Digital image acquisition system
First Claim
1. A method of image acquisition using a dynamic random access memory (RAM) as an image sensor having a transparent window through which a lens can focus an image on an array of radiation sensitive cells of said dynamic RAM including the steps of:
- (i) setting the cells of said dynamic RAM to a fully charged state;
(ii) scanning said image sensor to provide a series of digital images of variable exposure lengths;
(iii) storing the series of images of variable exposure lengths in a storage buffer;
(iv) processing said series of images of variable exposure lengths to provide a resultant single frame of image having a plurality of levels of intensity, and(v) storing the resultant single frame of image in a memory means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device utilizing a dynamic random access memory (RAM) image sensor which has a transparent window through which a lens can focus an image on an array of radiation sensitive cells of the dynamic RAM. The cells of the dynamic RAM are set to a fully charged state. The dynamic RAM is scanned in a sequence of steps for purposes of providing a series of images of variable exposure lengths. These series of images of variable exposure lengths are then stored in a memory. The series of images of variable exposure lengths are processed to provide a resultant single frame of image which has a plurality of intensity levels and the resultant single frame of image is then stored.
57 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of image acquisition using a dynamic random access memory (RAM) as an image sensor having a transparent window through which a lens can focus an image on an array of radiation sensitive cells of said dynamic RAM including the steps of:
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(i) setting the cells of said dynamic RAM to a fully charged state; (ii) scanning said image sensor to provide a series of digital images of variable exposure lengths; (iii) storing the series of images of variable exposure lengths in a storage buffer; (iv) processing said series of images of variable exposure lengths to provide a resultant single frame of image having a plurality of levels of intensity, and (v) storing the resultant single frame of image in a memory means.
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2. A digital image sensor including:
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(i) a dynamic random access memory (RAM) image sensor having a transparent window through which a lens can focus an image on an array of radiation sensitive cells of said dynamic RAM; (ii) means for setting the cells of said dynamic RAM to a fully charged state; (iii) means for scanning the dynamic RAM in a sequence of steps to provide a series of images of variable exposure lengths; (iv) means for storing said series of images of variable exposure lengths; (v) means for processing said series of images of variable exposure lengths to provide a resultant single frame of image having a plurality of intensity levels; and (vi) means for storing the resultant single frame of image. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A digital image acquisition system for use as a sensor at a remote location, the sensor having a degree of decision making autonomy with respect to an alternative location when linked for communication with the alternative location, the system including:
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(a) an image pick-up means for converting image information to electrical frame information; (b) storage means for storing said electrical frame information as a stored digital image; (c) decision making means for processing the stored digital image in accordance with a predetermined decision making sequence to arrive at one of a plurality of possible conclusion signals concerning the image; and (d) communication means for enabling communication of an output from the system to the alternative location, said output being dependent on said one conclusion signal. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surveillance system including a camera in communication with a base station, said camera having a degree of decision making autonomy with respect to the base station, the camera comprising,
(a) image pick-up means for converting image information to electrical frame information; -
(b) storage means for storing said electrical frame information as a stored digital image; (c) decision making means for processing the stored digital image in accordance with a predetermined decision making sequence to arrive at one of a plurality of possible conclusion signals concerning the image; and (d) communication means for enabling communication of an output from the system to the base station, said output being dependent on said one conclusion signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification