The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 20, 2001

Filed:

Jun. 04, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:

Joseph P. Estrera, Dallas, TX (US);

John W. Glesener, Richardson, TX (US);

Michael R. Saldaña, New Braunfels, TX (US);

Assignee:

Litton Systems, Inc., Woodland Hills, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01J 3/150 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01J 3/150 ;
Abstract

The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from an image. A power supply to the photocathode is gated such that the photocathode is switched between an on state and an off state. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons while the photocathode is in the on state. A microchannel plate with an unfilmed input face and an output face receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…