Imaging system
First Claim
1. A device for generating an image of points in a field of view, comprising:
- a plurality of directional signal sensors; and
a plurality of coincidence detectors, each coincidence detector being connected to receive a signal from each directional signal sensor of a respective group of the directional signal sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Signals from an object in a field of view are detected by an array of directional sensors and “re-converged” to create a three-dimensional image as the object changes contrast or moves relative to the sensors. Each sensor is oriented along an axis toward the field of view. Sensor signals are converted to logarithms thereof and transients are detected and compared to background signals. Resulting signals are connected in overlapping groups to coincidence detectors in a matrix. Each point in the field of view where two or more sensor axes intersect is represented by a coincidence detector, which is connected to the corresponding group of sensors. If a threshold number of sensors in the group detects a transient, the corresponding point in the image is deemed to be “contrasty” and can be made visible or otherwise perceivable by a human or can be further processed by a computer or other circuit.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A device for generating an image of points in a field of view, comprising:
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a plurality of directional signal sensors; and
a plurality of coincidence detectors, each coincidence detector being connected to receive a signal from each directional signal sensor of a respective group of the directional signal sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A device for generating an image of points in a field of view, comprising:
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a plurality of directional signal sensors, a plurality of logarithmic converters, each of the plurality of directional signal sensors being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of logarithmic converters;
a plurality of transient detectors, each of the plurality of logarithmic converters being connected to a corresponding one of the transient detectors;
a plurality of comparators, each comparator being connected to compare a signal from a corresponding one of the plurality of transient detectors and a signal indicative of a background flux transient to provide a difference signal corresponding to the respective one of the directional signal sensors; and
a plurality of coincidence detectors, each coincidence detector being associated with a group of the plurality of directional signal sensors, each coincidence detector being connected to receive the difference signals corresponding to the associated group of directional signal sensors. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A logarithmic converter for producing an output signal proportional to a logarithm of an input signal, comprising:
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a field effect transistor having a source and a drain defining a source-drain path therethrough and a gate;
an input port connected to the gate of the field effect transistor for receiving the input signal;
a first diode connected in series with the source-drain path of the field effect transistor;
a second transistor having an emitter and a collector defining an emitter-collector path therethrough and a base, the base being connected to a junction between the first diode and the field effect transistor;
a second diode connected in series with the emitter-collector path of the second transistor; and
an output port connected to a junction between the second diode and the emitter-collector path of second transistor.
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37. A logarithmic converter for producing an output signal proportional to a logarithm of an input signal, comprising:
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a first transistor having a current path therethrough and a high-impedance first control port, resistance of the current path being controlled by at least one of a voltage, a current and a charge applied to the first control port;
an input port connected to the first control port of the first transistor for receiving the input signal;
a first diode connected in series with the current path of the first transistor;
a second transistor having a current path therethrough and a second control port, the second control port being connected to a junction between the first diode and the first transistor;
a second diode connected in series with the current path of the second transistor; and
an output port connected to a junction between the second diode and the current path of second transistor.
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38. A comparator for producing a difference signal that represents a difference between a first input signal and a second input signal, comprising:
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a first current mirror having an input port for connection to the first input signal and a PNP transistor driving an output port; and
a second current mirror having an input port for connection to the second input signal and an NPN transistor driving an output port;
wherein the output port of the first current mirror is connected to the output port of the second current mirror to provide the difference signal. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A coincidence detector, comprising:
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a first line comprising a plurality of first, second, third and fifth materials; and
a second line comprising a plurality of first, second, fourth and sixth materials and oriented such that a portion of the second line is proximate a portion of the first line;
wherein;
when excited, the third material radiates a third-type signal that excites the third material;
when excited, the fourth material radiates a fourth-type signal that excites the fourth material;
when excited, the fifth material radiates a fifth-type signal that excites the fifth material;
when excited, the sixth material radiates a sixth-type signal that excites the sixth material;
when excited by a coincidence of the third-type and fourth-type signals, the first material radiates a visible light in a first color;
when excited by a coincidence of the fifth-type and sixth-type signals, the second material radiates a visible light in a second color;
whereby, if the first line is excited by the third-type signal and the second line is coincidentally excited by the fourth-type signal, or the first line is excited by the fifth-type signal and the second line is coincidentally excited by the sixth-type signal, the coincidence detector produces visible light of the first or second color, respectively, in a region where the first line is proximate the second line. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A coincidence detector, comprising:
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a first line comprising a plurality of first and second materials; and
a second line comprising a plurality of first and third materials and oriented such that a portion of the second line is proximate a portion of the first line;
wherein;
when excited, the second material radiates a second-type signal that excites the second material;
when excited, the third material radiates a third-type signal that excites the third material;
when excited by a coincidence of the second-type and third-type signals, the first material radiates a visible light;
whereby, if the first line is excited by the second-type signal and the second line is coincidentally excited by the third-type signal, the coincidence detector produces visible light in a region where the first line is proximate the second line. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification