US3849651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charge coupled signal processor
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1973-09-17
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved thermal imaging system is proposed wherein charge coupled devices (CCDs) are used as analog multiplexers for the read-out of the scanned linear array of far-infrared detectors.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ennulat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:15
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/15; H10F39/157; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N23/23; H04N25/00; H04N25/20; H04N25/21; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/08; Y10S148/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a thermal imaging system wherein at least one line element of the thermal image is sampled simultaneously, an improved signal processing circuit comprising: a inear array containing a plurality of detector elements responsive to far-infrared radiation; a line imaging CCD with a like plurality of input diodes for signal injection; and circuit means coupling said detectors and said diodes for matching the impedances thereof and limiting the signal coupled therebetween to match the charge storage capabilities of the CCD.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a thermal imaging system wherein at least one line element of the thermal image is sampled simultaneously, an improved signal processing circuit comprising: a inear array containing a plurality of detector elements responsive to far-infrared radiation; a line imaging CCD with a like plurality of input diodes for signal injection; and circuit means coupling said detectors and said diodes for matching the impedances thereof and limiting the signal coupled therebetween to match the charge storage capabilities of the CCD.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes: contrast enhancement means for independently biasing the output of said detector and the input of said CCD.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes contrast enhancement means for coupling only the a.c. component of said detector to said input diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said detector is a photovoltaic type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said detector is a photoconductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said detector is a photodiode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processing circuit according to claim 1 wherein said system includes: two of said CCDs each providing an output of different polarity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processing circuit according to claim 7 wherein said CCDs have complementary diffusions of doping materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processing circuit according to claim 8 wherein said CCDs have identical diffusions of doping materials.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of processing a serial type video signal from a plurality of parallel scanned line far-infrared detectors using a charge coupled line imaging device with m-phase synchronization on the lateral and line transfer electrodes and a gate electrode controlling an injection diode at each input, comprising the steps of: gating charge from said diode to the first of said lateral transfer electrodes during a first dwell time; transferring the accumulated charge from the first to the m''th lateral transfer electrode from said control electrode at the end of said first dwell time in a small fraction of the dwell time; holding the charge under the m''th electrode until removed by the line transfer electrodes during a second dwell time; and simultaneously gating charge from said diode to said first lateral transfer electrode during said second dwell time.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of processing a serial type video signal from a plurality of parallel scanned line far-infrared detectors using a charge coupled line imaging device with m-phase synchronization on the lateral and line transfer electrodes and a gate electrode controlling an injection diode at each input, comprising the steps of: gating charge from said diode to the first of said lateral transfer electrodes during a first dwell time; transferring the accumulated charge from the first to the m''th lateral transfer electrode from said control electrode at the end of said first dwell time in a small fraction of the dwell time; holding the charge under the m''th electrode until removed by the line transfer electrodes during a second dwell time; and simultaneously gating charge from said diode to said first lateral transfer electrode during said second dwell time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3775560A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |