Optical system having an analog image memory, an analog refresh circuit, and analog converters

• US 5,566,103 A
• Filed: 08/01/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Original Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Inventors: Hyatt, Gilbert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fears, Terrell W.
• Application Number:
  US08/283,374
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 365/45, 365/189.01, 365/222, 365/201
• US Class Current: 365/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/897 using application of holographic techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8977 using special techniques for image reconstruction, e.g. FFT, geometrical transformations, spatial deconvolution, time deconvolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52026 Extracting wanted echo signals Doppler systems G01S15/50; Doppler short range imaging systems G01S15/8979
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7049 Technique, e.g. interferometric
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7088 Alignment mark detection, e.g. TTR, TTL, off-axis detection, array detector, video detection
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 99/006 Electronic time-pieces using a microcomputer, e.g. for multi-function clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/408 characterised by data handling or data format, e.g. reading, buffering or conversion of data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4086 Coordinate conversions; Other special calculations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4093 characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4142 characterised by the use of a microprocessor G05B19/4141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23094 Debounce key
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33182 Uart, serial datatransmission, modem
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34023 Risc processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34098 : Slope fitting, fairing contour, curve fitting, transition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34471 : Program memory is inhibited, not accessible as long as power fails
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34472 : Configure alterable memory as read only, to avoid erasing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35262 : Macro instruction, canned cycles, subroutines, subprogram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35263 : Using variables, parameters in program, macro, parametrized instruction
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35373 : Data storage, buffer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35381 : Convert in real time input peripheral data to processor data, ouput data format
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35431 : Interactive
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35436 : Means, manual input, input reference, hand wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35453 : Voice announcement, oral, speech input
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35472 : Mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35554 : Mirror, other conversions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35588 : Pack, compress data efficiently in memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36152 : Panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36227 : Assist operator to calculate unknown points, contours
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36333 : Selection from standard forms, shapes, partprograms, enter value for variable
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36366 : Data, read in, distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36379 : Read in
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36395 : Load local computer program from host, data transfer ram to rom, BTR
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36502 : Ram for variable servo data, rom for fixed servo routine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36503 : Adapt program to real coordinates, software orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36506 : Store in Rom and Ram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36546 : Memory protection, protected fields
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41021 : Variable gain
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/42237 : Pwm pulse width modulation, pulse to position modulation ppm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45214 : Gear cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45215 : Thread cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49221 : Control of scale
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50047 : Positioning, indexing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50048 : Jogging
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50083 : Power loss, measures again loss of power
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50151 : Orient, translate, align workpiece to fit position assumed in program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/16 : for access to memory bus G06F13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06J 1/00 : Hybrid computing arrangements digitally-programmed analogue computers G06G7/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 : electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/00 : Speech or audio signals analysis-synthesis techniques for redundancy reduction, e.g. in vocoders; Coding or decoding of speech or audio signals, using source filter models or psychoacoustic analysis in musical instruments G10H
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/565 : using capacitive charge storage elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/0033 : Disturbance prevention or evaluation; Refreshing of disturbed memory data
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/04 : using optical elements ; using other beam accessed elements, e.g. electron or ion beam
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3418 : Disturbance prevention or evaluation; Refreshing of disturbed memory data
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3431 : Circuits or methods to detect disturbed nonvolatile memory cells, e.g. which still read as programmed but with threshold less than the program verify threshold or read as erased but with threshold greater than the erase verify threshold, and to reverse the disturbance via a refreshing programming or erasing step
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/287 : Organisation of a multiplicity of shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/36 : using multistable semiconductor elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/00 : Electric analogue stores, e.g. for storing instantaneous values
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/024 : using a capacitive memory element G11C27/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/04 : Shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1042 : using interleaving techniques, i.e. read-write of one part of the memory while preparing another part
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 : Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 17/0291 : Digital and sampled data filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An optical system is provided having an analog image memory, an analog refresh circuit, and analog converters. An optical image is projected on a charge transfer array, such as a CCD imaging array, generating analog image charge samples in the array. The analog image charge samples can be shifted in the array and can be processed with an analog to digital converter to generate digital samples. The digital samples can be processed with a digital processor, such as a stored program digital computer; can be processed with an analog processor, such as a stored program analog computer; and can be processed with an analog filter processor, such as a Fourier transform processor. The analog image signal samples can be refreshed to reduce signal degradation, such as with a bias refresh circuit and a scale factor refresh circuit. Adaptive refreshing can be implemented by storing a reference signal in the analog memory and refreshing the analog image signal samples in response to the reference signal.

Claims

1. A process of operating an analog image memory system comprising:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals in an analog image memory representing the projected illumination image;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit;

refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog refresh circuit; and

generating digital image output signals representing the projected illumination image with an analog to digital converter operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

2. A process of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising bias refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog bias refresh circuit.

3. A process of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

scale factor refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog scale factor refresh circuit and

analog filtering the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

4. A process of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

5. A process of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals with a display device.

6. A process of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising filtering analog image signals with a filter processor coupled to the analog image memory.

7. A method of operating an analog memory system comprising the steps of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing in an analog image memory analog image signals representing the illumination image;

refreshing the stored analog image signals with a refresh circuit coupled to refresh the analog image memory; and

generating digital image output signals representing the image represented by the stored analog image signals with an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

12. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

26. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals with a display device coupled to the analog image memory.

8. A process of operating an analog image memory system comprising:

projecting an illumination image;

storing analog image signals representing the projected illumination image;

refreshing the stored analog image signals;

shifting the stored analog image signals; and

generating digital image output signals representing the projected illumination image in response to the analog image signals.

13. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the projecting includes zooming, focusing, and rotating the illumination image;

said process further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

9. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

generating analog image signals representing the projected illumination image in response to the projected illumination image;

storing the generated analog image signals in an analog image memory coupled to receive the generated analog image signals;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory; and

generating digital image output signals representing the projected illumination image with a digital to analog converter coupled to the analog image memory and operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

10. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the refreshing of the analog image signals includes bias refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog bias refresh circuit.

11. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the refreshing of the analog image signals includes scale factor refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog scale factor refresh circuit.

14. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

27. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals.

15. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens to generate a projected illumination image;

generating a plurality of image charge signals, each representing a different point on the projected image as an electrical charge state;

storing the plurality of image charge signals in a charge image memory operating in response to the illumination image;

refreshing the stored image charge signals to reduce bias degradation with an analog refresh circuit;

shifting the image charge signals stored in the charge image memory with a shifting circuit; and

generating digital image output signals representing the projected image with a converter operating in response to the image charge signals stored in the charge image memory.

20. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 15, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

33. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 15, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored image charge signals with a display device.

16. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals in an analog image memory coupled to the optical lens and operating in response to the illumination image, wherein the storing of the analog image signals causes degradation of the analog image signals;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory; and

refreshing the analog image signals to reduce degradation thereof with an analog refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory.

17. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the refreshing of the analog image signals includes bias refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog bias refresh circuit.

18. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the refreshing of the analog image signals includes scale factor refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog scale factor refresh circuit.

19. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 16, further comprising generating digital image output signals with an analog to digital converter operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

21. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 19, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

37. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 16, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals with a display device coupled to the analog image memory.

22. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image in an analog image memory, wherein the storing of the analog image signals causes degradation of the analog image signals;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit;

refreshing the stored analog image signals to reduce bias degradation thereof with an analog refresh circuit; and

generating digital image output signals with an analog to digital converter operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

23. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the refreshing of the stored analog image signals includes scale factor refreshing the stored analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog scale factor refresh circuit.

24. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 22, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

25. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 22, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals with a display device.

28. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals in an analog image memory coupled to the optical lens and operating in response to the illumination image, wherein the storing of the analog image signals causes degradation of the analog image signals;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory; and

refreshing the analog image signals to reduce bias degradation thereof with an analog refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory.

29. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 28, wherein the refreshing of the analog image signals includes scale factor refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with an analog scale factor refresh circuit.

30. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 28, further comprising generating digital image output signals with an analog to digital converter operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory.

31. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 30, further comprising processing the digital image output signals with a stored program digital computer.

32. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 28, further comprising displaying an image represented by the stored analog image signals with a display device coupled to the analog image memory.

38. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 28, further comprising displaying analog image signals with a liquid crystal display coupled to the analog image memory.

34. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image, wherein the storing of the analog image signals causes degradation of the analog image signals;

shifting the stored analog image signals;

refreshing the stored analog image signals to reduce bias degradation thereof; and

generating digital output signals in response to the stored analog signals.

35. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 34, further comprising scale factor refreshing the stored analog image signals to reduce scale factor degradation.

36. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 34, further comprising processing the digital output signals with a stored program digital computer.

39. A method of operating an analog image memory system as set forth in claim 34, further comprising filtering stored analog image signals with a filter processor.

40. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals representing the projected image in an analog image memory that is coupled to the optical lens and operates in response to the illumination image, wherein the storing of the analog image signals degrades the stored analog image signals; and

refreshing the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory to reduce bias degradation thereof with an analog refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory.

41. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals in an analog image memory coupled to the optical lens in response to the projected illumination image;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

generating digital image signals with an analog to digital converter that is coupled to the analog image memory and operates in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory;

storing a computer program in an integrated circuit read only memory; and

processing the digital image signals with a stored program digital computer that is coupled to receive the digital image signals from the analog to digital converter and that is coupled to execute the computer program stored in the integrated circuit read only memory and that operates in response to the computer program stored in the integrated circuit read only memory to process the received digital image signals.

42. A method of operating a television camera having an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image;

refreshing the stored analog image signals;

shifting the stored analog image signals;

generating digital image output signals representing the illumination image in response to the analog image signals;

processing the digital image output signals;

generating analog image input signals representing the illumination image in response to the digital image output signals; and

writing the generated analog image input signals into an analog image memory.

43. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image in an analog image memory that is coupled to the optical lens and operates in response to the illumination image;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

refreshing the stored analog image signals with a refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

generating digital image output signals representing the illumination image with an analog to digital converter coupled to the analog image memory and operating in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory; and

generating processed digital image signals representing the illumination image by processing the digital image output signals with a digital processor coupled to receive the digital image output signals.

44. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image in an analog image memory that is coupled to the optical lens and operates in response to the illumination image;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

refreshing the analog image signals with a refresh circuit coupled to the analog image memory;

generating digital image output signals representing the illumination image with an analog to digital converter that is coupled to the analog image memory and operates in response to the analog image signals stored in the analog image memory;

generating an analog image output signal representing the illumination image with a digital to analog converter that receives the digital image output signals from the analog to digital converter; and

writing the analog image output signal representing the illumination image into the analog image memory with an analog writing circuit coupled to receive the analog image output signal from the digital to analog converter.

45. A method of operating an analog image memory system comprising the process of:

projecting an illumination image with an optical lens;

storing analog image signals representing the illumination image in an analog memory coupled to the optical lens;

refreshing the stored analog image signals with a refresh circuit coupled to the analog memory;

shifting the analog image signals stored in the analog memory with a shifting circuit coupled to the analog memory;

converting the analog image signals to digital image signals representing the illumination image; and

processing the digital image signals with a stored program digital computer.