US3785262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical aperture synthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-09
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1989-12-09
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method and apparatus for synthesizing large-aperture optics by exposure of a single photographic plate either successively or simultaneously through small-aperture optics. The technique represents the extension of the ''''synthetic-aperture radio telescope'''' principle to the optical domain by the relatively simple photographic synthesis of a ''''high-resolution'''' image in a single photograph, exposed either successively through sets of small ''''low-resolution'''' apertures sucessively placed to generate the spatial frequency components of the desired large aperture, or exposed simultaneously through a set of small ''''low-resolution'''' apertures having such optical characteristics and being so arranged as to generate the spatial frequency components of the desired large aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 G Stroke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for synthesizing the full frequency range spectrum of a photographic image corresponding to the full frequency spectrum of a large-aperture optical image-forming system comprising the steps of: forming in incoherent radiation a plurality of partial frequency range spectrum component photographic images each corresponding to different predetermined different elemental portions of the desired large-aperture system, and successively summing in incoherent radiation the amplitude components of said plurality of component photographic images in a single latent image to form the desired full-frequency photographic image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for synthesizing the full frequency range spectrum of a photographic image corresponding to the full frequency spectrum of a large-aperture optical image-forming system comprising the steps of: forming in incoherent radiation a plurality of partial frequency range spectrum component photographic images each corresponding to different predetermined different elemental portions of the desired large-aperture system, and successively summing in incoherent radiation the amplitude components of said plurality of component photographic images in a single latent image to form the desired full-frequency photographic image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said summing step is carried out with incoherent light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said component partial frequency range images are formed with incoherent light and summed with incoherent light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said component partial frequency range images are formed with x-rays and summed with incoherent light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said component partial frequency range images are formed with ultrasonic radiation and summed with incoherent light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said component partial frequency range images are formed simultaneously and later successively summed in a single photographic plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said component partial frequency range images are formed simultaneously and later successively superposed in a single photographic plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 including the further step of spatial filtering said component partial frequency range images prior to their summation in a single photographic plate for suppressing low-frequency redundancy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 7 including the further step of spatial filtering said component partial frequency range images prior to their summation in a single photographic plate for suppressing low-frequency redundancy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for synthesizing an image having the spatial frequency components of a large-aperture optical system using small-aperture components, comprising, in combination, a plurality of optical systems each including at least two small-aperture components supported in fixed relationship to each other, the small-aperture components of each of said optical systems being optically different from each other and said systems having optical characteristics corresponding to the optical characteristics of different elemental portions of a larger aperture to be synthesized, camera means including a photographic plate; and means positioning said plurality of optical systems relative to said camera means for exposure of said photographic plate therethrough to those spatial frequency components of an object as are transmitted by the small-aperture components of said optical systems.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for synthesizing an image having the spatial frequency components of a large-aperture optical system using small-aperture components, comprising, in combination, a plurality of optical systems each including at least two small-aperture components supported in fixed relationship to each other, the small-aperture components of each of said optical systems being optically different from each other and said systems having optical characteristics corresponding to the optical characteristics of different elemental portions of a larger aperture to be synthesized, camera means including a photographic plate; and means positioning said plurality of optical systems relative to said camera means for exposure of said photographic plate therethrough to those spatial frequency components of an object as are transmitted by the small-aperture components of said optical systems.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein each of said optical systems includes a pair of small-aperture components supported in fixed relationship to each other, and wherein each pair of components has an orientation and spacing different from all other pairs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said plurality of optical systems are fixedly supported in predetermined relationship to each other and to said camera means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further including means for transporting individual ones of said plurality of optical systems successively into oPerative position with said camera means for successive exposure of said photographic plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said camera means comprises a plurality of individual cameras positioned in an array and each having a respective photographic plate, and wherein one of said optical systems is supported in operative position with a corresponding one of said individual cameras, whereby said plurality of photographic plates may be exposed simultaneously, each to those spatial frequency components of an object as are transmitted by the small-aperture components of its respective optical system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said large aperture to be synthesized is generally circular in shape and said plurality of small-aperture components are arranged in concentric circles and are sufficient in number to substantially fill the area of the large aperture to be synthesized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the optical characteristics of all small-aperture components lying on a given circle are identical but differ from the optical characteristics of components in adjacent circles.
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) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |