US3699245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pictorial systems, having high resolution imagery at all object distances
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-11
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for obtaining a reproducable image, as for television transmission, of a reduced scale three-dimensional model, exhibits not only high angular and linear resolution, but ''''infinite'''' depth of focus. Radiation from a laser, focussed to a spot or ''''point'''' source with extremely small angular divergency is formed into a narrow beam which is then deflected by rapidly variable deviator (preferably operating on collimated radiation) to cause a desired scan pattern (e.g., a conventional line by line type of rastor). Additional optical elements cause effective magnification of the original deflection angle without destroying the generally narrow divergency of the scanning beam, as well as causing the effective center of the scanning sweep angle to be located at a point that may be moved extremely close to the model. A photosensitive detector ''''sees'''' the entire model to receive the radiation reflected from that part of the model being illuminated by the scanning beam at any given moment. By causing the final scanning beam image to be substantially at the closest point of approach of the scanning system to the model, the linear resolution at critically close distances is ''''maximized'''', while the relatively narrow final divergency angle assures high angular resolution at all operating distances. The signal generated by the detector can be processed and transmitted in a manner analogous to conventional television signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderic M Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
474 words
A system for obtaining a visually discernable picture of a three-dimensional object over a large range of distances in the longitudinal direction extending generally parallel to the optical axis of said system capable of providing, without focussing adjustment, in-focus representations of different parts of said object that are at substantially different longitudinal distances at high angular resolution at all distances, and at high linear resolution especially at close distances, comprising: source means for generating an intense radiation beam having an extremely small angular divergency; means for rapidly deviating such radiation beam in a repetitive manner in two non-parallel directions to sweep said beam so as to cause it to scan in a particular two-dimensional pattern; a first lens means positioned in front of said deviating means for forming sweeping intermediate spot images from said rapidly sweeping beam in a first image plane in front of said first lens means, and for forming in a second image plane in front of said first image plane an image of said deviating means; a second lens means having a conjugate object plane coincident with said first image plane of said first lens means, so as to reimage said intermediate spot images as sweeping final spot images said second lens means conjugate image plane; said second lens means being positioned at said second image plane of said first lens means and therefore at said image of said deviating means, so that said final spot images sweep about a pivot which is substantially adjacent to said second lens means; wherein said second lens means is a short focal length, of such strong converging focussing power lens so as to produce its front principal focal plane substantially closer to said second lens means than said first image plane of said first lens means, so that said conjugate image plane at which said final spot images are formed is substantially adjacent to said second lens means thus causing said final spot images to be even smaller and of higher intensity than said intermediate spot images; radiation recEiving and detecting means for collecting and for amplitude detecting returned radiation from at least that portion of the object having small parts thereof illuminated by the narrow illuminating beam emanating from said sweeping final images at any given moment; electrical means for processing the amplitude-modulated electrical output from said detecting means so as to produce a continuous final electrical signal which varies in proportion to the intensity of said returned radiation from each of said object parts as they are scanned by said narrow illuminating beam; and means for converting said final electrical signal into a form capable of yielding a visual representation of the returned radiation intensity from each small part of said object portion which is scanned by said scanning system comprising said source means, said deviating means and said optical means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
474 words
A system for obtaining a visually discernable picture of a three-dimensional object over a large range of distances in the longitudinal direction extending generally parallel to the optical axis of said system capable of providing, without focussing adjustment, in-focus representations of different parts of said object that are at substantially different longitudinal distances at high angular resolution at all distances, and at high linear resolution especially at close distances, comprising: source means for generating an intense radiation beam having an extremely small angular divergency; means for rapidly deviating such radiation beam in a repetitive manner in two non-parallel directions to sweep said beam so as to cause it to scan in a particular two-dimensional pattern; a first lens means positioned in front of said deviating means for forming sweeping intermediate spot images from said rapidly sweeping beam in a first image plane in front of said first lens means, and for forming in a second image plane in front of said first image plane an image of said deviating means; a second lens means having a conjugate object plane coincident with said first image plane of said first lens means, so as to reimage said intermediate spot images as sweeping final spot images said second lens means conjugate image plane; said second lens means being positioned at said second image plane of said first lens means and therefore at said image of said deviating means, so that said final spot images sweep about a pivot which is substantially adjacent to said second lens means; wherein said second lens means is a short focal length, of such strong converging focussing power lens so as to produce its front principal focal plane substantially closer to said second lens means than said first image plane of said first lens means, so that said conjugate image plane at which said final spot images are formed is substantially adjacent to said second lens means thus causing said final spot images to be even smaller and of higher intensity than said intermediate spot images; radiation recEiving and detecting means for collecting and for amplitude detecting returned radiation from at least that portion of the object having small parts thereof illuminated by the narrow illuminating beam emanating from said sweeping final images at any given moment; electrical means for processing the amplitude-modulated electrical output from said detecting means so as to produce a continuous final electrical signal which varies in proportion to the intensity of said returned radiation from each of said object parts as they are scanned by said narrow illuminating beam; and means for converting said final electrical signal into a form capable of yielding a visual representation of the returned radiation intensity from each small part of said object portion which is scanned by said scanning system comprising said source means, said deviating means and said optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, in which: said source means comprises a laser and means for focussing the radiation beam from said laser to a substantially diffraction-limited first spot image (I).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1, in which: said deviating means is of such construction that said two non-parallel directions are perpendicular to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 3, in which: said deviating means is of such further construction that it deflects said intense radiation beam in said two directions by an angular amount which is substantially proportional to two electrical signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 4, in which: said deviating means further comprises means for supplying a first repetitive electrical signal which increases in a substantially linear manner for a particular interval and then rapidly returns to its lowest value, whereby said deviating means deflects said beam in said first direction by a gradually increasing angle and then returns said beam to an initial opposite position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
A system according to claim 5, in which: said deviating means further comprises means for supplying a second electrical signal which maintains a constant voltage level for a relatively short time interval, then increases to a somewhat different constant voltage level, continues to repeat this action so as to form a series of increasing D.C. voltage step levels, and ultimately returns to an original level and regenerates a similar series of step voltages, whereby said deviating means causes said intense radiation beam to sweep in a first direction through a gradually increasing angle and then to return back to its original position; and whereby said deviating means additionally causes said radiation beam to move in a series of incremental steps in said second direction, so that said beam ultimately scans a repetitive line by line raster pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A system according to claim 1, in which: said first lens means is positioned in front of said deviating means a large distance which is many times greater than its focal length, so that the second image plane of said first lens means at which said image of said deviating means is formed is much closer to said first lens means than said deviating means, whereby the sweep angle of the deviated beam relative to the deviating means is effectively enlarged into a larger sweep angle as measured relative to said image thereof, thereby effectively increasing the effective angular sweep range of the deviating means.
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) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |