,
wherein the micro-mirrors are configured to rotate between an off position and at least two on positions,
wherein the input specification requests holograms to be generated for use as a beam-shaper for a laser, and wherein the holograms implement beam-shaping for the laser.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the micro-mirrors comprises a lip proximate to an apex of the micro-mirror.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two on positions correspond to rotation of a given micro-mirror at angles relative to the off position.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the angles correspond to discrete angles.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the angles correspond to angles selected from a continuous range of angles.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sequencing the holograms; and
applying a light source to each of the sequenced holograms in turn.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the holograms are sequenced at a rate that is selected so that a person perceiving the scene may interpret output images generated by transitions between the holograms to be smooth.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input specification requests a generation of decoy versions of an actual object present in the scene, and wherein the holograms correspond to the decoy versions.

9. An apparatus for creating a scene, comprising:
a plurality of micro-mirrors configured to rotate between an off position and at least two on positions to generate a plurality of holograms; and
a processor configured to select positions for the micro-mirrors based on an input specification of the scene,
wherein the input specification requests holograms to be generated for use as a beam-shaper for a laser, and wherein the holograms implement beam-shaping for the laser.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the micro-mirrors comprises a lip proximate to an apex of the micro-mirror.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least two on positions correspond to rotation of a given micro-mirror at angles relative to the off position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the angles correspond to discrete angles at approximately +12 degrees relative to the off position at approximately 0 degrees.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the angles correspond to angles selected from a continuous range of angles.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the holograms to be sequenced to enable a light source to be applied to each of the holograms in turn.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein a rate that the holograms are sequenced is selected so that a person perceiving the scene may interpret output images generated by transitions between the holograms to be life-like.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the input specification requests a generation of decoy versions of an actual object present in the scene, and wherein the holograms correspond to the decoy versions.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the micro-mirrors are arranged in groups of four.

18. An apparatus for creating a scene, comprising:
a plurality of micro-mirrors configured to rotate between an off position and at least two on positions to generate a plurality of holograms; and
a processor configured to select positions for the micro-mirrors based on an input specification of the scene, the input specification requesting holograms to be generated for use as a beam-shaper for a laser, and wherein the holograms implement beam-shaping for the laser,
wherein the at least two on positions correspond to rotation of a given micro-mirror at angles relative to the off position, and the angles correspond to angles selected from a continuous range of angles.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Woida-O'Brien Rigel Q

Classifications

• G03H2001/2655

  Time multiplexing, i.e. consecutive records wherein the period between records is pertinent per se · CPC title

• G03H1/02 Primary

  Details {of features involved during the holographic process; Replication of holograms without interference recording} · CPC title

• G03H1/26

  Processes or apparatus specially adapted to produce multiple {sub-} holograms or to obtain images from them, e.g. multicolour technique · CPC title

• G02B27/0944

  Diffractive optical elements, e.g. gratings, holograms (gratings per se G02B5/18; holograms used as optical elements per se G02B5/32) · CPC title

• G03H2225/24

  Having movable pixels, e.g. microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] · CPC title