US3813552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image rotation device for an infrared scanning system or the like
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1973-01-02
•
Granted: 1974-05-28
•
Expires: 1993-01-02
Abstract
Abstract An infrared scanning system which does not require the use of scanning mirrors is disclosed. A cylindrical device having two cylindrical optical elements arranged in an afocal manner forms an image at infinity. As the cylindrical device is rotated about its longitudinal axis the image is rotated about the longitudinal axis at twice the rotational rate of the rotation of the device. A lens system focuses infrared energy radiating from the scene on an array of detectors supported at one end of a support member. An array of emitters is mounted on the opposite end of the support member and the electronics necessary to interface the detector array with the emitters is mounted on the outer surface of the support member. The central portion of the support member also includes a mechanical cryogenic refrigerator for cooling the detector array. A television camera is focused on the emitter array to produce a television image of the scene scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09; G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/08; G02B15/00; G02B23/00; G02B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A scanner system for scanning a scene of interest comprising: a. an image rotation member including a pair of optical cylindrical lens elements positioned in an afocal manner; b. an array of electromagnetic radiation detectoRs in the path of the rotating image for porducing electrical representations of the image of the scene, said detectors having a plurality of semiconductor diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern; c. an array of emitters coupled to the array of electromagnetic detectors responsive to the electrical representations for producing output signals indicative of an image of the scene, said array of emitters having a plurality of semiconductor diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern; and d. a derotation member in the path of the emitter output signals for unscrambling the visible image of the scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A scanner system for scanning a scene of interest comprising: a. an image rotation member including a pair of optical cylindrical lens elements positioned in an afocal manner; b. an array of electromagnetic radiation detectoRs in the path of the rotating image for porducing electrical representations of the image of the scene, said detectors having a plurality of semiconductor diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern; c. an array of emitters coupled to the array of electromagnetic detectors responsive to the electrical representations for producing output signals indicative of an image of the scene, said array of emitters having a plurality of semiconductor diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern; and d. a derotation member in the path of the emitter output signals for unscrambling the visible image of the scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A scanner system for scanning a scene of interest comprising: a. an image rotation member for producing a rotating image of the scene; b. an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors in the path of the rotating image for producing electrical representations of the image of the scene; c. an array of emitters coupled to the array of electromagnetic radiation detectors responsive to the electrical representations for producing output signals indicative of an image of the scene; and d. a derotation member in the path of the emitter output signals for unscrambling the visible image of the scene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A scanner system for scanning a scene of interest comprising: a. an image rotation member for producing a rotating image of the scene; b. an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors in the path of the rotating image for producing electrical representations of the image of the scene; c. an array of emitters coupled to the array of electromagnetic radiation detectors responsive to the electrical representations for producing output signals indicative of an image of the scene; and d. a derotation member in the path of the emitter output signals for unscrambling the visible image of the scene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scanner according to claim 2, wherein said image rotation member includes a pair of optical cylindrical lens elements positioned in an afocal manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanner according to claim 3 further including a lens system interposed between said image rotation member and said array of electromagnetic radiation detectors for focusing said radiation on the detectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanner according to claim 3 further including a lens system interposed between the pair of optical cylindrical lens elements of the image rotation member for focusing said radiation on the detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanner system according to claim 2 wherein said array of detectors and said array of emitters each comprises a plurality of semiconductor diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanner system according to claim 2 wherein said detectors detect radiation in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scanner system according to claim 6 wherein said emitters are light emitters operating in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |