US5144149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical signal to thermal image converter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-01-22
•
Granted: 1992-09-01
•
Expires: 2011-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for converting video or other electronic input signals to thermal images, using a beam of energy (1000) to selectively heat areas of a target (60). The target (60) is composed of a multiplicity of elements (604) placed fortuitously on a substrate (602), which serves as a heat sink. It is intended for simulation, testing and training applications on systems employing infrared sensors.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry A. Frosch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N17/00; H04N17/002; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/52; G01J5/53; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N23/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for converting electrical signals to thermal images, comprising a directed beam source of energy and means for varying the intensity, for focusing, and for deflecting said beam, and a reticulated target, having separate and independent elements each fortuitously placed upon and bonded to a substrate, said substrate coupled to a heat sink, said target converting the input energy from the beam to a thermal pattern emitting energy of another wavelength or form, viewed by the device under test on the side of said target being irradiated by said energy source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for converting electrical signals to thermal images, comprising a directed beam source of energy and means for varying the intensity, for focusing, and for deflecting said beam, and a reticulated target, having separate and independent elements each fortuitously placed upon and bonded to a substrate, said substrate coupled to a heat sink, said target converting the input energy from the beam to a thermal pattern emitting energy of another wavelength or form, viewed by the device under test on the side of said target being irradiated by said energy source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1 wherein said energy source is an electron beam, generating the beam and directing it to the target within an evacuated envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1 wherein said energy source is an electron beam, generating the beam in an evacuated envelope and directing it to the target external to said envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein said energy source is a laser beam, with the target in the evacuated envelope, and the laser beam source external to the envelope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein said energy source is a laser beam, with the laser beam source and the target in the evacuated envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein said energy source is a laser beam, with neither the laser beam source nor the target in an evacuated envelope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein the substrate is further coupled to a heat regulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein no ray of the directed beam source of energy impinges on the target at an angle perpendicular to the target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A target for a thermal image converter as in claim 1, wherein the elements are overlapped from the perspective of the energy source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A target for a thermal image converter comprising a substrate, a multiplicity of fiber elements fortuitously arrayed on said substrate, forming pixels thereon, and bonding means to attach said fibers to said substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A target for a thermal image converter comprising a substrate, a multiplicity of fiber elements fortuitously arrayed on said substrate, forming pixels thereon, and bonding means to attach said fibers to said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A target for a thermal image converter as in claim 10, wherein the fibers are carbon filaments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A target for a thermal image converter as in claim 10, wherein the number of fibers exceeds the number of pixels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4329583A
Cited
US4591717A
Cited
US4868768A
Cited
US4820929A
Cited
US4886972A
Cited
US5012112A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-01 | 1996-03-02 | 1996-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-01 | 2000-03-02 | 2000-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-03-02 | 2004-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |