US4924094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging apparatus
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-03-19
•
Granted: 1990-05-08
•
Expires: 2007-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Conventional scanners used in thermal imagers scan the image along curved lines rather than straight lines, resulting in image curvature in the display. The invention eliminates this by processing the video signal from the scanner to compose an output video signal which represents scanning along straight lines (18) across the image. The output signal is composed of a number of successive portions (A to F) each derived from a different line or lines of the video signal provided by the scanner.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N23/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Imaging apparatus comprising an optical scanner for scanning a field of view with a plurality of curved line scans, a detector for producing first image signals each corresponding to a respective one of said curved line scans, and signal processing means for processing the first image signals to produce therefrom second image signals, each of at least a plurality of said second image signals being derived from a plurality of said first image signals such that the extent to which a particular first image signal contributes to a particular second image signal of said plurality of second image signals varies between different portions of said particular second image signal such that said particular second image signal represents a substantially straight line across said field of view intersecting a plurality of said curved line scans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Imaging apparatus comprising an optical scanner for scanning a field of view with a plurality of curved line scans, a detector for producing first image signals each corresponding to a respective one of said curved line scans, and signal processing means for processing the first image signals to produce therefrom second image signals, each of at least a plurality of said second image signals being derived from a plurality of said first image signals such that the extent to which a particular first image signal contributes to a particular second image signal of said plurality of second image signals varies between different portions of said particular second image signal such that said particular second image signal represents a substantially straight line across said field of view intersecting a plurality of said curved line scans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing means produces successive portions of each of said at least a plurality of second image signals utilizing successive ones of said first image signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal processing means produces said successive portions by interpolation from successive groups of said first image signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each group is a pair of said first image signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical scanner and said detector are arranged for producing said first image signals from thermal radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3897150A
Cited
US3902811A
Cited
GB1580437A
Cited
US4106845A
Cited
US4152725A
Cited
JPS5466168A
Cited
US4496972A
Cited
US4450836A
Cited
US4471449A
Cited
US4396952A
Cited
WO1983001718A1
Cited
US4551752A
Cited
US4587621A
Cited
US4682300A
Cited
US4549117A
Cited
JPS6010221A
Cited
JPS6095682A
Cited
US4630111A
Cited
GB2149258A
Cited
US4695964A
Cited
EP0162123A1
Cited
US4689526A
Cited
US4654876A
Cited
US4772942A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |