Unsynchronized multispectral video filtering system with filter identification sensor within field of view and video signal responsive

• US 4,878,109 A
• Filed: 02/08/1988
• Issued: 10/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TM Patents LP
• Original Assignee: Thinking Machines Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Hillis, W. Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/154,490
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 358/42, 358/43, 358/44, 358/98, 358/150, 358/151
• US Class Current: 348/271
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/12 with one sensor only

Abstract

A video system for exposing a video camera to a field of view through a sequence of different filter elements. A position detection system is employed in order to identify which filter element is in the field of view without requiring synchronization between the filter elements and the camera system. The filter elements are rotated on a wheel in front of the camera lens by an unsynchronized motor, and wheel position is detected and used to trigger a frame buffer so that it fills with signals from a camera view through a particular unitary filter. The position detection system may include a coded marking on the wheel which is detected by a separate sensor or detection in the signal stream from the camera, or it may include means for sensing the filter characteristic in the video signal itself. A controller provides a request of video signals for a particular filter characteristic which operates in synchronism with the position sensor.

Claims

1. A video system for identifying boundaries of sequentially filtered video signals comprising:

video camera means for providing video output signals from a field of view;

means for passing a sequence of filters between said video camera and the field of view thereby filtering said field of view resulting in a video output signal which includes a sequential stream of filtered signals, each signal having a distinguishable video characteristic representative of one of the filters in the sequence of filters;

means for assembling said stream of filtered signals into a unitary representation of said field of view;

means for sensing a position of the sequence of filters to identify which filter is in the field of view;

means, operative in response to the sensed filter position, for causing said assembling means to assemble said stream of filtered signals, providing a video output signal assembled according to which filter in said sequence of filters is in the field of view;

means for providing request signals for assemblying video signals each request signal corresponding to a selected filter; and

means for operating said causing means in response to coincidence of said request signals and sensing of the corresponding filter being in the field of view.

2. A video system for identifying boundaries of sequentially filtered video signals comprising:

video camera means for providing video output signals from a field of view;

means for passing a sequence of filters between said video camera and and the field of view thereby filtering said field of view resulting in a video output signal which includes a sequential stream of filtered signals, each signal having a distinguishable video characteristic representative of one of the filters in the sequence of filters;

means for assembling said streams of filtered signals into a unitary representation of said field of view;

means for sensing a position of the sequence of filters to identify which filter is in the field of view;

means, operative in response to the sensed filter position, for causing said assembling means to assemble said stream of filtered signals, providing an assembled video output signal assembled according to which filter in said sequence of filters is in the field of view;

said position sensing means including means responsive to the video output signals, for identifying which one of the filters of said sequence is in the field of view.

3. The video system of claim 2 wherein said identifying means includes:

means within the field of view for uniquely identifying said filters one from the other.