Patent US3699577A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3699577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system of surveillance processing
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Surveillance of missile tracks is obtained by a satellite having a series of sensors that activate an image storage tube which is periodically slit scanned. The scan data is processed to determine when the length of the series of images is sufficient to represent a missile track and the information is transmitted to a ground control station and a ground user station. By transmitting signals the control station controls the threshold levels, blanking, and the data processing program. The user station combines the data from the satellite and the ground station to determine the location of the missile and predict its trajectory.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W Shadle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for tracking and predicting trajectories of missiles comprising: a. a satellite having 1. means for sensing signals emanating from missiles, 2. a multiplexer fed by said means, 3. an image storage tube fed by the multiplexer, 4. means for scanning the image storage tube, 5. means for detecting the presence of a missile track from the output of the scanning means, 6. means for encoding the output of the detecting means, and 7. means for transmitting the output of the encoding means; and b. a ground station having 1. means for receiving signals from the satellite, and 2. means for computing the position and trajectory of the missiles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for tracking and predicting trajectories of missiles comprising: a. a satellite having 1. means for sensing signals emanating from missiles, 2. a multiplexer fed by said means, 3. an image storage tube fed by the multiplexer, 4. means for scanning the image storage tube, 5. means for detecting the presence of a missile track from the output of the scanning means, 6. means for encoding the output of the detecting means, and 7. means for transmitting the output of the encoding means; and b. a ground station having 1. means for receiving signals from the satellite, and 2. means for computing the position and trajectory of the missiles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
6 words
a multiplexer fed by said means,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
6 words
a multiplexer fed by said means,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for computing the position and trajectory of the missiles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for computing the position and trajectory of the missiles.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of tracking missiles using an orbiting satellite and a ground station comprising: a. sensing signals within viewing area of the satellite; b. storing the sensed signals upon a storage raster; and c. scanning the raster with a slit aperture in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, the scanning being repeated from different orientations about the raster; and d. detecting the sensed signals passing through the slit aperture, the time length of the detected signals and the orientation of the slit aperture being respectively indicative of a missile track and the direction thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of tracking missiles using an orbiting satellite and a ground station comprising: a. sensing signals within viewing area of the satellite; b. storing the sensed signals upon a storage raster; and c. scanning the raster with a slit aperture in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, the scanning being repeated from different orientations about the raster; and d. detecting the sensed signals passing through the slit aperture, the time length of the detected signals and the orientation of the slit aperture being respectively indicative of a missile track and the direction thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of tracking missiles according to claim 2 which further comprises: a. transmitting the detected data to a ground station; and b. computing the missile trajectory at the ground station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
8 words
an image storage tube fed by the multiplexer,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
8 words
an image storage tube fed by the multiplexer,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for scanning the image storage tube,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for scanning the image storage tube,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for detecting the presence of a missile track from the output of the scanning means,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for detecting the presence of a missile track from the output of the scanning means,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for encoding the output of the detecting means, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for encoding the output of the detecting means, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for transmitting the output of the encoding means; and b. a ground station having
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for transmitting the output of the encoding means; and b. a ground station having
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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 |