US4004087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Panning pyroelectric vidicon system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-05-10
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1994-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A pyroelectric vidicon system that converts a still infrared image into tmal and a consequent visible image that is free of flicker or image motion. The required changes of temperature patterns on the retina of the vidicon to observe still images is provided by an optico-mechanical device having reflecting surfaces in which one of the reflecting surfaces moves the infrared image over the retina and another of the reflecting surfaces compensates for this movement by simultaneously moving the visible image projected from a closed circuit television monitor which is viewed by an observer as a still image.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard D. Ennulat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a pyroelectric vidicon panning system for thermal imaging: a first optical means comprising an infrared objective lens and one side of a two reflective side flat panning mirror for panning a still infrared image across a pyroelectric retina of a vidicon for producing a charge pattern therefrom; means for generating an electrical signal in accordance with said charge pattern; means for converting said electrical signal into a visible display on a monitor for providing a visible image therefrom; and a second optical means comprising another side of said two reflective side flat panning mirror and an eyepiece for panning said visible image into a replica of said infrared image for viewing through said eyepiece by an observer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a pyroelectric vidicon panning system for thermal imaging: a first optical means comprising an infrared objective lens and one side of a two reflective side flat panning mirror for panning a still infrared image across a pyroelectric retina of a vidicon for producing a charge pattern therefrom; means for generating an electrical signal in accordance with said charge pattern; means for converting said electrical signal into a visible display on a monitor for providing a visible image therefrom; and a second optical means comprising another side of said two reflective side flat panning mirror and an eyepiece for panning said visible image into a replica of said infrared image for viewing through said eyepiece by an observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
In the pyroelectric vidicon panning system for thermal imaging as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second optical means comprise separate but synchronously rotated input and output drums having a multiplicity of faceted mirrors thereon for reflecting the incoming infrared image focused through said infrared objective lens onto said pyroelectric retina and for reflecting said visible image through said eyepiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
In the pyroelectric vidicon panning system for thermal imaging as set forth in claim 2 wherein said multiplicity of faceted mirrors are positioned on inside beveled edges of said input and output drums and further reflect said infrared image from said input drum off a fixed incoming mirror onto said pyroelectric retina and said visible image is reflected off a fixed exiting mirror and said output drum through said eyepiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the pyroelectric vidicon panning system for thermal imaging as set forth in claim 2 wherein said multiplicity of faceted mirrors are positioned on outside beveled edges of said input and output drums.
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) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |