US3883436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Physical correction filter for improving the optical quality of an image
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A family of physical correction filters is described. Each filter is designed to correct image content of a photographed scene of limited resolution. Each filter includes a first filter element with a pinhole through which light passes to a differential amplifier. The filter also includes a second filter element through which light passes through one or more openings, whose geometric configuration is a function of the cause of the resolution loss. The light, passing through the second filter element, is also supplied to the differential amplifier whose output is used to activate an optical display or recorder to reproduce a photograph or display of the scene in the original photograph or display of the scene in the original photograph with resolution which is significantly greater than that characterizing the original photograph.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/029; H04N1/40; H04N1/409; H04N1/4092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An optical system comprising: a photographic record of a scene; light source means for scanning said record; filter means for receiving light from said scanned record, said filter means dEfining a pinhole aperture characterized by a substantially constant Fourier transform in response to a unit impulse of light and at least one other aperture whose configuration is a function of the characteristics of said scene record with light from said scanned record passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture; and means for providing an output which is a function of the difference of the light passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture, said record being of low resolution due to scene double exposure and said at least one other aperture comprising a pair of pinholes spaced a distance related to said double exposure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An optical system comprising: a photographic record of a scene; light source means for scanning said record; filter means for receiving light from said scanned record, said filter means dEfining a pinhole aperture characterized by a substantially constant Fourier transform in response to a unit impulse of light and at least one other aperture whose configuration is a function of the characteristics of said scene record with light from said scanned record passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture; and means for providing an output which is a function of the difference of the light passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture, said record being of low resolution due to scene double exposure and said at least one other aperture comprising a pair of pinholes spaced a distance related to said double exposure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said filter comprises a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture and a second filter element defining said pair of pinholes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
An optical system comprising: a photographic record of a scene; light source means for scanning said record; filter means for receiving light from said scanned record, said filter means defining a pinhole aperture characterized by a substantially constant Fourier transform in response to a unit impulse of light and at least one other aperture whose configuration is a function of the characteristics of said scene record with light from said scanned record passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture; and means for providing an output which is a function of the difference of the light passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture, said record being of low resolution due to linear smear and said at least one other aperture being rectangularly shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
An optical system comprising: a photographic record of a scene; light source means for scanning said record; filter means for receiving light from said scanned record, said filter means defining a pinhole aperture characterized by a substantially constant Fourier transform in response to a unit impulse of light and at least one other aperture whose configuration is a function of the characteristics of said scene record with light from said scanned record passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture; and means for providing an output which is a function of the difference of the light passing through said pinhole aperture and said other aperture, said record being of low resolution due to linear smear and said at least one other aperture being rectangularly shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said filter comprises a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture and a second filter element defining said rectangularly-shaped aperture.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said at least one other aperture consists of a pair of spaced adjustable pinholes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said at least one other aperture consists of a pair of spaced adjustable pinholes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said at least one other apertuRe is a single rectangularly-shaped aperture of adjustable width.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said at least one other apertuRe is a single rectangularly-shaped aperture of adjustable width.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, said filter comprising a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture, a second filter element defining said at least one other aperture, means for directing light from said optical record to said first and second filter elements, said output means comprise differencing means for providing said output as a function of the difference between the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, and wherein said at least one other aperture consists of a pair of spaced adjustable pinholes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, said filter comprising a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture, a second filter element defining said at least one other aperture, means for directing light from said optical record to said first and second filter elements, said output means comprise differencing means for providing said output as a function of the difference between the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, and wherein said at least one other aperture consists of a pair of spaced adjustable pinholes.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said filter comprises a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture, a second filter element defining said at least one other aperture, means for directing light from said optical record to said first and second filter elements, wherein said output means comprise differencing means for providing said output as a function of the difference between the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, and wherein said at least one other aperture is a single rectangularly-shaped aperture of adjustable width.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for correcting the content of a scene photographically recorded on an optical record of low resolution by an optical system having a determinable modulation transfer function, which is other than unity, the system comprising: light scanning means for scanning the scene recorded on said optical record, with the light from said scanned scene being directed in a selected direction; a filter in said selected direction for passing the light in said direction therethrough, said filter being characterized by a modulation transfer function which is related to the modulation transfer function of said optical system with which said scene was recorded, said filter defining a pinhole aperture through which light from said scanned scene is transmitted and at least one other aperture through which light from said scanned area is transmitted; and output means for providing an output which is a function of the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, wherein said filter comprises a first filter element defining said pinhole aperture, a second filter element defining said at least one other aperture, means for directing light from said optical record to said first and second filter elements, wherein said output means comprise differencing means for providing said output as a function of the difference between the light transmitted through said pinhole aperture and said at least one other aperture, and wherein said at least one other aperture is a single rectangularly-shaped aperture of adjustable width.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |