US3652154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light control system for use in very low light intensities
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1970-08-07
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A high sensitivity light control system for providing relatively constant effective values of light intensity to photographic devices operating in very low levels of light intensity is provided by using the signal derived by integrating, amplifying, and smoothing the output of a periodically readout storage light detector tube to control a mechanical aperture, scanning frame time, or light gain in a variable gain image intensifier stage. Light intensities from the scene photographically viewed are detected and integrated temporally in the storage light detector tube, integrating the output of the storage light detector provides spatial integration of the temporally integrated light intensity over the scene viewed.
Inventors
- 👤 Radames K H Gebel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/085; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/4209; G01J1/4214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Automatic light control apparatus for use in very low light intensities for controlling the effective light intensity from a scene viewed by an image receiving device comprising: a. an electron beam read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for storing the light intensity from the scene viewed; b. means cooperating with the electron beam read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for providing a readout signal of the stored light intensity at predetermined periodic time intervals; c. an integrator for integrating the said readout signal and providing an output signal responsive to the integrated light intensity for each readout period; and d. means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Automatic light control apparatus for use in very low light intensities for controlling the effective light intensity from a scene viewed by an image receiving device comprising: a. an electron beam read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for storing the light intensity from the scene viewed; b. means cooperating with the electron beam read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for providing a readout signal of the stored light intensity at predetermined periodic time intervals; c. an integrator for integrating the said readout signal and providing an output signal responsive to the integrated light intensity for each readout period; and d. means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device includes a mechanical aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receivinG device includes a variable gain image intensifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device is a means for varying the scanning frame time of the image receiving device responsive to the light intensity of the scene viewed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
Automatic light control apparatus for use in very low light intensities for controlling the effective light intensity from a scene viewed by an image receiving device comprising: a. an optically read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for storing the light intensity from the scene viewed; b. means cooperating with the optically read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for providing a readout signal of the stored light intensity at predetermined periodic time intervals; c. an integrator for integrating the said readout signal and providing an output signal responsive to the integrated light intensity for each readout period; and d. means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
Automatic light control apparatus for use in very low light intensities for controlling the effective light intensity from a scene viewed by an image receiving device comprising: a. an optically read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for storing the light intensity from the scene viewed; b. means cooperating with the optically read Secondary Electron Conduction tube for providing a readout signal of the stored light intensity at predetermined periodic time intervals; c. an integrator for integrating the said readout signal and providing an output signal responsive to the integrated light intensity for each readout period; and d. means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device includes a mechanical aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device includes a variable gain image intensifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said means cooperating with the said image receiving device responsive to the said output signal of the integrator for controlling the effective light intensity from the scene viewed by the image receiving device is a means for varying the scanning frame time of the image receiving device responsive to the light intensity of the scene viewed.
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) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |