US3879637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television camera
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-03-22
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1992-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A TV camera designed to fit in a small volume having a shortened, high-resolution, all magnetic vidicon; integrated circuits; and an electronic zoom. The video amplifier incorporates keyed-clamping, black-clipping, sync-pulse addition, auxiliary outputs for trackers and automatic target control, and an output stage for low-impedance line driving.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Woodworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A television camera, comprising: means for imposing an image on a surface, scanning the surface with an electronic beam, and providing an output in response to the image on the surface; means for amplifying the output of said imposing, scanning, and providing means whereby the amplified output can be presented on a television monitor; means for controlling the trace of the beam of said imposing, scanning, and providing means including means for preventing said beam if the beam fails to scan; means for preventing said beam during a preselected period of said trace; means coupled to said amplifying means, said trace controlling means, and said preselected period beam preventing means for synchronizing the operation of said television camera; and means coupled to said imposing, scanning and providing means for selectively reducing the area scanned and rate of scan of said imposing, scanning and providing means to cause a zoom effect with respect to the image imposed on said surface, including a ramp function signal generator and an adjustable gain amplifier providing an output to said imposing, scanning and providing means wherein the adjustable gain amplifier is capacitively coupled to the output of said generator to prevent any D.C. valve from being coupled to said amplifier, and the slope of the ramp function applied to said imposing, scanning and providing means is adjustably controlled by the gain of said adjustable gain amplifier to cause said zoom effect, such that the center of the image scanned before said reduction is in the center of the image scanned during said reduction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A television camera, comprising: means for imposing an image on a surface, scanning the surface with an electronic beam, and providing an output in response to the image on the surface; means for amplifying the output of said imposing, scanning, and providing means whereby the amplified output can be presented on a television monitor; means for controlling the trace of the beam of said imposing, scanning, and providing means including means for preventing said beam if the beam fails to scan; means for preventing said beam during a preselected period of said trace; means coupled to said amplifying means, said trace controlling means, and said preselected period beam preventing means for synchronizing the operation of said television camera; and means coupled to said imposing, scanning and providing means for selectively reducing the area scanned and rate of scan of said imposing, scanning and providing means to cause a zoom effect with respect to the image imposed on said surface, including a ramp function signal generator and an adjustable gain amplifier providing an output to said imposing, scanning and providing means wherein the adjustable gain amplifier is capacitively coupled to the output of said generator to prevent any D.C. valve from being coupled to said amplifier, and the slope of the ramp function applied to said imposing, scanning and providing means is adjustably controlled by the gain of said adjustable gain amplifier to cause said zoom effect, such that the center of the image scanned before said reduction is in the center of the image scanned during said reduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
258 words
A television camera, comprising: means for imposing an image on a surface, scanning the surface with an electronic beam, and providing an output in response to the image on the surface; means for amplifying the output of said imposing, scanning, and providing means whereby the amplified output can be presented on a television monitor; means for controlling the trace of the beam of said imposing, scanning, and providing means including means for preventing said beam if the beam fails to scan; means for preventing said beam during a preselected period of said trace; means coupled to said amplifying means, said trace controlling means, and said preselected period beam preventing means for synchronizing the operation of said television camera; and means coupled to said imposing, scanning and providing means for selectively reducing the area scanned and rate of scan of said imposing, scanning and providing means to cause a zoom effect with respect to the image imposed on said surface, including a ramp function signal generator and an adjustable gain amplifier providing an output to said imposing, scanning and providing means wherein the adjustable gain amplifier is capacitively coupled to the output of said generator to prevent any D.C. valve from being coupled to said amplifier, and the slope of the ramp function applied to said imposing, scanning and providing means is adjustably controlled by the gain of said adjustable gain amplifier to cause said zoom effect, such that the center of the image scanned before said reduction is in the center of the image scanned during said reduction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
258 words
A television camera, comprising: means for imposing an image on a surface, scanning the surface with an electronic beam, and providing an output in response to the image on the surface; means for amplifying the output of said imposing, scanning, and providing means whereby the amplified output can be presented on a television monitor; means for controlling the trace of the beam of said imposing, scanning, and providing means including means for preventing said beam if the beam fails to scan; means for preventing said beam during a preselected period of said trace; means coupled to said amplifying means, said trace controlling means, and said preselected period beam preventing means for synchronizing the operation of said television camera; and means coupled to said imposing, scanning and providing means for selectively reducing the area scanned and rate of scan of said imposing, scanning and providing means to cause a zoom effect with respect to the image imposed on said surface, including a ramp function signal generator and an adjustable gain amplifier providing an output to said imposing, scanning and providing means wherein the adjustable gain amplifier is capacitively coupled to the output of said generator to prevent any D.C. valve from being coupled to said amplifier, and the slope of the ramp function applied to said imposing, scanning and providing means is adjustably controlled by the gain of said adjustable gain amplifier to cause said zoom effect, such that the center of the image scanned before said reduction is in the center of the image scanned during said reduction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The television camera of claim 1 wherein said amplifying means includes: a preamplifier stage coupled to the output of the imposing, scanning, and providing means; a clamping circuit coupled to said preamplifier stage and controlled by an output of said synchronizing means; a clipping circuit coupled to the clamping circuit; and an output stage coupled to the clipping circuit for providing the amplifying means output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The television camera of claim 2 wherein said clipping circuit provides positive value outputs only and includes means for providing a clipping signal which causes the clipping circuit output to become less positive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The television camera of claim 1 wherein said electronic zoom means includes means for altering the voltage gain of the deflection amplifiers of said horizontal and said vertical deflection circuits.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |