Video trigger in a solid state motion analysis system
First Claim
1. A solid state motion analysis system comprising:
- solid state imager means for capturing an image of an event and for producing an image frame signal having a variable image characteristic, wherein said imager means is selectively operable at different image frame rates up to several hundred frames per second;
means for comparing selected image frame signals produced by said imager means to determine a change in the value of said image characteristic between said selected image frame signals;
means for producing a trigger signal in response to a change in image characteristic determined by said comparing means; and
solid state memory means for storing a plurality of image frame signals produced by said imager means, wherein said trigger signal starts or stops storage of image frame signals in said memory means, such that said imager means frame rate is unaffected by said trigger signal.
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Abstract
A solid state motion analysis system stores images of an event at a fast frame rate and plays back the images at a slower frame rate to facilitate analysis of the event. The motion analysis system includes a solid state imager which is selectively operable at different frame rates and further includes a solid state memory for storing a plurality of image frames. A video trigger circuit includes a comparison circuit to compare selected images produced by the imager to determine a change in the value of an image characteristic between the images. When a change is determined, the video trigger circuit produces a trigger signal to alter the mode of operation of the motion analysis system. Thus, storage of image frames may be started or stopped when a difference in luminance or color occurs between successive image frames, such difference indicating a change in the event.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A solid state motion analysis system comprising:
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solid state imager means for capturing an image of an event and for producing an image frame signal having a variable image characteristic, wherein said imager means is selectively operable at different image frame rates up to several hundred frames per second; means for comparing selected image frame signals produced by said imager means to determine a change in the value of said image characteristic between said selected image frame signals; means for producing a trigger signal in response to a change in image characteristic determined by said comparing means; and solid state memory means for storing a plurality of image frame signals produced by said imager means, wherein said trigger signal starts or stops storage of image frame signals in said memory means, such that said imager means frame rate is unaffected by said trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A solid state motion analysis system comprising:
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solid state imager means having a plurality of photosites arranged in an array of rows and columns for capturing an image of an event and for producing an image by reading out blocks of parallel rows of photosites; said image frame signal having a variable image characteristic and including sequential blocks of video information, wherein each block of video information includes parallel lines of video signals and wherein said imager means is selectively operable at different image frame rates up to several hundred frames per second; means for comparing selected image frame signals produced by said imager means to determine a change in the value of said image characteristic between said selected image frame signals; means for producing a trigger signal in response to a change in image characteristic determined by said comparing means; and solid state memory means for storing a plurality of image frame signals produced by said imager means, wherein said trigger signal starts or stops storage of image frame signals in said memory means, such that said imager means frame rate is unaffected by said trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification