US4105290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical color communication system
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-10
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1996-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A transmitter and remotely located receiver are used to form an optical color communication system wherein diffraction gratings blazed, for example, in the sixth and higher dispersive orders are utilized in the transmitter and receiver to provide for simultaneous transmission and reception of color coded information over hundreds to thousands of communication channels. Another receiver embodiment that can be used with the transmitter additionally includes a prism and image intensifier which are utilized to record the color coded information on black and white film in the form of separated grey toned strips. A black and white to color printer is used to convert and print the grey toned strips in original and unseparated color form.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard W. Quinn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/4233; G02B27/4272; G02B27/4277; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An optical color communication system comprising: a transmitter including a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom, a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said light source, a first lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means, means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing color information for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said modulating means, and a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said second lens means and which comprise an emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter; and a receiver positioned to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter, said receiver including a third diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam, a third lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said third diffraction means, and color sensitive means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said third lens means for detecting said color information of said modulating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An optical color communication system comprising: a transmitter including a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom, a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said light source, a first lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means, means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing color information for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said modulating means, and a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said second lens means and which comprise an emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter; and a receiver positioned to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter, said receiver including a third diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam, a third lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said third diffraction means, and color sensitive means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said third lens means for detecting said color information of said modulating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said modulating means comprises a developed film containing color information therein, and said color sensitive means comprises unexposed color film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for scanning said color information in said modulating means in a predetermined pattern, and means for adjusting said color sensitive means in a predetermined pattern correspondingly related to said predetermined pattern of said scanning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said modulating means comprises a developed film containing color information therein, and said color sensitive means comprises unexposed color film, said developed film being translated in a predetermined direction to scan said color information therein and said unexposed color film correspondingly translated in a predetermined direction in synchronism with said developed film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
252 words
An optical communication system comprising: a transmitter including a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom, a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said light source, a first lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means, means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing color information for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said modulating means, and a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said second lens means and which comprise an emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter; and a receiver positioned to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter, said receiver including a third diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam, a dispersion means for separating the normally overlapping spectral lines of said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said third diffraction means, an image intensifier for providing intensified images of said separated spectral lines, and means for recording said intensified images on light sensitive film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
252 words
An optical communication system comprising: a transmitter including a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom, a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said light source, a first lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means, means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing color information for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said modulating means, and a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light from said second lens means and which comprise an emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter; and a receiver positioned to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter, said receiver including a third diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam, a dispersion means for separating the normally overlapping spectral lines of said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said third diffraction means, an image intensifier for providing intensified images of said separated spectral lines, and means for recording said intensified images on light sensitive film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said modulating means comprises a developed film containing color information therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
For use in an optical color communication system including a transmitter providing an emergent collimated light beam carrying color information therein, a receiver comprising: diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam; dispersion means for separating the normally overlapping spectral lines of said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said diffraction means; and an image intensifier for providing intensified images of said separated spectral lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
For use in an optical color communication system including a transmitter providing an emergent collimated light beam carrying color information therein, a receiver comprising: diffraction means adapted to receive said emergent collimated light beam from said transmitter and provide predetermined higher diffraction orders of the collimated light of said beam; dispersion means for separating the normally overlapping spectral lines of said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said collimated light diffracted by said diffraction means; and an image intensifier for providing intensified images of said separated spectral lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for recording said intensified images on light sensitive film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
256 words
A monochromatic to color converter comprising: a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom; a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing the first diffraction order of said collimated light from said light source; a first lens means for collecting said first diffraction order of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means; means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing monochromatic separated spectral lines for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, said monochromatic separated spectral lines being produced from normally overlapping spectral lines of predetermined higher diffraction orders of diffracted light modulated by means containing color information therein; a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said monochromatic separated spectral lines; a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing the first diffraction order of said collimated light from said second lens means; a third diffraction means adapted to receive said collimated light diffracted by said second diffraction means and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said diffracted light from said second diffraction means; a third lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said diffracted light from said third diffraction means; and color sensitive means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said third lens means for detecting said color information from which said monochromatic separated spectral lines were obtained.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
256 words
A monochromatic to color converter comprising: a light source having a predetermined spectral output and adapted to provide collimated light therefrom; a first diffraction means having said collimated light from said light source directed thereon and providing the first diffraction order of said collimated light from said light source; a first lens means for collecting said first diffraction order of said collimated light diffracted by said first diffraction means; means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said first lens means and containing monochromatic separated spectral lines for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means, said monochromatic separated spectral lines being produced from normally overlapping spectral lines of predetermined higher diffraction orders of diffracted light modulated by means containing color information therein; a second lens means for collecting and collimating the light modulated by said monochromatic separated spectral lines; a second diffraction means having said collimated light from said second lens means directed thereon and providing the first diffraction order of said collimated light from said second lens means; a third diffraction means adapted to receive said collimated light diffracted by said second diffraction means and providing predetermined higher diffraction orders of said diffracted light from said second diffraction means; a third lens means for collecting said predetermined higher diffraction orders of said diffracted light from said third diffraction means; and color sensitive means adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of said third lens means for detecting said color information from which said monochromatic separated spectral lines were obtained.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said monochromatic separated spectral lines include grey toned strips for modulating said diffracted light collected by said first lens means.
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) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |