Patent US6473118B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6473118B1
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US
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Imaging systems
Assignee: Thales Holdings UK PLC
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Filing: 1997-11-28
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2017-11-28
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system comprises an image-data collection station ( 1 ) having a platform ( 2 ) which is rotatable about an azimuthal axis. Several image sensors ( 3 ) are mounted on and rotate with the platform ( 2 ). A static monitoring station ( 7 ) includes a computerized sensor control system ( 10 ) for selectably and independently turning the sensors ( 3 ) ON and OFF during the rotation of the platform ( 2 ). Station ( 7 ) additionally monitors the data output from the sensors ( 3 ) and delivers a visible output at a VDU ( 8 ).
Inventors
- 👤 James Morrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; H04N7/181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
An imaging system comprising: an image-data collection station ( 1 ) which is rotatable about an azimuthal axis, the image-data collection station ( 1 ) comprising at least two circumferentially spaced-apart image sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) arranged for rotation with the station ( 1 ) so as to include a common field of view ( 4 ), each sensor comprising a single column of vertically aligned sensing elements, and a static image-monitoring station ( 7 ) comprising a video display unit ( 8 ) for displaying image data received from the collection station ( 1 ), and control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ) for selectively and independently turning the sensors on and off during rotation of the data collection station ( 1 ), wherein image data from each image sensor ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) is delivered to an image frame-store ( 13 ) via an associated gate device ( 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d ) which is on/off controlled in synchrony with the sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) by said control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ), and data from the image frame-store ( 13 ) is clocked out at a TV raster-scan compatible rate to the video display unit ( 8 ).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
An imaging system comprising: an image-data collection station ( 1 ) which is rotatable about an azimuthal axis, the image-data collection station ( 1 ) comprising at least two circumferentially spaced-apart image sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) arranged for rotation with the station ( 1 ) so as to include a common field of view ( 4 ), each sensor comprising a single column of vertically aligned sensing elements, and a static image-monitoring station ( 7 ) comprising a video display unit ( 8 ) for displaying image data received from the collection station ( 1 ), and control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ) for selectively and independently turning the sensors on and off during rotation of the data collection station ( 1 ), wherein image data from each image sensor ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) is delivered to an image frame-store ( 13 ) via an associated gate device ( 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d ) which is on/off controlled in synchrony with the sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) by said control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ), and data from the image frame-store ( 13 ) is clocked out at a TV raster-scan compatible rate to the video display unit ( 8 ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An imaging system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the image sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) has a variable field of view and/or comprises means for varying the angle of elevation of the sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An imaging system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein at least one of the sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) comprises a zoom lens which can be zoomed-in on an area of particular interest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An imaging system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ) is arranged for independently controlling the magnification of image sensor zoom lenses and/or the elevational angle of the image sensors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An imaging system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ) comprises a tracking computer for directing one or more of the image sensors ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) to track a target within the image by dynamically controlling the elevation angle and/or zoom of the sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An imaging system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the control means ( 9 , 10 , 11 ) is arranged to effect combination of image data received from the or each tracking image sensor and from a further image sensor having a wider filed of view which contains the target, whereby an image is obtained in which the target is shown with an increased resolution relative to the remainder of a larger field of view image.
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) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |