Patent US4670653A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4670653A
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Infrared detector and imaging system
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-10
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An infrared detector and imaging system responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared detector and imaging system comprising: a detector substrate; a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface receiving the scanned image from the objective lens and scanner system. A clock means provides clock signals. A control signal means is responsive to the clock signal for providing a sequence of predetermined scanner position signals. A servo responsive to each scanner position signal commands the scanner means to locate the scanned image at predetermined positions on the focal plane. A detector signal integration means receives and integrates an array of detector signals from the sparsely populated detector array. A sampling means samples the amplitudes of each integrated signal from each image and digitizes each integrated signal amplitude to provide an array of digitized integrated detector signal values for each successive scanned image. A digital memory means stores each successive array of digitized integrated detector signal values in corresponding image position memory locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles C. McConkle
- 👤 William F. O'Neil
- 👤 Michael J. Meier
- 👤 Thomas P. Fjeldsted
- 👤 James L. Thomas
- 👤 Arthur F. Pfeifer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:19
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N23/23; H04N25/00; H04N25/48; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/15; H10F39/157; H10F39/1575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
An infrared detector and imaging system responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared detector and imaging system comprising: a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; clock means for providing a sequence of clock signals; a control signal means responsive to the clock signal providing a sequence of predetermined scanner position signals, each predetermined scanner position signal corresponding to a predetermined scanned image position and for providing a sequence of array address signals, each address signal within each array corresponding to a predetermined detector in the detector array for each image position; means responsive to each scanner position signal for commanding the scanner means to locate the scanned image at predetermined positions on the focal plane, each successive image position being shifted an image shift distance; a detector signal integration means for receiving, and integrating an array of detector signals from the sparsely populated detector array; coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding detector signal integration means input, the detector signal integration means providing an integrated output signal for each detector signal from each detector in the sparsely populated detector array; sampling means responsive to the clock signal and to the sequential control signals for sampling the amplitudes of each integrated signal from each image and for digitizing each integrated signal amplitude to provide an array of digitized integrated detector signal values for each successive scanned image; a digital memory means responsive to the clock signal and the sequential control signals and having a plurality of predetermined arrays of digital memory locations, each array of digital memory locations corresponding to a scanned image position for storing each successive array of digitized integrated detector signal values into a corresponding image position array of memory locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
An infrared detector and imaging system responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared detector and imaging system comprising: a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; clock means for providing a sequence of clock signals; a control signal means responsive to the clock signal providing a sequence of predetermined scanner position signals, each predetermined scanner position signal corresponding to a predetermined scanned image position and for providing a sequence of array address signals, each address signal within each array corresponding to a predetermined detector in the detector array for each image position; means responsive to each scanner position signal for commanding the scanner means to locate the scanned image at predetermined positions on the focal plane, each successive image position being shifted an image shift distance; a detector signal integration means for receiving, and integrating an array of detector signals from the sparsely populated detector array; coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding detector signal integration means input, the detector signal integration means providing an integrated output signal for each detector signal from each detector in the sparsely populated detector array; sampling means responsive to the clock signal and to the sequential control signals for sampling the amplitudes of each integrated signal from each image and for digitizing each integrated signal amplitude to provide an array of digitized integrated detector signal values for each successive scanned image; a digital memory means responsive to the clock signal and the sequential control signals and having a plurality of predetermined arrays of digital memory locations, each array of digital memory locations corresponding to a scanned image position for storing each successive array of digitized integrated detector signal values into a corresponding image position array of memory locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 1 wherein said integration and sampling means further comprises; an array of integration cell circuits, each integration cell circuit being characterized to receive and integrate a corresponding detector signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 2 wherein each integration cell circuit is formed on an integration cell substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
