Patent US2851364A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4751571A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4751571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite visible/thermal-infrared imaging apparatus
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-07-29
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Granted: 1988-06-14
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Expires: 2007-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Multispectral imaging apparatus for producing a composite dual wavelength visible/infrared image includes a wavelength independent focus reflective optical system for receiving a visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for providing a focused beam of radiation, a beam splitter for splitting the beam into a beam of visible radiation and a beam of infrared radiation, a visible radiation detector for receiving the visible radiation and for producing a first signal, and infrared radiation detector for receiving the infrared radiation and for producing a second signal, and a signal processing and display system for converting the first and second signals into video signals corresponding to a visible black and white image of the scene and a step-tone or false color infrared image of the scene. The images are combined in exact spatial registration to produce a composite image comprising a black and white visible image with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Lillquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/48; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; H04N23/11; H04N23/20; H04N23/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Multispectral imaging apparatus comprising a wavelength independent focus reflecting optical system for receiving visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for focusing the visible and infrared radiation at respective first and second focal planes which are located the same distance from the optical system; first detector means disposed at the first focal plane for receiving the visible radiation and for providing a first signal corresponding thereto; second detector means disposed at the second focal plane for receiving the infrared radiation and for providing a second signal corresponding thereto; and means responsive to the first and second signals for displaying a composite image of the scene, the composite image comprising a black and white visible image of the scene with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Multispectral imaging apparatus comprising a wavelength independent focus reflecting optical system for receiving visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for focusing the visible and infrared radiation at respective first and second focal planes which are located the same distance from the optical system; first detector means disposed at the first focal plane for receiving the visible radiation and for providing a first signal corresponding thereto; second detector means disposed at the second focal plane for receiving the infrared radiation and for providing a second signal corresponding thereto; and means responsive to the first and second signals for displaying a composite image of the scene, the composite image comprising a black and white visible image of the scene with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical system is non-refractive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a reflective Cassegrain telescope having movable primary and secondary mirrors for focusing the radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises means for splitting the radiation into a first beam of visible radiation and a second beam of infrared radiation, and means for directing the first and second beams onto the first and second detector means, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam splitting means comprising a thin dichroic semiconductor mirror which is transparent to the infrared radiation and which reflects the visible radiation, and wherein the directing means comprises a fully reflecting image erecting mirror positioned to reflect the visible radiation reflected from the mirror to the first detector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the displaying means comprises first means for converting the first signal into a first video signal corresponding to a black and white visible image of the scene, second means for converting the second signal into a second video signal corresponding to a color infrared image of the scene, third means for combining the first and second video signals to produce a composite video signal, and a color display for receiving the composite video signal and for displaying said composite image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second converting means includes means for setting one or more preselected threshold levels such that only a second signal which corresponds to infrared radiation with a preselected intensity range is converted to the second video signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second converting means comprises means for converting discrete ranges of the second signal into different colors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
Multispectral imaging apparatus comprising a non-refractive optical system for receiving visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for providing a beam of combined visible and infrared radiation which is focused at a predetermined distance from the optical system; means for splitting the focused beam into a first beam of visible radiation and a second beam of infrared radiation; first detector means for receiving the first beam and for providing a first signal corresponding to the visible radiation; second detector means for receiving the second beam and for providing a second signal corresponding to the infrared radiation; and means responsive to the first and second signals for displaying a composite image of the scene, the composite image comprising a black and white visible image of the scene with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
Multispectral imaging apparatus comprising a non-refractive optical system for receiving visible and infrared radiation from a scene and for providing a beam of combined visible and infrared radiation which is focused at a predetermined distance from the optical system; means for splitting the focused beam into a first beam of visible radiation and a second beam of infrared radiation; first detector means for receiving the first beam and for providing a first signal corresponding to the visible radiation; second detector means for receiving the second beam and for providing a second signal corresponding to the infrared radiation; and means responsive to the first and second signals for displaying a composite image of the scene, the composite image comprising a black and white visible image of the scene with portions of the image highlighted in color in accordance with the infrared radiation received from corresponding portions of the scene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the optical system comprises a wavelength independent focus optical telescope.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the optical telescope comprises a reflective Cassegrain telescope having movable primary and secondary mirrors for focusing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and second detector means are located at respective first and second focal planes, and the first and second focal planes are each located at said predetermined distance from the optical system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said splitting means comprises a thin dichroic semiconductor beam splitter formed to pass the infrared radiation and to reflect the visible radiation, and a fully reflecting mirror for receiving the visible radiation from the beam splitter and for reflecting the visible radiation to the first detector means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displaying means comprises means for converting the first signal into a first video signal corresponding to said black and white visible image of the scene, second means for converting the second signal into a second video signal corresponding to a color infrared image of the scene, third means for combining the first and second video signals to produce a composite video signal, and color display means for receiving the composite video signal and for displaying said composite image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second converting means includes means for setting a preselected range of levels such that only a second signal which corresponds to infrared radiation within the preselected range is converted to the second video signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second converting means comprises a video frame generator, and the setting means comprises voltage threshold means for setting upper and lower threshold levels, the threshold means being arranged such that only a portion of the second signal between said upper and lower levels is converted to said video signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second converting means comprises means for converting discrete ranges of the second signal into different colors.
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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) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |