US3946155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical scanning systems
Assignee: Thales Optronics Ltd
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Filing: 1974-09-05
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Granted: 1976-03-23
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Expires: 1994-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An infra-red scanning system with raster scan display unit operating in the visible spectrum, in which the image is scanned across a linear array of detector elements to provide a signal multiplexer with electrical signals related to the detected radiation pattern. The operation of the raster scan display unit is synchronised to the operation of the scanning system so that the horizontal time base integrator is gated according to the speed of the scanning system, and the vertical time base is gated to operate in synchronism with the multiplexer in order to minimise optical distortion in the display.
Inventors
- 👤 John Kenneth Houston
- 👤 Andrew Simpson Winter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/121; G02B26/122; H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An optical scanning system comprising a scanning head incorporating a linear array of radiation-detecting elements, a rotatable member arranged to scan radiation entering the head along a predetermined line of sight across the said array, and a visual display system coupled to the output of the array, said visual display system incorporating a signal multiplexer coupled sequentially to sample the signal outputs of the detecting elements in the array, and a scanned raster device having a spot-intensity modulator coupled to the output of the multiplexer, the raster for said device being generated by first and second time bases of which the first time base provides movement of the spot in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the linear array of detecting elements and is gated to operate in synchronism with the signal multiplexer and the rotatable member cooperates with synchronizing means coupled to control the second time base to move the spot in a second direction at a rate determined by the speed of rotation of the rotatable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An optical scanning system comprising a scanning head incorporating a linear array of radiation-detecting elements, a rotatable member arranged to scan radiation entering the head along a predetermined line of sight across the said array, and a visual display system coupled to the output of the array, said visual display system incorporating a signal multiplexer coupled sequentially to sample the signal outputs of the detecting elements in the array, and a scanned raster device having a spot-intensity modulator coupled to the output of the multiplexer, the raster for said device being generated by first and second time bases of which the first time base provides movement of the spot in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the linear array of detecting elements and is gated to operate in synchronism with the signal multiplexer and the rotatable member cooperates with synchronizing means coupled to control the second time base to move the spot in a second direction at a rate determined by the speed of rotation of the rotatable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
An optical scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said synchronising means comprises a reflection grating on said rotatable member, a source of light, a condensing lens system, a focussing reflector, a semi-reflector and a photo-electric detector, the arrangement being such that the detector is located to produce an output in response to a moire fringe pattern which is produced by superimposition of an image of the reflection grating on the actual reflection grating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical scanning system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the synchronising means includes a further photo-electric detector arranged to emit a signal indicative of initiation of a scan of said radiation by said rotatable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatable member includes a plurality of reflective members arranged sequentially to scan said radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical scanning system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotatable member carries said reflective members on the outer periphery thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical scanning system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotatable member is hollow, said reflective members are inwardly facing and are carried on the inner periphery of the rotatable member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3889117A
Cited
US3731098A
Cited
US3804976A
Cited
US3828124A
Cited
US3835249A
Cited
US3886359A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-23 | 1979-09-22 | 1980-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-23 | 1983-09-22 | 1984-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-23 | 1987-09-22 | 1988-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |