Spectral-zonal color reconnaissance system

Abstract

Multiple images of a common scene are formed by exposure of photographic film primarily to separated zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum. The several film images are illuminated individually with lights of selected chromaticities. The chromaticity of the light illuminating at least one of the images is widely separated from the chromaticity associated with the corresponding exposing spectral zone for that image. The illuminated images are displayed in registration for evaluation.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of remote sensing comprising the steps of forming a plurality of photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like by exposure of different film portions respectively primarily to different zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum;   developing said images;   illuminating the several developed film images individually with lights of selected chromaticities,  the chromaticity of the light illuminating at least one of said developed images being substantially different from the chromaticity associated with the corresponding exposing spectral zone for that image;   simultaneously displaying the illuminated developed images in registration for evaluation; and   individually varying the brightness of the contributions of the several developed images to the display resulting in contrasts, (of differences), from which information about the scene may be easily discerned.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of individually varying the saturation of the contributions of the several developed images to the display. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1 wherein all of said images are formed on a single strip of film in precise relative positions with respect to each other and with respect to the film, whereby the display of the illuminated developed images in registration is facilitated. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of forming all of said images on a single strip of film in precise relative positions with respect to each other, and indexing the film strip during exposure thereof and also during the display of the illuminated developed images to reference positions, whereby the display of the illuminated developed images in registration is facilitated. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of forming all of said images on a single strip of film in precise relative positions with respect to each other, and forming a plurality of index marks on the film in precise relative positions with respect to said images, whereby the display of the illuminated developed images in registration is facilitated. 
     
     
       6. In a remote sensing system, an optical viewing apparatus for evaluating a reconnaissance film including multiple photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like, the images being respectively exposed primarily to separated zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum comprising: means for illuminating the film images individually with white lights;   additional means for illuminating the film images individually with lights of substantially the same chromaticities as their respective exposing spectra;   means for selectively making effective any one or more of said illuminating means;   means for individually varying the brightness of said lights; and   optical means for displaying the selected illuminated images for evaluation.   
     
     
       7. In a remote sensing system, an optical viewing apparatus for evaluating a reconnaissance film including multiple photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like, the images being respectively exposed primarily to separated zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum comprising: means for illuminating the film images individually with white lights;   additional means for illuminating the film images individually with lights of substantially the same chromaticities as their respective exposing spectra;   means for selectively making effective any one or more of said white light illuminating means;   means for selectively making effective any one or more of said chromatic illuminating means simultaneously with illumination by said white light illuminating means;   means for individually varying the brightness of said lights; and   optical means for simultaneously displaying the selected illuminated images for evaluation. .Iadd. 8. A method of remote sensing comprising the steps of   forming at least four photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like by exposure of different film portions on a single strip of film in precise relative positions with respect to each other respectively primarily to different zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum, at least one of the photographs being in the non-visible region of said spectrum;   developing said images;   illuminating the said developed film images individually with lights of selected chromaticities, each chromaticity selected being a portion of the visible spectrum and not white light, the chromaticity of the light illuminating at least one of said developed images being substantially different from the chromaticity associated with the corresponding exposing spectral zone for that image;   simultaneously displaying the illuminated developed images in registration for evaluation in an optical viewing apparatus having at least four projection means, said evaluation being based upon objectively measurable color; and   individually varying the brightness of the contributions of several of the developed images to the display resulting in contrasts (or differences) from which information about the scene may be easily discerned..Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.9.  A method of remote sensing comprising the steps of forming at least four photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like by exposure of different film portions respectively primarily to different zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum, at least one of the photographs being in the non-visible region of said spectrum;   developing said images;   illuminating the said developed film images individually with lights of selected chromaticities, each chromaticity selected being a portion of the visible spectrum and not white light, the chromaticity of the light illuminating at least one of said developed images being substantially different from the chromaticity associated with the corresponding exposing spectral zone for that image;   simultaneously displaying the illuminated developed images in registration for evaluation in an optical viewing apparatus having at least four projection means, said evaluation being based upon objectively measurable color; and   individually varying the brightness of the contributions of several of the developed images to the display resulting in contrasts (of differences) from which information about the scene may be easily discerned. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. In a remote sensing system, an optical viewing apparatus for evaluating a reconnaissance film including at least four photographic images of a common scene overflown by an airplane or satellite or the like, the images being exposed primarily to separated zones of the actinic electromagnetic spectrum comprising:   means for illuminating the film images individually with white lights;   additional means for simultaneously illuminating at least three of the film images individually with lights of substantially different chromaticities from their respective exposing spectra, which chromaticities are different portions of the visible spectrum;   means for selectively making effective any one or more of said illuminating means;   means for individually varying the brightness of said lights; and   optical means having at least four projection means for displaying the selected illuminated images for evaluation. .Iaddend.