283 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 1 wherein each detector in the detector array on the detector substrate has a first and second electrode; said sparsely populated detector array detectors each being formed on the surface of the detector substrate opposite the focal plane, the opposite surface having a predetermined pattern of metallurgical conductors patterned to provide a predetermined array of electrical contact pads, each pad being electrically coupled to a respective detector first electrode, all second electrodes being electrically common and electrically coupled to a detector array reference terminal on said detector substrate, and wherein; the integration and sampling means has an array of integration cell circuits, each integration cell circuit being characterized to receive and integrate a corresponding detector signal, the integration cell circuits being formed on an integration cell substrate, each integrated cell circuits within the array of integration cell circuits being formed on the receiving surface of said integration cell substrate and characterized to receive a corresponding detector signal at a respective integrated cell input pad and to integrate said detector signal; said sparsely populated detector array detector substrate predetermined pattern of metallurgical conductors being patterned to provide a predetermined array of electrical contact pads said pads being patterned to be at locations complementary to respective integration cell circuit input pad locations on the surface of said integration cell substrate when the respective surfaces are positioned and registered in opposing and stacked parallel plane relation; said coupling means being further characterized to couple each detector first electrode to a respective integration cell substrate integration cell circuit input pad, the detector array reference terminal on said detector substrate being electrically coupled to an integration cell substrate reference terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 4 wherein said coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding detector signal integration means input further comprises an arrangement wherein: a layer of indium is applied to each electrical contact pad on the detector substrate detector surface to form indium bumps, each bump being of uniform thickness, and wherein a layer of indium is applied to each electrical contact pad to form indium bumps of uniform thickness on each integration substrate integrated cell input, the bumps on opposing electrical pad surfaces being positioned in complementary registration, the bumps on opposing electrical pad surfaces merging to form a low resistance electrical contact between respective opposing electrical pads in response to the detector surface of the detector substrate being pressed against the receiving surface of the integration substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 1 wherein said sparsely populated staggered detector array further comprises: at least one pair of left and right detector arrays, each left detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at uniform detector row intervals on said substrate, and each right detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at said uniform detector row intervals on said substrate, the number of columns in each left detector array being equal to the number of columns in each right detector array, said right column detectors being vertically positioned on row locations between the rows occupied by said left detector array, each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 6 wherein said staggered detector array further comprises: at least two pairs of left and right detector arrays, each successive left detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of each preceding right detector array at a left array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 7 wherein: each said left array displacement on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to said predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance, and each said right array displacement on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to said predetermined number of image shift distances minus one-half an image shift distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 6 wherein: each said left detector array has at least two columns of detectors each column of detectors being spaced laterally at uniform detector column intervals on said substrate, and each right detector array having at least two columns of detectors, each detector in each column being spaced laterally at uniform detector column intervals on said substrate; said right array column detectors being vertically positioned on rows interposed and vertically equidistant from the rows of said left array detector array; each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 9 wherein: each successive left detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, the first detector in each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substrate, and each successive right detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, the first detector in each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 10 wherein: said right array displacement separating each successive right detector array to the right of a preceding left detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances minus one-half an image shift distance, and each said left array displacement separating each successive left detector array to the right of a preceding right detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The infrared detector system of claim 1 wherein: said scanner system provides a scanner position signal, and said clock means is responsive to said scanner position signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The infrared detector system of claim 1 wherein said scanner system further comprises:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
a position servo means for continuously driving said scanner to position said image on said detector array to a sequence of predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to said clock signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
a position servo means for continuously driving said scanner to position said image on said detector array to a sequence of predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to said clock signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
337 words
An infrared detector and imaging system responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared detector and imaging system comprising; a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; clock means for providing a sequence of clock signals; scanner position signal means for providing a scanner position signal characterizing the image position on the focal plane; a control signal means responsive to the clock signal and to each scanner position signal for providing a sequence of array address signals, each address signal within each array designating a memory location in which to store a digital value characterizing the amplitude of the integrated signal from a respective detector; an integration and sampling means for receiving, and integrating an array of detector signals from the sparsely populated detector array; coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding integration cell circuit input, the integration and sampling means providing an integrated output signal for each detector signal from each detector in the sparsely populated detector array; sampling means responsive to the clock signal and to the sequential control signals for sampling the amplitudes of each integrated output signal from each image and for digitizing each integrated output signal amplitude to provide an array of digitized integrated detector signal values for each successive scanned image; a digital memory means responsive to the clock signal and the sequential control signals and having a plurality of predetermined arrays of digital memory locations, each array of digital memory locations corresponding to a scanned image position for storing each successive array of digitized integrated detector signal values into a corresponding image position array of memory locations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
337 words
An infrared detector and imaging system responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared detector and imaging system comprising; a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; clock means for providing a sequence of clock signals; scanner position signal means for providing a scanner position signal characterizing the image position on the focal plane; a control signal means responsive to the clock signal and to each scanner position signal for providing a sequence of array address signals, each address signal within each array designating a memory location in which to store a digital value characterizing the amplitude of the integrated signal from a respective detector; an integration and sampling means for receiving, and integrating an array of detector signals from the sparsely populated detector array; coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding integration cell circuit input, the integration and sampling means providing an integrated output signal for each detector signal from each detector in the sparsely populated detector array; sampling means responsive to the clock signal and to the sequential control signals for sampling the amplitudes of each integrated output signal from each image and for digitizing each integrated output signal amplitude to provide an array of digitized integrated detector signal values for each successive scanned image; a digital memory means responsive to the clock signal and the sequential control signals and having a plurality of predetermined arrays of digital memory locations, each array of digital memory locations corresponding to a scanned image position for storing each successive array of digitized integrated detector signal values into a corresponding image position array of memory locations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 14 wherein said integration and sampling means further comprises: an array of integration cell circuits, each integration cell circuit being characterized to receive and integrate a corresponding detector signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 14 wherein each integration cell circuit is formed on an integration cell substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
276 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 14 wherein each detector in the detector array on the detector substrate has a first and second electrode; said sparsely populated detector array detectors each being formed on the surface of the detector substrate opposite the focal plane, the opposite surface having a predetermined pattern of metallurgical conductors patterned to provide a predetermined array of electrical contact pads, each pad being electrically coupled to a respective detector first electrode, all detector second electrodes being electrically common and electrically coupled to a detector array reference terminal on said detector substrate, and wherein; the integration and sampling means has an array of integration cell circuits, each integration cell circuit being characterized to receive and integrate a corresponding detector signal, the integration cell circuits being formed on an integration cell substrate, each integration cell circuits within the array of integrated cell circuits being formed on the receiving surface of said integration substrate and characterized to receive a corresponding detector signal at a respective integration cell input pad and to integrate said detector signal; said sparsely populated detector array detector substrate predetermined pattern of metallurgical conductors patterned to provide a predetermined array of electrical contact pads being patterned to be at locations complementary to respective integrated cell input pad locations on the surface of said integration substrate when the respective surfaces are positioned and registered in opposing and stacked parallel plane relation; said coupling means being further characterized to couple each detector first electrode to a respective integration substrate integration cell circuit input pad, the detector array reference terminal on said detector substrate being electrically coupled to an integration substrate reference terminal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
144 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 17 wherein said coupling means for electrically coupling the detector signal from each detector in the detector array to a corresponding detector signal integration means input further comprises an arrangement wherein: a layer of indium is applied to each electrical contact pad on the detector substrate detector surface to form indium bumps, each bump being of uniform thickness, and wherein a layer of indium is applied to each electrical contact pad to form indium bumps of uniform thickness on each integration cell substrate integration cell input, the bumps on opposing electrical pad surfaces being in registration, the bumps on opposing electrical pad surfaces merging to form a low resistance electrical contact between respective opposing electrical pads in response to the detector surface of the detector substrate being pressed against the receiving surface of the integration substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
136 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 14 wherein said sparsely populated staggered detector array further comprises: at least one pair of left and right detector arrays, each left detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at detector row intervals on said substrate, and each right detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at said detector row intervals on said substrate, the number of columns in each left detector array being equal to the number of columns in each right detector array, said right column detectors being vertically positioned on row locations between the rows occupied by said left detector array, each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 19 wherein said staggered detector array further comprises: at least two pairs of left and right detector arrays, each successive left detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of each preceding right detector array at a left array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 20 wherein: said left array displacement on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to said predetermined number of image shift distances minus one-half an image shift distance, and said second number of unit column intervals on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to the number of columns in said left array minus one-half.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
109 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 14 wherein: each said left detector array has at least two columns of detectors each column of detectors being spaced vertically detector row intervals on said substrate, and each right detector array having at least two columns of detectors, each detector in each column being spaced vertically at detector row intervals on said substrate; said right array column detectors being vertically positioned on rows interposed and vertically equidistant from the rows of said left array detector array; each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
77 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 22 wherein: each successive left detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substrate, and each successive right detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
89 words
The infrared detector and imaging system of claim 23 wherein: said right array displacement separating each successive right detector array to the right of a preceding left detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance, and said left array displacement separating each successive left detector array to the right of a preceding right detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The infrared detector system of claim 15 wherein: said scanner system provides a scanner position signal, and said clock means is responsive to said scanner position signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The infrared detector system of claim 14 wherein said scanner system further comprises:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
a position servo means for continuously driving said scanner to position said image on said detector array to a sequence of predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to said clock signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
a position servo means for continuously driving said scanner to position said image on said detector array to a sequence of predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to said clock signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
216 words
An infrared imaging system detector array responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared imaging system detector array comprising: a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; said sparsely populated staggered detector array having: at least one pair of left and right detector arrays; each left detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at uniform detector row intervals on said substrate; and each right detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at said uniform detector row intervals on said substrate; the number of columns in each left detector array being equal to the number of columns in each right detector array, said right column detectors being vertically positioned on row locations betweeen the rows occupied by said left detector array, each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
216 words
An infrared imaging system detector array responsive to the scanned image from an objective lens and scanner system, the infrared imaging system detector array comprising: a detector substrate, a sparsely populated staggered detector array formed on the detector substrate, the detector substrate having a focal plane surface positioned to receive said scanned image from said objective lens and scanner system, each detector in the array being responsive to incident light for providing a signal having an amplitude proportional to the intensity of the incident light received by the detector; said sparsely populated staggered detector array having: at least one pair of left and right detector arrays; each left detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at uniform detector row intervals on said substrate; and each right detector array having at least a first column of detectors spaced vertically at said uniform detector row intervals on said substrate; the number of columns in each left detector array being equal to the number of columns in each right detector array, said right column detectors being vertically positioned on row locations betweeen the rows occupied by said left detector array, each successive right detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
The infrared imaging system detector array of claim 27 wherein said sparsely populated staggered detector array further comprises: at least two pairs of left and right detector arrays, each successive left detector array being horizontally positioned to the right of each preceding right detector aray at a left array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
69 words
The infrared imaging system sparsely populated detector array of claim 28 wherein: each said left array displacement on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to said predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance, and each said right array displacement on said substrate is further characterized to be equal to said predetermined number of image shift distances minus one-half an image shift distance.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
114 words
The infrared imaging system sparsely populated detector array of claim 29 wherein: each said left detector array has at least two columns of detectors each column of detectors being spaced laterally at uniform detector column intervals on said substrate, and each right detector array having at least two columns of detectors, each detector in each column being spaced laterally at uniform detector column intervals on said substrate; said right array column detectors being vertically positioned on rows interposed and vertically equidistant from the rows of said left array detector array; each successive right detector array being horizontlaly positioned to the right of said left detector array at a right array displacement on said substrate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
87 words
The infrared imaging system sparsely populated detector array of claim 30 wherein: each successive left detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, the first detector in each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substate; and each successive right detector array column of detectors is positioned to form a staircase-like pattern, the first detector in each successive column being vertically positioned one uniform unit row interval below the preceding column on said substrate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
The infrared imaging system sparsely populated detector array of claim 31 wherein: said right array displacement separating each successive right detector array to the right of a preceding left detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances minus one-half an image shift distance, and each said left array displacement separating each successive left detector array to the right of a preceding right detector array is further characterized to be equal to the predetermined number of image shift distances plus one-half an image shift distance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |