Patent US3617342A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4306783A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4306783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scattered-light imaging system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1980-02-27
•
Granted: 1981-12-22
•
Expires: 2000-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A system and method of obtaining the maximum amount of information availa in photographs or other objects in which the optical density is far below normal. The system makes use of an unconventional system of illumination combined with conventional projection imaging optics to form a real image of the object using only light scattered by the individual particles which form the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M. Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/54; G03B27/545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A photographic image enhancement system comprising: an imaging means having an optic axis; an object holding means positioned on the optic axis and spaced from the imaging means for holding a transparency which has its surface normal to the optic axis and through which the optic axis passes and, means for illuminating the transparency; said illuminating means including means disposed laterally of the optic axis for directing optical radiation toward the transparency surface at an angle relative to the optic axis such that direct optical radiation by-passes the imaging means; whereby only deviated light having been diffracted, refracted, or scattered by the transparency is transmitted to the imaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A photographic image enhancement system comprising: an imaging means having an optic axis; an object holding means positioned on the optic axis and spaced from the imaging means for holding a transparency which has its surface normal to the optic axis and through which the optic axis passes and, means for illuminating the transparency; said illuminating means including means disposed laterally of the optic axis for directing optical radiation toward the transparency surface at an angle relative to the optic axis such that direct optical radiation by-passes the imaging means; whereby only deviated light having been diffracted, refracted, or scattered by the transparency is transmitted to the imaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for illuminating the transparency includes one light source in combination with a condensing lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for illuminating the transparency includes two light sources each in combination with a condensing lens with the radiation from each light source directed onto said transparency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for illuminating the transparency includes a single light source, radiation reflecting means on opposite sides of the optical axis, and baffle means for shielding the imaging means from direct optical radiation of the light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the radiation reflecting means includes a beam splitter and reflecting surfaces opposite the beam splitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for illuminating the transparency includes at least two radiation reflecting surfaces configured to direct light from a single source onto the transparency, and means for shielding the imaging means from direct optical radiation of the illuminating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for illuminating the transparency includes two paraolloidal radiation reflecting surfaces.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of obtaining the maximum amount of information available in a transparency in which the optical density is far below normal comprising: positioning the transparency in an optic axis of an imaging system with its surface normal to the optic axis; directing collimated light at an angle to the optic axis and through the transparency such that undeviated light by-passes the imaging system; focusing light which has been diffracted, refracted or scattered in passing through the transparency to form a real image.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of obtaining the maximum amount of information available in a transparency in which the optical density is far below normal comprising: positioning the transparency in an optic axis of an imaging system with its surface normal to the optic axis; directing collimated light at an angle to the optic axis and through the transparency such that undeviated light by-passes the imaging system; focusing light which has been diffracted, refracted or scattered in passing through the transparency to form a real image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 8 further defined by shielding the imaging system from direct light radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2641963A
Cited
GB1144815A
Cited
US3498705A
Cited
US3770344A
Cited
US3658415A
Cited
US3787117A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-21 | 1985-06-22 | 1985-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-21 | 1989-06-22 | 1989-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-21 | 1993-06-22 | 1993-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |