Patent US3710126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3710126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Resolution enhancement of image intensification systems
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1971-11-04
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-11-04
Abstract
Abstract An image intensification system utilizing an image intensifier having a channel type electron multiplier. The light input to the intensifier is oscillated vertically up and down by an electrically active double refracting input crystal. An oscillator provides an A.C. voltage for the crystal. The light output of the intensifier is unscrambled by another such crystal at the intensifier output, which crystal also receives an input from the oscillator. That is, the intensifier oscillating output image is made to appear stationary by operation of the output crystal. Another embodiment employs a vidicon at the intensifier output, the vidicon vertical sweep being amplitude modulated in synchronism with the oscillator output. Although completely unexpected, the intensifier resolution is substantially improved.
Inventors
- 👤 P Reif
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H01J31/506; H01J31/507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In an image intensification system, the combination comprising: intensifier means, an evacuated envelope having spaced front and rear transparent windows; a photocathode layer fixed relative to said front window contiguous thereto inside said envelope; a luminescent screen layer fixed relative to said rear window contiguous thereto inside said envelope; a channel type electron multiplier fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof between said windows; a first light polarizer; means to support said first polarizer in a position adjacent to said front window to polarize light directed theretoward; a second light polarizer; means to support said second polarizer in a position adjacent said rear window at least a first transparent device, said device being actuable to shift light passing therethrough in a predetermined direction an amount which is a function of the magnitude of a signal applied thereto; means to support said first device in a position adjacent to said front window and actuable to shift the position of light falling on said front window relative to its corresponding position on the opposite side of said first device; utilization means fixed relative to said second polarizer to receive the light passing therethrough which emanates from said rear window; and oscillator control means connected to said first device and to said utilization means to operate them synchronously, said control means causing said first device to oscillate the image at said rear window via said intensifier means, said control means synchronous operation of said utilization means with said first device causing said utilization means to follow synchronously the said oscillating rear window image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In an image intensification system, the combination comprising: intensifier means, an evacuated envelope having spaced front and rear transparent windows; a photocathode layer fixed relative to said front window contiguous thereto inside said envelope; a luminescent screen layer fixed relative to said rear window contiguous thereto inside said envelope; a channel type electron multiplier fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof between said windows; a first light polarizer; means to support said first polarizer in a position adjacent to said front window to polarize light directed theretoward; a second light polarizer; means to support said second polarizer in a position adjacent said rear window at least a first transparent device, said device being actuable to shift light passing therethrough in a predetermined direction an amount which is a function of the magnitude of a signal applied thereto; means to support said first device in a position adjacent to said front window and actuable to shift the position of light falling on said front window relative to its corresponding position on the opposite side of said first device; utilization means fixed relative to said second polarizer to receive the light passing therethrough which emanates from said rear window; and oscillator control means connected to said first device and to said utilization means to operate them synchronously, said control means causing said first device to oscillate the image at said rear window via said intensifier means, said control means synchronous operation of said utilization means with said first device causing said utilization means to follow synchronously the said oscillating rear window image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes a second transparent device actuable to shift light passing therethrough an amount which is a function of the magnitude of a signal applied thereto, and means to support said second device in a position adjacent to said rear window and actuable to shift the position of light emanating, a second polarizer fixed relative to said second device on the side thereof opposite that on which said rear window is positioned, both of said polarizers being positioned to polarize light in the same direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second devices include electrically active double refracting crystals, said control means including an oscillator connected to both of said first and second devices to cause light passing therethrough to be shifted in an oscillatory manner in one of two opposite directions and in synchronism, the amplitudes of the light shifts through said devices being in accordance with the amplitude of the alternating output signal of said oscillator, said oscillator being connected to said first and second devices and both of said first and second devices being mounted in a manner such that they shift light passing therethrough in synchronism in the same direction, said second device having a shift amplitude the same as the image on said luminescent screen layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said first device is positioned contiguous to said first window, said first device being positioned between said first polarizer and said front window, said first polarizer being spaced from said first device, lens means, means to support said lens means adjacent said first polarizer on the side thereof opposite the side on which said first device is positioned, said second device being positioned contiguous to said rear window, said second device being positioned between said rear window and said second polarizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein said multiplier includes a dielectric plate having holes therethrough extending approximately in a direction from said front window to said rear window, said plate having internal surfaces at least partially defining said holes, said internal surfaces being secondary emissive, a front conductive electrode fixed relative to said plate on the front window side thereof, a rear conductive electrode fixed relative to said plate on the rear window side thereof, both of said electrodes having holes therethrough which lie in registration with said plate holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as defined in claim 5, wherein said electrodes are layers evaporated onto opposite sides of said plate, and means to apply successively higher potentials to said layers, said front electrode potential being greater than that of said photocathode layer and less than that of said rear electrode potential, said luminescent screen layer having a potential greater than that of said rear electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes an image tube having scanning means connected from said control means to modulate the scan thereof in synchronism with the shift of light produced by actuation of said first device and to compensate for the image movement on said luminescent screen produced by said first device actuation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
175 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said image tube is a vidicon having a main control circuit connected therefrom, said main control circuit including a sync generator, said control means including an oscillator having its output connected to said first device, and an auxiliary control circuit connected from said oscillator output and from the output of said sync generator, said vidicon having means to produce an electron beam and vertical and horizontal deflection means to deflect said beam, said auxiliary control circuit including means to supply a signal to at least one of said deflection means to cause modulation of the position of said beam in synchronism with and in the same direction and amplitude as the shift in the image on said luminescent screen layer produced by the shift of light through said first device, said shift of light through said first device being oscillatory in nature in one of two opposite directions and of an amplitude which is a function of the amplitude of the alternating output signal of said oscillator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein said first device includes an electrically active double refracting crystal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said auxiliary control circuit means includes a vertical sweep generator connected from said sync generator, and an adder connected from said vertical sweep generator and said oscillator to said vertical deflection means, said oscillator being connected to said first device and said first device being positioned in a manner to shift light in a vertical direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein said first device is positioned contiguous to said first window, said first device being positioned between said first polarizer and said front window, said first polarizer being spaced from said first device, lens means, means to support said lens means adjacent said first polarizer on the side thereof opposite the side on which said first device is positioned.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein said multiplier includes a dielectric plate having holes therethrough extending approximately in a direction from said front window to said rear window, said plate having internal surfaces at least partially defining said holes, said internal surfaces being secondary emissive, a front conductive electrode fixEd relative to said plate on the front window side thereof, a rear conductive electrode fixed relative to said plate on the rear window side thereof, both of said electrodes having holes therethrough which lie in registration with said plate holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein said electrodes are layers evaporated onto opposite sides of said plate, and means to apply successively higher potentials to said layers, said front electrode potential being greater than that of said photocathode layer and less than that of said rear electrode potential, said luminescent screen layer having a potential greater than that of said rear electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said windows are both fiber optics windows.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein both of said windows are fiber optics windows.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein both of said windows are fiber optics windows, said image tube including an evacuated envelope having a fiber optics image receiving window positioned adjacent said rear window outside said envelope.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 16, wherein said image tube window is positioned contiguous to said rear window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein both of said windows are fiber optics windows, said image tube including an evacuated envelope having a fiber optics image receiving window positioned adjacent said rear window outside said envelope.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 18, wherein said second image tube window is positioned contiguous to said rear window.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an image intensification system, the combination comprising: an evacuated envelope having a light input window and a light output window; input means including an input device mounted in front of said input window and adjacent thereto and actuable to oscillate a beam of light thereon; an oscillator; and output means mounted to the rear of said output window and adjacent thereto, said oscillator being connected to said device and said input device being connected and positioned in a manner such that the image on said input window produced by the passage of light to said input window oscillates in synchronism with the output signal of said oscillator, the oscillation of the image on said input window causing the image on said output window to oscillate synchronously therewith, said output means including compensation means connected from said oscillator to follow said output window image in synchronism therewith in a manner to unscramble the same and to produce a sensed output as though said output window image were stationary.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an image intensification system, the combination comprising: an evacuated envelope having a light input window and a light output window; input means including an input device mounted in front of said input window and adjacent thereto and actuable to oscillate a beam of light thereon; an oscillator; and output means mounted to the rear of said output window and adjacent thereto, said oscillator being connected to said device and said input device being connected and positioned in a manner such that the image on said input window produced by the passage of light to said input window oscillates in synchronism with the output signal of said oscillator, the oscillation of the image on said input window causing the image on said output window to oscillate synchronously therewith, said output means including compensation means connected from said oscillator to follow said output window image in synchronism therewith in a manner to unscramble the same and to produce a sensed output as though said output window image were stationary.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as defined in claim 20, wherein said compensation means is an output device mounted to the rear of said output window and adjacent thereto and actuable to oscillate a beam of light emanating therefrom, and a channel type electron multiplier fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof between said windows.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said devices includes a birefringent crystal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
The invention as defined in claim 20, wherein said compensation means includes a vidicon including an evacuated envelope having a light input window, a photoconductive layer fixed relative to said vidicon envelope inside thereof contiguous to said window thereof, said vidicon envelope window being fixed adjacent said output window, an electron gun fixed relative to said vidicon envelope inside thereof to produce an electron beam to scan said photoconductive layer, a main control circuit including a sync generator, a vertical sweep generator connected from said sync generator, vertical sweep deflection means for said vidicon, and means connected from said oscillator and said vertical sweep generator to said vertical sweep deflection means to oscillate said electron beam vertically up and down in synchronism with the oscillation of the image on said input window, said input device being actuated to oscillate the image on said inpuT window vertically up and down.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, including a channel type electron multiplier fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof between said windows.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, wherein said input device includes a birefringent crystal.
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) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |