US3564126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic write in and image rotation control in an electronic image correlator tube
Assignee: Goodyear Aerospace Corp
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Filing: 1966-09-19
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1986-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An electronic image correlation tube utilizing a partial grid modulated by video drive signal to write in electronic information for storage from a constant beam light source. The capability of also writing in optical input information by conventional means is incorporated. Correlation is achieved by a conventional means, but image rotation control is provided within the tube, together with a unique reference establishment between the input and stored information to facilitate correlation. Fiber optics may also be utilized between the reference and the photo cathode to assist in providing more resolution to the input information.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F Koch
- 👤 Ermal E Penix
- 👤 John R Shoemaker
- 👤 Harry O Pfeiffer
- 👤 Richard H Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/26; H01J31/28; H01J31/286; G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
In combination: an enclosed housing drawn to a vacuum; a photoemissive cathode at one end of the housing to convert light images into electronic images by the emission of electrons from the cathode; a storage grid positioned in spaced parallel relation to the cathode inside the housing adapted when under no charge to receive the impingement of electrons to thereby effect a charge thereon to represent the light images electronically; means to place a constant and uniform light image on a predetermined point of the cathode; means associated only with the predetermined point of the cathode to modulate the electrons emitted from the cathode with a video drivE signal to control the number of electrons passing to the storage grid; means to direct the path of electrons emitted from the cathode to the storage grid in coordination with the video drive signal whereby the video drive signal may be stored onto the storage grid when the grid is neutralized; means to place an optical image onto the cathode; means to direct the electrons emitted from the cathode representing the optical image onto the storage grid whereby the optical image may be stored onto the storage grid when the grid is neutralized; means to nutate the electrons representing the optical image when the video drive signal is stored on the storage grid whereby the number of electrons passing through the storage grid represents the correlation function between the optical image and the video drive signal; and means to detect the number of electrons passing through the storage grid during the nutation of the optical image to produce a signal representing the correlation function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
In combination: an enclosed housing drawn to a vacuum; a photoemissive cathode at one end of the housing to convert light images into electronic images by the emission of electrons from the cathode; a storage grid positioned in spaced parallel relation to the cathode inside the housing adapted when under no charge to receive the impingement of electrons to thereby effect a charge thereon to represent the light images electronically; means to place a constant and uniform light image on a predetermined point of the cathode; means associated only with the predetermined point of the cathode to modulate the electrons emitted from the cathode with a video drivE signal to control the number of electrons passing to the storage grid; means to direct the path of electrons emitted from the cathode to the storage grid in coordination with the video drive signal whereby the video drive signal may be stored onto the storage grid when the grid is neutralized; means to place an optical image onto the cathode; means to direct the electrons emitted from the cathode representing the optical image onto the storage grid whereby the optical image may be stored onto the storage grid when the grid is neutralized; means to nutate the electrons representing the optical image when the video drive signal is stored on the storage grid whereby the number of electrons passing through the storage grid represents the correlation function between the optical image and the video drive signal; and means to detect the number of electrons passing through the storage grid during the nutation of the optical image to produce a signal representing the correlation function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
241 words
In combination: an enclosed housing drawn to a vacuum; a photoemissive light responsive cathode at one end of the housing to convert light images into electronic images by the emission of electrons from the cathode; a storage grid positioned in space parallel relation to the cathode inside the housing and nearer to the other end of the housing than to the cathode adapted when under no charge to receive the impingement of electrons to thereby effect a charge thereon to represent the light images electronically; means to place a constant and uniform light image at a selected location adjacent the edge of the cathode; a partial grid positioned adjacent the cathode and covering a portion thereof aligned with the selected light image location of the cathode, means to control the partial grid potential to modulate the electrons emitted from the cathode by the uniform light image with a video drive signal to control the number of electrons passing to the storage grid; means to direct the path of electrons passing from the cathode to the storage grid caused by the uniform light image in coordination with the video drive signal whereby the video drive signal is stored onto the storage grid; means to direct an optical image onto the cathode on that portion thereof not covered by the partial grid; and means to focus the electrons emitted from the cathode by the optical image down the housing onto the storage grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
241 words
In combination: an enclosed housing drawn to a vacuum; a photoemissive light responsive cathode at one end of the housing to convert light images into electronic images by the emission of electrons from the cathode; a storage grid positioned in space parallel relation to the cathode inside the housing and nearer to the other end of the housing than to the cathode adapted when under no charge to receive the impingement of electrons to thereby effect a charge thereon to represent the light images electronically; means to place a constant and uniform light image at a selected location adjacent the edge of the cathode; a partial grid positioned adjacent the cathode and covering a portion thereof aligned with the selected light image location of the cathode, means to control the partial grid potential to modulate the electrons emitted from the cathode by the uniform light image with a video drive signal to control the number of electrons passing to the storage grid; means to direct the path of electrons passing from the cathode to the storage grid caused by the uniform light image in coordination with the video drive signal whereby the video drive signal is stored onto the storage grid; means to direct an optical image onto the cathode on that portion thereof not covered by the partial grid; and means to focus the electrons emitted from the cathode by the optical image down the housing onto the storage grid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A combination according to claim 2 including a plurality of mesh means positioned in insulated relation to the housing at substantially equal spacing to each other over the majority of the distance between the cathode and the storage grid with means to control the voltages thereon to series control the acceleration of the electrons down the housing whereby the angular relation of the electrons representing the optical image can be rotated electronically by controllably adjusting the voltage on the mesh means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination according to claim 2 which includes means to effect nutation of the electrons representing an optical image as they pass to the storage grid when reference image is stored on the storage grid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A correlator tube according to claim 4 which includes an electron collecting anode at the end of the housing opposite the cathode, a coordination circuit to control the voltage potential of the partial grid to allow storage of the uniform light image on the storage grid, and means to compare a reference spot on the optical image of the same size and location which the uniform light image has to the cathode with the stored image on the storage grid to establish electronically the errors present therebetween as determined by the number of electrons detected by the anode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A correlator tube according to claim 2 which includes fiber optics mounted adjacent the cathode, a reference film positioned adjacent the fiber optics, means to backlight the reference film, and means to project a small confined, generallY substantially circular beam of light adjacent the peripheral edge of the fiber optics to cooperate with the partial grid inside the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |