US4516158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground reconnaissance
Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
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Filing: 1982-07-30
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Granted: 1985-05-07
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Expires: 2002-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Ground reconnaissance equipment for an air or spacecraft comprising two line-scanners, for example infra-red sensitive scanners, operable for scanning respective ground areas along lines extending in different directions and a control system for producing selected kinds of video display and/or electronic or photograph recording.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Grainge
- 👤 Rowland F. Humphries
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02; G01C11/025; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Reconnaissance equipment in or for use in an airborne craft or a spacecraft for scanning an area on the ground, and comprising first scanning means which is operable for scanning a part of said area lying beneath and to each side of the craft along lines transverse to the direction of movement of the craft, and second scanning means which is operable for scanning a part of said lying to one side of the craft along lines parallel to said direction of movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Reconnaissance equipment in or for use in an airborne craft or a spacecraft for scanning an area on the ground, and comprising first scanning means which is operable for scanning a part of said area lying beneath and to each side of the craft along lines transverse to the direction of movement of the craft, and second scanning means which is operable for scanning a part of said lying to one side of the craft along lines parallel to said direction of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the scanning means are connected via control apparatus to picture recording and display means, the control apparatus being operable for causing recording and display of the view seen by a selected one of the scanning means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the scanning means are connected via control apparatus to picture recording and display means, the control apparatus being operable for combining signals from the two scanning means for causing recording and display of a combination of the views seen by the two scanning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein each scanning means comprises an infra-red radiation line scanner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the ground parts scanned by the two scanners overlap and the scanners are connected to a recorder via an interface unit operable for causing recording of pictures each of a view seen by one of the scanning means and a part of a view seen by the other scanning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an aircraft, reconnaissance equipment including in combination, a first infra-red line scanner for scanning the ground along lines transverse to the direction of movement of the aircraft and extending beneath and to at least one side of the aircraft, a second infra-red line scanner positioned for looking to said one side of the aircraft and operable for scanning along lines parallel to the direction of movement of the aircraft with a framing scan movement perpendicular to these lines, a picture recorder and electronic means connected between the recorder and the first and second line scanners and operable for causing recording of the view seen by a selected one of the scanners.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an aircraft, reconnaissance equipment including in combination, a first infra-red line scanner for scanning the ground along lines transverse to the direction of movement of the aircraft and extending beneath and to at least one side of the aircraft, a second infra-red line scanner positioned for looking to said one side of the aircraft and operable for scanning along lines parallel to the direction of movement of the aircraft with a framing scan movement perpendicular to these lines, a picture recorder and electronic means connected between the recorder and the first and second line scanners and operable for causing recording of the view seen by a selected one of the scanners.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
Reconnaissance equipment according to claim 6, wherein the first scanner is operable to scan over an area which overlaps the inner ends of the respective areas scanned by the second scanner during the successive frame scans thereof, and the electronic means is operable for causing recording of pictures of said respective areas scanned by the second scanner along with respective pictures of portions of the area scanned by the first scanner.
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) | 1988-05-06 | 1988-11-05 | 1989-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-06 | 1992-11-05 | 1993-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-06 | 1996-11-05 | 1997-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |