US4570184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optimization of vidicon bias lighting
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1984-11-09
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2004-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Light biasing of a vidicon target is optimized to effect a consistent rate of response to instantaneous changes in the intensity of light from an object to be imaged. The optimum bias lighting level is determined by adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level and producing a first and second series of video frame signals representing a gray scale image focused onto the target. The difference in magnitude between a selected frame signal in the first series and one in the second series is determined and recorded. This difference determining procedure is repeated for a succession of bias lighting levels, and the bias lighting for the target is then set at the level which effected production of the smallest difference determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Spidell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of optimizing the setting of bias lighting for a vidicon target, comprising: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) repeating steps a through d for a series of predetermined bias lighting levels; (f) determining at which of the bias lighting levels the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals was smallest; and (g) setting the bias lighting level at the level determined in step f.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of optimizing the setting of bias lighting for a vidicon target, comprising: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) repeating steps a through d for a series of predetermined bias lighting levels; (f) determining at which of the bias lighting levels the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals was smallest; and (g) setting the bias lighting level at the level determined in step f.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of optimizing the setting of bias lighting for a vidicon target, comprising: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) comparing said difference in magnitude with a predetermined reference magnitude; and (1) if the difference is larger than the reference magnitude, repeating steps a through d for a different bias lighting level, or (2) if the difference is smaller than the reference magnitude, performing step f; (f) setting the bias lighting level at the level to which it was last adjusted.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of optimizing the setting of bias lighting for a vidicon target, comprising: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) comparing said difference in magnitude with a predetermined reference magnitude; and (1) if the difference is larger than the reference magnitude, repeating steps a through d for a different bias lighting level, or (2) if the difference is smaller than the reference magnitude, performing step f; (f) setting the bias lighting level at the level to which it was last adjusted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 or 2 where said early video frame signal is the first video frame signal in the first series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 1 or 2 where said difference is determined by: (a) determining the average magnitudes of the recorded video frame signals; and (b) determining the difference between said average magnitudes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 or 2 where said predefined image is a gray scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vidicon having bias lighting means set to produce an optimum bias lighting level by: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing at a predetermined frame repetition rate first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) repeating steps a through d for a series of predetermined bias lighting levels; (f) determining at which of the bias lighting levels the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals was smallest; and (g) setting the bias lighting level at the level determined in step f.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vidicon having bias lighting means set to produce an optimum bias lighting level by: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing at a predetermined frame repetition rate first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) repeating steps a through d for a series of predetermined bias lighting levels; (f) determining at which of the bias lighting levels the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals was smallest; and (g) setting the bias lighting level at the level determined in step f.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vidicon having bias lighting means set to produce an optimum bias lighting level by: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) comparing said difference in magnitude with a predetermined reference magnitude; and (1) if the difference is larger than the reference magnitude, repeating steps a through d for a different bias lighting level, or (2) if the difference is smaller than the reference magnitude, performing step f; (f) setting the bias lighting level at the level to which it was last adjusted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vidicon having bias lighting means set to produce an optimum bias lighting level by: (a) adjusting the bias lighting to a predetermined level; (b) focusing a predefined image onto the target and producing, at a predetermined frame repetition rate, first and second series of video frame signals representing the image; (c) recording an early one of the video frame signals from the first series, and a late one of the video frame signals from the second series; (d) determining the difference in magnitude between the recorded video frame signals; (e) comparing said difference in magnitude with a predetermined reference magnitude; and (1) if the difference is larger than the reference magnitude, repeating steps a through d for a different bias lighting level, or (2) if the difference is smaller than the reference magnitude, performing step f; (f) setting the bias lighting level at the level to which it was last adjusted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A vidicon as in claim 6 or 7 having a lead oxide target.
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) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |