Patent US5229592A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5229592A
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Real scene imaging system pupil phasing method and apparatus
Assignee: Goodrich Corp
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Filing: 1992-07-10
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2012-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for phasing the apertures of a multiple-aperture imaging system is disclosed. An imaging system gathers light in either a scanning or a staring mode from a natural or real scene without artificial light sources. The spatial frequency of the image is sensed. The phase of the apertures is adjusted until the spectral power is maximized within a preselected spatial frequency band. When the spectral power is maximized, the apertures are optimally phased.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Horwitz
- 👤 John T. Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of phasing pupils in a multi-pupil imaging system comprising: selecting a predetermined spatial frequency band; sensing the spectral power in an image within the selected frequency band; and adjusting the inter-pupil phases to maximize the sensed spectral power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of phasing pupils in a multi-pupil imaging system comprising: selecting a predetermined spatial frequency band; sensing the spectral power in an image within the selected frequency band; and adjusting the inter-pupil phases to maximize the sensed spectral power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the system has a single-pupil spatial cutoff frequency above which a single pupil cannot resolve points in a scene and a multiple-pupil spatial cutoff frequency above which a multiple pupil cannot resolve points in a scene, and the predetermined frequency band is between the single-pupil cutoff frequency and the multiple-pupil cutoff frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pupils comprise a plurality of individual pupils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pupils are sub-pupils of a single segmented pupil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing step comprises: scanning the image onto a phasing detector to create a time-varying signal; and sensing the temporal frequency of the signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the phasing detector comprises a single slit and a photodetector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the phasing detector comprises a grating and a photodetector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the phasing detector comprises a CCD TV camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing step is performed in a staring mode in which the entire image is sensed at one time by a phasing detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the phasing detector comprises a CCD TV camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the CCD image data is processed one pixel at a time as it is read from the camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the CCD image data is processed by a two-dimensional Fourier transform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image is formed of a natural scene devoid of active light sources.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inter-pupil phases are adjusted one pair of pupils at a time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical imaging system comprising: at least two pupils for admitting light into the system; a sensor for sensing the spatial spectral power of an image; and a phase adjuster for adjusting the inter-pupil phases to maximize the spectral power within a selected predetermined spatial frequency band.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical imaging system comprising: at least two pupils for admitting light into the system; a sensor for sensing the spatial spectral power of an image; and a phase adjuster for adjusting the inter-pupil phases to maximize the spectral power within a selected predetermined spatial frequency band.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The imaging system of claim 15 wherein the system has a single-pupil spatial cutoff frequency above which a single pupil cannot resolve points in a scene and a multiple-pupil spatial cutoff frequency above which a multiple pupil cannot resolve points in a scene, and the selected spatial frequency band is between the single-pupil cutoff frequency and the multiple-pupil cutoff frequency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging system of claim 15 wherein the pupils comprise a plurality of individual pupils.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The imaging system of claim 15 wherein the pupils are sub-pupils of a single segmented pupil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The imaging system of claim 15 further comprising scanning means for scanning the image onto the sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imaging system of claim 19 wherein the sensor comprises a phasing detector, said phasing detector comprising a single slit and a photodetector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imaging system of claim 19 wherein the sensor comprises a phasing detector, said phasing detector comprising a grating and a photodetector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging system of claim 19 wherein the sensor comprises a phasing sensor, said phasing sensor comprising a CCD TV camera.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging system of claim 15 further comprising staring means for providing the entire image to the sensor at one time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging system of claim 23 wherein the sensor comprises a phasing sensor, said phasing sensor comprising a CCD TV camera.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The imaging system of claim 15 wherein the image is formed of a natural scene devoid of active light sources.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The imaging system of claim 15 wherein the inter-pupil phases are adjusted one pair of pupils at a time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4943709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |