US4089016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid access dry photographic system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1976-11-17
•
Granted: 1978-05-09
•
Expires: 1996-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A system for increasing the relative sensitivity of a photographic system ing dry silver emulsion film. Two concepts are combined to obtain the required sensitivity for dry film material. First an image intensifier tube is used to collect and amplify the light from the target to be photographed with the phosphor anode of the tube being coupled to the dry silver film by means of a fiber optics face plate. Secondly, photon amplification is additionally used to enhance the sensitivity of the dry silver emulsion, by illuminating the photo-cathode or the film itself at the time of exposure with a uniform low intensity non-imaging light.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Orlando
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; G03B17/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for producing rapid access dry photography imagery on dry emulsion photographic film, wherein the improvement comprises: a film magazine having an image aperture adapted to receive an image of the target being photographed and including means for moving said film past said aperture for making a photographic exposure; a lens directing light from said target toward said aperture; image intensifier means optically coupled to said aperture being operative to collect and amplify light received from said target and lens to provide an intensified image to said aperture; and means impinging a relatively low light level uniform non-imaging light energy on said film at the time the exposure is made, the intensity of said low light level energy being 1/10 to 1/100th of the light intensity through said lens from said target thereby providing photon amplification, the combination of image intensification and photon amplification enhancing the relative sensitivity of said dry emulsion film to that of a wet emulsion film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for producing rapid access dry photography imagery on dry emulsion photographic film, wherein the improvement comprises: a film magazine having an image aperture adapted to receive an image of the target being photographed and including means for moving said film past said aperture for making a photographic exposure; a lens directing light from said target toward said aperture; image intensifier means optically coupled to said aperture being operative to collect and amplify light received from said target and lens to provide an intensified image to said aperture; and means impinging a relatively low light level uniform non-imaging light energy on said film at the time the exposure is made, the intensity of said low light level energy being 1/10 to 1/100th of the light intensity through said lens from said target thereby providing photon amplification, the combination of image intensification and photon amplification enhancing the relative sensitivity of said dry emulsion film to that of a wet emulsion film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said image intensifier means comprises an electronic image intensifier tube including a photo-cathode adapted to collect light from said target and an anode providing a relatively brighter image of said target to said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said means impinging low level light energy comprises a relatively low light level non-imaging light source including a reflector located in front of and directing light energy to said photo-cathode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said means impinging said low level light energy comprises a low level non-imaging light source including a reflector located behind said film in said magazine and directing non-imaging light energy towards said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 and additionally including fiber optics coupling means located between said aperture and said anode of said image intensifier tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 5 and additionally including fiber optic coupling means located adjacent said photo-cathode of said image intensifier tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 and additionally including film processing means located in said film magazine and viewing means in said magazine for viewing said film following film processing by said processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 7 wherein said film processing means comprises heat processing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said film magazine includes another aperture adapted to receive an image of the target being photographed, and means directed to said another aperture for generating an electronic image on a real time basis of the target being photographed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said means for generating electronic image comprises a TV type camera focused on said another aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said means for generating said electronic image comprises a rotating prism coupled to said another aperture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3577898A
Cited
US3585917A
Cited
US3719823A
Cited
US3752983A
Cited
US3809888A
Cited
US3823413A
Cited
US3980880A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |