US5159455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multisensor high-resolution camera
Assignee: General Imaging Corp
•
Filing: 1990-03-05
•
Granted: 1992-10-27
•
Expires: 2010-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A multisensor high-resolution camera splices together sub-images obtained from a plurality of fiber bundles and can play back these sub-images as a single composite image in real time. The camera can output the composite image as a single high-resolution analog video image or as a stream of digital data. The camera produces these composite images from the optical sub-images output by tapered or nontapered fiber bundles. A scan converter splices together video signals output from the plurality of video cameras or the multiport video camera/cameras each of which is optically coupled to one of the plurality of fiber bundles. The sensor arrays can also be driven directly. In this case each sensor array is coupled to one of the fiber bundles. The sensor arrays are either multiple single port integrated circuit (IC) sensor arrays such as CCD arrays or multiport (IC) arrays.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Cox
- 👤 David E. Fowler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; H04N23/13; G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/16; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/1228; H04N23/30; H04N23/45; H04N23/50; H04N23/54; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/87; H04N25/00; H04N25/40; H04N25/41; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/2624
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus comprising: a plurality of optic fibers; a plurality of video sensors connected respectively to said optic fibers, each of which sensors senses a corresponding non overlapping portion of an overall image and each of which outputs a video signal representing a plurality of pixels for its corresponding portion of the image; means for aligning said video sensors with said optic fibers to produce dead zones in said video signals; means for receiving said video signals; means for eliminating said deadzones from said video signals; and means for concatenating said plurality of pixels from said video signals in a manner to reproduce said overall image in a single picture signal output.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus comprising: a plurality of optic fibers; a plurality of video sensors connected respectively to said optic fibers, each of which sensors senses a corresponding non overlapping portion of an overall image and each of which outputs a video signal representing a plurality of pixels for its corresponding portion of the image; means for aligning said video sensors with said optic fibers to produce dead zones in said video signals; means for receiving said video signals; means for eliminating said deadzones from said video signals; and means for concatenating said plurality of pixels from said video signals in a manner to reproduce said overall image in a single picture signal output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said video signals are synchronized with respect to a system pixel clock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said video signals are a plurality of analog video signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of analog-to-digital converting means for converting said plurality of analog video signals to digital video data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for concatenating comprises a memory means for storing said digital video data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for concatenating further comprises a plurality of address generator means for generating memory addresses for said digital video data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of delay means for delaying onset of memory address generation by a plurality of delay times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said memory means comprises: first and second memory buffer means for storing said digital video data according to said memory addresses; parity select means for controlling the storing of said digital video data into said first and second memory buffer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for concatenating comprises means for outputting said digital video data from said memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for outputting comprises means for reading said digital video data from said memory means in a predetermined order.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for reading comprises: synch-generator means for generating video timing signals; global address generator means responsive to said video timing signals for reading said digital video data in a predetermined order and for generating global addresses for said digital video data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising digital-to-analog converter means responsive to said video timing signals for converting said digital video data into a high resolution analog video signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprising video driver means for driving a display means responsive to said high resolution analog video signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a phosphor in said optic fibers for sensing x-radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a clamping means for clamping a plurality of reference voltages, said plurality of reference voltages being used as references for said plurality of analog-to-digital converting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plurality of delay times are comprised of a plurality of horizontal and vertical delay times.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said sensor is part of a different single port camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensors comprise a multiport camera.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plurality of delay means comprise user settings wherein varying user settings results in corresponding variations in said plurality of delay times.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array mans comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and wherein said bundle of optical fibers is not tapered.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array mans comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and wherein said bundle of optical fibers is not tapered.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals: memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and x-ray converting means for converting input x-ray radiation into said input radiation.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals: memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and x-ray converting means for converting input x-ray radiation into said input radiation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said x-ray converting means is an x-ray sensitive screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said x-ray sensitive screen is a phosphor screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said sensor array is at least one multi-port solid-state sensor array.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; and at least one bundle of doped optical fibers, said bundle of doped optical fibers comprises a doped portion and an undoped portion, said doped portion being doped with an x-ray sensitive material wherein a first radiation is input to said doped portion and absorbed by said x-ray sensitive material, said x-ray sensitive material outputs a second radiation, and said undoped portion directs said second radiation to said sensor array means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; and at least one bundle of doped optical fibers, said bundle of doped optical fibers comprises a doped portion and an undoped portion, said doped portion being doped with an x-ray sensitive material wherein a first radiation is input to said doped portion and absorbed by said x-ray sensitive material, said x-ray sensitive material outputs a second radiation, and said undoped portion directs said second radiation to said sensor array means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said x-ray sensitive material is comprised of rare earth salts.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 further comprising a receiving means for receiving outside x-ray radiation and for outputting said outside x-ray radiation as said first radiation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said sensor array means is a plurality of single port solid-state sensor arrays.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said plurality of single port solid-state sensor arrays are CCD arrays.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said plurality of single port solid-state sensor arrays are MOS arrays.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said sensor array means at least one multi-port solid-state sensor array.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein said multiport solid-state sensor arrays are multiport CCD arrays.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein said multiport solid-state sensor arrays are multiport MOS arrays.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 further comprising a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; and a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; and a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus comprising: timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal; sensor array means comprising a plurality of discrete sensor elements responsive to said timing signal for sensing a radiation field and outputting a plurality of sensor signals corresponding to respective portions of said radiation field; means for converting said plurality of sensor signals to corresponding video data signals; means for selecting all or part of each of said video data signals as selected data signals; memory buffer means for storing said selected video data signals as stored video data; means for sequentially outputting said stored video data signals as an image from said memory buffer means; at least one bundle of optical fibers, said bundle of optical fibers receiving input radiation at one end and directing said input radiation to said sensor array means; and a moving fovea circuit which enables a user to output only selected segments of said video data to a video display unit.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
105 words
A method comprising the steps of: sensing an overall image using a plurality of optic fibers coupled to a plurality of video sensors, each of which sensors senses a corresponding non overlapping portion of said overall image and outputs a video signal representing a plurality of pixels for its corresponding portion of the image; aligning said video sensors with said optical fibers to produce dead zones in said video signals; receiving said video signals: eliminating said dead zones from said video signals; concatenating said plurality of pixels from said video signals in a manner to reproduce said overall image in a single picture signal output.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
105 words
A method comprising the steps of: sensing an overall image using a plurality of optic fibers coupled to a plurality of video sensors, each of which sensors senses a corresponding non overlapping portion of said overall image and outputs a video signal representing a plurality of pixels for its corresponding portion of the image; aligning said video sensors with said optical fibers to produce dead zones in said video signals; receiving said video signals: eliminating said dead zones from said video signals; concatenating said plurality of pixels from said video signals in a manner to reproduce said overall image in a single picture signal output.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |