US4977323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
360 degree infrared surveillance with panoramic display
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-08-16
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Granted: 1990-12-11
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Expires: 1993-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A 360 degree infrared surveillance system comprising a scanning head rota on a turntable having optics and IR detectors in a vertical linear array, amplifiers for each detector and light emitting diodes for each respective detector/amplifier channel. The light from the LED's is imaged onto photodetectors whose output is amplified and fed to a corresponding LED. An optical rotator causes the image of their light to rotate. A lens images this light onto photodetectors located on the projector turntable, rotating synchronously with the scanner head. The photodetector current is amplified and fed to a linear array of LED's and imaged onto a cylindrical screen for display.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Jehle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:41
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/194; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; G08B17/00; G08B17/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09; H04N5/00; H04N5/30; H04N5/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A surveillance system for detecting and displaying infrared producing bodies comprising: a linear array of infrared detectors mounted along a vertical plane; first means for rotating said detectors about an axis at a predetermined angular velocity faster than the flicker fusion rate of the human eye to cause said detectors to scan the horizon in a 360 degree azimuthal plane for infrared radiation; light emitting diodes connected to said detectors and mounted on said means for rotating for projecting an image of said horizon rotating at said predetermined angular velocity; an array of photodetectors mounted on a second means for rotating to rotate said array of photodetectors at said predetermined angular velocity to detect said image of said horizon from said light emitting diodes; additional light emitting diodes connected to said photodetectors and mounted on said second means for rotating for producing a panoramic visual display of said entire 360° azimuthal plane simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A surveillance system for detecting and displaying infrared producing bodies comprising: a linear array of infrared detectors mounted along a vertical plane; first means for rotating said detectors about an axis at a predetermined angular velocity faster than the flicker fusion rate of the human eye to cause said detectors to scan the horizon in a 360 degree azimuthal plane for infrared radiation; light emitting diodes connected to said detectors and mounted on said means for rotating for projecting an image of said horizon rotating at said predetermined angular velocity; an array of photodetectors mounted on a second means for rotating to rotate said array of photodetectors at said predetermined angular velocity to detect said image of said horizon from said light emitting diodes; additional light emitting diodes connected to said photodetectors and mounted on said second means for rotating for producing a panoramic visual display of said entire 360° azimuthal plane simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
A surveillance system for detecting and displaying infrared producing bodies comprising: a linear array of infrared detectors mounted along a vertical plane; first means for rotating said infrared detectors about an axis such that said infrared detectors can scan a 360 degree azimuthal plane for infrared radiation; first light emitting means connected to said infrared detectors and mounted on said first means for rotating; electro-optical transmission means for detecting and transmitting light produced by said light emitting diodes to a remote location; an array of photodetectors disposed to detect said transmitted light; second light emitting means connected to said photodetectors; second means for rotating said second light emitting means to produce a panoramic visual display of said entire 360° azimuthal plane simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A surveillance system for detecting and displaying infrared producing bodies comprising: a linear array of infrared detectors mounted along a vertical plane; first means for rotating said infrared detectors about an axis such that said infrared detectors can scan a 360 degree azimuthal plane for infrared radiation; first light emitting means connected to said infrared detectors and mounted on said first means for rotating; electro-optical transmission means for detecting and transmitting light produced by said light emitting diodes to a remote location; an array of photodetectors disposed to detect said transmitted light; second light emitting means connected to said photodetectors; second means for rotating said second light emitting means to produce a panoramic visual display of said entire 360° azimuthal plane simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first means for rotating comprises a turntable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second means for rotating constitutes a turntable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said second means for rotating constitutes a turntable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2 wherein both said first and second means for rotating comprise turntables.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said electro-optical transmission means comprises: means for derotating light emitted from said light emitting means; photodetector means for converting said derotated light into electrical signals; means for producing light from said electrical signals; third means for rotating said produced light.
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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) | 1993-12-10 | 1994-06-11 | 1994-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-10 | 1998-06-11 | 1998-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-10 | 2002-06-11 | 2002-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |