US4667226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High definition television camera system and method with optical switching
Assignee: New York Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1985-10-03
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2005-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for generating video signals using an improved camera system is disclosed. The camera system includes first and second video imaging devices which are scanned at different scan rates. An optical switching system directs light from the scene alternately in time to the first and second video imaging devices, and makes efficient use of available light from a scene being imaged. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical switching system includes a reflective shutter.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Glenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/01; H04N7/0117; H04N7/012; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/77; H04N5/772; H04N7/015; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/797; H04N9/80; H04N9/86; H04N9/87; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/9201; H04N5/9205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
Video camera apparatus for generating video signals representative of images of a scene, comprising: a first video imaging device; a second video imaging device; means for directing light from said scene alternately in time to said first video imaging device and said second video imaging device; means for scanning said first video imaging device at a relatively fast frame rate; and means for scanning said second video imaging device at a relatively slow frame rate; components of the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices being combinable to obtain a high definition video signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
Video camera apparatus for generating video signals representative of images of a scene, comprising: a first video imaging device; a second video imaging device; means for directing light from said scene alternately in time to said first video imaging device and said second video imaging device; means for scanning said first video imaging device at a relatively fast frame rate; and means for scanning said second video imaging device at a relatively slow frame rate; components of the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices being combinable to obtain a high definition video signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said relatively fast frame rate is 30 frames per second, and said relatively slow frame rate is not greater than 15 frames per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said second video imaging device has a higher spatial resolution than said first video imaging device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said second video imaging device has a higher spatial resolution than said first video imaging device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for directing light is adapted to operate at a rate synchronized with said first video imaging device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for directing light is adapted to operate at a rate synchronized with said first video imaging device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said means for directing light is adapted to operate at a rate synchronized with said first video imaging device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for directing light operates at a rate of 60 hertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein said means for directing light operates at a rate of 60 hertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for directing light is adapted to be directing light to said second video imaging device during periods of time which include the vertical blanking periods of said first video imaging device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said means for directing light is adapted to be directing light to said second video imaging device during periods of time which include the vertical blanking periods of said first video imaging device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for directing light comprises a reflective shutter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said means for directing light comprises a reflective shutter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 12, wherein said reflective shutter is a rotatable mirror which has a reflective portion in the path of said light to reflect said light toward one of said video imaging devices during a part of a rotational cycle of said mirror, and which has an open portion in the path of said light during another part of said rotational cycle to permit said light to be directed to the other of said video imaging devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said reflective shutter is a rotatable mirror which has a reflective portion in the path of said light to reflect said light toward one of said video imaging devices during a part of a rotational cycle of said mirror, and which has an open portion in the path of said light during another part of said rotational cycle to permit said light to be directed to the other of said video imaging devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for combining components of the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the outputs of said first and second imaging devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for recording the outputs of said first and second imaging devices.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said first video imaging device comprises a color television camera and said second video imaging device comprises a monochrome television camera.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said first video imaging device comprises a color television camera and said second video imaging device comprises a monochrome television camera.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for temporally filtering the output of said first video imaging device with a temporal filter that has enhanced temporal response in the temporal frequency range in which the human eye has maximum responsiveness.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, further comprising means for temporally filtering the output of said first video imaging device with a temporal filter that has enhanced temporal response in the temporal frequency range in which the human eye has maximum responsiveness.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for generating video signals representative of images of a scene, comprising the steps of: directing light from the scene alternately in time to first and second video imaging devices; scanning the first video imaging device at a relatively fast frame rate; and scanning the second video imaging device at a relatively slow frame rate; components of the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices being cominable to obtain a high definition video signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for generating video signals representative of images of a scene, comprising the steps of: directing light from the scene alternately in time to first and second video imaging devices; scanning the first video imaging device at a relatively fast frame rate; and scanning the second video imaging device at a relatively slow frame rate; components of the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices being cominable to obtain a high definition video signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined by claim 23, wherein said relatively fast frame rate is 30 frames per second and said relatively slow frame rate is not greater than 15 frames per second.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined by claim 24, wherein said directing of light from the scene alternately in time to said first and second video imaging devices is performed at a frequency of 60 hertz.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by claim 23, further comprising the step of combining the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by claim 23, further comprising the step of transmitting the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by claim 23, further comprising the step of recording the outputs of said first and second video imaging devices.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined by claim 23, further comprising temporally filtering the output of said first video imaging device with a temporal filter that has enhanced temporal response in the temporal frequency range in which the human eye has maximum responsiveness.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |