Patent US3369101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3869212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spectrometer integrated with a facsimile camera
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1973-08-02
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-08-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention integrates a spectrometer capability with the basic imagery function of facsimile cameras without significantly increasing mechanical or optical complexity, or interfering with the imaging function. The invention consists of a group of photodetectors arranged in a linear array in the focal plane of the fascimile camera with a separate narrow band interference filter centered over each photodetector. The interference filter photodetector array is on a line in the focal plane of the facsimile camera along the direction of image motion due to the rotation of the facsimile camera''s vertical mirror. As the image of the picture element of interest travels down the interference filter photodetector array, the photodetector outputs are synchronously selected and sampled to provide spectral information on the single picture element. The selection of the proper photodetector and data sampling is controlled by information derived from the servo system controlling the vertical mirror rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest E Burcher
- 👤 Daniel J Jobson
- 👤 Stephen J Katzberg
- 👤 Iv William L Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/021; G01J3/28; G01J3/2803; G01J3/2823; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/51; G01J3/513; G01J3/12; G01J2003/1226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for integrating a spectrometry capability with the basic imagery function of a facsimile camera said facsimile camera including means for scanning a scene a-line-at-a-time and focusing the images of the scan on the focal plane of the camera comprising: a plurality of photodetectors in a linear array on the focal plane of said facsimile camera such that as said facsimile camera scans a line of a scene, the image of that scan will scan said linear array of photodetectors; a different narrow band interference filter centered over each of said photodetectors; and multiplexing means connected to the outputs of said plurality of said photodetectors for sequentially selecting one at a time the outputs from said photodetectors as a single specific scene element is scanned down the array of photodetectors whereby the output of said multiplexer contains spectral information about said single specific scene element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for integrating a spectrometry capability with the basic imagery function of a facsimile camera said facsimile camera including means for scanning a scene a-line-at-a-time and focusing the images of the scan on the focal plane of the camera comprising: a plurality of photodetectors in a linear array on the focal plane of said facsimile camera such that as said facsimile camera scans a line of a scene, the image of that scan will scan said linear array of photodetectors; a different narrow band interference filter centered over each of said photodetectors; and multiplexing means connected to the outputs of said plurality of said photodetectors for sequentially selecting one at a time the outputs from said photodetectors as a single specific scene element is scanned down the array of photodetectors whereby the output of said multiplexer contains spectral information about said single specific scene element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for integrating a spectrometry capability with the basic imagery function of a facsimile camera according to claim 1 wherein said multiplexing means includes means for synchronizing the scanning means of said facsimile camera with said multiplexing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said synchronizing means includes means for producing electrical signals indicative of the position of said scanning means and a binary counter responsive to said electrical signals for producing control signals for said multiplexing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including means for activating said binary counter only when the image of a preselected scene element is focused on the first photodetector in said array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for providing spectrometric data about a single scene element of a scene comprising: means for scanning said scene and focusing an image of said scene scan on a focal plane; a plurality of photodetectors in a linear array on said focal plane such that the image from said scanning means scans said linear array of photodetectors; a different narrow band filter centered over each of said photodetectors; and multiplexing means connected to the outputs of said plurality of photodetectors and controlled by said scanning means for sequentially selecting one-at-a-time in synchronism with said scanning means the outputs from said photodetectors as said single scene element is scanned down the array of photodetectors such that the output of said multiplexer contains spectral information about a single scene element of said scene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for providing spectrometric data about a single scene element of a scene comprising: means for scanning said scene and focusing an image of said scene scan on a focal plane; a plurality of photodetectors in a linear array on said focal plane such that the image from said scanning means scans said linear array of photodetectors; a different narrow band filter centered over each of said photodetectors; and multiplexing means connected to the outputs of said plurality of photodetectors and controlled by said scanning means for sequentially selecting one-at-a-time in synchronism with said scanning means the outputs from said photodetectors as said single scene element is scanned down the array of photodetectors such that the output of said multiplexer contains spectral information about a single scene element of said scene.
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) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |