Pinhole Camera Intensifier with Electrostatic Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems face challenges with focus adjustments, limited lighting conditions, and mechanical movement issues, which affect image quality and resolution, especially when mounted on platforms like aircraft, where visibility and countermeasures are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A pinhole camera system with an intensifier unit inside a housing that increases light intensity and includes electrostatic lenses and deflectors to provide zoom and pan capabilities without manual adjustments, maintaining image resolution across varying distances and lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical lenses are used to provide focus and zoom capabilities, then image quality can be improved, but manual and automatic adjustments are required which increase device complexity and reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lens adjustment systems with an electrostatic field-based focusing mechanism. Electrostatic lenses create variable focal lengths by applying voltages to electrostatic deflector plates, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustments while maintaining image quality and focus capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal length parameter dynamically by applying different voltages to the electrostatic deflector plates. This allows continuous adjustment of focus and zoom capabilities through electrical parameter changes rather than mechanical movement, improving ease of operation while maintaining image quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gimbals are used to enable rotation and increase field of regard, then surveillance coverage is improved, but visibility of the camera system increases which may alert observed targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation and field-of-regard functionality from traditional visible gimbal mechanisms. By using electrostatic deflectors to steer the electron beam and intensified light path, the system achieves wide field of regard without external mechanical gimbals that would be visible to observed targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrostatic fields as an intermediary to achieve gimbal-like rotation capabilities. The electrostatic deflector plates mediate between the fixed camera housing and the desired directional changes, enabling field of regard adjustment without visible mechanical movement.
3Illumination intensity
If intensifier units are used to increase light intensity, then performance in low lighting conditions is improved, but the system may become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light intensification function with the existing electrostatic deflector system. The same electrostatic fields used for focusing and zooming also serve to guide and intensify the light path through the pinhole aperture, achieving light intensity enhancement without adding separate complex intensification mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system generates images with infinite depth of focus and improved resolution, reducing the need for manual adjustments and enhancing performance in different lighting conditions, while minimizing visibility and vulnerability.
Implementation Method 1
The intensifier unit is configured to receive at least a portion of the light passing through the opening and increase the intensity of the light to form intensified light
Implementation Method 2
The intensified light is converted into a number of signals for the image using an image detection system located inside of the housing
Implementation Method 3
The electrostatic lenses are configured to receive the light and cause the light to focus at a focal point
Implementation Method 4
The electrostatic deflectors are configured to receive the light and change a direction of travel for the light
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating an image. Light is passed though an opening of a housing. The light has an intensity. At least a portion of the light received through the opening is increased using an intensifier unit to form intensified light. The intensified light is converted into a number of signals for the image using an image detection system located inside of the housing.