Patent US5196703A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5196703A
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US
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Readout system and process for IR detector arrays
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-27
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Granted: 1993-03-23
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Expires: 2011-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting the intensity of radiation emanating from an object 116 relative to a background level at a pixel detector 120 is disclosed herein. A resistive element 122 with a resistance dependent upon the intensity of radiation impinging the detector 120 and having first and second terminals is provided along with an integration element 124 coupled to the first terminal of the resistive element. The first terminal is set to a reference voltage. The radiation is then defocused such that the radiation impinging the detector 120 is proportional to the background radiation level and a first voltage is applied to the second terminal of the resistive element 122 such that the integration element 124 discharges to a background voltage level. Next, the radiation is focused such that the radiation impinging the detector 120 is proportional to the radiation emanating from the object 116 and a second voltage is applied to the second terminal of the resistive element 122 such that the integration element 124 charges to an output voltage V o level. The output voltage V o is then sensed. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Keenan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P95/00; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/20; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/67; H04N25/671; H04N25/673; H04N25/674; H04N25/20; H04N25/21; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/191; H10F39/193; H10F39/1935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising: a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation and having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element, said output voltage substantially dependent upon said radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising: a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation and having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element, said output voltage substantially dependent upon said radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said resistive element is a temperature dependent resistor with a temperature proportional to said radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for applying a reference voltage comprises a transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for sensing an output voltage comprises a preamplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said reference voltage is zero volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said first voltage is less than said reference voltage and said second voltage is greater than said reference voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said pixel detector is one detector in an array of detectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said reference voltage is applied 60 times per second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said radiation comprises infrared radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said radiation is focused for substantially the same amount of time as said radiation is defocused.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of detecting the intensity of radiation emanating from an object relative to a background level at a pixel detector, comprising the steps of: providing a resistive element with a resistance dependent upon the intensity of radiation impinging said detector and having first and second terminals; providing an integration element coupled to the first terminal of said resistive element; setting said first terminal to a reference voltage; defocusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to said background radiation level and applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element discharges to a background voltage level; focusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to the radiation emanating from said object and applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element charges to an output voltage level; and sensing said output voltage level.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of detecting the intensity of radiation emanating from an object relative to a background level at a pixel detector, comprising the steps of: providing a resistive element with a resistance dependent upon the intensity of radiation impinging said detector and having first and second terminals; providing an integration element coupled to the first terminal of said resistive element; setting said first terminal to a reference voltage; defocusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to said background radiation level and applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element discharges to a background voltage level; focusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to the radiation emanating from said object and applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element charges to an output voltage level; and sensing said output voltage level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said resistive element is a temperature dependent resistor with a temperature proportional to said radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said integration element is a capacitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said reference voltage is zero volts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first voltage is less than said reference voltage and said second voltage is greater than said reference voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said setting, defocusing, focusing, and sensing steps are performed repetitively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said setting, defocusing, focusing, and sensing steps are performed 60 times per second.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising: a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation, said resistive detector element having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled directly to said first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising: a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation, said resistive detector element having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled directly to said first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5038026A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-09-21 | 1997-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-22 | 2000-09-21 | 2001-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-22 | 2004-09-21 | 2005-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |