Optical imaging and ranging system

Claim 2

An electro-optical system comprising: a cathode ray tube flying spot scanner transmitter means, at a location, for scanning a field of view with a flying spot of light, at a predetermined rate; an image dissector receiver means at said location, including a substantially nonstorage-type photosensitive surface, an apertured member, and means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface; means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said transmitter means and said receiver means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface at the same said predetermined rate; and said receiver means being positioned relative to said transmitter means for intercepting any of said light reflected back from said field of view.

Claim 3

An electro-optical system comprising: transmitter means at a location for scanning a distant field of view with a scanning beam of light, at a predetermined rate; receiver means, at said location, including a photosensitive surface responsive to said light, an apertured member, and means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface; means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said transmitter means and said receiver means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface at the same said predetermined rate; said receiver means being positioned relative to said transmitter means such that a projection of the aperture of said apertured member at a time, onto said field of view intersects said beam of light projected at an earlier time, the area of intersection defining an acceptance field of view; and means of varying the relative angular positioning between said beam of light and said projection of said aperture for varying the position of said aCceptance field of view relative to said location.

Claim 4

An electro-optical system comprising: transmitter means at a location for scanning a distant field of view with a scanning beam of light, at a predetermined rate; receiver means, at said location, including a photosensitive surface responsive to said light, an apertured member, and means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface; means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said transmitter means and said receiver means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface at the same said predetermined rate; said receiver means being positioned relative to said transmitter means such that a projection of the aperture of said apertured member at a time, onto said field of view intersects said beam of light projected at an earlier time, the area of intersection defining an acceptance field of view; and means of varying the relative angular positioning between said beam of light and said projection of said aperture for varying the position of said aCceptance field of view relative to said location.

Claim 5

An electro-optical system comprising: transmitter means at a location for scanning a distant field of view with a scanning beam of light, at a predetermined rate; receiver means at said location, including a photosensitive surface responsive to said light, an apertured member, and means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface; means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said transmitter means and said receiver means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface at the same said predetermined rate; said receiver means being positioned relative to said transmitter means such that a projection of the aperture of said apertured member at a time, onto said field of view intersects said beam of light projected at an earlier time, the area of intersection defining an acceptance field of view; and means for varying the relative angular positioning between said beam of light and said projection of said aperture for varying the position of said acceptance field of view toward and away from said location.

Claim 6

An electro-optical system comprising: transmitter means at a location for scanning a distant field of view with a scanning beam of light, at a predetermined rate; receiver means at said location, including a photosensitive surface responsive to said light, an apertured member, and means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface; means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said transmitter means and said receiver means for relatively scanning said apertured member across said photosensitive surface at the same said predetermined rate; said receiver means being positioned relative to said transmitter means such that a projection of the aperture of said apertured member at a time, onto said field of view intersects said beam of light projected at an earlier time, the area of intersection defining an acceptance field of view; and means for varying the relative angular positioning between said beam of light and said projection of said aperture for varying the position of said acceptance field of view toward and away from said location.

Claim 7

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube, at a location, having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength; means for scanning said phosphor with an electron beam to produce a flying spot of said light over a raster; optical means for projecting said flying spot to scan s field of view; an image dissector tube, at said photosensitive of the type wherein an electron image on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; optical means for focusing any of said light reflected from said field of view onto said photosensitive surface to form said electron image; said electron image at any instant of time being smaller than the aperture of said apertured member; said image dissector tube being positioned relative to said cathode ray tube such that said projected flying spot of light will intersect a projection of said aperture, onto said field of view, within first and second limits defining a range window; and means for electrically displacing said raster to effectively move said range window relative to said location.

Claim 8

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube, at a location, having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength; means for scanning said phosphor with an electron beam to produce a flying spot of said light over a raster; optical means for projecting said flying spot to scan s field of view; an image dissector tube, at said photosensitive of the type wherein an electron image on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; optical means for focusing any of said light reflected from said field of view onto said photosensitive surface to form said electron image; said electron image at any instant of time being smaller than the aperture of said apertured member; said image dissector tube being positioned relative to said cathode ray tube such that said projected flying spot of light will intersect a projection of said aperture, onto said field of view, within first and second limits defining a range window; and means for electrically displacing said raster to effectively move said range window relative to said location.

Claim 9

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube, at a location, having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength; means for scanning said phosphor with an electron beam to produce a flying spot of said light over a raster; optical means for projecting said flying spot to scan a field of view; an image dissector tube, at said location, of the type wherein an electron image on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; optical means for focusing any of said light reflected from said field of view onto said photosensitive surface to form said electron image; said electron image at any instant of time being smaller than the aperture of said apertured member; said image dissector tube being positioned relative to said cathode ray tube such that said projected flying spot of light will intersect a projection of said aperture, onto said field of view, within first and second limits defining a range window; and time delay means for retarding the scanning of the electron image of said image dissector tube for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 10

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube, at a location, having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength; means for scanning said phosphor with an electron beam to produce a flying spot of said light over a raster; optical means for projecting said flying spot to scan a field of view; an image dissector tube, at said location, of the type wherein an electron image on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; optical means for focusing any of said light reflected from said field of view onto said photosensitive surface to form said electron image; said electron image at any instant of time being smaller than the aperture of said apertured member; said image dissector tube being positioned relative to said cathode ray tube such that said projected flying spot of light will intersect a projection of said aperture, onto said field of view, within first and second limits defining a range window; and time delay means for retarding the scanning of the electron image of said image dissector tube for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 11

An optical imaging system comprising: a flying spot scanner transmitter, at a location, for scanning a field of view; an image dissector receiver at said location being of the type wherein an electron image formed on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; photomultiplier means located behind said apertured member for developing an output signal proportional to the intensity of the electron image being scanned; television monitor means responsive to said output signal for providing a Visual display; and synchronizing means commonly connected to said flying spot scanner transmitter and image dissector receiver for controlling the scanning rates thereof.

Claim 12

An optical imaging system comprising: a flying spot scanner transmitter, at a location, for scanning a field of view; an image dissector receiver at said location being of the type wherein an electron image formed on a photosensitive surface is scanned across an apertured member; photomultiplier means located behind said apertured member for developing an output signal proportional to the intensity of the electron image being scanned; television monitor means responsive to said output signal for providing a Visual display; and synchronizing means commonly connected to said flying spot scanner transmitter and image dissector receiver for controlling the scanning rates thereof.

Claim 13

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof which will emit radiation when bombarded by an electron beam; first means for scanning said phosphor with a pencil beam of electrons, at a predetermined rate, for producing a scanning spot of said radiation; optical means positioned relative to said face for projecting said spot of radiation over a field of view; a receiver located adjacent said cathode ray tube; said receiver including a nonstorage type photosurface responsive to said radiation to form an electron image, and a plate member having an aperture therein; optical means positioned relative to said receiver for focusing any reflected radiation from said field of view onto said photosurface; second means for scanning said electron image across said aperture at said predetermined rate; photomultiplier means positioned behind said aperture for developing an output signal proportional to the intensity of said electron image being scanned thereacross; television monitor means including a scanning cathode ray beam, and responsive to said output signal for providing a visual display in accordance with said output signal; and synchronizer means commonly connected to said first means, said second means and said television monitor means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said scanning spot of radiation said electron image and said cathode ray beam.

Claim 14

An optical imaging system comprising: a cathode ray tube having a short persistence phosphor on the face thereof which will emit radiation when bombarded by an electron beam; first means for scanning said phosphor with a pencil beam of electrons, at a predetermined rate, for producing a scanning spot of said radiation; optical means positioned relative to said face for projecting said spot of radiation over a field of view; a receiver located adjacent said cathode ray tube; said receiver including a nonstorage type photosurface responsive to said radiation to form an electron image, and a plate member having an aperture therein; optical means positioned relative to said receiver for focusing any reflected radiation from said field of view onto said photosurface; second means for scanning said electron image across said aperture at said predetermined rate; photomultiplier means positioned behind said aperture for developing an output signal proportional to the intensity of said electron image being scanned thereacross; television monitor means including a scanning cathode ray beam, and responsive to said output signal for providing a visual display in accordance with said output signal; and synchronizer means commonly connected to said first means, said second means and said television monitor means for synchronizing the scanning rates of said scanning spot of radiation said electron image and said cathode ray beam.