All-weather multi-spectral imaging system

• US 4,086,616 A
• Filed: 12/23/1976
• Issued: 04/25/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Richards, William E., Catano, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murray, Richard
• Application Number:
  US05/753,952
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 358/82, 358/81, 358/113, 358/211
• US Class Current: 348/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/09 for electromagnetic radiation in the invisible region, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An all-weather, maximum resolution system visually presents a multi-color mposite image of plural selected spectral ranges of energy received from a common field of view. First, second, and third images of a selected common field of view are developed and respective, first, second and third sensors (each responsive to a different spectral range of energy) develop first, second, and third sets of electrical signals commensurate with the energy emanating from the selected common field of view. In a typical preferred embodiment the selected spectral ranges may comprise the visual range of light energy, the middle infrared range comprising light energy in the 3 to 5 micron region, and the far infrared range comprising light energy in the 8 to 10 micron region. A multi-color cathode ray tube receives the three different sets of electrical signals thus developed and produces a multi-color composite image in three different primary colors representing the common field of view in the three discrete selected spectral ranges of energy which emanate from it. All-weather detection of objects within a field of view is then enabled such as during clear visibility, fog conditions, and rain conditions, in both daytime and nightime.

Claims

1. An all weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image of plural selected spectral ranges of energy received from a common field of view comprising:

optical means controllably directed to receive energy from any desired field of view within 360°

rotation in azimuth and substantially 90°

in elevation;

first, second, and third means synchronously operative and aligned with said optical meas for simultaneously producing first, second, and third images of said desired field of view;

a first sensor responsive to energy components of sad first image within the visible range for producing a first set of electrical signals commensurate therewith;

a second sensor responsive to energy components of said second image within the middle infrared range for producing a second set of electrical signals commensurate therewith;

a thrid sensor responsive to energy components of said third image within the far infrared range for producing a third set of electrical signals commensurate therewith;

a multi-color cathode ray tube for producing images in three different primary colors and connected to receive said first, second, and third sets of electrical signals for generating a multi-color composite image of said desired field of view in accordance with the multiple discrete selected spectral ranges of energy simultaneously detected in said field of view.

2. An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical signals developed from said first, second, and third sensors produce commensurate blue, green, and red images on the face of said multi-color cathode ray tube.

3. An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein one input channel to said multi-color cathode ray tube is time-shared for producing visual alpha-numeric symbolic information on the face of said tube simultaneously with said multi-color composite image.

4. An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 including timing and control means for selectively cueing one or more of the electrical signals derived from said first, second, and third sensors for producing a continuously presented visual image augmented at selected times by different sensory information originating from the same field of view.

5. An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first sensor responsive to energy components within the visible range comprises a low-light-level television camera.

6. An all-weather maximum resolution system for visually presenting a multi-color composite image as claimed in claim 1 including scan converter means for adapting the format of signals produced by said sensors to a format compatible with cathode ray tube presentation.