US4086616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All-weather multi-spectral imaging system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-12-23
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Granted: 1978-04-25
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Expires: 1996-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An all-weather, maximum resolution system visually presents a multi-color mposite image of plural selected spectral ranges of energy received from a common field of view. First, second, and third images of a selected common field of view are developed and respective, first, second and third sensors (each responsive to a different spectral range of energy) develop first, second, and third sets of electrical signals commensurate with the energy emanating from the selected common field of view. In a typical preferred embodiment the selected spectral ranges may comprise the visual range of light energy, the middle infrared range comprising light energy in the 3 to 5 micron region, and the far infrared range comprising light energy in the 8 to 10 micron region. A multi-color cathode ray tube receives the three different sets of electrical signals thus developed and produces a multi-color composite image in three different primary colors representing the common field of view in the three discrete selected spectral ranges of energy which emanate from it. All-weather detection of objects within a field of view is then enabled such as during clear visibility, fog conditions, and rain conditions, in both daytime and nightime.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul S. Catano
- 👤 William E. Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; H04N23/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An all weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image of plural selected spectral ranges of energy received from a common field of view comprising: optical means controllably directed to receive energy from any desired field of view within 360° rotation in azimuth and substantially 90° in elevation; first, second, and third means synchronously operative and aligned with said optical meas for simultaneously producing first, second, and third images of said desired field of view; a first sensor responsive to energy components of sad first image within the visible range for producing a first set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a second sensor responsive to energy components of said second image within the middle infrared range for producing a second set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a thrid sensor responsive to energy components of said third image within the far infrared range for producing a third set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a multi-color cathode ray tube for producing images in three different primary colors and connected to receive said first, second, and third sets of electrical signals for generating a multi-color composite image of said desired field of view in accordance with the multiple discrete selected spectral ranges of energy simultaneously detected in said field of view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An all weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image of plural selected spectral ranges of energy received from a common field of view comprising: optical means controllably directed to receive energy from any desired field of view within 360° rotation in azimuth and substantially 90° in elevation; first, second, and third means synchronously operative and aligned with said optical meas for simultaneously producing first, second, and third images of said desired field of view; a first sensor responsive to energy components of sad first image within the visible range for producing a first set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a second sensor responsive to energy components of said second image within the middle infrared range for producing a second set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a thrid sensor responsive to energy components of said third image within the far infrared range for producing a third set of electrical signals commensurate therewith; a multi-color cathode ray tube for producing images in three different primary colors and connected to receive said first, second, and third sets of electrical signals for generating a multi-color composite image of said desired field of view in accordance with the multiple discrete selected spectral ranges of energy simultaneously detected in said field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical signals developed from said first, second, and third sensors produce commensurate blue, green, and red images on the face of said multi-color cathode ray tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein one input channel to said multi-color cathode ray tube is time-shared for producing visual alpha-numeric symbolic information on the face of said tube simultaneously with said multi-color composite image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 including timing and control means for selectively cueing one or more of the electrical signals derived from said first, second, and third sensors for producing a continuously presented visual image augmented at selected times by different sensory information originating from the same field of view.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first sensor responsive to energy components within the visible range comprises a low-light-level television camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 including scan converter means for adapting the format of signals produced by said sensors to a format compatible with cathode ray tube presentation.
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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) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |