Abstract: A method includes capturing, with an image capture device, a first image of a scene while a portion of the scene has a first alignment with a first detector of a focal plane array and a first bandpass filter is between the portion of the scene and the first detector. The method includes, in response to determining that the portion of the scene has a second alignment with a second detector of the focal plane array, the second alignment substantially matching the first alignment, and that a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from a first frequency range of the first bandpass filter is between the portion of the scene and the second detector, initiating storage of a second image of the scene, the second image captured while the portion of the scene has the second alignment with the second detector.

Abstract: A method includes capturing, with an image capture device, a first image of a scene while a portion of the scene has a first alignment with a first detector of a focal plane array and a first bandpass filter is between the portion of the scene and the first detector. The method includes, in response to determining that the portion of the scene has a second alignment with a second detector of the focal plane array, the second alignment substantially matching the first alignment, and that a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from a first frequency range of the first bandpass filter is between the portion of the scene and the second detector, initiating storage of a second image of the scene, the second image captured while the portion of the scene has the second alignment with the second detector.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for multi-spectral imaging. Light may be received at a multi-spectral optical module, which transmits a plurality of wavelength band portions of the received light, each having a pre-selected bandwidth between about two nanometers and about forty nanometers. The pre-selected bandwidths may be between about ten nanometers and about thirty nanometers. Each of the wavelength band portions may have the same pre-selected bandwidth, or may have different pre-selected bandwidths.

Abstract: A method for increasing resolution of a focal plane array having a plurality of pixels dispersed across a total pixel area is described. The method includes providing an active pixel area for the focal plane array that is less than the total pixel area, acquiring image data utilizing the reduced active pixel area, and storing the image data in a portion of a memory, the memory having a capacity corresponding to the total pixel area of the focal plane array.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for laser metrology. Two or more fanned probe beams are scanned relative to a surface including one or more targets. A position detection module receives return beam information from the fanned probe beams, and determines a position of at least a first target of the one or more targets based on the return beam information.

Abstract: An inter-lens baffles unit for an imaging system is provided. The inter-baffle lens unit comprises at least two lens elements; a plurality of baffles positioned between the two lens elements, wherein the baffles are contoured to fit between the two lenses and to fill a volume between the lenses such that the baffles are parallel to an optical path of an imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time determination of an angle and range to a surface are provided. In one embodiment, such a system may include a transmitter for producing an output beam, a scanner for redirecting the output beam into a scan pattern towards a surface, a receiver for receiving a beam scattered from the surface, and a processor adapted to receive continuous tangential angle data from the scanner, and range data from the receiver, in order to determine a real-time angle and range to the surface.

Abstract: A method for increasing resolution of a focal plane array having a plurality of pixels dispersed across a total pixel area is described. The method includes providing an active pixel area for the focal plane array that is less than the total pixel area, acquiring image data utilizing the reduced active pixel area, and storing the image data in a portion of a memory, the memory having a capacity corresponding to the total pixel area of the focal plane array.

Abstract: A system and method for spectral filtering of images are provided. The system and method utilize a first biconic lens surface to astigmatize a substantially 2-D system pupil into a substantially 1-D pupil (e.g., slit-shaped), and a second biconic lens surface to restore the astigmatic pupil to good quality. Advantageously, the light stream may be filtered with a variable filter.

Abstract: A docking target indicator for a docking device is provided. The docking target indicator comprises a base layer, having a rear surface and a front surface; wherein the front surface of the base layer is reflective; and a baffle structure is secured to the base layer.

Abstract: A dual field of view lens system comprising a first lens group aligned along an optical axis and a third lens group aligned along the optical axis and positioned a predetermined distanced from the first lens group. A second lens group, having an optical stop attached thereto, is aligned along the optical axis and disposed between the first and third lens groups such that the second lens group and the optical stop are moveable along the optical axis between a first position and a second position. Positioning the second lens group and the optical stop in the first position provides a wide field of view and moving the second lens group and the optical stop to a second position provides a narrow field of view.

Abstract: An inter-lens baffles unit for an imaging system is provided. The inter-baffle lens unit comprises at least two lens elements; a plurality of baffles positioned between the two lens elements, wherein the baffles are contoured to fit between the two lenses and to fill a volume between the lenses such that the baffles are parallel to an optical path of an imaging system.

Abstract: The infrared image generation device, method and system generate realistic infrared images to accurately test infrared sensors. The device and system include a laser light source, at least one scanner, a processor and a target plate. The scanner(s) receive and redirect the laser light. The processor controls operation of the scanner(s) to generate at least one infrared image and the target plate receives the redirected light from the scanner(s) and, as such, the infrared image(s) are generated on the target plate. For instance, the target plate may display an infrared image having at least one portion that represents a temperature of at least 1000 Kelvin. The target plate may be made of a transparent heat sink layer facing the scanner(s), an insulator layer adjacent to the transparent heat sink layer, and an emissive layer that is at least opaque and is adjacent to the insulator layer.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for multi-spectral imaging. Light may be received at a multi-spectral optical module, which transmits a plurality of wavelength band portions of the received light, each having a pre-selected bandwidth between about two nanometers and about forty nanometers. The pre-selected bandwidths may be between about ten nanometers and about thirty nanometers. Each of the wavelength band portions may have the same pre-selected bandwidth, or may have different pre-selected bandwidths.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for laser metrology. A system may include a laser source and a fanning apparatus configured to generate a fanned laser beam. The fanned laser beam may be scanned across the surface of an object, and may reflect off a plurality of targets positioned on the surface. A position detection module may determine a position of the metrology targets based on the reflected beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time determination of an angle and range to a surface are provided. In one embodiment, such a system may include a transmitter for producing an output beam, a scanner for redirecting the output beam into a scan pattern towards a surface, a receiver for receiving a beam scattered from the surface, and a processor adapted to receive continuous tangential angle data from the scanner, and range data from the receiver, in order to determine a real-time angle and range to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for multi-spectral imaging. Light may be received at a multi-spectral optical module, which transmits a plurality of wavelength band portions of the received light, each having a pre-selected bandwidth between about two nanometers and about forty nanometers. The pre-selected bandwidths may be between about ten nanometers and about thirty nanometers. Each of the wavelength band portions may have the same pre-selected bandwidth, or may have different pre-selected bandwidths.

Abstract: A system to determine the distance to an object includes one or more aberrating elements to introduce aberration into light from the object. Image data is obtained at two different focus conditions, and used to determine the object distance.

Abstract: An infrared telescope utilizes two mirrors in an off-axis, eccentric-pupil, re-imaging configuration. To improve the image quality of traditional two mirror telescopes, the reflective surfaces of both the primary and secondary mirrors are ellipsoidal. The ellipsoidal surface of the primary mirror has a greater eccentricity than the ellipsoidal surface of the secondary mirror. The infrared light entering through the eccentric pupil strikes the ellipsoidal reflective surface of the primary mirror. The light is reflected from the primary mirror to the ellipsoidal reflective surface of the secondary mirror. An intermediate image of the object being viewed is formed between the primary and secondary mirrors. The light is reflected from the secondary mirror to an image plane. An aperture stop is located between the secondary mirror and the image plane. The image plane is typically located within a cold shield, to reduce the likelihood that stray light will reach the image plane.

Abstract: A docking target indicator for a docking device is provided. The docking target indicator comprises a base layer, having a rear surface and a front surface; wherein the front surface of the base layer is reflective; and a baffle structure is secured to the base layer.