Television cameras
Abstract
Abstract Television cameras using solid-state image sensors may be required to provide a good image of a scene under all normal night and day ambient light conditions. The available solid-state image sensors can cope satisfactorily with normal daylight, but do not have sufficient sensitivity to operate under night time conditions, so it is common to amplify the incident illumination with an image intensifier. To stop the intensifier from becoming overloaded by daylight, neutral density optical filters can be moved in front of the intensifier as the light level increases, but this is not a satisfactory solution. The invention proposes a camera incorporating two solid-state sensors, one of which is intensified and one of which is not, in the same camera head, and "switching" one or the other into operation (depending upon the ambient lighting conditions) by switching the light received by the camera to the appropriate sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip C. Bailey
- 👤 Vaughan N. Kitchin
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-23 | 1990-08-25 | 1991-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-23 | 1994-08-25 | 1995-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-23 | 1998-08-25 | 1999-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |