US3889117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tapered detector scanning array system
Assignee: Cincinnati Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-03
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1993-05-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an infrared radiation detector assembly utilizing sensing elements of unique design. The energy sensors are placed at the image plane of the optics and are made to sequentially scan the field of view on a repetitive basis. The detector elements consist of a linear array which may be rotated about its mid-point in a plane whose center is coincident with but perpendicular to the optical axis of the lenses, the elements of the array being progressively larger as they extend outwardly from the center thereof. The invention includes means for effectively scanning the image plane by creating relative movement between the optical system and the sensing elements and the visual display of the image by appropriate organization of electrical impulses derived from said elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr George W Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An electro-optical system comprising a radiation sensitive detector array consisting of a series of discrete detector elements tapering outwardly from the mid-point to each end, means for scanning an optically focused scene on said array and means for electrically reproducing said scene on a display device wherein the tapering orientation of said elements is accomplished approximately in steps by providing one group of the smallest elements centrally of said array and progressively larger groups extending outwardly toward each end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electro-optical system comprising a radiation sensitive detector array consisting of a series of discrete detector elements tapering outwardly from the mid-point to each end, means for scanning an optically focused scene on said array and means for electrically reproducing said scene on a display device wherein the tapering orientation of said elements is accomplished approximately in steps by providing one group of the smallest elements centrally of said array and progressively larger groups extending outwardly toward each end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
An electro-optical scanning system having an optical axis comprising a radiation sensitive detector array including a series of discrete detector elements of different areas extending radially from the axis in a tapered manner, the taper and areas being arranged so that progressively larger area elements of the array are spaced farther from the axis than the smaller elements of the array, all elements of the array being located on a straight line intersecting the axis, means for scanning an optically focused scene on the array so that different portions of the scene are sequentially scanned across the elements of the array, and means for electrically reproducing said scene on a display device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
An electro-optical scanning system having an optical axis comprising a radiation sensitive detector array including a series of discrete detector elements of different areas extending radially from the axis in a tapered manner, the taper and areas being arranged so that progressively larger area elements of the array are spaced farther from the axis than the smaller elements of the array, all elements of the array being located on a straight line intersecting the axis, means for scanning an optically focused scene on the array so that different portions of the scene are sequentially scanned across the elements of the array, and means for electrically reproducing said scene on a display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 2 further including a separate amplifier for each of said elements, each of said amplifiers connected to be responsive to a signal derived from its associated element, means for storing the signal derived from each amplifier, and means for time division multiplexing the stored signals to a common output terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the display device has orthogonal deflection axes scanned in synchronism with the optical scanning means and the time multiplexing means, said display device having an intensity control responsive tO the signal at the common output terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electro-optical scanning system having an optical axis comprising a radiation sensitive detector array including a series of discrete detector elements extending radially from the axis, said elements being arranged so that the resolution of the array is an inverse function of radial distance from the axis, all elements of the array being located on a straight line intersecting the axis, and means for scanning an optically focused scene on the array so that different portions of the scene are sequentially scanned across the elements of the array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electro-optical scanning system having an optical axis comprising a radiation sensitive detector array including a series of discrete detector elements extending radially from the axis, said elements being arranged so that the resolution of the array is an inverse function of radial distance from the axis, all elements of the array being located on a straight line intersecting the axis, and means for scanning an optically focused scene on the array so that different portions of the scene are sequentially scanned across the elements of the array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the means for scanning includes means for optically turning the scene relative to the array about the axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the means for turning includes an optical reflector for the scene, said reflector rotating about the axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 7 wherein an interlace scan of the scene is provided and the means for scanning includes a transparent refractive plate oscillated about the axis in synchronism with rotation of the means for reflecting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 8 further including a separate amplifier for each of said elements, each of said amplifiers connected to be responsive to a signal derived from its associated element, means for storing the signal derived from each amplifier, means for time division multiplexing the stored signals to a common output terminal, and a display device having orthogonal deflection axes scanned in synchronism with the optical scanning means and the time multiplexing means, said display device having an intensity control responsive to the signal at the common output terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the means for turning includes means for turning the array about the axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the array symmetrically extends along the line on both sides of the axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the array includes detector elements of different areas radially extending in a tapered manner from the axis, the taper and areas being arranged so that progressively larger area elements of the array are spaced farther from the axis than the smaller elements of the array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 5 further including a separate amplifier for each of said elements, each of said amplifiers connected to be responsive to a signal derived from its associated element, means for storing the signal derived from each amplifier, and means for time division multiplexing the stored signals to a common output terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 13 further including a display device having orthogonal deflection axes scanned in synchronism with the optical scanning means and the time multiplexing means, said display device having an intensity control responsive to the signal at the common output terminal.
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) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |