US4908705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable wide-angle imaging system
Assignee: Fairchild Weston Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1988-01-21
•
Granted: 1990-03-13
•
Expires: 2008-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optic system which is advantageous for low altitude, high speed aerial reconnaissance. A linear imager is movably positioned in the focal plane of a fixedly mounted wide-angle lens system. The fore-aft motion capability of the imager can be used to select an optimal viewing angle for recognition, for image motion compensation (to reduce smear), or for other functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Wight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/701; G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02; G01C11/025; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/06; H04N23/00; H04N23/58; H04N23/70; H04N23/76; H04N25/60; H04N25/62; H04N25/625; H04N5/00; H04N5/30; H04N5/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 103
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A reconnaissance system, for mounting in an aircraft, comprising: a wide-angle lens positioned to image ground-level surface onto a fixed focal plane; and an electro-optic imager having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, and movable within the focal plane defined by said lens and having its long dimension oriented substantially normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; and one or more mechanical linkages which move said imager within said focal plane to point to a desired strip which is either forward or aft of the nadir of the aircraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A reconnaissance system, for mounting in an aircraft, comprising: a wide-angle lens positioned to image ground-level surface onto a fixed focal plane; and an electro-optic imager having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, and movable within the focal plane defined by said lens and having its long dimension oriented substantially normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; and one or more mechanical linkages which move said imager within said focal plane to point to a desired strip which is either forward or aft of the nadir of the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein a first element of said lens is reduced in size in one dimension, to reduce its field of view in the fore-aft direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein a first element of said lens is slabbed in one dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lens is substantially apochromatic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
11 words
The system of claim wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said imager comprises a linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said imager comprises a quasilinear charge-coupled device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the calibrated pincushion distortion of said lens at 60° off-axis is much less than 3%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said imager sees a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein outputs of said imager are pixel-shifted to compensate for image motion components parallel to the long dimension of said imager.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein a transparent cover is hermetically sealed in a fixed relationship to said imager, and said cover moves with said imager.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said imager is mounted to a thermoelectric cooler, and said cooler moves with said imager.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
155 words
An imaging system for producing an image with substantially high resolution and low distortion throughout, the imaging system comprising: (a) a wide-angle lens positioned substantially fixedly, the lens imaging equal areas onto substantially equal areas; (b) an electro-optic imager having an imaging area which is elongated in one dimension; and (c) one or more mechanical linkages which controllably move said imager (1) within the focal plane defined by said lens, (2) in a direction substantially normal to the long dimension of said imager, (3) to image a desired portion of the field of view of said lens which can selectably be either (i) entirely on one side of the center of the field of view of said lens, or (ii) entirely on the other side of the center of the field of view of said lens, wherein the electro-optic imager contributes to the formation of the image having substantially high resolution and low distortion throughout.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
155 words
An imaging system for producing an image with substantially high resolution and low distortion throughout, the imaging system comprising: (a) a wide-angle lens positioned substantially fixedly, the lens imaging equal areas onto substantially equal areas; (b) an electro-optic imager having an imaging area which is elongated in one dimension; and (c) one or more mechanical linkages which controllably move said imager (1) within the focal plane defined by said lens, (2) in a direction substantially normal to the long dimension of said imager, (3) to image a desired portion of the field of view of said lens which can selectably be either (i) entirely on one side of the center of the field of view of said lens, or (ii) entirely on the other side of the center of the field of view of said lens, wherein the electro-optic imager contributes to the formation of the image having substantially high resolution and low distortion throughout.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 17, wherein a first element of said lens is reduced in size in one dimension, to reduce its field of view in the fore-aft direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 17, wherein a first element of said lens is slabbed in one dimension.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said lens is substantially apochromatic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager comprises a linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager comprises a quasi-linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager sees a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion of said lens across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 17, wherein outputs of said imager are pixel-shifted to compensate for image motion components parallel to the long dimension of said imager.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 17, wherein a transparent cover is hermetically sealed in a fixed relationship to said imager, and said cover moves with said imager.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said imager is mounted to a thermoelectric cooler, and said cooler moves with said imager.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said lens is positioned substantially fixedly to look through an external window.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
110 words
A reconnaissance system, for mounting in an aerial platform, comprising: a wide-angle lens positioned substantially fixedly; an electro-optic imager having an imaging area which is elongated in one dimension; and one or more mechanical linkages which controllably move said imager within the focal plane defined by said lens, in a direction substantially normal to the long dimension of said imager, to image a desired portion of the field of view of said lens which can selectably be either entirely on one side of the center of the field of view of said lens or entirely on the other side of the center of the field of view of said lens.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
110 words
A reconnaissance system, for mounting in an aerial platform, comprising: a wide-angle lens positioned substantially fixedly; an electro-optic imager having an imaging area which is elongated in one dimension; and one or more mechanical linkages which controllably move said imager within the focal plane defined by said lens, in a direction substantially normal to the long dimension of said imager, to image a desired portion of the field of view of said lens which can selectably be either entirely on one side of the center of the field of view of said lens or entirely on the other side of the center of the field of view of said lens.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 32, wherein outputs of said imager are pixel-shifted to compensate for image motion components parallel to the long dimension of said imager.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens is substantially apochromatic.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager comprises a quasi-linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the calibrated pincushion distortion of said lens at 60° off-axis is much less than 3%.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager sees a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 32, wherein a transparent cover is hermetically sealed in a fixed relationship to said imager, and said cover moves with said imager.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager is mounted to a thermoelectric cooler, and said cooler moves with said imager.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32, wherein a first element of said lens is reduced in size in one dimension, to reduce its field of view in the fore-aft direction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device having a substantially linear imaging area.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said lens is positioned substantially fixedly to look through an external window.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof, and pixel values are regenerated for locations falling between said respective extremities, where no respective imaging areas exist.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said desired portion of the field of view of said lens can be either before or behind the nadir of said aerial platform.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, until the strip of ground imaged onto said imager is at a viewing angle, with reference to said air vehicle, which is substantially optimal for image understanding under the actual and expected environmental conditions and features to be recognized; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, until the strip of ground imaged onto said imager is at a viewing angle, with reference to said air vehicle, which is substantially optimal for image understanding under the actual and expected environmental conditions and features to be recognized; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 50, wherein outputs of said imager are pixel-shifted to compensate for image motion components parallel to the long dimension of said imager.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens is substantially apochromatic.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said imager comprises a quasi-linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the calibrated pincushion distortion of said lens at 60° off-axis is much less than 3%.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 50, wherein a transparent cover is hermetically sealed in a fixed relationship to said imager, and said cover moves with said imager.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said imager is mounted to a thermoelectric cooler, and said cooler moves with said imager.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said lens is positioned substantially fixedly to look through an external window.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof, and pixel values are regenerated for locations falling between said respective extremities, where no respective imaging areas exist.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, in the same direction as the apparent image motion on said focal plane; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, in the same direction as the apparent image motion on said focal plane; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 63, wherein a first element of said lens is reduced in size in one dimension, to reduce its field of view in the fore-aft direction.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens is substantially apochromatic.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said imager comprises a linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said imager comprises a quasi-linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said imager sees a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 63, wherein outputs of said imager are pixel-shifted to compensate for image motion components parallel to the long dimension of said imager.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said imager is mounted to a thermoelectric cooler, and said cooler moves with said imager.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens is positioned substantially fixedly to look through an external window.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 64, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof, and pixel values are regenerated for locations falling between said respective extremities, where no respective imaging areas exist.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted obJect, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, in a direction opposite to the apparent image motion on said focal plane; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing images of a ground-mounted object using high-speed low-level overflight, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted obJect, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level objects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane, normal to the principal axis of said imaging area thereof, in a direction opposite to the apparent image motion on said focal plane; and outputting image data from said imager.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 77, wherein a first element of said lens is reduced in size in one dimension, to reduce its field of view in the fore-aft direction.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said imager comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said imager comprises two imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the calibrated pincushion distortion of said lens at 60° off-axis is much less than 3%.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said imager sees a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said lens is positioned substantially fixedly to look through an external window.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 77, wherein the air vehicle is operated in a terrain-following mode, and wherein said imager is moved opposite to the apparent image motion within the focal plane at a time when the air vehicle is making a pop-up.
Claim 94
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for providing three-dimensional images of a ground-mounted object, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level obJects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane to image the ground-mounted object at a first relative position while the object is ahead of said aircraft; and moving said imager within said focal plane to image the ground-mounted object at a second relative position while the object is less far ahead of said aircraft; and deriving three-dimensional information regarding the object from correlation of data provided by said imager at said first position and at said second position.
Claim 95
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for providing three-dimensional images of a ground-mounted object, comprising the steps of: flying an air vehicle near the ground-mounted object, wherein said air vehicle includes a wide-angle lens mounted to image ground-level obJects onto a substantially fixed focal plane, and includes an electro-optic imager, having a substantially one-dimensional imaging area, movably mounted within the focal plane defined by said lens, said imager having its long dimension oriented normal to the vector within the image of the ground-level surface which corresponds to the flight track of the aircraft; moving said imager within said focal plane to image the ground-mounted object at a first relative position while the object is ahead of said aircraft; and moving said imager within said focal plane to image the ground-mounted object at a second relative position while the object is less far ahead of said aircraft; and deriving three-dimensional information regarding the object from correlation of data provided by said imager at said first position and at said second position.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said lens has a field of view which is more than 135 degrees wide in at least one direction.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said lens is fixedly mounted.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said imager comprises a substantially linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said imager comprises two linear imagers butted together, said linear imagers having respective imaging areas which are substantially abutted at respective extremities thereof.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein the calibrated pincushion distortion of said lens at 60° off-axis is much less than 3%.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said lens has a field of view greater than 120°, and wherein said lens images equal areas onto substantially equal areas.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 88, wherein said imager sees a field of greater than 120°, and wherein the maximum calibrated linear distortion across the width of said imager is less than 10%.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 88, wherein, at said second relative position, the object is behind said aircraft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-12 | 1993-09-11 | 1994-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-12 | 1997-09-11 | 1998-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-12 | 2001-09-11 | 2002-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |