InGaAs image intensifier camera

• US 7,092,013 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Ostromek, Timothy E., Hogan, Timothy B., Short, Jeffrey C., Estrera, Joseph P., Bacarella, Antonio V., Doster, Rodney L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 348/217.1, 348/229.1, 348/216.1, 359/419, 359/399, 359/420, 359/421, 359/432, 206/316.1
• US Class Current: 348/217.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing

Abstract

An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“I2”) Camera (C) detects and forms an image (310) to be viewed. An InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier (312) is used to pass an amplified signal (316) from a screen (320). The InGaAs image intensification tube (312) is optically coupled (328) to an imaging device (322) for passing output light. The output light (316) from the InGaAs tube (312) is transformed by an electronic circuit (322) producing a desired signal output (324). The signal output (324) from the electronic circuit (322) may be further enhanced into an enhanced signal output (310). The enhanced signal output may be formatted into a form for viewing or may be saved.

Claims

1. An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“

I2”

) Camera for detecting and forming an image to be viewed, the camera comprising;

an InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier to pass an amplified signal from a screen;

the InGaAs image intensification tube being optically coupled to an imaging device for passing output optical signal;

the output optical signal from the InGaAs tube being transformed by an electronic circuit for producing a desired signal output;

the signal output from the electronic circuit being further enhanced into an enhanced signal output;

means for processing the enhanced signal output from the electronic circuit for desired viewing; and

the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to a source.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein a relay optic device optically couples the InGaAs image intensifier tube to the imaging device.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein a fiber optic bundle optically couples the InGaAs image intensifier tube to the imaging device.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit for producing the desired signal output is a charged coupled device (CCD).

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit for producing the desired signal output is a CMOS imager device.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the enhanced signal output is subjected to dynamic range expansion.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the enhanced signal output is subjected to contrast and brightness enhancement.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to a laser source.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to an external source.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to an internal source.

11. A method for producing an image of a desired scene using an image intensifier tube having an InGaAs type of photocathode, comprising:

receiving a scene image using the InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier;

generating an initial representative picture of the scene with the output screen of the InGaAs image intensification tube;

communicating the initial representation picture to an imaging device;

transforming the initial representation picture into an electronic data stream with the imaging device;

processing the data stream into a desired output format; and

synchronizing the InGaAs image intensification tube with a source.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial representation picture is communicated to the imaging device by a relay optic.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial representation picture is communicated to the imaging device by a fiber optic bundle.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the InGaAs image intensification is synchronized to a laser source.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to an external source.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the InGaAs image intensification tube is synchronized to an internal source.