US3781558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Viewing system using a multiple array of different-sized detectors
Assignee: Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Ltd
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Filing: 1972-06-26
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In a viewing system for employment in conditions of low visibility, an image of the scene viewed is scanned by a multiple array of effectively different-sized detectors. The individual outputs of the detectors are pre-amplified and filtered and the filtered outputs of the several different-sized detectors viewing the same part of the image are combined on a single output signal channel feeding the display device. The pass bands of the filters are chosen so that the larger-sized detectors provide image detail of lower spatial frequencies and the smaller-sized detectors provide detail of higher spatial frequencies.
Inventors
- 👤 J Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A viewing system for low visibility conditions, comprising: means forming an image of the scene viewed, a multiple array of image-scanning detectors scanning said image of the scene viewed, said array consisting of detectors of different eFfective sizes arranged to scan the same parts of the image, filters individually filtering the outputs of said detectors, and means combining the filtered outputs of the several different-sized detectors scanning the same part of said image, the pass bands of the filters being so chosen that the filtered outputs of the larger-sized detectors provide image detail of lower spatial frequencies and the filtered outputs of the smaller-sized detectors provide image detail of higher spatial frequencies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A viewing system for low visibility conditions, comprising: means forming an image of the scene viewed, a multiple array of image-scanning detectors scanning said image of the scene viewed, said array consisting of detectors of different eFfective sizes arranged to scan the same parts of the image, filters individually filtering the outputs of said detectors, and means combining the filtered outputs of the several different-sized detectors scanning the same part of said image, the pass bands of the filters being so chosen that the filtered outputs of the larger-sized detectors provide image detail of lower spatial frequencies and the filtered outputs of the smaller-sized detectors provide image detail of higher spatial frequencies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the array includes detectors of at least three different sizes to scan each part of the image, thereby respectively providing image detail of low, intermediate and high spatial frequencies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate-sized detectors have a dimension that is a multiple of that of the smallest-sized detectors, and the largest-sized detector, of which there may be only one, has a dimension that is a similar multiple of that of the intermediate-sized detectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein each part of the image is scanned by several different-sized detectors in sequence, and comprising delay means to delay the outputs of the detectors earlier in the sequence before combination with the outputs of detectors later in the sequence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, comprising pre-amplifiers amplifying the outputs of the different-sized detectors before said outputs are filtered, said pre-amplifiers having different gains appropriate to the detector size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises a matrix of equal-sized small detector elements, different numbers of which are employed in groups to give effectively different-sized detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein there are in the array 16 detector elements arranged in a 4 X 4 square matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein, at least for the smaller detector sizes, each part of the image is scanned in sequence by more than one detector of the same size, thereby improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |