US4757200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulsed radiation detection system
Assignee: Visidyne Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-28
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2006-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system which receives pulses of radiation from a target area and includes a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitive elements and an apparatus for receiving backscattered radiation from the target area. The apparatus repeatedly scans, across at least one row of the array, the back-scattered radiation from a plurality of regions within the target area. The photosensitive elements accumulate charges and are arranged in rows and columns. The detection system further includes a circuit for synchronizing the apparatus for scanning with the radiation pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element of the row charges representing the same region during successive scans.
Inventors
- 👤 Orr Shepherd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/89; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system comprising: means for directing pulses of radiation to a target area; a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitivve elements, arranged in at least one row, for accumulating charges; means for repeatedly scanning, across a said row of said array, backscattered radiation from a plurality of regions within said target area; and means for synchronizing said means for scanning with said pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element of said row charges representing the same region during successive scans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system comprising: means for directing pulses of radiation to a target area; a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitivve elements, arranged in at least one row, for accumulating charges; means for repeatedly scanning, across a said row of said array, backscattered radiation from a plurality of regions within said target area; and means for synchronizing said means for scanning with said pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element of said row charges representing the same region during successive scans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said means for scanning includes optical means for receiving and focussing the backscattered radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said charge-coupled device array includes an image area and a storage area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The detection system of claim 3 further including timing means for defining a preselected period for accumulation of said charges by providing signals at a first rate for transferring charges from said image area to said storage area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detection system of claim 4 further including a register for receiving charges from said storage area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The detection system of claim 5 in which said timing means provides signals at a second rate for transferring charges from said storage area to said register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detection system of claim 6 further including a register amplifier for amplifying the output of said register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The detection system of claim 7 further including means for reading the charges from said register at a third rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detection system of claim 8 in which said first, second, and third rates differ.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detection system of claim 1 further including means for cryogenically cooling the charge-coupled device array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said means for scanning includes a multifaceted mirror wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said means for scanning includes an oscillatory mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The detection system of claim 12 in which said optical means is a telescope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said photosensitive elements of said array are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The detection system of claim 14 in which the accumulated charge in each said column of a said row represents a discrete time and distance range and the succession of said columns in a said row represents incremental time and distance ranges of the received backscattered radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detection system of claim 1 in which said means for directing includes a laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The detection system of claim 16 in which said laser emits radiation having a wavelength selected from the spectra of infrared and visible radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system comprising: a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitive elements, arranged in at least one row, for accumulating charges; means for repeatedly scanning, across a said row of said array, pulsed radiation received from a plurality of regions within a target area; and means for synchronizing said means for scanning with said pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element or elements of said row charges representing the same region during successive scans.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system comprising: a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitive elements, arranged in at least one row, for accumulating charges; means for repeatedly scanning, across a said row of said array, pulsed radiation received from a plurality of regions within a target area; and means for synchronizing said means for scanning with said pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element or elements of said row charges representing the same region during successive scans.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detection system of claim 18 in which said photosensitive elements of said array are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The detection system of claim 19 in which the accumulated charge in each said column of a said row represents a discrete time and distance range and the succession of columns in a row represents incremental time and distance ranges of the received radiation.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising: receiving and focussing the radiation from a plurality of regions in a target area; repeatedly scanning, in synchronization with the timing of the pulses, the focussed radiation across at least one row of photosensitive elements in a charge-coupled device array; accumulating in the same photosensitive element of the row charges representing the same region during successive scans; and reading out the charges.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising: receiving and focussing the radiation from a plurality of regions in a target area; repeatedly scanning, in synchronization with the timing of the pulses, the focussed radiation across at least one row of photosensitive elements in a charge-coupled device array; accumulating in the same photosensitive element of the row charges representing the same region during successive scans; and reading out the charges.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 21 further including: transferring the charges from an image area to a frame storage area at a first rate to define a preselected period for accumulation of the charges; transferring the charges to a shift register at a second rate; and reading out the charges at a third rate.
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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) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |